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blitzy
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What case do you use?

Tue Feb 03, 2004 6:58 pm

what case do you use and what do you like\dislike about it?

I'm going to be building a new rig at some point this year, just thought I'd find out about other peoples experiences with cases.. currently i'm having a really tough time deciding over cases as the nice ones are so expensive, yet the cheaper ones seem so..... icky :-?

I think the main reason I dont want to spend much is because you dont see any performance come from the case, whereas money spent on other parts will give you that tangible performance in games and what not. Of course on the other hand the hardware outdates whereas cases will last quite a while and still look nice (supposing BTX doesn't suddenly rocket skyward in popularity or necessity).
Last edited by blitzy on Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:41 pm, edited 2 times in total.
 
SuperSpy
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:06 pm

Cheap aluminum noname case.

When I built my computer I was not concerned about the looks of the computer, so I bought the cheapest case I could find. This one cost $30 with a noname 400w psu, which I later swapped out for a thermaltake 480. I have since cut, bent, screwed, and otherwise mangled the case to fit my cooling needs. Since it was so cheap, I do not feel bad about mauling the case. If I was to buy an expensive name-brand case, I would be a lot more hesitant to modify it.

My next case purchase would probably be a sleek-looking name brand case, simply for the looks, but I in no way regret my choice for my current case (not to mention the dough I saved).
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lex-ington
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:10 pm

I use this: http://www.canadacomputers.com/products/cases/full/8079.jpg

*remeber this is canadian $*

I changed the PSW to a Tt 420W Silent PurePower just to do it.
It has alot of space and I put in 3 blue led case fans.

CAN'T WAIT FOR MY DREMMEL 8)
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SpotTheCat
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:24 pm

I use a no-name regular steel case, modded with two 120mm fans, and two 90mm fans all on extremely low RPM settings
 
Captain Ned
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:38 pm

Antec 660AMG w/Truepower 330. Fairly quiet despite the 4 case fans & V9. Easy to work in; love the drive rails for 5.25" and removable cage for 3.5". Sturdy as hell (not light, either).

Everyone always complains about the lack of a mobo tray; I'm still on my first mobo in this case so I fail to see the problem. Could use a blowhole, but that gives me reason to buy a Dremel.
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LJ
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:58 pm

It's an antec solution-series case. I've been fairly happy with it; it is reasonably quiet, came with a high quality PSU and 120mm fan, has a very effective air-filter, and you can easily put 5 hard drives in it.

It's also *extremely* easy to work with.

http://www.antec-inc.com/us/pro_details ... odID=93700
 
SpotTheCat
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:00 pm

could I ask you a few questions about that case? I'm considering buying it!

is the front intake effective? if I put a 120mm fan there, would it do more internal circulation among drives, or would it draw all of it's air from the front? I've seen a lot of cases with fake front intake holes, wich is why I'm hesitating.
 
zgirl
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:02 pm

AMS E-cube SFF.

Love it!!!
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:04 pm

 
Dran
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Re: What case do you use?

Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:06 pm

blitzy wrote:
what case do you use


For SHODAN, right now it's a Raidmax 208b. The rest of the girls get whatever I can find or buy cheap.

and what do you like


4 80mm fans in the front, which is excellent for air movement without excessive noise. Great factory paint job, very rugged, and matches most black drive bezels. Spacious enough without being cavernous. And excellent modability.

\dislike about it?


60mm rear fan, and only that one exhaust, which forces the user to either settle for a Delta screamer to balance the airflow, leave the exhaust open, or open up unused PCI slots (which i did above and below my 9500 to allow more direct airflow across the ZM80-c). PSU is too close the the HSF, doesn't leave much room for ATX header wire routing.

I'm going to be building a new rig at some point this year, just thought I'd find out about other peoples experiences with cases.. currently i'm having a really tough time deciding over cases as the nice ones are so expensive, yet the cheaper ones seem so..... icky :-?


Icky at $20 seems much more tolerable, in my opinion, than meh at $60.

