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I'm on the verge of putting together a linux workstation based on the Xeon E3-1245 and Asus P8B WS. Basically for Monte Carlo simulation and some data analysis (there may be a Tesla card later if things go well). I'm looking for a full tower case with enough room to fit a boatload of drives and a couple big video cards, but also is toddler-secure.

I work at home, with two little toddlers who love blue LEDs (i.e. power switches). I was looking at the Corsair Obsidian 800D, but the hot-swap drives on the front are too accessible. The 650D looks good, as does the Fractal Design Define XL. However, neither of them have a door lock or lockable power / reset button.

What are the recommendations for a big case that can be secured? The office door is shut, but I don't lock my kids out.

i have this
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.a ... 68&ID=1416
absolutely love it
lock the side, and ta-da kids r out

XorCist wrote:

i have this
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.a ... 68&ID=1416
absolutely love it
lock the side, and ta-da kids r out

Newegg doesn't even sell this case... How much do they run? Where do you purchase one from? It's definitely nice!

mentaldrano wrote:

I'm looking for a full tower case with enough room to fit a boatload of drives and a couple big video cards, but also is toddler-secure. I work at home, with two little toddlers who love blue LEDs (i.e. power switches). What are the recommendations for a big case that can be secured? The office door is shut, but I don't lock my kids out.

I got the Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced full tower. Blue everywhere! Tons of hard drive space! The power button is on top, but nothing securable though...

This may not be helpful, but:

Would it not be easier/feasible to put the tower at some elevation (on top of a shelf of some sort) that is out of reach of the tots? I am a follower of the MC Hammer philosophy, which states: You can't touch this. This rig is simply too legit to quit.

Perhaps the Antec Titan? Unfortunately out of stock at Newegg, but available direct from Antec or probably some other places too

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811129027

I'm pretty sure you're going to have to look primarily at reasonably expensive server cases in order to find one with a lockable door with the power switch behind it, unfortunately.

I solved this by putting our desktop PCs in an unused bedroom (it's been done up as an office, more or less) and putting a toddler gate in the doorway.

Don't remember what brand of gate it was; it's got a foot pedal that you push down to open it, and then it swings open. Stays in the doorway using set-screws with pads on the ends.

My old Chieftec full tower cases have the drive bays and power/reset switches behind a lockable door. I wonder if they still make something similar...

thegleek wrote:

XorCist wrote:

i have this
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.a ... 68&ID=1416
absolutely love it
lock the side, and ta-da kids r out

Newegg doesn't even sell this case... How much do they run? Where do you purchase one from? It's definitely nice!

the only place i can find to buy it is here
http://www.pcplanetsystems.com/abc/prod ... tem_id=266
$172 + shipping...
i got it new when it came out in 07 as a gift from my brother

So I decided to buy the Define XL. The reset button is inside the door, and apparently hard to find even with the door open. I'll tell the OS to ignore the power button. My wife "strongly encouraged" a quiet case, and the number of LEDs is minimal. It sounds like I may have to upgrade some of the fans, but overall I think this is the best choice.

The only thing I worry about is the fact that the door only opens 100 degrees instead of 270. C'est la vie.

mentaldrano wrote:

So I decided to buy the Define XL. The reset button is inside the door, and apparently hard to find even with the door open. I'll tell the OS to ignore the power button. My wife "strongly encouraged" a quiet case, and the number of LEDs is minimal. It sounds like I may have to upgrade some of the fans, but overall I think this is the best choice.

The only thing I worry about is the fact that the door only opens 100 degrees instead of 270. C'est la vie.

You could just connect the reset switch to power and not connect the power switch at all.

For what its worth, my old antec sonata has its power and reset buttons behind a lockable door...

FuturePastNow wrote:

mentaldrano wrote:

So I decided to buy the Define XL. The reset button is inside the door, and apparently hard to find even with the door open. I'll tell the OS to ignore the power button. My wife "strongly encouraged" a quiet case, and the number of LEDs is minimal. It sounds like I may have to upgrade some of the fans, but overall I think this is the best choice.

The only thing I worry about is the fact that the door only opens 100 degrees instead of 270. C'est la vie.

You could just connect the reset switch to power and not connect the power switch at all.

Since the computer will still shut off when the power button's pressed for more than 4 seconds, that's probably a good idea.

mikehodges2 wrote:

For what its worth, my old antec sonata has its power and reset buttons behind a lockable door...

My P182 does as well.

Based on what I've seen with friends' toddlers, be prepared for crayons stuffed through fan grills (chopped-up Crayola melting in a PSU is not a nice smell, apparently) and cherrios pushed through any perforation that will take them. Also be very aware of securing cables and whatever they're connected to, because toddlers have a tendency to pull on them (and pull anything attached down onto their heads).

Hence why we've got the desktops in a separate gated-off room.

mentaldrano wrote:

So I decided to buy the Define XL. The reset button is inside the door, and apparently hard to find even with the door open. I'll tell the OS to ignore the power button. My wife "strongly encouraged" a quiet case, and the number of LEDs is minimal. It sounds like I may have to upgrade some of the fans, but overall I think this is the best choice.

The only thing I worry about is the fact that the door only opens 100 degrees instead of 270. C'est la vie.

Aftermarket fans are almost always better anyway.

I'd go with Scythe, either their Gentle Typhoon line, or their Kama Flow 2 line. Both are quiet, move a fair amount of air, have long lives, and no LEDs to distract the young'uns. They cost a little more than some other brands, but you definitely get what you pay for.