Ok Opinion Time!
I have narrowed my choice of cases to 3.. Price isn't the main concern (even the 'expensive' choice in this bunch is under $70), but, the one *I* like does happen to be the most expensive one.
In order of which one I like best *so far*:
This is a Cooler Master. It's the most expensive choice. The main thing I like about this case? It's the only one I've found that not only has a mesh front and back and top and left side... it has mesh on the right side, under where the motherboard sits. This, to me, seems a very, very, good place to have ventilation and no one else seems to have it.
https://www.newegg.com/midnight-black-cooler-master-n-series-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811119277The next two choices are tied with each other. I may like this one slightly better mainly due to it's slightly larger and looks slightly nicer overall. It has everything the first choice has, basically, except that it has no motherboard side ventilation.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811853003This one is very similar to the previous one. I think it may have better front ventilation due to I think the (unneeded by me) drive bays aren't obstructions like they are on the DeepCool.. It's damn cheap! $36.. but it got solid reviews and, again, it's hard to choose between it and the DeepCool based on features and reviews. They both seem very similar except that the DeepCool has like 600 more reviews.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811553030Again, price isn't the big thing, but.... the top choice is nearly double the price of the bottom one, and, all three of these cases seem really similar.
I'm leaning towards the Cooler Master just due to that bonus motherboard cooling vent on top of it having everything else I seem to want/need. The dimensions on all of them are very similar and they all look similarly easy to work in. They all have similar reviews and look similarly well built in spite of the price differences.
Opinion...? Which one do you like? Why??
I think I'm not going to make a decision today. One (hopefully) more night to sleep on things..
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After looking at these three again for the billionth time, I think I actually like the cheapest one better than the DeepCool. Just look at those missing front drive bays on the Cougar.. And then look at the ones obstructing airflow and holding in heat on the DeepCool... Well, and, on the CoolerMaster, too...
The cheapest choice may well be the best one. I think it depends on how much I like that Coolermaster motherboard vent vs. would it actually be useful to ditch the drive bays.. I'm not thinking of anything I need drive bays for, right now...
So now we have only 1 model with a motherboard vent and only 1 model with no obstructing drive bays... and, the other case. : )
I'm very interested to hear any opinions on this due to I may be overlooking something.
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I just noticed that the mesh on the Cougar isn't nearly as meshy on the inside of the case as the other two alternatives, above... If it weren't for that, I think I'd get the Cougar just due to it's got way more space to work in and for air to get around in without the drive bays.
With SSD's and Thumb Drives (who needs to burn a cd/dvd anymore..) I don't understand why cases are still so drive cage dominated.. Drive bays look archaic, to me... I mean, fine, if you must still include them, make them ..... removable, huh? Right?? Metal holds in heat, and, unneeded bays are more than likely going to restrict airflow to some degree.. Heat has to be the number 1 degrader of performance and longevity.. Those drive bays take up a lot of room, too! I mean look at how much of the case is dominated by them and you may not even need them!
So now it's down to the CoolerMaster and DeepCool...
CoolerMaster has the motherboard ventilation I like (hopefully this new-to-me design doesn't attract dust in a new-to-me destructive area...) and... take a look at the drive bays. They are wide open to allow for airflow through the front panel.
Now, take a look at the DeepCool drive bays that sit behind that nice mesh front plate...
So, yeah.. (most expensive one, of course..) CoolerMaster is my current top choice. Matter of fact, it looks like about the best case I saw at any price. It's handy that it comes with a front and back fan. I want a top exhaust fan, but, I have to look and see what it'll sit on top of on the motherboard. I don't want a side fan blowing air (and whatever else slips through the mesh) onto the motherboard. I never liked blowing air directly on the motherboard - I'd much rather suck heat *away* from it than blow cool on to it (and in to opposing CPU/GPU fans..).
Anyway, looks like the CoolerMaster is gonna win.. it's a little pricey for me (I usually cheap out on cases..), but, barely, and, seems the way to go.
I'm still open to opinions : D