sao123
Lifer
so far I have not found the perfect case... ive read reviews on about 35 of the most popular cases... and i have found something i dont like about every one of them.
What I plan to build
intel e8400/q9550 -
asus P5Q-e
4gb gskill ddr2-800 5-5-5-15
zigmatex HDT-SD964 92mm cooler
evga gf260 216
700W thermaltake 0106RU 85% eff modular power
4x 750GB Seagate 7200.11's
Creative X-fi Titanium
All for $1325 plus $80 back in rebates.
But I still need a case.
1. My current case is the Antec Soho file case from 2003... but i really am hoping for something smaller.
2. Need decent cooling...I am on the fringe decision of slight OC...FSB to 400 so I can get the full performance out of the DDR2800 im buying, not 667.
3. Needs to be quiet, since this is in my living room, and runs 24/7. Have to be able to hear the steeler game over it. Prefer 120MM fans for quieter cooling where possible.
4. Tower gets enclosed in a desk tower cabinet with about 2 inches clearance, so sidewall fans are purely optional (useless). The front and back are completely open, and about 6 inches clearance on top. So a top exaust fan is a plus, but again optional.
5. P5Q-e has spots for 3-4x 4pin PWM fans, so cases with PWM fans should take presidence over ones with 3 pin or 4pin molex.
6. Sticking with XP for now so I will need a spot for a floppy drive. 🙁nfortunately.
7. i would like a Mobo Tray, but can survive without one. Toolless assembly would be nice also. Cable management is also excellent. Cases with a side latch are preferred, as i hate to have to remove case screws to open it up.
8. Case front should look appealing, since it can be seen at all times, prefer to not have a plastic from door covering the 5 1/4 bays, like the Soho does, because it got broke off. Front LED fans are acceptable. Nothing looking like alienware or super exotic.
9. Spend less than $150. Buying parts from the egg... but if you have a place with free shipping on a case, will consider buying there. Xoxide has a nice selection, ZZF too.
currently leaning towards a Tt Armor series...
If the Armor+MX ($99.99 AR @ theegg) was a little smaller and had a top exaust fan (instead of just open grate) it would be almost perfect. I considered the Armor Jr, but it has no top grate even, so unless 2 120MM fans provides superior cooling, thats probably out.
also considered the slightly larger VA8000BWS/VA8003BWS ($119AR /$169 @ theegg) cases as they do have a 120 MM fan top exaust. but the USB ports are on the top next to that fan... not easily accessible from where i sit.
Looked at the Antec 900. I like the powersupply at the bottom, because it make sense in a top exaust system. However I wasnt impressed by the molex fans, and lack of toolless assembly. I also didnt like that there was no power / hdd LEDs, and no case side door latches.
Looked at several more from Antec, NZXT, Cooler Master, Raidmax, Zalman, Xclio, thermaltake...
Options & Opinions?
MOD EDIT: My opinion is that you should have posted this in the Cases & Cooling category. Perhaps you'll get better suggestions? I'll move it for you. - Zap
What I plan to build
intel e8400/q9550 -
asus P5Q-e
4gb gskill ddr2-800 5-5-5-15
zigmatex HDT-SD964 92mm cooler
evga gf260 216
700W thermaltake 0106RU 85% eff modular power
4x 750GB Seagate 7200.11's
Creative X-fi Titanium
All for $1325 plus $80 back in rebates.
But I still need a case.
1. My current case is the Antec Soho file case from 2003... but i really am hoping for something smaller.
2. Need decent cooling...I am on the fringe decision of slight OC...FSB to 400 so I can get the full performance out of the DDR2800 im buying, not 667.
3. Needs to be quiet, since this is in my living room, and runs 24/7. Have to be able to hear the steeler game over it. Prefer 120MM fans for quieter cooling where possible.
4. Tower gets enclosed in a desk tower cabinet with about 2 inches clearance, so sidewall fans are purely optional (useless). The front and back are completely open, and about 6 inches clearance on top. So a top exaust fan is a plus, but again optional.
5. P5Q-e has spots for 3-4x 4pin PWM fans, so cases with PWM fans should take presidence over ones with 3 pin or 4pin molex.
6. Sticking with XP for now so I will need a spot for a floppy drive. 🙁nfortunately.
7. i would like a Mobo Tray, but can survive without one. Toolless assembly would be nice also. Cable management is also excellent. Cases with a side latch are preferred, as i hate to have to remove case screws to open it up.
8. Case front should look appealing, since it can be seen at all times, prefer to not have a plastic from door covering the 5 1/4 bays, like the Soho does, because it got broke off. Front LED fans are acceptable. Nothing looking like alienware or super exotic.
9. Spend less than $150. Buying parts from the egg... but if you have a place with free shipping on a case, will consider buying there. Xoxide has a nice selection, ZZF too.
currently leaning towards a Tt Armor series...
If the Armor+MX ($99.99 AR @ theegg) was a little smaller and had a top exaust fan (instead of just open grate) it would be almost perfect. I considered the Armor Jr, but it has no top grate even, so unless 2 120MM fans provides superior cooling, thats probably out.
also considered the slightly larger VA8000BWS/VA8003BWS ($119AR /$169 @ theegg) cases as they do have a 120 MM fan top exaust. but the USB ports are on the top next to that fan... not easily accessible from where i sit.
Looked at the Antec 900. I like the powersupply at the bottom, because it make sense in a top exaust system. However I wasnt impressed by the molex fans, and lack of toolless assembly. I also didnt like that there was no power / hdd LEDs, and no case side door latches.
Looked at several more from Antec, NZXT, Cooler Master, Raidmax, Zalman, Xclio, thermaltake...
Options & Opinions?
MOD EDIT: My opinion is that you should have posted this in the Cases & Cooling category. Perhaps you'll get better suggestions? I'll move it for you. - Zap
