Best minimalist case?

[Maleficus]

I used Enlight cases in the beginning and was happy with them, as I learned more about computers I needed more space and front USB etc etc, started using Antec which I have been happy with. I currently ordered a P182 but they keep breaking in shipping as Antec cases are known to do with their cheap plastic hinges. I'm looking for a good alternative, Lian-Li looks like but the ones I want are out of my price range, Im looking to spend 100 max really.

Thanks

 

[Zap]

"Minimalist" meaning it doesn't look like a 14 year old gamer owns it?

How about choosing an Antec case w/o the front door? Try the Solo. It has really clean looks. There are also low end Lian Li cases for around $100. They are cheaper because they use a bit thinner aluminum than their expensive cases, but they are still reasonable quality and look exactly the same. I have a PC7B Plus in the household.

 

[AmberClad]

Most of the SilverStone cases I've seen are very clean looking. The CoolerMaster Centurion is pretty minimalistic too.

 

[Maleficus]

Originally posted by: Zap
"Minimalist" meaning it doesn't look like a 14 year old gamer owns it? [...]

Exactly, I was going ot switch my order from an Antec P182 to a Lian-Li PC61 USB but my order had already shipped :\ I just hope this one doesn't get broken in transit like the last one:

http://files.clandv.com/IMG_3196.jpg

 

[Quiksilver]

Antec & Coolermaster both have a few cases that look minimalistic.
Rosewill have a few cases too (just you have to dig around through them all)
Silverstone cases are for the most part minimalistic (I love the TG-03 but you can't find those anymore really) same foes for Lian-Li.

It just depends on how minimal you want to go and how much your willing to spend.

 

[Zepper]

The Rosewill R5600 series and the R6A series are the ones to look at. I currently like the R5605 the best as it is sort of a combo of the better features of the other two, but they did leave the reset button off for some stupid reason... I also like the C-M 690 or Mystique 631 which SVC.com is still selling quite cheaply and since you are much closer to Cal. than me, then shipping might be reasonable. The 690 has some drawbacks, so check some of the other threads on the 690 for my take on it. The 631 also needs a little touching up for being a bit rattley (some strategically placed patches of all-weather tape (thick translucent plastic) Let us know if you prefer w/ or w/o door and your other preferences so we can target better.
. Some of the Tiger Direct/Ultra cases like the m998 are interesting, but are out of your price range unless you can find them on sale/rebate somewhere - too bad you didn't do your looking before Christmas. There were some really HOT deals then. You can get about the same case under Ultra's OEMer's name, GlobalWin, for around $100. but the plastic bezel is gray instead of black - easily solved with a can of Fusion.

I still have an Enlight 7227 upstairs in a box somewhere. It's a strongly made monkey, bot not very convenient...

.bh.

 

[Maleficus]

Dang... I'm going to need to start hanging out here, you guys are quick and helpful.

I prefer a door because I like everything to match color wise, or hide it if they don't (which they usually don't because I shop for quality/price, not matching colors unless its just a buck more or something). I like clean and simple, no windows, I don't need a hundred fans or sound dampening or anything fancy really, just front panel I/O is a plus, otherwise a solid case is all I require.

 

[Zepper]

Do you need your door to open from left to right or vice versa? The 631 I mentioned above has a bi-directional door, the others open from right to left. The Ultra/Global Win and the 690 have no door. The 631 is a good value now - was around $100. when it came out last year. Hard to find a mostly aluminum case for that money. But if you like the old Enlight solidity, the R5605 might be more your speed and it has a higher Casitude (r) rating too.

Take a close look at the R5605 or the C-M RC-631. If you decide that the Mystique is down your alley, PM me as I'll probably have one to unload as soon as I'm thru reviewing it. Or I may have another with a door that would normally be out of your price range at over $100.

.bh.

 

[Jhhnn]

The chenbro's are pro-grade- stout, roomy, and with good cooling-

http://www.rackmountpro.com/category.aspx?catid=267

They have slightly different variants available from other vendors, but that's a sample...

 

[Zepper]

They usually have the EATX version of the above (SR10568) Chenbro at eWiz.com for less than the above. If a serious box like that rings your chimes...

.bh.

 

[Ika]

The Cooler Master CM690 is a nice looking, fairly minimalist case. Easy to work with too.

