Critiques and suggestions needed!

[LordMorpheus]

I am upgrading later this summer. As my current (el cheapo) case is beginning to fall apart, and I would like some security for college, I am looking at THIS case.

Several reasons: I've heard good things about the chenming cases (I posted here a few weeks ago to find out the original manufacturer, and you guys helped me. Most of you had good things to say, too).

I want a large case that I can keep adding hardware to. This case is nothing if not large.

The locking front door. If I have any beige CD drives or floppies, it will hide them. Also, I can lock it and nobody can get to the on button without the key (or a hammer, but I'm more afraid of my roommates screwing my computer up, and I don't think they'd tear the door off to do some casual dicking around).

I really like the looks.


Anywho. Questions: Good case for the money (I think so).

Construction? (i've heard good things. Weight isn't an issue to me).

Cooling. It looks as if this case will only have two rear fans and 1-2 front fans. Will this be enough to cool an athlon 3200+ system (the other part of my upgrade.)



Which leads me to another question. Out of common courtesy, I would like a quiet computer when I go to college. Are there any specific brands of fans that are known for being very quiet and functional. I want a cool computer, but I'm sick and tired of my leafblower.

Again, thanks for the time.

 

[Badjokesben]

I don't know much about that case but if you are concerned about the room, i guess that's a fairly inexpensive full tower. I personally recommentd the Antec Sonata case. It has a door just like that one, it looks great, it's fairly quiet, enough cooling, and comes with a 380w True Power PSU. The only problem is that it is a mid tower, but still has enough room for expansion. It's aboout $100 after shipping from Newegg, but you won't have to buy a power supply.

 

[Cheetah8799]

I hate full towers. They are so damn huge. I hope you don't plan on bringing that sucker to any lan parties... You should be able to get a mid-tower with maybe 5 5.25" bays (4 for sure), and 10 3.5" bays. You'd need a LOT of hardware to completely fill a mid tower.

If you are overclocking and maybe have a lot of water cooling stuff, the ok, maybe you could use a full tower.

EDIT: as for quiet cooling. If you invest in a good heatsink (Zalman, Thermalrigh) then you should be able to keep the cpu very cool with very little fan noise. You should also look at something like a Vantec Nexus for controlling the fan speeds of your case fans.

 

[juggalojaS]

Yeah, that's too big... I would get mid-tower

 

[imported_Rusty]

No problems from here but a few more options:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=0

Good power supply, okay fans included (not too quiet)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-124-034&depa=0

Looks cool, the top ports and fan are a benefit (well from my point of view anyhow), add a good power supply from Antec or Fortron and some fans.


Quiet fans: Panaflo and ? (search this forum, lots of threads on best / quiet fans)

For cooling it should be fine but both of the cases previously linked have side or side and top fans.

 

[Fern]

I've got the SOHO File server case in Rusty's first link. I like it a lot. Mine came with a 420watt Turbolink psu. As it's aluminum, it's not very heavy.

Really, though, looks a lot like that chenming case you linked.

Yeah, that coolings fine. The only difference between mine and these is that I've a fan in my side window blowing on the cpu etc. Cools great.

These big buggers make it easy to work inside, undo the thumbs screws and bingo, your in a flash. But mine doesn't have the slide-out mobo tray many seem to like.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: Fern
I've got the SOHO File server case in Rusty's first link. I like it a lot. Mine came with a 420watt Turbolink psu. As it's aluminum, it's not very heavy.

Really, though, looks a lot like that chenming case you linked.

Yeah, that coolings fine. The only difference between mine and these is that I've a fan in my side window blowing on the cpu etc. Cools great.

These big buggers make it easy to work inside, undo the thumbs screws and bingo, your in a flash. But mine doesn't have the slide-out mobo tray many seem to like.

I've read (on this forum) that chenming supplies all those cases to antec, cheiftec, etc.

You think a full tower is too much? Chenming makes basically the same case in mid-tower form, for 58 dollars. I think I'll just switch to that. I can add a good 400W PSU and still keep the case+PSU cost under 120.

Back to the fan question: I have a zalman, I could use that, but before I do, how is the noise level of a stock AMD HSF? It would be easiest to just use that (pre-applied thermal pad, not grease needed).

Case fans: what is the best 80mm case fan on a cfm/noise rating? Thats what I'm particularly worried about. LED's are a turnoff . . I want a black monolith computer, no glowing nonsense going on.

 

[imported_Rusty]

I have read that Chenming supplies all of these cases as well, but each seems to be slightly different inside.

Personally I do not think a full tower is too much. I have an Antec PlusView 1000AMG with an Antec True430 power supply. As of today there are four open 3.5in bays and two open 5.25in bays. In the works (~next 3-5 months) are devices to fill two 3.5in bays and one 5.25in bay.

The question of needing a full tower is personal though. For ~$135 shipped, the Antec 1080AMG with the Antec True430 power supply seems to be a good deal.

 

[Hans5849]

im currently buying that case from someone so i can have 2 PSUs (after a little modding) and all of my hard drives being cooled by fans (when you have 5 hd's you need it). But from what i hear its a kick ass case with plenty of room for what ever your needs are

 

[alexXx]

since you are going away to college, i would Highly suggest that you either do get a full tower(steel) that is heavy as death, or get a comp case that looks like feces. It is far less apt to be stolen if it is really really heavy, or if it looks worthless.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: alexXx
since you are going away to college, i would Highly suggest that you either do get a full tower(steel) that is heavy as death, or get a comp case that looks like feces. It is far less apt to be stolen if it is really really heavy, or if it looks worthless.

I'm not so much worried about it getting stolen (it happens, but it'll be an unmarked black case, so I'm hoping the dumb theif will go for something he thinks looks cooler) as much as I'm worried about people fvcking it up. Hence the door that covers the on button and locks.

 

[gordanfreeman]

im not sure on your prospect living conditions, but if you are going to be in dorms, just lock your door/s when you leave and someone stealing the computer shouldnt be a problem. if you are elsewhere it could be a problem but i would still be more worried about other things getting messed w/ than my computer. just my experience speaking there.

 

[DKlein]

I think a theif's going to realize that most coolers don't have 10 cables coming out the back, and if he's looking for a computer, he'll find it. Plus keys can be found too... just put some passwords up and you'll be fine. Some motherboards also allow you to type in a password to turn the computer on, which is just as good if not better than a cheap key lock (how many theives know how to clear the CMOS as know how to pick/bash a $5 lock?) I agree that the best theft-deterrent system aside from bolting your computer down is just making it look like crap. You could make a "crap" mod if you like (SNL sketch of that one luxury car comes to mind)