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Best cheap $30 case: EVERCASE or MAXTOP?

R

RobsTV

Platinum Member
Finally upgrading from my cheap Computer Geeks case with blow hole cut in top.
Already bought the PS.
Have 10 Panaflo's on the way as well, for various projects including this.

Newegg has:
MAXTOP CSX-147K2F, w/2 Ball Bearing Fans : 1 x on the Top Panel and 1 x on the Side Panel. $42 delivered.
or
EVERCASE E4252W005A, W/ 1 Side Case Fan. $37 delivered (temp OOS).
also have Evercase in Black for $41 delivered, in stock. But I have no black drives.

I'm looking for a decent case, with good cooling and low noise.

Currently have 1GHz T-bird at 1.4GHz, but too hot for everyday use.
XP1700+ will be here later in week, and would like to run at 1700 (XP2000+) speeds.
Room temp is generally near 80 to 85 degrees in Florida home, (with A/C in use).

Out of the 2 cases listed, which would suit my needs best.
Of course fans can be replaced with quite Panaflo ones, so the fans mounts are more important.
Reviews at Newegg show the Evercase as one of the best to get.
Maxtop also reviews well, and has top blow hole. I could add blow hole to Evercase.

Any opinions would be appreciated.
Leaning towards Evercase.
 
I just bought the evercase but have not hooked it up yet! One thing I can tell you is that its a pretty tight looking case I really like the looks!
 
I've used one evercase and comparing it to an enlight 7237 it's alright I suppose. Somewhat flimsy in my opinion but some of the features are cute on it. I don't like the front usb port have a split up ribbon cable so instead of one or two plugs you must plug in like 8 individual wires. Other than that, no real concerns. Screwless bay system is a nice feature also.
 
The maxtop looks a little cleaner in IMO. The inside looks to be more straightforward. I personally cant stand the looks of the evercase design.

As for fans the maxtop has plenty of mounts for them in the right places. One in the front, 2 in the back, and one on top and the side.
 
I used the Evercase for a couple systems last month. I was quite impressed by the quality and features (Screwless, Removeable drivecages....) and I'm going to use it again... for the money you can't beat it unless you get one of the Antec clones super cheap... but those deals can't be done everyday..
 
I like the Maxtop, going to buy one for myself, the top and side fan holes are excellent ideas, don't know why all cases don't have these, they need them.

🙂
 
Thanks for the advice. Maxtop is on it's way.
But.....
The product link points to Maxtop website, but this case doesn't seem to exist?
Also, some say fans are loud. Hate to pay extra for fans when they will be replaced.
One review says it has removable motherboard tray.
Is this just normal tray, or is it an assembly that allows you to pull chassis with motherboard and cards intact?
Thanks in advance.

EDIT:
I am also a bit confused by those here the say get the Maxtop.
adlep, and bdsmjam seem to be in same position as me, and don't actually have one.
Can't tell if csaddict has one, as advice says looks like a better case, but actually own one?
Even CROSSeyed, as the only one to say he actually owned one, mentions what seems like a different case (Screwless, Removeable drivecages).

Mine is on it's way, and I will reply with how good (or bad) it is in a week or so.
Thanks again.
 
Nope don't own one. I just like the looks of it better and the amount of fans and the placement are better than the evercase. Other than that have no idea about the construction of either.

Good luck and please keep us informed of how you like it.
 
I have the evercase and it is fantastic , truly screwless design and very sturdy. Also the side fan is a great addition for this price
 
I just purchased the evercase also. Got 350w antec, a few sunon fans, grills and window mod on its way, as soon as I get it setup I'll post as well. So far, case looks pretty solid, look forward to cutting some holes in it - to be honest though, I didn't know that maxtop's had a swinging case door... might have bought it just for that, as the evercase screwless sliding side is kinda clumsy. Oh well, was only $22
 
I ordered the Maxtop from newegg and it should be arriving tomorrow.

I was thinking about ordering the Maxtop aluminum (plastic front?). It looked pretty decent, but i'm thinking about going to China and picking up a cheap lian-li instead.

btw, I have an old enlight 7237, its decent, but not impressive... and wtf is up with opening the front panel in order to remove a side panel? Thats the most annoying thing IMO. Oh... the plastic popoff fronts are too shoddy too.
 
The Maxtop has normal sliding side panels, no swinging door.
No need to mess with front to remove sides. Just a couple screws at rear.
Also a normal removable motherboard tray, not a removable chassis.

Included side and top fans are ball bearing 92mm, so I can't replace with my Panaflo 80mm's 🙁
Fans label shows: Globe Fan, Ball Bearing, B 071388 12M, 0.27A.
Yes, the 92mm fans are a little loud. You will hear them.
But, it may be the air volume that is making the most noise, not the fans themselves?
Front and 2 rear fan mounts easily accept 80mm fans.

Using only top fan plus additional Panaflo "L" 80mm for front intake.
In Hot Florida room, XP1700+ at XP1900+, GF3 Ti200, and all slots filled. Case temp at 29c, CPU at 41c.
Plenty of room in case to easily access all components.

Front USB cable uses stranded end with individual wire plug ends.

Decent case for the money. No frills, but cheap price with basic features.
 


<< I've used one evercase and comparing it to an enlight 7237 it's alright I suppose. Somewhat flimsy in my opinion but some of the features are cute on it. I don't like the front usb port have a split up ribbon cable so instead of one or two plugs you must plug in like 8 individual wires. Other than that, no real concerns. Screwless bay system is a nice feature also. >>



That's probably because differant case manufactures (and I think mobos) use differant arrangements of the USB plugs. I bought a case where I had to rewire the USB block plug thingy to bring the ports out front. Pretty easy actually, just use a little screwdriver to release the wires then click them back in after you are done. Personally I prefer doing that, because then after you get it set, its done, whereas individual wires would have to be figured out again every time you unplug them (although this probably won't happen that often). Anyway, I guess they figured people would find it easier to do individual plugs then redoing a block plug.

About the case thing, I'm seriously thinking of getting an evercase. Pretty cheap, and I like the idea of the extra hard drive case and side cooling fan, and the other features. There were some REALLY LONG threads in the hot deal forums about the ever cases from newegg, most people loved them (the main thing ppl didn't like was the small reset switch, I can live with that, or if not I'll mod it heheh).
 
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