what do you think of this black fulltower case?

[SammyBoy]

what do you think about this case?? edit: WOW! i forgot to link to the case, I must be sleepy here it is pccase.com
the site got a good reseller rating and has some okay looking cases, and they even put a side cooling fan in for you for free. the price before shipping was 54 dollars, with 250w junk P/S, which I will be upgrading to 300w for my athlon.

Does anyone have any experience with this case/a case like it/this company or just has general thoughts??

if so they would be appreciated,
thanks

 

[h0vic]

Be more specific. A link to the case would help.

 

[SammyBoy]

yeah sorry, forgot to tell u what the damn case is,

wow, also, how do you think it compares to webuildpcs the 300w fulltower from webuildpcs for $47

 

[h0vic]

These are average cases IMO, but aren't too bad for their price. Actually, the price is $64 for the A-Top case. The screwless design on the A-Top case comes in really handy if you go inside your computer a lot. The 80mm side fan is also a nice extra. As far as the construction of cases goes, I have no clue. Maybe someone who owns one can tell you. In deciding which case you want, make a list of things you need and things you want. This will narrow down your choices and help you decide.

Of these two, I will probably go with the A-Top case because of the screwless design and it has more 3.25" bays. The webuildpcs one only has 3 (1 floppy, 2 hd).

And also, do you really need a full tower or just want one? They are a pain to hull around.

 

[mHubs]

I have the A-Top case but in white, and I love it!
Only bad thing is that I don't think there is enough room for watercooling, thats about the only thing I don't like.
I'm going to be modding it a bunch and puttin a 120 in the front (already got an 80 there, but i want big flow), and prolly a blowhole at the top (120 again)
One bad thing is that the hole going from mobo area to 5.25" drive bay area that the cables go into is WAY to small, I'm going to cut out a lot more room cuz it really kills airflow

 

[SammyBoy]

I dont absolutely need a fulltower but I would like one. I am starting off my system with just a CD-Rom, but will add a dvd and a burner later. I am also going to get a zip drive and if I want to experiment with case mods I think this would be great. I dont need to lug this thing around that much, its just gonna chill in my room.


If anyone has this case any input would be great

thanks,
Sam

 

[rondeemc]

Interesting case. Looks like there is a punch-out for additional fans above and below the power supply. But if you are going to spend $54 for the case and then spend another $40-50 for a powersupply such as a Antec pp303 why not just go ahead and get the Antec SX-1030B for black or the SX830 (doesn't come in black). The Antec SX-1030 even has a fan placement up front that will cool your harddrives. Plenty of expansion and easy to get into.

 

[h0vic]

I agree with rondeemc that if you're going to buy a better PSU which will cost at least $40 for 300W, go for a more expensive case that already comes with a good 300W like Antec, In-Win, Addrontics, others.

 

[Tsaico]

I also personally do not like rails, that black case you linked to uses rails for the hd's and cd-roms.... which tend to get lost. Also they wear/get bent if you upgrade often and replacing them can sometimes be a hassle...

 

[jugornot]

One of the things I love about the antecs is that they come with rail holders in the bottom of the case. Just one of the excellent little features of the antec. The latched side panel the rolled edges and really good thick metal make this a great case. And in dimensions it is somewhere between a mid and full tower. Mine is stoked with goodies. CDROM, dvs livedrive ir and tdk 12x10x32 in the external 5,25 bays. A floppy and zip in the external 3.5 bays. 2 maxtor 40 gigs and room for 2 more drives in the internal 3.5s. If you upgrade frequently this is THE case. Any drive can be removed within seconds of disconnecting the cables. If you want more power they make the 1040 more dirve space the 1240. Finally I have this comment on looks. When I bought my Harmon Kardon HK690 years ago my wife wanted a technics reciever because it was prettier. When I built my sx1030 I ended up buying 2 more 1 for my wife at home and one for her classroom. I also have 2 inwin q500n's and while good cases they do not compare to this badboy. HTH

 

[SammyBoy]

yeah, im from boston and I made 195 bucks (yep, 195) read it and weep bucks shoveling yesterday and thismornin so I can go with a better case now. The only thing is I am new and I want to be able to mod this thing, and I dont know how I would feel gashing holes through a 100 dollar case. any suggestions for a great case for say.....80 bucks with PS?


also, how is the inwin q500 fulltower? my local store has it here, how does it compare to the antec?

heres link here

thanks a lot guys

 

[SammyBoy]

how about this case? looks nice with 300W athlon aproved, sliding mobo tray, 11 bays, and looks pretty nice.

what do you guys say to this one



thanks again

 

[SammyBoy]

sorry guys but heres another one i like,
midtower, but 300W amd and looks pretty nice, and I wouldnt feel bad about hacking holes in the side...and top...and wherever of it.

well here it is

 

[SammyBoy]

bumpitee bump bump

 

[SammyBoy]

please just tell me something

 

[rondeemc]

Remember you asked.

If you really want to consider this case then ask the vendor the brand and model number of the power supply. If they can't tell you this and guarantee that you will receive it then avoid them. Also ask the name of the manufacturer of the case. Then do a search to find out if any reviews have been done on it. But there is a reasons the Antecs and Enlights are so popular. They have provided products that met the user expectations and in many cases exceeded them. When you buy an unknown you assume the risk not knowing what you are receiving. For my money I would find something else. Instead of letting money make your decision why don't you reverse the process. Read the case reviews in AnandTech, Ars, etc and find the case you like. Then shop for the best price. A case can be a long term purchase and if it means keeping it for another 2-3 years what is another $20-30 to get the right case now.

my 2 cents

Enlight 300 watt with free shipping for $65

Antec with 300 watt at $68 with free shipping

InWin 300 watt for $67 with free shipping

 

[SammyBoy]

thanks a lot rondeemc, i know that money shouldnt be an object, and this is an important part and long lasting component, and I have no problem buying a nice case, but I would be a first time case modder and dont want to gash the side panel of a 100 dollar case, if you know what I mean. I might have to go with a REALLY cool looking midtower and toss maybe 1 extra case fan on the side and get a back and front, and I would go with this right here

all I can say is WoW!

 

[rondeemc]

A well designed case needs no mods except under the most extreme conditions. And don't forget to buy a decent HSF also

 

[rondeemc]

If you like black take a look at this Fong Kai 320. It is rated for high speed drives, looks sharp, it comes with a 92mm fan in back with CPU shroud. You can put a 120mm fan up front. AnandTech did a review of this case in white and loved it. Case is rated for duals and Xeons and 10,000rpm drives

 

[SammyBoy]

thanks a lot rondeemc, youve been a lot of help. I really like that Fong Kai but its still a lot of money. but hey, we'll see what happens

 

[rondeemc]

GL

 

[velvtelvis]

FWIW, the case I got from electroseller was REAL flimsy

 

[SammyBoy]

thanks a bunch guys, i just bought the antec sx1030b, after everything you guys told me I decided to get something that I didnt even bother to discuss with you

ahh whatever, i think the antec with make me more

thanks again guys,
Sam

 

[rondeemc]

You wasted three days, I told you about that case on the 4th!

Good choice on a tough decision:}

 

[SammyBoy]

hahah, yeah, well i dont have all the components to put in it yet, so it did no harm.

at least this time i was sure, and i didnt buy some $h!t case, which i would have done without u guy's input