PICK ONE PLEASE!

[Ilmater]

Alright, I need help picking my new case. I've read sites that say that Coolermaster is better, and I've read sites that say Lian-Li is better. Which is it? I want any and all opinions. I have only owned an old Dell case, so I'm sure either will be better. I have 5 hard drives, so I need to keep them cool. I think that either case is good for this, maybe I'm wrong.

Please give me any ideas on reasons why one is better than the other. If anyone has owned both, that would be wonderful.

 

[cavdraco]

i really like the chieftec ( or any other name they stick on it) I have one and will be getting one for the wifes case when all my old parts go in to it

cav

it also droped my case temps 30 degrees

 

[hmsrolst]

I own both, but my Lian Li is over a year old, and they may be different now. Both make great cases, but from my experience the build quality of the Coolermaster is superior. You should also say what you're looking for, beside space/cooling for the 5 HDD's. The real virtue of the Coolermaster and Lian Li cases are their light weight and nice features, e.g., slide out mobo trays, thumb screws, etc. But from the point of view of functionality, I have found the Antec SX cases (same as Chieftec I understand) to be in the same league, and they cost a lot less.

 

[lRageATMl]

I would definatly go with the Antex 1080B. It's an awesome case with a 430watt extremely quite ps. It dropped my case temp all the way down to a solid 24C and that's with 5 hdd's, 2CD-ROMS, a floppy and zip drive. btw, I was able to fit everything in it also with no problems. An it looks awesome too...

 

[hungrygoose]

i have a fong kai that i bought from directron that i really like

 

[herbage11]

i really like the chieftec

Agreed. I like my Chieftec w/ 420 watt ps. Good air flow and looks cool too for a great price.

 

[Soldat]

i have to agree with RageATM on this , i absolutely love my coolermaster but i also have 2 antec cases that can't be beat for the price

 

[Ilmater]

Sorry, I'll help give a better idea about what I want. Features include:

Removable MB tray
Cooling and room for my 5 hard drives
At least 2 case fans built in; 1 exhaust, 1 intake - all others are a plus
Room for at least 2 x 5 1/4" drives and 1 external 3 1/2" drive (floppy, duh)
Room for those 5 hard drives (if needed, from a 5 1/4" HDD Cooler)
USB is a bonus, but not a big deal
I already have a PS (brand new Enermax 433W) so I don't need another one
Aluminum isn't neccessary, but would be a slight bonus
THUMBSCREWS!!!! or otherwise toolless entry

The only major problem with the Cheiftec (let's call it by what it really is, shall we?) is the door on the front. I don't want to use the word HATE here, but it is close. It bothers me to have to maneuver around that thing every time I want to get to my drive. I also don't think it would look that good. I'd rather spend the time coloring my drives. I would just take it off, but that looks pretty bad for most cases. The new Lian-Li 6089A (http://www.mikhailtech.com/articles/cases/pc6089a/index.shtml for pics) has a door I could probably take off and still like the way it looks. I can't say the same for Cheiftecs.

 

[KouklatheCat]

Ilmater,

I love my Lian-Li. I have one of the new PC 60s. It has everything your looking for. To me this is the Cadillac of cases.

My case does not have the clear front or the built in window as shown in your link.

 

[SWScorch]

Ilmater, those cases are actually Chenmings. Chenming makes the cases, then sells them to companies such as Chieftec and Antec and Enermax, who then rebrand them, add their own bells and whstles like fans and power supplies, and sell them under their own name.BTW, if you do some searching, I am sure you could find a SX1030-clone without the door. Let me see if I can find a link for you. Chenming themselves have the 1030-style case without a door, although it looks like an older Dell case. Chieftec also has some options.

BTW, if you dont mind spending the money, I'd say just go for the Cooler Master.

 

[TJN23]

Ilmater enable your PMs plz

 

[TheWart]

heres another vote for the antec/chieftec/blahblah sx1030 clones

 

[L00PY]

Originally posted by: Ilmater

The only major problem with the Cheiftec (let's call it by what it really is, shall we?) is the door on the front. I don't want to use the word HATE here, but it is close.

Get the SX600 or SX800 style case. Essentially the same as the SX1000 but without the stupid door.

 

[hmsrolst]

At least the older SX600's and SX800's don't have the extra hard drive cage.

 

[EXman]

Essentially the same as the SX1000 but without the stupid door.

If you have Kids the door is grrrrreat! besides it is a nice clean look IMHO

 

[techiedude]

Take a lookie here , Lian Li PC-6083A - So-TrickComputers/ Lian Li

 

[Ilmater]

Does that have a removable motherboard tray? If I'm paying $175 for a case, I at least want the amenities. Also, assume that all cases cost the same, would all of you Chenming/Chieftec/WhatTheHellEver fans still be talking up those cases, or is it more of a cost vs. features thing? At least one above mentioned that he would buy Coolermaster if cost was not an isssue.

 

[hmsrolst]

I use all three, and IMHO if cost is not the issue, Coolermaster.

 

[Ilmater]

Thank you. I suppose I should have said in the beginning that I didn't care much about cost. That is the kind of opinion I was looking for. Anyone else?