I am tired of cheap, crappy cases.

[Jadow]

OK folks, I've bought the 32 dollar with crappy PS special from Newegg or Mwave for years, and I am sick of crap ass cases. I want to get a nice new case that is heavy duty, doesn't feel cheap, and doesn't have any space issues (nice and big, no PS right on top of the mobo etc...

Any suggestions?

 

[mechBgon]

The Antec/Chieftec taller cases (Antec's 800-series and 1000-series), the ones that have two 80mm exhaust fans, might be worth a look if you don't mind that they're pretty tall. Antec SX835II comes with their SmartPower SL350 power supply. You can get the Chieftecs without a PSU, in aluminum, in colors, with/without windows.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Antec SX1040B is rigjht up your alley. With emphasis on 'heavy' as its steel. Don't plan on moving it much cause the case will be pretty heavy after you fill it up. Still...excellent case. Roomy, stylish, 4-5 fans, thumb screws, 400 watt antec power supply. What more can you ask for?

 

[Blooz1]

The Compucase LX-6A19 has the same chassis as the Antec SLK-3700 without a front door. It's available without a PSU for under $50 from Directron.

The case is quality built, is set up for 2-120MM fans, has a ton of room for anything you want to throw in it, is easy to work in, and runs very cool once it's set up! The finish is also nice quality.

 

[mechBgon]

Link to the CompuCase

Now I wonder if they'll get around to doing a black one of that.

 

[tallman45]

The SX1040b is a great case, can be had from Compusa for +/- $80 after rebates when they are on sale. Or Antec 2600/3700 for the next steps smaller, these can be had from Staples for $62 on up. Less if you use coupons that can be easily found on the web.

For around $62 (2600) without any deals you will be hard pressed to find a more solid case with a decent power supply included.

 

[SWScorch]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Link to the CompuCase

Now I wonder if they'll get around to doing a black one of that.

Umm, I have the black version of that! It's a great case, it's like they basically used the mold for the Antec cases, but removed the blasted door and gave it some minor differences.

Link here!

EDIT: Bah, nevermind. The first one is a little bit different.... but I still like mine!

 

[DaFanMan]

Lian Li or Coolermaster all the way. Best cases I've worked in. Otherwise Antec makes some great stuff, had two of those before I got my first lian li. Had 3 Lian Li's, a shuttle XPC, now I'm on my first Coolermaster.

-Matt

 

[Jadow]

Thanks Gang, I'm gonna look into those.

I recently lost my best case (still nothing great) to a case mod operaton gone bad. Let's say it involved a plasma torch, some misaligned screw holes, a can of black spraypaint, and a lot of beer. A dangerous combination!

 

[Zebo]

I have this case for my silent highend PC. Also have two 1040 antecs but they can't compare/ The silverstone has hydrolic doors, exterior power button and really think aluminum. Always loved desktop cases casue I'm tall and like monitor at eye level and controls/bays in front of me.


Inside It has
-a 9800pro sapphire ultimate with passive cooling
-one Zalman 80mm silent fan
-One 300W Fortron 120mm silent PS
-Samsung silent bruner and seagate silent HD's
-Asus MB with passive cooler on chipset
-And a Zalman CNPS7000A quiet barton cooler

I can't hear it unless I'm paying attention.

 

[Dman877]

"Antec SX1040B is rigjht up your alley. With emphasis on 'heavy' as its steel."

I recommend this case as well if you are looking for high quality and lots of space. I customized mine with a Enermax 431 watt PSU and an in-line water cooling system. With the radiator, pump, psu, 6 fans, and case itself, this thing weighs about 40 - 50 lbs.

 

[Blooz1]

Doh! I forgot to link to the Compucase! I also have one of the black ones, and it's a great case.

I got mine for $39 from Directron w/o PSU. I notice they now <U>charge</U> +$5 for no PSU!

The only thing wrong with mine was that silver paint on the front bezel. It's a cheap paint job, so I sanded it all off and vinyl dyed the bezel black. Looks much better!

