To all PC builders and enthusiasts, a case is almost as important as the components itself. The case encompasses the owner’s agenda, his/her personality, and besides, all of us wants to make our desk look like a professional.
Though for some, spending around $200 for a case doesn’t seem like a worthwhile investment, no matter how amazing it is. This is where this guide comes along. Here we have 5 window panel cases around for less than Php4,000 or $100.
1. DeepCool Dukase V2 – Php2,200
DeepCool is well known in the asian market for providing cheap yet high quality fans, cases, and peripherals. While mostly their target audience are coolers, DeepCool also sports unique and simplistic cases such as the Dukase.
The DeepCool Dukase V2 is the successor of DeepCool’s original Dukase case, and the major difference between the two is the side panel, on which has a curved edge while the V2 doesn’t.
The same for most cases ATX cases, the Dukase V2 features a top, rear, and front chassis fan as well as filters (excluding the top and rear). It features a fan controller as well and sports a good amount of room for cable management.
| Materials | SPCC+PLASTIC (ABS)(Panel thickness: 0.7mm) |
| Product Dimension | L482.7×W202×H504mm |
| Weight | Net.: 7.03kg Gross: 8.27kg |
| 5.25″ Drive Bays | 2 |
| 3.5″ Drive Bays | 1 External (for floppy drive or 3.5″ card-reader) |
| 3.5″/2.5″Drive Bays | 2 |
| 2.5″ Drive Bays | 3 |
| I/O Panel | 1×USB3.0/1×USB2.0/Audio(HD)×1/Mic×1 |
| Expansion Slots | 7 (slot covers fixed by screws for easy removing and reuse) |
| Cooling Fans |
Pre-installed: Rear: 1×120mm fan; Optional:
Front: 2×120mm or 1×140mm Top: 2×120/140mm
|
| Power Supply Type | ATX PS2(Length less than 170mm) |
| CPU Cooler Compatibility | 160mm height Liquid Cooler: 120/240/140/280mm at top, 120mm at rear |
| VGA Compatibility | 390mm |
| Motherboards | ATX/MICRO ATX/MINI-ITX |
2. Tecware Titan – Php2,750
Tecware is a new brand looking to make a scene in the gaming market by introducing high-quality, yet affordable gaming PC cases.
The Titan – Tecware’s latest full tower case – features a full acrylic window side panel, as well as a top, rear, and front fan panels with easy to detach filters. The Tecware Titan features several tooless mounts, and sports 2 5.25″ drive bays on the front that is perfect for external fan controllers, or RGB lighting controllers.
The Titan also includes a fan controller at the top, as well as USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports.
| Materials | SPCC+PLASTIC (ABS)(Panel thickness: 0.7mm) |
| Product Dimension | L472×W230×H503mm |
| Weight | 6.5kg |
| 5.25″ Drive Bays | 2 |
| 3.5″ Drive Bays | 1 External (for floppy drive or 3.5″ card-reader) |
| 3.5″/2.5″Drive Bays | 2 |
| 2.5″ Drive Bays | 3 |
| I/O Panel | 2×USB3.0/2×USB2.0/Audio(HD)×1/Mic×1/Dual Fan Controller up to 5 fans |
| Expansion Slots | 7 (slot covers fixed by screws for easy removing and reuse) |
| Cooling Fans |
Pre-installed: Rear: 1×120mm fan; Optional:
Front: 3×120mm or 2×140mm Top: 2×120/140mm
|
| Power Supply Type | ATX PS2(Length less than 170mm) |
| CPU Cooler Compatibility | 175mm height Liquid Cooler: 120/240/140/280mm at top, 120mm at rear |
| VGA Compatibility | 415mm |
| Motherboards | E-ATX/ATX/MICRO ATX/MINI-ITX |
3. AeroCool Aero 800 – Php2,780
Aerocool is a well known brand in providing coolers, PC cases, and general peripherals. Despite their rather large number of available mid tower cases in the market, the Aero 800 is a wonderful case that’s perfect for budget gamers that wants a side window panel, without breaking the price.
