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This looks like a great budget case for the Econobox and at $49.99 on Newegg is really giving the Antec One Hundred a run for its money.



It has tons of features for a budget case, bottom mounted power supply with fan intake, USB 3.0, expandable to a total of 7 120/140mm fans, holes to route power supply cables behind the motherboard tray, and it can even mount a dual fan radiator on top. It doesn't look to ugly either. In fact I quite like the look of the white one with its painted white interior and has replaceable expansion slot covers, not cheap punch out ones like in the One Hundred. The only drawbacks with the case that I can think of are that you're limited to the lower hard drive bays if you have a long graphics card and there aren't any dust filters.

And if you don't want USB 3.0 there is a cheaper version for $10 less.

I give my seal of approval on this case. I've never used the white version buy the black one has been a great case. They are very light but have been plenty sturdy enough to the point that it doesn't make me nervous. I too was looking at the Econobox and wondering why this wasn't considered as an option. I have built over 6 systems in these cases for a client of mine. They currently use them in an office setting with A8-3850 APUs in them, and they run ultra cool with stock fans. For 49.99 you just can't beat what its got. Sure the HDD isn't side mounted or removable, but at least its tool less. Interior is painted (holds up nicely actually), has USB 3.0 connectivity, cable management holes, ect. This has become a staple case for basic but good system builds for me. I've got 2 more in box sitting in my home office right now.

Black Version of the NZXT Elite 210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811146078

Looks interesting. At $40 I am tempted to order one just to check it out.

Solid case for $40 if you want the non usb 3.0 version, which I've never ordered. Note that the power button does not actually depress, it hits an electronic switch which I think for a case in this price range is great. I've found that the cheaper cases with the spring loaded typical power buttons jump their tracks or break.

what's the difference between the elite and the regular nzxt source 210 http://www.outletpc.com/aq9281.html

From what i can tell... usb 3.0 is missing on the non-elite. I also noticed holes for tool-less hard drive retainers but there aren't any in the picture... perhaps they dont give them to you unless you get the elite? I think usb 3.0 is supposed to be the main difference.

ooc, why a mid-tower for APU-based systems as opposed to a mATX or ITX enclosure? Needed certain expansion cards or numerous drives?

My philosophy is if you can put a slightly bigger case in without it getting in the way, costing more, ect.. . Then do it. Otherwise if you get a small case you buy into specialized smaller power supplies and your bound to get more heat, lack of expansion and fans. I mean if space isn't a concern, why limit yourself? Especially if cost is the same or cheaper.

In my experience, Micro-ATX offers everything that an enthusiast PC needs, and it accepts standard parts. Many Micro-ATX mid-towers use full size ATX power supplies.

alika wrote:

what's the difference between the elite and the regular nzxt source 210 http://www.outletpc.com/aq9281.html

the Elite has 2 fans while the non-Elite has 1 fan. Moreover, the Elite utilizes tool-less mounting systems for 3,5" and 5,25" bays. And yes, the front USB 3.0.

The case really seems like a bargain when you consider its features (built quality, front USB 3.0, many fan expansion slots, bottom-mounted PSU, room behind motherboard for cable routing, many holes to route cables behind motherboard, hole for CPU coolers etc.). It looks quite good too.

JustAnEngineer wrote:

In my experience, Micro-ATX offers everything that an enthusiast PC needs, and it accepts standard parts. Many Micro-ATX mid-towers use full size ATX power supplies.

If its just an mATX case yes... but itx.. no way. Ill build in an itx case with an ultra low powered board lime the asus e350 boards.. but with mATX boards not in a standard atx case ive always noticed more heat. With a bigger case its not baking itself, and it also provides room for cables to get out of the way of the air flow.. the things that lead to longevity.

I used small antec cases before and they look great in the office but were such a pain to work.. they run cool enough but no where near as cool as a standard mid tower like the 210 elite.