 

[Zepper]

No door on the 690...

.bh.

 

[trOver]

lian li v1100


edit: out of your price range, oops

 

[bigpow]

Lian-Li PC60

 

[emilyek]

Lian-Li.

They're boxy. But they're good.

 

[spikespiegal]

Cooler Master Centurian should be owning this thread.

 

[Amaroque]

How about this for a nice low-key case, with a front door. :evil:

 

[Jhhnn]

If you really don't care if it has a door, check out the S series Inwins, like this-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811108035

Crisp lines, simple, stout, with good ventilation.

Or this new model, which I haven't seen in person-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811108055

The psu's aren't really enthusiast grade, but they're not junque, either, and it's nice to have a spare...

 

[Zepper]

InWins are good for what used to be called "beige office boxes" but most of their boxes have little to recommend them for hobbyists or enthusiasts.

.bh.

 

[Zap]

Zepper, dude used to use Enlight cases, so InWin is right up his alley, haha.

I've used an InWin mATX case once and I really liked it. Built like a tank and with awesome ventilation.

 

[Texun]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
Cooler Master Centurian should be owning this thread.

:thumbsup:

I don't own one but I built one for a friend and it really turned out well. It's big on style and function but not flashy or loaded with extras you don't need. The side door with the fan duct might be a bit outside the "minimalist" requirements but with the side buttoned up it really isn't a big deal.

HERE

I like the silver buttons against the black case. Much easier to see against a dark case than black on black like my Chieftech.

 

[Zepper]

Well, if that's what one really wants, one can still get Enlight...

.bh.

 

[chuckm]

I don't know if it's new but Rosewill has this case with no door, a reset, and 2 fans, it's my new favorite. Maybe Zepper has an opinion.

http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811147079

I also used a Gigabyte Triton for a build and it was decent, it is OOS util Feb.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811233016

 

[Jhhnn]

I think Zepper needs to reconsider about Inwins...

If you're not interested in lights, doors, windows, overstated yewgliness, and geegaws, they're a good choice even for enthusiasts, depending on the model. Take the second case I linked, above...

Tired of high end boxes that don't breathe right? Not a problem...

Remember how many people posted about how their 8800gtx wouldn't fit because of the hdd's and their mounts? not with that box...

Lost the overpriced sidepanel thumb-screws? don't need 'em...

Want front firewire? yeh, it's there...

Can't live w/o a reset button? no prob...

Tired of overpriced trendy cases that are upside down and bass-ackwards with nighmare cabling issues? Ready for something that just works w/ a minimum of headaches?

Take another look...

 

[Zepper]

Rosewill R6XR8-BK - The Rosewill R6XR8-BK that ChuckM linked above looks like a nice case. Do those HDD trays have rubber or silicone grommets? If so, it looks like a 4+ out of 5 Casitude (r) score. I checked, and yes this has rubber grommets in the HDD trays. So we have another top choice from Rosewill for low bucks.

I don't think the InWin cases are bad, but there are better designs for the same or less money - e.g. Where's the front fan - not even a mount in the one that can take long cards (at least neither Newegg nor InWin's product page mentions one. Granted, you'd have to buy the PSU separately with most of my recommended case - no big woop as most enthusiasts would do so anyway... I can sell you an Earthwatts 380 (by Seasonic) new pull, 80 Plus rated with active PFC and auto-sensing, full-range AC input for $30. + shipping - puts the unit in the InWins to shame!
. The Rosewill R5600 series has been around at least 5 years as the YeongYang YY-5600 series and has always had room for the longest vid card (11" of measured card space) and FW port and more: like no separate mobo standoffs needed for most mobos (stamped into the mobo tray), rubber bushings for HDDs, telescoping and removable CPU duct, lots of little things that make life easier. $100. cases that can be had for a lot less now.
. Rosewill's R6A series is identical to the Antec SLK3000-B chassis but barely looks like their Antec brethren. Those you can get with or w/o door. Also has rubber bushings for HDDs, removable HDD rack for up to 5 HDDs, etc. Hard to fit the 8800ATX, but it can be done.

I'd get an InWin for a typical office system, but not for an enthusiast unless the budget just couldn't stretch any farther.

.bh.