Looking for a decent case.

[Kishan]

I have this cheapo Enermax case that could be causing some problems, so I just want a nice case. My old case, I would have to literally bend the frame so that the video card would screw in! Also, the standoffs for the motherboard got stuck to my motherboard! So I have 2 questions:

1. I want a good case. I saw the Apple G5 today and that looked sweet. I want something classy and quiet, not with neon lights and such. It doesn't have to be all silver aluminium like the G5, since my budget is $150 max with shipping, but that would be nice. I have two optical drivers, one hard drive, no PCI cards. I already have an Antec TruePower 430watt power supply

2. Since my standoffs are probably done, where can I get replacement ones? Its an Asus K8V SE Deluxe.


Nothing ricey or neon, just something classy, and quiet (like the G5)

Thanks,
Kishan

 

[Viper96720]

Cooler Master cases are nice strandoffs should come with the case you get.
One pretty nice coolermaster
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-119-029&depa=0

May wanna ask in cases and cooling btw

 

[Kishan]

i think i'm gonna go with that one. good reccomendation.


However, where can I get the standoffs for my motherboard, or are they universal?
Thanks,
Kishan

 

[Gerbil333]

Have you seen the Antec Sonata in person? I built a system with one. It was a very quiet case. It's not that classy, but the paint job is much shinier than it appears to be in Newegg's pictures. Look at some reviews and see what you think.

 

[ts3433]

If you want a G5 look-alike and have the cash, maybe get a Lian Li V1000. Otherwise consider the usual suspects (Antec, CM, et al)

 

[NegatiZE]

YES, I love my Antec Sonata. The only thing that you may not like are the two blue LED's on the front on each side of the USB/audio/firewire ports. Wiring them is optional however. I like them myself, they are very bright. My PC lights up my entire desk area floor at night.

 

[flamingspinach]

The Antec Sonata is an excellent case. I personally would go for the Antec P160 or P160WF, which go for about $120 and look very classy. Plus they're light and quiet. The Sonata is a bit cheaper though heavier, and has an awesome paint job.

Antec rocks.

-fs

 

[jpeyton]

I love this case: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-133-136&depa=0

The windowed version is going to be my next purchase: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-133-132&depa=0

 

[KuuL]

*tag* for future reference

 

[Lyfer]

I'd recommend a mid-tower chenming case. They are look almost identical to a full-server-tower antec case but are only 16" in height and run for $35 in various colors. Add $10 for a window.

Just slap on a good PSU and you have a great chassis!


http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-125-457&DEPA=0

 

[Stangs55]

I love my Thermaltake Tsunami Dream case.

There are some pics in here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...7&threadid=1438997

I also added a red cold cathode @ the bottom, but the blue fan is standard.

Good Luck.

 

[jpeyton]

Stangs55, have you benched 3DMark03 or 01? 05 seems to be more GPU limited than anything, and isn't really indicitive of true system performance; I can score a 5280 on my test bench (P4 2.8) with an XTPE.

03 is a better balance of CPU/GPU limited benches; 01 seems to be more CPU limited than anything.

 

[Stangs55]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Stangs55, have you benched 3DMark03 or 01? 05 seems to be more GPU limited than anything, and isn't really indicitive of true system performance; I can score a 5280 on my test bench (P4 2.8) with an XTPE.

03 is a better balance of CPU/GPU limited benches; 01 seems to be more CPU limited than anything.

dl'ing now...(I've been meaning to do this). I'll update my post in a bit w/scores.

 

[Stangs55]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Stangs55, have you benched 3DMark03 or 01? 05 seems to be more GPU limited than anything, and isn't really indicitive of true system performance; I can score a 5280 on my test bench (P4 2.8) with an XTPE.

03 is a better balance of CPU/GPU limited benches; 01 seems to be more CPU limited than anything.

done

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Sounds like you want a Lian-li to me, look those up on newegg.

 

[Mav007]

Second the Antec P-160W, just had it delivered and its a very nice case

 

[mauiblue]

If I could do it again, I would have gotten a Cooler Master Praetorian case and for the PSU a PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 510 Deluxe. But I can live with the ThermalTake case I have until the next upgrade...

Have fun finding your next case.

 

[Kishan]

wow thanks for all the replies. I think I may go with the Sonata since I hear so many good things about it. I guess now my #1 concern is it easy to work in. Also where can I find the standoffs for my motherboard?
Thanks,
Kishan

 

[Icepick]

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Cooler Master cases are nice strandoffs should come with the case you get.

Standoffs come with the case.

If you still need extra then here's a link: http://store.yahoo.com/directron/basescrew.html

 

[Kishan]

Originally posted by: icepik

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Cooler Master cases are nice strandoffs should come with the case you get.

Standoffs come with the case.

If you still need extra then here's a link: http://store.yahoo.com/directron/basescrew.html

ok cool!

what about the antec SX635BII
o the antec SLK-3700BQE

reason i picked best buy is since i will get my employee discount and won't have to pay shipping.

Thanks,
Kishan

 

[Icepick]

I use the BQE myself and I love it. (See my signature)

 

[Kishan]

Originally posted by: icepik
I use the BQE myself and I love it. (See my signature)

is there enough space inside-you have a big video card in here-how does it fit? Also is the paint similar to that found on the Sonata?

 

[Mogh]

The Sonata looks like a good case but too bad they do not make it in a beige. It seems cases these days are mostly black, silver, downright gawdy or kiddie looking. When you do find a beige to match you components the cases typically look pretty cheap looking.

I like/have the beige INWIN S500G for a P4 Northwood. http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-108-312&depa=0

They make a T version for the Prescott where the fan is larger. I am on the hunt for something like that for an AMD Athlon 64 and the Sonata seems to be the close in quality. At least my beige parts will be under the lid.

 

[powerMarkymark]

The antec SLK-3700BQE is a great case, extremely quiet case.

 

[plagiarist]

As a new owner of a Thermaltake Xaser III 1000 Supertower, I cannot reccomend it enough. Big, beautiful, loaded with seven silent fans, an included fan controller unit, the front door locks, the front whole panel locks, you can lock the panel or the panel and the door, or neither, and you can also lock the sliding door. Great for lanparties. It has a nice LED, there is plenty of room for creative cable tucking. There is also a topside port for connections for the Mic, Earphones, Usb x2, and firewire.

Great case, you can get it for 130 bucks on newegg, with a window too!