Case and PS recommendations?

[Smackattack]

Looks like a lot of "which case" threads here, ive read them and seens some prospects I like. I hope some of you serious case guys can help me out.

My new rig is a amd 64 3200, 2 gig ram, ati 9800 pro, 2X 74gb raptors stripped, 8X NEC dvd burner, extra dvd/cdrw, and maybe one 250gb ide drive for misc storage. Audigy 2

Here is my desired feature list.
1. Mid tower or largish small tower. I travel with my case to a lot of lan parties, so I want it as light as possible. Im assuming this means aluminum.

2. No front door over optical drives (these drive me crazy)

3. Screwless design throughout preferred (not just case sides and add on cards like my lian li i have now, id like the hard drives and opticals to be screwless, or at least on rails)

4. Good cooling without sounding like a harrier. Although noise is not a huge factor in my decision.

5. Im willing to spend $100 to $130 or so tops for a case sans PS

I own a 400W sparkle PS now that i can plunder from the rig im going to retire. however, since im spending the dough now, id like to consider a PS that will allow for future growth to maybe drop in a next gen vid card (ala gf 6800) when they come down in price a bit. Thus im looking for recommendations for a 480W+ powersupply. Im willing to rack another $100 on the PS.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

 

[Mik3y]

if it were me, it'd be the super lanboy, but since you dont want a door, i'm guessing the antec p160. its lightweight and looks pretty good. it costs $100ish, but the only prob is that it doesnt come with a psu.

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I think the features of the P160 are very nice, unfortunately, it feels like a cheesy piece of poo (IMO). Way too much plasticky junk on the front panel. I'd be worried about breaking something if you carry it around a bunch.

Some cases I like (BTW, I also hate those front door covers, which really makes it tough to find a good case):

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-170-014&depa=1
(If only it had a larger fan in back, it's be perfect. Uses rubber mounts for HDD's - not quick release but better for noise and vibration)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-119-045&depa=1
(Looks very cool, but lacking on some features, and is probably heavy due to seel construction)

OK, well I'm not having very good luck finding a light case that also has all the quick release stuff, but there are tons of heavy cases made that way, hehe. Maybe that P160 isn't so bad after all.

Good luck!

-D'oh!

 

[Zepper]

The Kingwin is very nice but no way it could be described as light - made of 2mm thick Al, 20 lbs. net w/o PSU... Silverstone has one like the CoolerMaster you list (Al bezel, steel chassis) that has a mostly toolless design - the Temjin. Silverstone PSUs are also very good for the money - made by Enhance.
.bh.

 

[Smackattack]

thanks for the replies.
I like the look of the kingwin, but i am concerned about the cooling considering what im putting in the box (amd plus 2 raptors).

I guess i should have added, along with no front doors, cheap plastic fronts piss me off too. My lian li now has no door, but a plastic front, and this thing comes off all the time when i travel. Is this something im just going to have to live with in the $100 to $130 price range?

Also, any more input on a PS?

 

[Zepper]

There is room on the back and front panels of the Kingwin to enlarge the fan opening(s) or replace the dual fronts with a 120mm unit - and Al is soft even when it is 2mm thick as in the Kingwin...
.bh.