I think the main reason I dont want to spend much is because you dont see any performance come from the case, whereas money spent on other parts will give you that tangible performance in games and what not. Of course on the other hand the hardware outdates whereas cases will last quite a while and still look nice (supposing BTX doesn't suddenly rocket skyward in popularity or necessity).


Performance can be affected by the case, rather significantly. Little or no airflow will typically result in instability. A case that's not long or high enough can cause optical drives to interfere with or block DIMM slots.

There are still some $20 cases I just won't touch (picked up one recently... it's like trying to install hardware into a case made of notebook paper!). There're also a lot of higher-priced cases I wouldn't consider putting good hardware in, because of things like a single 80mm front fan or flimsy case material. I like the Raidmax design, so if I were shopping for new case without worrying about cost, I'd probably be looking at some of the bling-blingier models. Love those multiple front fan spots!
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just brew it!
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:09 pm

The last 2 cases I've bought:

<a href="http://www.antec-inc.com/us/pro_details_enclosure.php?ProdID=80843">Antec SX835II</a>
Pros: Fairly roomy for a mid-tower; great ventilation (comes with 2 rear exhaust fans standard, with locations for 2 front intake fans); built like a tank. Cons: A little short on drive bays (only 3 external 5-1/4" bays, and 3 internal hard drive bays).

<a href="http://www.antec-inc.com/us/pro_details_enclosure.php?ProdID=93700">Antec SLK3700AMB</a>
Pros: 11 (!) drive bays, including 5 internal hard drive bays equipped with vibration-reducing rubber grommets; relatively inexpensive.
Cons: Build quality could be a little better (in fact after the SX835II it feels downright flimsy).

I think windowed cases and illuminated PSUs are stupid... you'll note that neither of these cases comes with either of these features. :wink:
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TheVM68Guy
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:21 pm

My current case is a Addtronics WTX8500. Nice and big with lots o' fans. Currently using only 120mm intake and exhaust fans, 1 for each. Bit of overkill, but so nice to work in.
 
sativa
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:34 pm

I will be purchasing the Lian Li 6070 soon. http://www.xoxide.com/lianlipc6070.html
review of it at dans data. http://www.dansdata.com/llpc6070.htm

great looking, quiet, functional.
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LJ
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:47 pm

just brew it! wrote:
The last 2 cases I've bought:
<a href="http://www.antec-inc.com/us/pro_details_enclosure.php?ProdID=93700">Antec SLK3700AMB</a>
Pros: 11 (!) drive bays, including 5 internal hard drive bays equipped with vibration-reducing rubber grommets; relatively inexpensive.
Cons: Build quality could be a little better (in fact after the SX835II it feels downright flimsy).

I think windowed cases and illuminated PSUs are stupid... you'll note that neither of these cases comes with either of these features. :wink:

I have that case as well--I think it's very nice. I actually wish it were a bit lighter although I'd gladly pay for in weight what i'd get in quiteness, if that is the tradeoff. How do you consider it flimsy? I think the plastic-looking finish seems misleading.
 
snapa
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:01 pm

SN41G2
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SpotTheCat
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:04 pm

gah! I could not stand to have a light on my computer, especially if it is going to be right next to me.
 
riadbsc
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:06 pm

Last edited by riadbsc on Thu Feb 12, 2004 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 
SpotTheCat
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:18 pm

riadbsc wrote:
I use the case that came with my Dimension 8250.

[img]userpostedimage[img]

Likes:
It came with the computer, no extra charge.
It's black.
It's easy to clean.
It uses no screws.
When opened, it's still all one piece - nothing gets lost or stepped on.

Dislikes:
it's a dell
It's mostly plastic.
It's fairly heavy.
The clamshell design doesn't always easily "snap" closed properly.
If opened all the way, some cables will get pulled off their connectors.

you forgot one
 
Looking for Knowledge
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:30 pm

I have a bunch I use....but my favorite is my Antec 1000AMG with an Antec True Blue 480:
http://www.antec-inc.com/images/400/PLU ... 00AMG1.jpg
http://www.antec-inc.com/images/400/Trueblue480.jpg

On the other hand.....this works great in my office, but I wouldn't use it it my bedroom. It's large, loud, and bright.

