Advice on cheap case for server

[wildest_jjk]

Hi guys,

I cannot decide on a case to buy that will be suitable for my server I am building. It uses an mATX board.

I need it to be on 24/7 which means it needs to be cheap, quiet and cool. Looking to install at least 5 hard drives in it as well.

Some cases that I have found are:

• Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case
• Casecom CS-13
• Casecom 6788
• Coolermaster Elite 361 (This one can also be laid horizontal which would be good for my rack)
• CiT Vantage Gaming Case
• Codegen 4U Rackmount case - Rackmount would be good, but I can't really find many that will suit my needs.

Has anyone had experiences with any of these? Or even any alternatives?

Thanks

 

[lehtv]

NZXT Source 210 Elite 40 gbp
2x Thermalright X-Silent 120mm 1000RPM on the front, 5 gbp each
2x 120mm aluminium fan filters for the front fans, 3 gbp each

= about 60 gbp shipped

- total 2x120mm intakes for hard drives, 120mm+140mm exhausts
- bottom mounted PSU
- USB 3.0 on the front
- toolless drive installation
- max. 3x 5.25", 8x 3.5"

cheap, quiet and cool

Generally you can have two of these three. The above is not particularly quiet but not that loud either. If you want really quiet, consider Fractal Design R4. But it's more expensive and has 2 fans by default so if you want to match the cooling performance of the above suggestion, you need to pay even more

 

[wildest_jjk]

Thanks for the response.

That does look pretty good. I also like the look of the Fractal Design R4. I hadn't considered that before.

One rackmount case I have just found is this one:

http://store.chassisoutlet.com/4uingrsad3x8.html

They have others, but I like the intelligent fans etc. There are 2 and 3U but I am guessing 4U ones would be best. What do you guys think?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[wildest_jjk]

I think this would cost about £85. Not sure whether you guys think it's worth it or not though.

 

[jumpncrash]

I have the antec 300 as my everyday case and it's really quite good. It has plenty of HD space and airflow is not an issue.

 

[yatesl]

Having just come from an Antec 300, the Fractal R4 is silent. Well, mostly.