HAF 932 vs. Storm Sniper Cases

[Sir Shfvingle]

I'll try and keep this short and sweet.

I need a new case and can't decide between those two Cooler Masters. They are similar in price, size and features so It's the little things that count here. Here's a list I made of what matters in each:

Sniper http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-194-_-Product
"Mid-Tower"(though it's the same size as a full)
Fans: 120mm rear
200mm front-with air filter
200mm top
200mm side-air filter
optional bottom 120nn with filter
LED control and fan speed
BLACK

HAF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-160-_-Product
Full Tower
Fans: 140mm rear
230mm front
230mm side
230mm top
op bottom 140(Idk about filter)
Supports E-ATX mobos
Cool outside, sucky gray inside

Now, I don't care about LED lights, seeing inside, showing off, etc nor does noise level matter much to me(as long as it's quieter than the Cd Rom drive). My main concern is performance and future expansion.
I want it cool and the HAF has bigger fans but no dust filters, and dust is a MAJOR problem with my current build. The HAF supports huge mobos, and assuming I'll have this case for a while, I'd like options. Lastly, The sniper is black inside, and not that it means much, it's one aesthetic I consider.

SO, do any of you have any advice/experiences/suggestions? Anything is appreciated.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

This is the question for me!

For my gaming rig I have gone through the following cases:

Some basic Apevia full tower case
Antec 1200
Corsair 800D
Coolermaster HAF X


The Coolermaster HAF X is the updated version of the HAF 932. It has a 230mm front intake, a 200mm side intake right next to your GPU's a 140mm rear exhaust and a 200mm top exhaust as well as mounts for a second 200mm top exhaust. All intakes have dust filters, the light on the front intake fan can be turned on or off.

The dust filters are not as good as the ones that come with the Antec DF-85 (which is another good full tower option) and are a bit harder to remove and reinstall but they are there and seem to keep the majority of the dust out.

The HAF X definitely has the best airflow out of any case I've owned and the build quality is excellent plus all the HDD and CDROM drive bays are tooless. Also the back panel bulges out allowing for more room for all of your cables that are routed back there. In my previous cases it was a pain to get the rear panel closed, comparatively this one was easy.

[Sir Shfvingle]

I totally agree on everything about the HAF X. In fact that was the first case that I looked at buying. However, at this point in time, I can't justify my case costing more than many of my components. I believe on Newegg it's $190 right now with the 932 being $50 cheaper. I'm not in a rush to buy a new case so I can bide my time a bit and If the X goes does in price a bit I'll be sure to snatch it up. Thanks.
Oh, and that's a mighty fine collection of cases ya got there, btw.

Edit: One last thing. How does the Antec 1200 compare with the DF-85? They look a little similar...

[Top-Tier-Tech]

The DF-85 has easy to remove dust filters, the 3 front fans swing out on hinges and you just pull the filters out, on the 1200 you have to remove 8 thumb screws, slide the bay forward then remove the filter. Other than that there isn't much difference. The DF-85 is cheaper, not sure if it fits in your budget but it's a great case as well based on my experience with the 1200.

You can get the HAF X for $178.80 shipped on Ebay. I bought mine from there as they are cheaper than newegg.

$163.39 for the Antec DF-85 shipped.

$135 shipped for the HAF 932

[mrmouth]

on the 1200 you have to remove 8 thumb screws, slide the bay forward then remove the filter.

I long ago abandoned the thumb screws and simply pull forward the bays when they need to be cleaned.

No need for an upgrade, but I still really want a Corsair case. So when I finally do a proper water setup I will upgrade. But I'm still loving the 1200.

[Sir Shfvingle]

Got it. Thanks for the info!

[Big Boss]

I hated my 1200, I would stay away from the DF cases. Personally at that price range I'd be considering this though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...39003&Tpk=600t

[Jagdpanzer]

I am not exactly an expert on building your own gaming rig but I do have a Storm Sniper case. This video review shows its features:



EDIT: For me the best thing about it are the dust filters. I should clean my apartment more often.

