Case Recommendations Anyone

[Resh]

Hi All,

Hoping to get some recommendations on a stylish, high-quality case to replace my Antec SX830. There is nothing wrong with the Antec. With two fans, a retail AMD HSF, and an Enermax dual-fan PS, my system temp hovers between 27 and 30C and my CPU is between 47 and 60C, depending on load.

What I need (using that word loosely) is something that looks a little better in our family room. Black or Silver would be perfect.

I plan to stealth mod my drives to keep the clean look of the case and add some lighting to the inside. I also plan on installing a bay-bus or rheostat to control the fans. Vantec's Nexus MFC Panel also looks really interesting as an add-on.

Ideally, I'd like something with a window that will be at least as quiet and cool as the Antec. I'm considering:

(1) Skyhawk MSR-4610EPD $209CDN + Shipping
(2) Lian-Li PC-65 $269.99CDN shipping incl.
(3) Directron SF-201T $149.99USD + Shipping

The cases are pretty comparable in size, but each has its own set of features.

(2) and (3) come with windows. (3) has a top window too.

(1) & (3) both have front audio and USB connectors.

(2) has a built in fan-controller for its front-intakes

(3) is black everywhere, inside and out.

I've read reviews and comments on each and they all have received good commentary. However the Lian-Li has received the most praise, followed by the SkyHawk. The Directron coverage has been limited to a few positive comments from users.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm in Canada so if you know of a Canadian source for these models, the info would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot everyone!

N

 

[OulOat]

Directron's case looks the best, but if you want to take full advantage of your top window you have to mod your CD-ROMS too.

 

[Resh]

Thanks OulOat!

Keep the input coming!

If anyone has added a window to a SkyHawk MSR, how hard was it?

Thanks again!

N

 

[optimistic]

:Q Those are some pricey cases!

The AMS CF-2029 shares the same looks of those cases above.....but without the aluminum for $55. It's up to you though! Me personally? I'm coverting all my computer's to micro eventually. I don't really see the use for a 3rd 5.25 bay, or 5 or 6th PCI slot when a perfectly good Micro ATX case can handle all the same workstation tasks of the cumbersome ATX equivalent. And lets not mention the space being saved! Won't someone think of the space!


<~~~ Yeah, just some micro nut.

 

[Resh]

Thanks optimistic. Space isn't a huge (ha!) concern for me, but that doesn't mean you're a freak.

One of the reasons I'm thinking of Al is mod-ability. Cutting Al will be much easier should I decide I want to add a window in the top, a blow-hole, or whatever. The other reason is it just looks so damn good. Yes, I'm a sucker for eye-candy.

Keep the suggestions coming guys.

N

 

[xXgambitXx]

that "directron" case looks really nice. i would totally choose that over the lian-li. the bottom front where the 2 fans go in is EXACTLY like the lian cases and that's the best feature of those cases. so the lian has no marginal advantage over the directron case.

i recommend the directron case as it has the best cooling features, just make sure to get some quieter fans for all those holes.

 

[OulOat]

If you want to mod it more cut out all the blowholes, sand down the edges, and put in some fancy grills of your choice. That way, your fans get more air, and you get a nicer fan cover. You would need to stop by your local hardware store to get some longer bolts and nuts, I use 8x2, although you might want shorter bolts. If you want extra cooling, think about making a blowhole(s) on the side cover. That would be tricky though cause remember you are cutting through plastic, something that melts pretty easily.

 

[Resh]

Just heard back from a reseller who suggested Kingwin Cases. Is it just me or do they look remarkably similar to the Directron?

Any thoughts?

 

[xXgambitXx]

those ARE the directron cases. same thing that the do w/ the antec sx1030 cases. i guess they can get them cheaper from the supplier if they don't slap the "kingwin" logo on them.

 

[Resh]

I think you're right about the Driectron/KingWin thing.

At any rate, I think I've decided what to do:

1) Delay all purchasing until end of December (make sure I really want to spend $200+ on a case).
2) In the meantime, try modding my Aopen HX08 as a test-case for whether I should be left alone with a dremel and a drill.
3) If results good with HX-08, either make it my primary case or mod the Antec. If not, buy one a new case along the lines of I've suggested already.

If anyone is interested, I'll document the project on a website so look to this thread for a url in the coming hours.

Thanks all!

N

 

[DX2Player]

I have a black Kingwin case i got from newegg.com for about $140 without the windows, although i dont see the same one listed anymore, and it kicks ass. The 6 case fans keep my CPU at 30C/85F while surfing the web and 40C/103F under full load using just the stock heatsink/fan with my P4 2.53 CPU. The gold knobs and buttons as well as the plexyglass on the front give it a stylish look that is apart from other generic looking cases. The beefy knobs that hold the panneling together are incredibly convienent for easy acess inside the computer as i can open it up without any tools in about 10 seconds. Its high quality brushed black chrome and the stock fans are relitivly low rpm, but since there are six of them the air flow is good while the noise is low, if you wanted you could buy some stronger fans to run a super oced system, but i can oc my system fine within decent temp range with the stock case fans. Overall I am very pleased with it. I would sugest one thing though if you do decide to purchase it. The side pannel fan pulls air out when you buy it, i would suggest turning it around to pull air inside the case right tword the CPU, though this might just be a personal preferacne and might not have any bearing on performance.

 

[Resh]

As promised....
For those interested, you can find info on how this project progresses at:
http://members.rogers.com/ambitious_llama/
That page provides a link to our real home page. I'm in the process of integrating the two sites.

If you find that it doesn't work, check back in a day and it should be back up (more or less static IP changes once in a blue moon).

Thanks again to everyone who posted.

N