Yet another "I need a case!" thread. All help appreciated :)

[GeneralS]

What I Need (format copied from reicherb's thread w/out permission)

• Not fugly
• 3 or more 5/14 bays
• 2 - external 3 1/2 bays
• 2 or more internal 3 1/2 bays
• Really needs good air flow, front fan mount and vent a +, etc.
• And I'd love a hinged-type case door

Indifferent to (but I don't really mind, either):

• Case windows
• Lighting
  

 

[Loman]

You can get this if you want a powersupply:


http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/sku.asp?sku=IM1372076&PageType=1


Drop a $30 off $100 coupon (have to phone order to use it) and you get it for a little over $100 shipped. You can pricematch it and get it down to $96 or less (which i did).

or if you want no power supply and no thrills (you can pick from many colors on this site):


http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_viewitem.asp?idproduct=177


for modded and aluminum (not green is +$10):


http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_viewitem.asp?idproduct=440


These are all a take on the very famous chenming case.

 

[ROJAS]

http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=143203


Looks like ANTEC.

 

[VeggieMan]

Antec truepower 430w, and Antec 1040 case

 

[GeneralS]

Thanks for the replies

 

[kendogg]

ALIENWARE OWNZ!

 

[BoomAM]

Hi,
Cheiftec Scorpio Tower series
*hinged drive bay door
*amazing airflow
*multiple colours
*come with PSU of at least 340W
*look good
*quality case, with quality accessories.

 

[zipflint]

Hate to jump someone else's thread....but there's already lots of "I need a case" threads,
so I figure instead of making yet another one, I'll just piggy-back this 'un.
Basically, I'm looking for the same thing as the original poster, except I'd
*really* like an aluminum case. I've been reading threads for days, and I'm
a bit overwhelmed. I'm really liking the prices on the Antec PLUS1080AMG w/430 watt PSUs,
but I don't think they're aluminum. I'm willing to spend up to $150.
I was almost sold on the CoolerMaster ATC-710-SX2
http://www.bit-tech.net/review/106/3
but the lack of any HDD activity lights and no reset button are kind
of off-putting. Granted, it's meant to be a server, but it's soooo close
to exactly what I want.....
Also, ease-of-use is a big deal. Screwless would be good, latched/swinging doors
for easy access to motherboard would be wonderful.
I feel like I'm beating a dead horse, but I really want to get the right case this time,
and you guys obviously know yer stuff.
thanks for any input!
zipflint
also, and this is a total bonehead question, I'm sure,
but in order to make use of the USB and Firewire ports on the front
of the 1080AMG, you'll need a PCI firewire card, right?
or am I missing something obvious.....

 

[BeauJangles]

Hate to jump someone else's thread....but there's already lots of "I need a case" threads,
so I figure instead of making yet another one, I'll just piggy-back this 'un.
Basically, I'm looking for the same thing as the original poster, except I'd
*really* like an aluminum case. I've been reading threads for days, and I'm
a bit overwhelmed. I'm really liking the prices on the Antec PLUS1080AMG w/430 watt PSUs,
but I don't think they're aluminum. I'm willing to spend up to $150.
I was almost sold on the CoolerMaster ATC-710-SX2
http://www.bit-tech.net/review/106/3
but the lack of any HDD activity lights and no reset button are kind
of off-putting. Granted, it's meant to be a server, but it's soooo close
to exactly what I want.....
Also, ease-of-use is a big deal. Screwless would be good, latched/swinging doors
for easy access to motherboard would be wonderful.
I feel like I'm beating a dead horse, but I really want to get the right case this time,
and you guys obviously know yer stuff.
thanks for any input!
zipflint
also, and this is a total bonehead question, I'm sure,
but in order to make use of the USB and Firewire ports on the front
of the 1080AMG, you'll need a PCI firewire card, right?
or am I missing something obvious.....

Well, the antec's aren't aluminium. The case you said you were 'almost sold on' isn't alumium either. If I'm not mistaken, I think it's going to be hard to find the type of case you are looking for for under $150. The Lian Li's are really nice, but you are going to pay for it. Most of them have a removable mobo tray, however I don't think they have easy-access side panels. They also come with tons of nice stuff on the front, USB, Firewire, Audio ports, gameport, etc... you should check them out.

 

[zipflint]

EDIT: One of the things I should've mentioned in my first post was that, if I
do go for aluminum, it's *got* to have a door on the front. The contrast between
the gleaming aluminum and the dull beige of my drives would drive me bonkers, and
I'm not crafty enough to pull off the stealthing required to fix that problem.


Thanks for the heads-up on the Lian Li cases. I'll definately give them a look. I know
they can get expensive, but I'll consider every option.
And yeah, the CoolerMaster case is a sort of hybrid. Mostly steel
with some aluminum parts.
thanks again,
zipflint

 

[Mankay]

Hmm, how about those chieftec cases on newegg? $110 for aluminum case with a window, front usb/firewire ports, 450w psu and a range of colors...

 

[GeneralS]

Well, at least for me, that'd be too tall. Current case is ~16.5" tall, the 20.5" one on newegg wouldn't fit under my desk

 

[linux247]

Originally posted by: GeneralS
What I Need (format copied from reicherb's thread w/out permission)

• Not fugly
• 3 or more 5/14 bays
• 2 - external 3 1/2 bays
• 2 or more internal 3 1/2 bays
• Really needs good air flow, front fan mount and vent a +, etc.
• And I'd love a hinged-type case door

Indifferent to (but I don't really mind, either):

• Case windows
• Lighting

• 
  
  Best Buy has an Antec SLK2600AMB for $69, much less if wait for an open box deal. I bought this case today and I would recommend it - it has a very cool looking metallic bronze finish - sounds strange but looks really good, imho. Antec claims that this new color compliments commonly available beige components and I think they're on to something here. I suppose it really doesn't matter with this case though since it has a nice door on the front that hides your 5-1/4 and 3-1/2 devices. I haven't assembled mine yet but did take it out of the box - nice and shiney. The good thing about buying locally is that even though the price may seem to be slightly higher, cases often wind up costing less vs. buying online because of the added shipping cost. And it goes without saying that you can actually see if you like the way it looks first... Check it out at BB's website (do a search for 'Antec') or better yet, stop by your local store. Hope this helps.
  
  Note: the ps in this case is also top notch - Best Buy sells them separately for $55.

 

[nailbunnypd]

Antec Case