by joel » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:03 pm
things i find important in a case, airflow to maximize low temps, even if not O/C generally the lower the temp your machine operates at, the more stable and durable it will be.
build quality - the less plastic used in any part of the case the better, (even a plastic power button can break)
engineering/layout - this more about airflow and general ability to keep the interior as clutter free as possible. i like to look for sufficient space for all the cabling, that would place it sufficient out of the way of the major components and the ease to feed the cabling to those areas (are there dual opening panels, etc).
noise-if it's an htpc, less concerned for pure gaming machine, since i'm more likely to game using a headset. so it could sound like a jet engine, but i wouldn't hear it anyway, noise is typically a factor of the quality of fans and power supply more than the case though.