Are you going to be pushing your hardware to the point where you'll need all that extra ventilation with the Antec? It may not be worth the extra $80, or I guess the extra $50 or so once you buy the extra fans for the in win.
I dont know if you saw this case, but it might be a good compromise:
<a class="postlink" href="www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a">www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811129066

I got this case and it is a dream. Cool, quiet, fits everything easily and is easy to work on.

<a class="postlink" href="www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGall">www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGall ... ter%20Case

I just got it a few months back and looked at everything including the obsidion.

This is the best part of my system.

just happened to look on newegg, and the antec case you first posted is now only $95, and has a rebate thatll make the final price $65. If you can nab it at this price, then Id say definitely go for it

Hi Funk !!

I would get the antec over the other one if price were the same, but I think Antec is overrated. Do you have any other options?

I just built my computer about 9 months ago. My input on the case is as follows, for what it is worth.

Don't pay extra for lights or clear sides, or anything else does does not affect game play. Spend extra on the video card and monitor. I have this case by Lian Li. I see no reason to spend more than $100.

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112247
It has only two fans (one front bottom, one top back (no top fans) and the PS and Vid card vent out the back. Never any heat problems. Big, but solid. Well built. You don't need to spend a lot on the case.

Make sure the case is deep enough to fit the latest graphic cards, such as 5850 and 5870 or new 6000 series from ATI. Look at the new Nvidia cards too. Even if you don't buy one now, you will want the room. These cards are long and will be cheaper in a year or two.

Bigger fans that spin slower make less noise for the same amount of air flow.

Don't get hung up on the number of fans in the case. Haveing 20 fans flowing hot air about the case does you no good. Get cool air in, and hot air out. Think more about air flow through the case and the direction of air flow. IMO, try to get air flow with one or two fans at the bottom of the case blowing in cool air and one or two at the top of the case blowing hot air out.

If you can, get a power supply that does not vent hot air into the case. If you can, get a video card that vents hot air out the back of the case and not into the case.

Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.

I have an ATI vid card (5850) and intel processor so I don't know much about those, items, but I am sure they are top of the line.

Either case will be fine I bet. My comments were really focusing on getting the heat out of the case. I have seen builds where the CPU cooler blows right into the incoming air of the side fan on the case leading to heat build up. Or, too many fans blowing into the case, but hardly any way for the hot air to get out. Or, vis versa. Just having a bunch of lights and fan does not do any good unless you get heat out of the case and cool air in fron intellegent cool air flow over or into the heat generating items and then getting the hot air out of the case.

I don't know much about water cooling. I don't think you will need it unless you want to overclock your processor, which I don't think you need to do.

Talk to you tonight if you are on TS. Sounds like a great system.

The thing about those budget cases are thats exactly what they are...budget cases. They have tin foil construction. However you never tell much difference unless you're side by side with a more expensive case.
As long as you have a fans above no matter what the size you should be fine with which ever choices are out there. My concern would be the size of the case. You have to take in mind that the cards you are getting are HUGE (specially if you go x2). So a mid size case is going to be tight. Specially for cables (which restrict air flow). So consider a full size case over anything.
I went to Fry's electronics to compare cases for myself with what they had even though I was already sold on the corsair obsidian. Check your area.

The thing about those budget cases are thats exactly what they are...budget cases. They have tin foil construction. However you never tell much difference unless you're side by side with a more expensive case.
As long as you have a fans above no matter what the size you should be fine with which ever choices are out there. My concern would be the size of the case. You have to take in mind that the cards you are getting are HUGE (specially if you go x2). So a mid size case is going to be tight. Specially for cables (which restrict air flow). So consider a full size case over anything.
I went to Fry's electronics to compare cases for myself with what they had even though I was already sold on the corsair obsidian. Check your area.

If you are not going to be doing a lot of overclocking and other computer punishing/heat intensive tasks, water cooling will almost certainly not be worth the investment. I was toying with the idea a short while ago, but decided against it once i started looking into the costs. It also can be kind of a hassle for moving your computer or replacing hardware, as youll have to drain the coolant every time you move it (large distances) or want to change components.

I withdraw my objection haha. I assumed you were going to water cool all of the components

You already know my opinion Funk .. Air Flow, Air Flow, Air Flow and MORE Air Flow.

I have a Full size case, same as Muggers .. you copy cat :P ... I modded it myself as everyone knows with a window, replacement fans and a Red LED for aesthetics Keep in mind 3 things .. do you NEED a bigger, tricked out case ? Do you have enuff room for ALL the components inside ? and .. What kind of airflow do you have ? Follow those 3 things and you'll be OK.

I know from experience that the Antec 900 is an AWESOME case and if you upgrade later (like SLI or the cooling radiator) it has PLENTY of room for more and has a great deal of airflow for its size. The budget case is a concern because I am not familiar with it, but does it fit what you NEED? A case can be painted/modded later for very lil' money.