 

[GreenWolf]

All the Caseteks were great and Newegg had them for as low as $20, but of course they have been out since before Christmas. Only problem is they are heavy guage steel and hard to cut, if you want to case mod. Enermax carries them as the CS-10181 and CS-10182 models for about $75 shipped from Newegg. Love the side mounted HD cages.

Chenbro Spiders are nice with 120mm fans but are mid-towers and have no reset button. Still, they look great and can be had from Newegg for $60 shipped.

Yellow Chieftec Dragon (no window) is $29 over at Tiger Direct and that is a great case too.

 

[Salvador]

I've been building with the Antec SLK2600AMB and love this case for a cheap system. It can be had for $50-$70 (I paid $59 shipped, no tax a little while back at Newegg). I think it's well worth spending the few extra $$ to get something quality that doesn't feel cheap. I also like the drive door without a lock. It does a nice job at hiding the beige (or black) and you don't have to worry about the drives matching. The PSU is a 300w, but it is probably better than most cheap 350-400w power supplies.

It's just hard for me to justify saving $15-$20 on a case and power supply when there is such a difference in quality. Look at the Compucase posted above. It still looks like a cheap case and it's $39 without a power supply. By the time you add a half way decent power supply and pay for shipping, you're going to pay more for it than the Antec case and it's probably not going to be as nice IMO.

Sal

 

[zodder]

Lian Li

 

[Jhhnn]

Any of the sx-antecs are hard to beat. they're extra-solid, with strong features and ease of use. They also include good psu's stock, and require zero mods for good cooling.

The newer model Antecs are also nice, as are the compucase offerings- also with high quality HEC psu's...

 

[hytek369]

another vote for antecs

 

[Big Lar]

I'm with "mechBgon" on this 1, I have my spare setup in 1 of these, and have built a few for peeps with this box/ nice quality supply, roomy case, not to big, and decent fan layout. This is the Antec of course...

 

[0roo0roo]

antec chieftec. lots of fan mounts, lots of good fan cutouts that don't block air flow, allows for low rpm fans. aluminum vers only slightly more..but much lighter.

 

[Wuzup101]

Originally posted by: zodder
Lian Li

Ditto... if you want the best (and want to pay for it too).

I've also had a antec 1030b (i believe it was a 1030 or maybe 1040 anyway... the one w/ the door that was very popular a little while ago and still is to a point). It was very heavy guage steal which made modding a dream with a jig saw (but sucked using a dremmel for those who do). Even with a window cutout the case was VERY sturdy. The fan mounts were a nice touch too... very nice case indeed.

IMHO if you don't have a limit on price go for a Lian-Li hands down. They are very high quality cases that look nice and have a lot of good ideas built in. If you want to keep costs down go for one of those antec style server cases (like the 1030... but now in aluminum and colors). They are definitely great for the money... and great modding cases because there is lots of room!

 

[rancherlee]

I really like my New AMS Gmono 2029, it was 63$ at microcenter.
Built very well with steel (doesn't Flex AT ALL), and is a bit heavy but if you wiegh 100+lbs you shouldn't have any trouble lugging it around.
Pros
-Strong
-inexpensive
-automotive painted white, silver, or black (mine is the white one with a side window)
-Front USB 2.0, Firewire, and audio ports
-4 5.25" bays, 2 3.5" external and 5 3.5" internal bays
-motherboard comes out without removing the powersupply (powersupply is removed thru the rear od the case)

Cons
-Heavy
-only 3 fan mounts with 2-80mm on the back and one 80/120mm in front
-Comes with 1 generic 80mm casefan
-NO powersupply included (which I didn't care, got a TT 480w silent purepower at the same time)

 

[jagr10]

Most low prices cases are cheaply built. The bezels on alot of cases are such cheap plastic that they break easily. It's one of those "you get what you pay for" deals. I personally love coolermaster.

 

[Tab]

Antec, Enermax, Lian Li, CoolerMaster. Those are the good ones

 

[Tab]

Antec, Enermax, Lian Li, CoolerMaster. Those are the good ones

 

[b4417]

Short answer: Lian-Li. Simply the best cases I've worked with in 20-odd years of this, um, hobby. You don't have to worry about a crappy power supply, as most of them don't come with one (you get to choose your own). Expensive as hell.....and worth it.

Best,
Bill