How to choose a case?

[cmt9000]

I have a power supply that I bought (Thermaltake TR2-500W), but it did not fit the generic ATX mid-tower case that I bought at a local computer store.

My question is, if I want to purchase a case online, how do I determine if my PS will fit in the case or not?

Thanks!

 

[aigomorla]

that psu should fit in almost any case!

its a standard atx2.0 psu.

that brings me back memories... ahhhh... is it the one with the TWV? True wattage viewer?



ummm just look for a case that says standard ATX PSU mounting. If your old case is standard, then i think you have it upside down, thats why the screws wont line up.

 

[Zepper]

You haven't given us the actual reason it didn't fit. Since a standard ATX PSU which the Tt is should fit any standard ATX case, if we don't know the reason, we couldn't recommend another.

.bh.

 

[stoma]

Sometimes it can just be a tight fit...how far off is it? Like the other posters said it should fit any ATX box. You may just need some elbow grease.

 

[Zepper]

Here are my casitude points:
1- 120mm fan mounts front/rear
2- Normally oriented HDD rack, sidesaddle is OK if attention was paid to air flow.
3- Rubber isolation for the HDDs either each drive from the rack or the whole rack from the case.
4- Indirect air intakes to minimize noise getting out the front of the case
5- Ease of use features - toolless, drive rails etc.
6- Doesn't look like a steaming pile.

.bh.

 

[cmt9000]

The PSU is too wide for the case. I'd have to drill new holes for the mounts and do some other mods.

I'd prefer to just buy a case off newegg or someplace that fits it perfectly. I don't know what specs to look at to make sure it fits.

Thanks

 

[Zepper]

What case do you have? (link to pic of back of case would be great) - as it can't be an ATX case if what you just said is true. Remember that in most cases, the PSU is mounted from the inside - you bring the back of the PSU up to the inside of the back of the case (with the fan on the down side_. You can't push them thru the hole from the outside. Some cases have a removable PSU mounting plate which allows for that, but not very many (not nearly enough, IMO).

.bh.

 

[cmt9000]

I think I'll just take this generic case back, and buy this one off newegg.com

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5

Thanks guys

 

[Zepper]

You should check the Coolermaster cases at SVC.com . They have them as low as $30. but the shipping is only reasonable if you live nearer to the west coast.

.bh.

 

[cmt9000]

I live closer to the east coast, but thanks!

 

[Zepper]

Look at the Rosewill R6A series. One models is still on free shipping so the shipped price is about $50. Silver. They are identical to the Antec SLK3000-B inside and meet most of my Casitude points.

.bh.

 

[Muse]

I think it helps if you can look at a case before you buy it. I bought a couple of Enlight cases that I'd never seen. I read a lot of posts by people who gushed about the Enlight cases. This was over 5 years ago. They had some cool features, but I've many times cursed like a drunken sailor because of the problems I have had putting the sides back on the case. The case I like the most was one I bought for less than half the cost of the Enlights, one I found at a computer show for under $30 complete with a PSU that was well regarded in a Mikhailovich online review and I still use. Lots of room (mid-tower), no trouble finding smart locations for 3 HD's and various other things and the case assembles and disassembles very easily. The ergonomics of how a case works in terms of getting at the components and putting it back together are an important consideration. If you need more ventilation, you can modify many cases.