Any signifcant quality differences between these cases?

Navaros

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Sep 12, 2006
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Dracula

Transformer

Here's my questions:

1. Is there any signifcant quality differences between these cases?

2. I kind of like the front of the Dracula more but I don't like how it has one less intake fan than the Transformer and also the Transformer has a blowhole fan up top. Would that effect cooling signifcantly? Is the Transformer a lot better in terms of cooling performance or would they mostly be the same?

3. I read that the Transformer's louver is removable but I'm not sure about the Dracula louver. If you go here it says
The rear of the case shows an oversized fan louver that is stamped into the metal of the case. The louver area measures 145 x 95mm. Behind this grill is a 120mm case fan.
Can I remove that louver from the Dracula with a screwdriver for sure, or no?


 

Navaros

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Sep 12, 2006
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Thanks for the tip. I was reading the SPCR review for that posted in the other thread and I must say it is giving me a massive headache trying to understand what he is talking about on almost every paragraph of it and despite the massive headache I still have no clue.

I want to look like a dork. I like flashy cases. I want to strike a balance between great cooling and super flashyness. Originally I was gonna buy the Aerocool ExtremEngine 3T but no one sells dust filters to fit those fans so I decided I need a flashy case with standard size fans so I can buy dust filters for them.

Is there a better super flashy case with 80mm and 120mm sized fans only?

If not I'd still greatly appreciate an analysis of the questions in the original post. :D
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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I don't care for riced out cases either. But the basic design of the transformer is much better. At least it has some modern conveniences inside. Neither of the PSUs that come with those is suitable for a modern mobo. Far too many Amps on the +5V and far too few on the +12V rail(s). If it was me, I'd get the Kingwin 523 and a decent PSU like the Enhance 5140GH or 5150GH fron eWiz.com - its appearance will hold up a lot longer than the more garish ones . Or you could get an XGE Viper w/o psu and put one of those I mentioned into it.
The PSU is much more important to your system than any case.
Also check out this case Rosewill R6AS5-BK. Its basic design is much better than almost any of the riced-out jobs. It's appearance will be much more tolerable over time than any of those. You can get a nice oval window kit for around $15. if you need a window.

.,bh.
 

Navaros

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Sep 12, 2006
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I'm starting to get the feeling that all riced out cases suck for the sake of cooling and functionality.

Why doesn't a company make a good riced out case for a change? Are there technical limitations to doing it, or what's stopping them?

I wasn't planning on using their stock PSUs, I ordered a bunch of good parts the other day from NCIX, awaiting shipment on them.

I'm almost tempted to go with the Antec case just because it's better at cooling all my expensive new hardware that's coming but my heart will mourn the loss of the rice. :Q

I just noticed that cable length an issue with the Antec case. The PSU I got coming is OCZ GameXStream 600W ATX12V 24PIN SLI Ready Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan Black, does that have cables long enough for the Antec case?
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Navaros
I'm starting to get the feeling that all riced out cases suck for the sake of cooling and functionality.

Why doesn't a company make a good riced out case for a change? Are there technical limitations to doing it, or what's stopping them?

I wasn't planning on using their stock PSUs, I ordered a bunch of good parts the other day from NCIX, awaiting shipment on them.

I'm almost tempted to go with the Antec case just because it's better at cooling all my expensive new hardware that's coming but my heart will mourn the loss of the rice. :Q

I just noticed that cable length an issue with the Antec case. The PSU I got coming is OCZ GameXStream 600W ATX12V 24PIN SLI Ready Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan Black, does that have cables long enough for the Antec case?

Because "riced" out cases are stupid? :confused:

If you want lights and windows I would suggest that you start with a quality case (Lian Li) and add them yourself. You'll have a quality case and you do it right it might even look tasteful, maybe...
 

Navaros

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Sep 12, 2006
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I think normal cases are stupid in terms of looks, so plain and boring.

I don't wanna rice out my own case, I'm not hardcore or skilled or knowledgable enough to do that.
 

modestninja

Senior member
Jul 17, 2003
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The reason the riced out cases generally suck for airflow and basic design is because they spend their resources making them look "riced out" and ignore the important aspects of case design.

PS: To me the riced out look is way too over the top. To me a case like the p180 or pretty much any Lian-Li is more like the refined looks of a car like a BMW, Mercedes or even a Porsche, where as the gaudy excess of those riced out cases reminds me of the Hyundai Tiburon with one of those horrible body kits....

Anyway, to each their own.
 

modestninja

Senior member
Jul 17, 2003
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Also, how do you call a case the transformer and have it not transform while making that kick ass sound?

Lame.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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I don't know any of the riceAroni cases that have removeable fan grills - they are stamped right into the case metal. If you want them gone, you gotta CUT them out.

.bh.
 

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
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www.lenon.com
Sigh!

Well, if the choice is one or the other, I would go with the Transformer. Why?

I have a friend that builds systems. I suppose he's what most ppl would call a mom n' pop operation, even though he's only 25 -- but he's busy (and successful enough) to have 5 employees -- 3 full-time, 2 for inventory.

Anyway, he swears top blow holes are the way to go! Then again, he water cools all his systems, so...

Look, to answer your (original) question directly -- no, I don't think there is going to be any difference in quality. However, the top blow hole *may* make a difference, if my friend is to be believed, so that's the way I would go... given a choice between the two...
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
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Don't dimiss the possibility of modding. If something isn't doing what you want it to, make it do it. :) Add a blow whole, mod it to take larger fans, etc. If you aren't skilled enough to do the main work, get it done. I had no qualms about taking the side panel from my case in to a metal working shop to get a hole cut in it for a window. Why, because I suck, and they can do a much better job than I ever could. And it was worth every penny. Although I have yet to get the window put in. :(

If you want something, get it. Either get a "riced" case, and mod it to cool better, or get a more functional case, and rice it out. Learning how to do the stuff is most of the fun. Or hell, get two cases, and practice on one. :D
 

Zepper

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May 1, 2001
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I just saw a review of the Raidmax Smilodon Dirktooth. When I first saw it in a magazine ad for one of the 3rd tier box assemblers, I just shook my head. But today I saw the video review on 3D Game Man and it is a very interesting design with the only glaring mistake being the 80mm exhaust fan - and that can be fixed with an 80 to 120 mm adapter on the outside of the case like this. It is good that the existing hole is clean, so you wouldn't have to do any cutting at all.

.bh.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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That's Centurion-based. Tons are using that basic chassis. About all it lacks is some HDD isolation.

.bh.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
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the transformer is bigger and better built than the dracula. Heavier too. More airflow on the intake as well, all that extra trim on that dracula is not going to allow for much.

BTW I have this case and even though it is riced out it does have good airflow. (no I didn't spend that much for it, I went someplace else and got it for $60-ish).

I did mod it a little (cut out front and rear stamped grills and put a wire ring one in the back and put acrylic in the side window instead of the mesh) but even not modded the airflow was decent. However I did get at least 1/3rd more airflow just by cutting those crappy grills out.

Only thing I really don't like about it is I like green but green doesn't really look good in that case. O well, blue is fine until I totally rebuild my system which won't be for a long time.