case recommendation request

[rjain]

Here's my system right now along with possible upgrade options:

Athlon XP 1700+ (might upgrade to Athlon 64 when it matures a bit)
ECS K7S6A motherboard (basic ATX stuff)

Cards:
1 Radeon 9700
1 Radeon 7500
1 u2w scsi card (tekram dc-390 u2w)
1 basic sblive
1 10/100 NIC

Drives:
1 7200 RPM drive - LVD SCSI (IBM UltraStar 18ES)
1 7200 RPM drive - PATA (some Maxtor)
1 10K RPM drive - LVD SCSI (Maxtor/Quantum Atlas 10K III)
1 DVD reader - PATA
1 CD-RW - SE SCSI
1 tape drive - SE SCSI

Note that this is a higly mixed IDE/SCSI system, with 2 IDE and 2 SCSI cables, so cabling is an issue. I don't have a floppy drive (the tape drive is in the external 3.5" bay). At least the LVD cable doesn't need to reach drives in both enclosures.

My current case is an Inwin Q500N (Q500+fan mount right below PSU).

Currently, I have the two scsi HDs screwed in a bit farther back in the enclosure than usual and an 80mm case fan in front of them as an air intake to keep them cool. I think it's a nice ghetto-rigging to save the cost of a real HD cooler, since my drives are quite cool as it is. I keep the fan in place using a twisty-tie through one of the holes in my enclosure and the pressure from having it right between the drives and the front grill of the case.

Power supply recommendations are also appreciated.

 

[GAZZA]

You put down all your hardware but nothing regarding information on the type of case you need.
I too have a InwinQ500 with 5 ide drives and 1 scsi drive with dvd and cdrw drives. The scsi and 2 of the ide drives were sitting in 5 1/4 bay hard drive coolers.
Now all my hardware is residing inside a Kingwin KT-436-BK-WM which is much a mid tower case(aluminum) so things are a little more cramped than they were before with the Q500.

Power supply wise you'll need something with good power like the Antec true series or a Forton(Sparkle), or if you want the ultimate in power then I suggest PC Power & Cooling units which are the best in the trade bar none but you pay for it big time !

 

[rjain]

Thanks GAZZA,
I'm open to whatever case will have enough room and airflow for the components I have. My Q500N is fine sizewize, but it's getting a bit beaten up, and I'm open to an upgrade if this is a good time to buy a new case. I'd probably like to keep all my HDs in internal 3.5" bays just to keep things simple, as long as I can keep doing the hack I have in my current case.

The PC Power & Cooling units are probably going to bother the neighbors (not to mention drown out my music). I doubt I need that much cooling on my power supply, anyway. The latest PSU roundup here has me leaning towards a Forton/Sparkle model, and I guess that will be the best way to go.

 

[GAZZA]

So your looking for something similar to your tower ?
Preferences to windows ?
Fans + cooling ?
Removable mobo tray ?
Steel or Aluminum ?
Amount of Bays ?

 

[rjain]

Originally posted by: GAZZA
So your looking for something similar to your tower ?

As I said, I'm open to any suggestions

Preferences to windows ?

I prefer to use my computer, not make it a display case.

Fans + cooling ?

Something behind the CPU would be nice, and some way to cool my HDs with a case fan, too. Quietness isn't a huge priority, but it would be nice to have at least a one large fan mount.

Removable mobo tray ?

I doubt I'll be able to make use of that with all the cabling I'll have to my drives.

Steel or Aluminum ?

No intrinsic preference. If I can get something with better cooling properties for a good price, I'll do that.

Amount of Bays ?

Enough to fit what I have. No real plans to add more drives. I'll be replacing existing drives on any upgrades.

Now that I think about it, maybe it would be worth waiting for BTX cases and boards to start coming out...

 

[Zepper]

Compucase 6A series or Antec SLK3700 (really versions the same case).
.bh.
:moon:

 

[mcoski]

Lian li pc75b Just happen to have one for sale hehe