looking for a great case

[Dorkenstein]

I haven't been watching the pc case scene for quite a while but I will need a new one for an upgrade later this year. Can anyone recommend some good (recommended) cases? Thanks.

 

[DfiDude]

Whats your price range?

 

[Dorkenstein]

Around 200 dollars. I am mostly looking for ease of access and cooling but good looks and expandability are an added plus.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

PC-7Plus

or if you want a pre-modded on with 4x120mm fans,

Modded PC-7Plus

 

[MDE]

For about $120 the Antec P160 is pretty nice.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Maybe this should be in the cases and cooling section...

 

[Dorkenstein]

Cool, keep them coming. I want to buy something I won't be sorry for later. How about these:

-JustPC Gazelle
-Coolermaster Stacker
-the Chenbro one that looks like a G5 case (forgot the name)

 

[KoolDrew]

The CM Stacker is a great case

 

[the wombat]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Cool, keep them coming. I want to buy something I won't be sorry for later. How about these:

-JustPC Gazelle
-Coolermaster Stacker
-the Chenbro one that looks like a G5 case (forgot the name)

The gaming bomb 2?

 

[Dorkenstein]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811123072

That's the one. I don't know why I posted this in General, can I get a move?

 

[Dorkenstein]

Any more opinions?

 

[Woofmeister]

Originally posted by: GarfieldtheCat
PC-7Plus

or if you want a pre-modded on with 4x120mm fans,

Modded PC-7Plus

And spring for the 120 MM blow hole.

P.S. Hank at Performance PCs is a great guy to deal with.

 

[Soffty]

Yeah the Antec cases and the Lian Li cases are very nice but fairly expensive. I personally prefer black to silver, Get a side window and get a few red LED fans going, It suits the black Some of the thermaltake cases are VERY NICE but its a matter of opinion of course http://www.thermaltake.com

 

[ExpertNovice]

Different cases for different reasons. However, here is my next case which has already been ordered. Due in the next couple of weeks.


$130 for Antec Performance One Series P180 ATX Mid Tower Case
http://www.computerhq.com/Antec_Perform.../P180/products/partinfo-id-549222.html

Here is the SPCR comment and reviews (understand that these are pre-production reviews!) (specifically the ducting system was removed as it was deemed to be unnecessary to keep the CPU cool!)

An ambitious, large mid-tower with composite multi-layer external panels and steel chassis, unique PSU and HDD placement on bottom in isolated ducted chamber. Very good intake 120mm vent design for both uppper and lower chambers, with new double hinge door. Much use of resilent damping materials for noise & vibration reduction. Top corner of upper chamber has two exhaust 120mm fans for very high cooling potential. May be suitable for overclockers and silencers. Previewed in SPCR News and in our CES 2005 Summation article Jan 2005.

The review:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/news452.html
Exceprts:
The Antec P180 looks like a winner -- and sounds like one too. Tapping the side of the panel evokes not the clatter of the typical case, but a solid thud. SPCR will bring you a review as soon as a sample is available. Antec is projecting availability around the end of February.

My reason for getting this case is primarily:

• Bottom placement of PSU in separate, isolated ducted chamber with 120mm fan in middle

Thus, a fanless CPU and quiet 120mm fans used to keep it cool with no heat entering the main system.

I am hoping the HDDS face sideways to help keep the system clean of cables.

This is NOT the end all case. Different uses dictate different needs. Plus, some care more about external looks that functionality. Not me.

 

[fatty4ksu]

thermaltake armor.

End thread.

 

[Excelsior]

Coolermaster.

 

[ExpertNovice]

Just found this on Antec's website.
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=81800#

excerpt:
The P180 is truly a revolutionary breakthrough in case design. Dual chambers isolate the power supply and CPU into separate cooling zones with up to 5 configurable fans. Three-layer sound-deadening panels dampen noise even in very high-performance systems. Ease-of-use, sleek design and Antec?s reputation for quality make the P180 worthy of being the first in a new category we call the Advanced Super Mid Tower.



No mention of grommets already in the case but I can add my own easily enough.

This case comes with no power supply. No purchasing the case and PSU and tossing the PSU!

 

[Xitar]

How many times do we do this a week?

no offense by any means I just wanted to point you a previous topic that covered this issue and also the fancy search function of these fine forums.

See my respone in the first linky.

by the way what are you going to use the rig for?

 

[fatty4ksu]

Originally posted by: Xitar
How many times do we do this a week?

no offense by any means I just wanted to point you a previous topic that covered this issue and also the fancy search function of these fine forums.

See my respone in the first linky.

by the way what are you going to use the rig for?

Dude, what else are we going to talk about here? So what the guy wants a thread all to himself. BFD.

 

[ExpertNovice]

Originally posted by: Xitar
How many times do we do this a week?

no offense by any means I just wanted to point you a previous topic that covered this issue and also the fancy search function of these fine forums.

See my respone in the first linky.

The link you posted made no mention of the P180. Possibly because it could not even be pre-ordered until a week after the last posting in that thread.

So, I would submit that a posting once per week per purpose is acceptable. Until either 1. New cases quit being made or modified
2. THE one perfect case that fits everyones needs and desires is created.

I further submit that #2 will happen first and it will happen once the new world government dictates that only one specific case is allowed to be owned. Prior to that time case registration, to protect us from our own ignorance, will be required.

 

[knothead34]

i have the chenbro xbomb 2 case its bad ass. also got good reviews. i also like the thermaltake armor case as well....but it seems others dont . oh well to each his or her own.

 

[Xitar]

Fine Fine, I'll sit down. I just wanted to save some typing, no harm intended.

That P180 looks pretty slick. lots-o-little compartments too.

 

[ExpertNovice]

Originally posted by: Xitar
Fine Fine, I'll sit down. I just wanted to save some typing, no harm intended.

That P180 looks pretty slick. lots-o-little compartments too.

ROFL!

Yes, I'm planning on adding the Antec Phantom 500 as the PSU. Not exactly fanless but should provide a lot of power without adding heat to the main compartment. With a great 120 mm fan in the center of the case it should be very quiet.

Only time will tell!

Probably the week after mine arrives the "killer" case will be released.

 

[0roo0roo]

silentpcreview.com
sonata

 

[Goi]

Woah, I didn't hear of the Antec P180, that thing looks tight! All it needs is a version with a side window and intake