GIGABYTE GZ-X3BPD-500 Black 0.6mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Pros: I have been looking for an inexpensive alternative to Antec, Thermaltake, Lian-Li but could never fine one. I ran across this case and decided to try it. I wanted a case with 2x 120mm fans, front air filter, and side vents. This case has everything except a good front air filter. It doesn't have somewhat of a filter but not what I was expecting. I encountered no problems installing my parts. Everything was easily accessible. I also didn't notice any sharp edges. The exterior finish was very nice and I love the power button and hard drive light.

Cons: none.

Overall Review: I used this case for an office system. It would still work fine in a gaming rig. All you would need is better fans in the front and back and your all set.

Pros: I got 2 of these to build PCs for internet and word processing use for a client. I looked at cheap cases with power supplies and couldn't stand the idea of an el-cheap-o PSU in something I was selling to someone. When I saw this case I really liked its looks and ordered 2 of them. I just finished buliding the first of these PCs and I am very happy with this case. Paint finish is perfect - better than my Antec Three Hundred's paint. It is fairly sturdy for a case in this price range. No sharp edges, case fan included is almost silent. Power button/LED looks really nice. Front panel and rear case fan wires are long enough for any routing of them you want.

Cons: Wires attached to the front bezel. I am a cable tie freak so that is a big con for me, I like to be able to take the bezel off without cutting any ties. HDD LED is red, I'd prefer it to be blue like the power LED is.

Overall Review: for 38 bucks I don't think you can't beat it! This is the first Gigabyte case I've used, and I'll use them again. I used a Silverstone ST400 PSU (NewEgg Item#:N82E16817256032) with it and for $86 had a VERY nice case/PSU for this build. I could have gotten by much cheaper, but the case/PSU are areas I don't believe in skimping on.

Pros: This case has good airflow. Asus PQ5-E with Q9550 and Radeon 4850 and Zalmann CNPS9900 CPU Cooler. CPU stays around 25C and MB around 39C during multi-tasking. I didn't think the CPU Cooler was going to fit but it worked just fine.

Cons: None So Far

Overall Review: Easy to take apart. Everything was bought for a new build. Recommend if you are not looking for anything fancy but looks nice.

Pros: This case has solid construction, no sharp edges, & runs very quietly. The reasons I bought included that it has a reset switch, & it looks great! Also, air flow options include front to back only, which I prefer. The front panel removes easily without tools, & this case is long (deep) enough to accommodate Kingwin Mobile Racks. It was reasonable priced from Newegg here, & I'm very happy with this case!

Cons: Construction to zero tolerances makes installation of your parts (DVD burner, mobile racks, etc.) a little difficult when you're putting everything together.

Overall Review: There's a fold-down door for the DVD player, which struck me as a little silly, but it is easily removable, as is the expandable cone thing that is supposed to direct air to the CPU but would pretty much miss it, at least with my motherboard.

Pros: This case is the best case ive ever had. It has plenty of hard drive and dvd drive bays, toolless design for the expansion card slots works great, and the fan that came with the case works great. And it was a great price.

Cons: None at all

Overall Review: Get this case, you wont be disappointed. Gigabyte is a great brand.

Pros: Inexpensive, aesthetically pleasing

Cons: Absolute junk front panel audio cabling. It's so shoddy that I had to listen to a high pitched whine when I connected the front panel HD Audio cable to my computer. I tried switching to the AC'97 just to make sure it was the cabling itself and not the adapter. It's definitely the front panel Audio and not my motherboard- I bought a USB Headset and it transmitted sound just fine.

Overall Review: Stay away from this case so you don't have issues with audio.

Pros: Attractive face, no sharp edges, roomy interior, included 120mm fan is nice and quiet, both front and rear fan mounts accept 80, 92, or 120mm fans, tool-less card slots.

Cons: Drive bays advertised as tool-less but are not, fold-down DVD face unnecessary, blocked off "optional" front Firewire port looks tacky.

Overall Review: Overall, a very nice basic case. Not the heaviest gauge steel, but more than adequate. Interior is nice and roomy...putting together the system was very easy. The 3-pin cable for the included rear 120mm fan is ridiculously long. Drive fastening is advertised as tool-less, but Gigabyte lists it as "optional" yet doesn't offer the tool-free parts for sale. The case *is* designed to use screws as well, so it's no big deal to me. Same goes with the front FireWire port...listed as "optional", but no parts sold to add it to the case.

Pros: It's roomy inside and solidly constructed and the fan is relatively quiet. It's nice looking too - not bad for a $40 case.

Cons: The front audio gives off a lot of static and the front panel cables were just barely long enough to plug into the motherboard. The front port panel itself seems a little flimsy to me, but it's nice that the USB ports are side-by-side rather than one on top of the other.

Overall Review: The expansion bays were toolless, while the drive bays were not. I would have preferred it the other way around, but it's a small enough gripe to not mention in the cons section. The top external drive bay cover is a little goofy too, but it's easy to remove if you want to mount a drive flush with the case.