For my bedroom, my second favorite case, I went with a cheap PowMax and a Fortron PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... WSE&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... WSE&depa=1

It's not as pretty to look at......but it's stuffed in a side table, so small and quiet was what I wanted. :D
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the_silver_bullet24
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:56 pm

nice rig Snapa. Got anymore pics?
 
blitzy
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Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:55 pm

LJ wrote:
It's an antec solution-series case. I've been fairly happy with it; it is reasonably quiet, came with a high quality PSU and 120mm fan, has a very effective air-filter, and you can easily put 5 hard drives in it.

It's also *extremely* easy to work with.

http://www.antec-inc.com/us/pro_details ... odID=93700


I was looking at that particular case as a mid range sort of option, I didn't realise it had an included air-filter? Did you get that as some sort of special deal, as I can't see any mention of a filter on the antec site (i may be blind). I see on the sonata and plusview 1000AMG it lists filters, but not the 3700AMB?
 
leor
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:18 am

rackmount baby!

using a badass, black 4U rackmount. i like it because i was always in my tower PCs tinkering with stuff and I would always have to turn it on it's side, and really it spent most of it's life that way. now i already have the 'puter horizontal so i can TINKER AWAY!

also if u have a few rackmount systems you can stack them, i quite like that as well ;-)
 
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:19 am

2 Black Skyhawks
1 Green Chieftec
2 Generic POS's which work just as well as the spendy ones above :wink:
 
HowardDrake
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:25 am

For me, a bunch of cheap Foxconn's I got at Newegg :) But I do plan to get a bling Al case for my 3000+
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eckslax
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:42 am

http://www.xoxide.com/lianlipc60.html

Out of all the cases that I screw around with, I always go back to this one. It has more than enough room, excellent build quality and style, attention to details like you wouldn't believe, and it's very easy to work with. Lian-Li cases are definately worth the premium.
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dolemitecomputers
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:46 am

I use a Lian Li PC-61B which is black with side window. I bought it for around $120. The design makes it very easy to get into and take apart. Pretty much everything uses thumbscrews except the drive bays. Front panel pops right off. It has a filter for the two fans in front. In total it has 4 fans that are all 80 MM. Two in front, one in back and one on top. I haven't modified it other than the usual cathode lights and I bought the side aquarium panel for it.
 
m32001
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:00 am

I use a kingwin; http://www.kingwin.com/pdut_detail.asp? ... D=1&ID=153

Awesome case. Removable mobo tray, 2 front mounted fans with filters, one rear fan. Front uSB ports. AWESOME case.

I have no dislikes about it.
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snapa
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:07 am

Image

the_silver_bullet24 wrote:
nice rig Snapa. Got anymore pics?

Meh when i'm lazy enough...i'll start a new thread about it here :D
Intel Core i7-860 | Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 | Radeon HD 5750 | Mushkin 4GB | 2xWD 640GB RAID | Lian Li Lancool PC-K62
 
blitzy
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:45 am

m32001 wrote:


That is one hell of a nice case, I have a suspicion that it won't even be available here in New Zealand which is a shame. Seems like a great deal if you're in the US, excellent price for a top notch case...

I want one :cry:
 
Starfalcon
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Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:07 am

dolemitecomputers wrote:
I use a Lian Li PC-61B which is black with side window. I bought it for around $120. The design makes it very easy to get into and take apart. Pretty much everything uses thumbscrews except the drive bays. Front panel pops right off. It has a filter for the two fans in front. In total it has 4 fans that are all 80 MM. Two in front, one in back and one on top. I haven't modified it other than the usual cathode lights and I bought the side aquarium panel for it.


I have that same case, along with its bigger brother, the massive PC-70 (full tower goodnes). Along with that I have two Antec cases, 2 enermax mid towers, a cheap POS full tower, and 3 cheapo POS midtowers. If I could go with all Lian-Li cases I would, they are the cadilac of cases but you do pay the premium for them.

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