The Aero 800 features a top, rear, and front fan panel, as well as filters for each side (excluding the rear). On the front it sports 2 5.25″ drives, as well as 2 USB 3.0 ports and 2 USB 2.0 ports.
| Materials | SECC STEAL+PLASTIC (ABS)(Panel thickness: 0.55mm) |
| Product Dimension | L473×W200×H472mm |
| Weight | 6.15kg |
| 5.25″ Drive Bays | 2 |
| 3.5″ Drive Bays | 2 |
| 3.5″/2.5″Drive Bays | 2 |
| 2.5″ Drive Bays | 3 |
| I/O Panel | 1×USB3.0/1×USB2.0/Audio(HD)×1/Mic×1 |
| Expansion Slots | 7 (slot covers fixed by screws for easy removing and reuse) |
| Cooling Fans |
Rear: 1×120mm fan
Front: 2×120mm or 1×140mm Top: 2×120/140mm
|
| Power Supply Type | ATX PS2(Length less than 170mm) |
| CPU Cooler Compatibility | 160mm height Liquid Cooler: 120/240/140/280mm at top, 120mm at rear |
| VGA Compatibility | 390mm |
| Motherboards | ATX/MICRO ATX/MINI-ITX |
4. NZXT S340 – Php3,500
NZXT is famous for creating high quality gaming cases. Well known for creating the H440, NZXT also has several window-type cases from various price ranges, whether acrylic or tempered.
Here we have the S340, the so-called “little brother” of the H440. It features an acrylic window side panel, top, front, and rear fan mounts, and an open-close front panel. The S340 is known as one of the best mid tower cases for under $100
| Materials | SECC STEAL+ABS PLASTIC(Panel thickness: 0.7mm) |
| Product Dimension | 432×W203×H474mm |
| Weight | 7.05kg |
| 5.25″ Drive Bays | N/A |
| 3.5″ Drive Bays | 3 |
| 3.5″/2.5″Drive Bays | 2 |
| 2.5″ Drive Bays | 3 |
| I/O Panel | 2×USB3.0Audio(HD)×1/Mic×1 |
| Expansion Slots | 7 (slot covers fixed by screws for easy removing and reuse) |
| Cooling Fans |
Rear: 1×120mm fan
Front: 2×120mm or 1×140mm Top: 1×120/140mm
|
| Power Supply Type | ATX PS2(Length less than 170mm) |
| CPU Cooler Compatibility | 161mm height Liquid Cooler: 120/240/140/280mm at top, 120mm at rear |
| VGA Compatibility | 364mm |
| Motherboards | ATX/MICRO ATX/MINI-ITX |
5. Phanteks Eclipse P400 – Php3,700
Phanteks, just like NZXT, is also well known for creating high quality cases, particularly its Evoolv series.
The P400 is no different. It features an acrylic side window with front, top, and side panels, and an led light at the front-bottom of the case. Featuring a durable and thick metal sheet, the P400 is a great contender in the sub $100 window panel cases.
| Materials | SPCC+PLASTIC (ABS)(Panel thickness: 0.7mm) |
| Product Dimension | L465×W210×H470mm |
| Weight | Net.: 7kg Gross: 8kg |
| 5.25″ Drive Bays | 2 |
| 3.5″ Drive Bays | 6 |
| 3.5″/2.5″Drive Bays | 2 |
| 2.5″ Drive Bays | 2 |
| I/O Panel | 2×USB3.0/Audio(HD)×1/Mic×1 |
| Expansion Slots | 7 (slot covers fixed by screws for easy removing and reuse) |
| Cooling Fans |
Pre-installed: Rear: 1×120mm fan; Optional:
Front: 2×120mm or 1×140mm Top: 3×120/140mm
|
| Power Supply Type | ATX PS2(Length less than 170mm) |
| CPU Cooler Compatibility | 160mm height Liquid Cooler: 120/240/140/280mm at top, 120mm at rear |
| VGA Compatibility | 395mm |
| Motherboards | ATX/MICRO ATX/MINI-ITX |
Let’s face it, we all want to make our rigs look top notch, and while there are several mid-tower cases available in the market, not all of them are within a friendly budget.
We hope this guide helps you have an insight on what you can buy with your $100/Php4,000.
