Need Help Deciding on Case...

[Merlin]

OK, here is the dilema...I just upgraded to SCSI 10K drives and an XP 1600+. Case is a generic Full tower w/ bad airflow. A real POS. Have a global win CAK38 that i modded by changing the fan out to a quiter YS tech. Anyway, temp stays nice and cool, 35 idle and 41-42 under full load. However, when I put the side of the case back on, it get HOT and crashes. I know this is due to poor airflow in the Box + the really hot HDs b/c if I only run one HD, it doesn't do this. So, opinions wanted:

antec 1200 Full tower vs. Lian Li PC60 vs Lian Li PC70.

I have in my box msi kt266 pro RU, 2 IBM 45 GB ata drives in raid, 1 10k rpm scsi ibm, 1 10k rpm quantum (half height, big drive). All of the PCI slots are full. I will have a CD burner and a DVD rom (eventually)

Already have a enermax 435 watt nice PS.

Any particulare advantages of the aluminum cases over the antec other than aesthetics? I REALLLLLY want the PC70, but it is just so damn $$$$. Also, do you think the PC60 is too small for all the junk i have crammed in there?

 

[ChrisADuffy]

I would run with the pc70, the aluminum is supposed to absorb/dissapate heat better. Cheapest ones I saw at pricewatch were right around 200 bucks.

 

[Bglad]

I disagree. I don't think the aluminum will give you that much advantage over a well ventilated case like the Antec. Especially because the Lian Li has a smaller interior volume, when it is full, the smaller interior has less room to move air through. You end up with all those heat producing componnts closer together. Second, the Antec is much bigger and easier to work with when it is full, and you have a lot of stuff to install. Third, the Antec is 1/2 the price, less than 1/2 the price without a PSU.

 

[ChrisADuffy]

Merlin, I was curious if you decided on a case?

 

[spamsk8r]

Go with the Antec, I have one and I love it, its fun to mod and has really good airflow, and lots of places to put more fans if needed. But you could just cut like 2 120mm blowholes in the side of your case to blow cool air right over your chip, that would probably be useful. Just my two cents.

Geoff

 

[rondeemc]

I have the Lian 68 and I have not found it to be any cooler then my previous fong-kais or antecs. I do recommend them for there ease of use, small size, and flexibility since they accomadate 10-12 drives stock. Since you already have a ps you can pick one up for around $130 plus shipping here

ncix

for a little more you can get one with usb ports in front.

btw i have the nonraid version of that board and when I went to the current bios my temps dropped around 4c. The system temp is very high relative to the ambient so I suspect a problem with the reading/sensor while the cpu is normal

 

[hmsrolst]

Both are nice cases, but from my experience the idea that an aluminum box is a "natural heat sink," is just hype. Airflow is what's key and the Antec has it all over the Lian Li in my opinion.

 

[killmeplease]

I chose this one. It has plenty of room and with a couple blow-holes, it should be perfect.

P.S. I do think that the PC60 will be more than a bit crowded. I have about that much stuff and my SuperMicro 750A full tower is too crowded.

 

[rondeemc]

Forgot to mention that if you are changing your config often the Lian-li is very easy to work with because it lets you leave the connections to the mb remain intact since it has a single connection in the line. Also easy to mod. I replace the 80 to a 90 in back and you can put two 90's in front. One thing I don't like about the Antecs is the noise with the stock fans so if this is important think about replacing them. I run two 1030's and love the rails, rail storage, and the drive cages.