Where does one buy decent HTPC cases?

GTaudiophile · 08-10-2011, 06:46 AM

I am really not impressed with anything I see in stock at NE.

I really want something small, maybe aluminum, sort of iMac style for a Micro ITX mobo.

Thanks.

Chapbass · 08-10-2011, 07:46 AM

Origen AE has some nice cases...unfortunately they're all ATX styled.

You want Mini-ITX I'm assuming?

Logic Supply has a ton, but nothing super fancy looking, more industrialized.

Chapbass · 08-10-2011, 07:47 AM

Oh wait, how about wesena?

http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.c...hassis_c34.htm

Chapbass · 08-10-2011, 07:58 AM

Also these guys, but looks like Europe only, possibly B2B as well..

Karma TT looks pretty sick...
http://www.karmadigital.com/products.html

Chapbass · 08-10-2011, 08:40 AM

Okay last post:

Also in the UK, but some good ideas and maybe some options:

http://www.media-centre-pc.co.uk/med...x-micro-range/

GTaudiophile · 08-10-2011, 08:47 AM

Yeah, all pretty slick...and expensive...hmmm.

Chapbass · 08-10-2011, 08:50 AM

? http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.c...TPC-ITX2-S.htm

63 bucks for that guy, That'd be the one I'd looking at.

soulcougher73 · 08-10-2011, 09:30 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811321014

Looks pretty nice.

Aikouka · 08-10-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapbass

? http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.c...TPC-ITX2-S.htm

63 bucks for that guy, That'd be the one I'd looking at.

Yeah, I really like some of those! They beat the heck out of my Thermaltake ElementQ.

EDIT:

Dare I say they almost remind me of Lian-Li... except not as expensive.

DaveSimmons · 08-10-2011, 10:19 AM

Directron.com and Mwave have a few cases that Newegg doesn't but nothing especially high-end.

I've also seen ads and reviews for a few niche mini-ITX cases at SlientPCReview you might check there.

Like this:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/HDPLEX_H3.SODD

Chapbass · 08-11-2011, 02:41 PM

Man, from further looking..... 100 bucks for this? http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.c...TPC-ITX7-S.htm

Gogo front usb ports?

God damn this thread for making me want to get back into media centers. I was all content and happy, now I just burned an hour at work seeing how cheap i can do one for.........

Aikouka · 08-11-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapbass

Man, from further looking..... 100 bucks for this? http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.c...TPC-ITX7-S.htm

Gogo front usb ports?

God damn this thread for making me want to get back into media centers. I was all content and happy, now I just burned an hour at work seeing how cheap i can do one for.........

That's actually the one that I'm considering buying (in black though). The front USB ports are actually the selling point, because I would like my HTPCs to be able to play games such as StepMania where I would need to plug in a (USB) controller. There are only two things I don't like:

1) The price... it's a decent premium for a small feature. It's mostly made worse by the fact that the other two "lesser" models are on sale.

2) It looks like they didn't think about cabling at all. The one problem I have with my current HTPC case is that the front panel and PSU cables are too long for such a small case. It looks like the same will end up being true with that case as well.

Although, I am tempted to sacrifice size to help alleviate noise. I use a Thermaltake Slim X3 in my current HTPC, and while it certainly fits in small places, it's a bit noisier than I'd prefer in a HTPC. HTPCs need to be as quiet as possible, so I prefer the whisper quiet fans (> 80mm is preferred as well). So maybe getting one of those larger set-top/AVR-sized cases might be better.

As for their price... there's definitely a bit of a premium over the specialty boxes like the Roku, but honestly... a built HTPC just works. There's usually no worrying about whether the SoC supports a certain codec or container. As I mentioned earlier, it also allows for games, which I like.

Chapbass · 08-11-2011, 05:25 PM

Yeah, I'm looking at the black one as well, just easier to see the silver in the picture

I agree with the price thing, but honestly, I spent way mroe than that on an Ahanix D.vine 4 case back in the day, and this will give me a lot more than that did (okay, to be fair if i put modern hardware in the D.vine it would still be a lot better, but its also a full ATX massive case).

100 bucks doesn't bug me too much. Yeah, percentage wise its a lot more than the itx2, but the front usb and card reader ports are absolutely essential.

Chapbass · 08-11-2011, 05:29 PM

For those of you interested in a more industrial look... We use these at work (albeit not for HTPC use) and I have to say they're AWESOME.

http://www.logicsupply.com/products/de57_ha

6"x1.9"x6" with an i5/i7 chip? Yeah, its mobile, but still... fun, fun machines.