re: Build the Best Gaming PC Your Money Can Buy: A Detailed Guide (Updated Sep 2014)

Yeah, the Fractal R2 was my case pick for the $1000 budget, but there are certainly much nicer cases out there if you have the extra funds.

I did not discuss closed loop coolers in the guide, partly because the Hyper 212 was an easy cooler to squeeze into pretty much every budget level. Also, I don't have a ton of experience with them. The only one I've owned was an Antec Kuhler briefly, and I didn't even overclock anything with it. I've always been a custom loop user, before the kits or closed loop options ever existed. The closed loop/all-in-ones are actually pretty easy to deal with, so I'd say they are "noob-friendly." They don't require maintenance like traditional water cooling, and everything is sealed and connected already. In fact, the Antec Kuhler I had was easier to install than a Hyper 212.