[Sir Shfvingle]

Big Boss, I've looked into the Graphite series and it just seems like it would have a lot less airflow. Plus, on the non practical side, it's kind of boring looking.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Big Boss, I've looked into the Graphite series and it just seems like it would have a lot less airflow. Plus, on the non practical side, it's kind of boring looking.

100% correct you are. That's why I sold my Corsair 800D and the same issue would be present in the 600T. Of course if you have a GPU that runs cool in the first place it's no big deal but my temps were so ridiculously bad in the 800D that I had to leave the side panel off to play games otherwise my GPU's went into the red zone. My load temps literally went down 12C just by switching to the HAF X. I do believe the 600T actually does have a little better airflow but if you can get the DF-85 or HAF 932/HAF X I'd go for one of those as you get wonderful airflow with them. Also I'd highly recommend just going for a full tower case so you don't have to worry about upgrading in the future due to space or size constraints.

[snuggans]

i'm looking at the HAF 932 and HAF X, and well.. i can't bring myself to pay extra for the X when it's the same fans and design. what exactly does the X improve on? as for the aesthestics, i see it's painted black inside and it has more LED lights, which i don't really care for, it's got wheels which are useless for my current situation. there's a power supply partition which is for 'concealing cables'. is that all it does? seems like it would mess with the air flow a bit.

edit: apparently the HAF 932 does not have dust filters but the HAF X does. hmm.

[Sir Shfvingle]

The HAF X also has USB 3 ports, a second 200mm top fan option, the ability to turn off the LED lights, has 9 pci slots and supports EVEN bigger mobos. Therefore +$50.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

The HAF X only has one LEd fan which can be turned off with the flip of a switch, another great thing it has is plastic shroud that directs the side panel intake fan's airflow directly at the GPU's. Also the HAF X has GPU support brackets. Then you get the black interior, the wheels, the filters, and that 2nd 200mm fan mount as well as USB 3.0 ports.

[mrcrusty]

Unless you are picking up a Gigabyte UD7 based XL-ATX motherboard, a bigger interior space for motherboards isn't going to help unless you're planning on mounting an internal radiator for watercooling and are worried about space.

The HAF 932 is good (though you will need dust filters) and is a better choice for cooling and space than the Sniper. However the Sniper is a good overall case, and there's nothing that disqualifies it from your needs.

Other considerations include the NZXT Phantom and Lian-LI PC-K62/63. All are of a similar price and will provide similar aesthetics, cooling and interior room.

The Corsair cases (in particular the 700/800D) were built with watercooling in mind. In terms of aircooling, it cannot beat the Sniper, let alone the HAF.

The HAF 912 is also a consideration if you aren't so picky about the space. It's half the price as the other cases, it's a bit smaller but still provides decent cooling and aethestics. It's essentially the HAF-X with a Mid-Tower form factor.

[paradamed]

The storm sniper looks like a very good case.

[Sir Shfvingle]

I'm thinking now, that by the time I buy the HAF 932, any extra/better fans or coolers, and either buy or make dust filters, I could've just bought the HAF X. Initially I didn't want to spend that much, but to get what I want, it seems that I have to. Does that reasoning make sense?

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Makes sense to me . With cases and power supplies I always recommend you get the best you can afford because those 2 components can be used on your current build and future upgrades.

[snuggans]

with bottom mounted PSU cases, i'm wondering where the PSU fan opening should be? the top of the PSU, right? i've seen some at the bottom and some with the fan at the top, and i've also heard of people installing it upside down intentionally because of the way the cables plug into the ports? i'd like some clarification here.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

with bottom mounted PSU cases, i'm wondering where the PSU fan opening should be? the top of the PSU, right? i've seen some at the bottom and some with the fan at the top, and i've also heard of people installing it upside down intentionally because of the way the cables plug into the ports? i'd like some clarification here.

If your case has a vent below the PSU then you mount it with the fan down. If not then fan up.

[snuggans]

what is preferable for temperatures?

edit: i did some quick googling and apparently if your case has a bottom vent and enough bottom room to draw exterior air from, the fan should be facing down. it should supposedly improve the PSU's temps.