Case shopping - What case to get?

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tranceport

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
4,168
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www.thesystemsengineer.com
I'm in the market for a new case. Actually build a new box.

Years ago I knew exactly what case I wanted. The biggest, most bays, and as many expansion slots I could find. Times have changed....



I think a mid tower is what I want. I could probably even go smaller. I'll put 2 hdd's and a dvd-r in it. I'm looking at some p35 motherboards. I'll probably put a q6600 in it. I have a x-fi music sound card and a 7950GX2.

I want it to be pretty quite. I like this enermax http://www.enermax.com.tw/engl...ses_detail.asp?PrID=58. I don't really need led lit fans and such. I think I like the big 25cm fan. Any one have any suggestions for me to look at?

I currently have a Chieftec Matrix loaded with case mods which I will not be doing to the new box.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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I like the Chakra/Phoenix but prefer the Chakra versions - either rate 3.5/5 on my Casitude (tm) scale - those stub doors just don't make any sense to me - if you put a full door over the mesh, the Casitude (tm) would go to 4/5. The p180/182/190 look too industrial for me. Most cases with mesh fronts will be noisier than those that don't, all else being equal. If you're not averse to spending less money, take a look at the Rosewill R5605 - and see my review of the R5600 series. Their R6A series ranges between 4 and 5 on the Casitude (tm) scale as well. You don't have to spend a lot to get a decent case. The Raidmax Smilodon Dirktooth is interesting too for a blingier box. The whole right side swings down with the mobo and cards - Newegg's pix don't show this great feature. The small fans can be worked around. Spire sells a version of the same case with swoopy Pininfarina-styled aluminum on the outside for the more conservative. Also take a look at the new 690 by Cooler Master (good deal at the Egg right now) and cases by Gigabyte, NZXT and iStar.

But the big fan on the Chakras (and other similar cases) can outweigh a lot of other factors as for most systems, you'll only need one low and slow 120mm fan to ensure a light breeze across the HDDs besides the big one.

.bh.
 
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darbius

Member
Mar 18, 2005
81
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I currently have a Thermaltake Tsunami and I really really like it and it runs very cool. It has 2 x 120mm fans and a 90mm fan over the processor. I have been nothing but pleased with it so far and it's relatively low on the noise end. It also comes in black.

I'm also looking to build a new computer and I have been looking pretty closely at a few. As a rule, I tend to go for at least 2 x 120mm fans in any case because I like the approach of less noise for the same air movement or more air movement for the same amount of noise (versus 80mm and 90mm fans). I also tend to like windows and the blue lights, so you may go ahead and disregard these choices. They're not any more expensive than the straight cases either.

A few that I'm looking pretty closely at now:
NZXT Apollo - This comes in a variety of colors too. Mostly I just really like the way it looks.
Antec Nine Hundred - People love it or they hate it, but you can't argue with the airflow and the steel construction.
Thermaltake Aguila - Unfortunately they don't seem to have it on Newegg, but it tested very well in some Anandtech reviews and, again, you can't argue with the airflow. I also just think it's a nice looking case.

As far as 25cm fans, I swear I saw one the other day, but I couldn't tell you where it was or which case it was in. You do get a lot more flexibility as far as large fans though when you move up to a full tower.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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0
Tt has replacement doors for some of their big cases and you can get it standard with some. Enermax has several cases with the 25cm fan. I like the XClio Windtunnel/A Plus/Tagan Monolith case that has dual 25s. The cases with 36cm fans don't seem to work as well - too much air. Might as well graft a 20" box fan onto the side of your case... ;)

.bh.
 
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Ozoneman

Senior member
Nov 15, 2005
222
0
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Originally posted by: jonmcc33
Originally posted by: Ozoneman
Check this link and click on the "Interactive Demo".

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005325
Click to expand...

Doesn't have a 25cm fan in it. Not an option for what user wants. Only seems to be what you want and recommend. Bad user.
Click to expand...

What is it with you? You have a real problem! Get some help! Stop following me around the forum and making negative comments to my suggestions.

He stated, "I think I like the big 25cm fan". That doesn't say he requires a 25 cm fan. He liked what I showed him so get lost.

Moderator - Please do something about this guy. He continues to be very annoying and negative with people. He is not being helpful, just a pain.
 
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jonmcc33

Banned
Feb 24, 2002
1,504
0
0
Originally posted by: tranceport
Originally posted by: Ozoneman
Check this link and click on the "Interactive Demo".

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005325
Click to expand...

Wow.. That is an awesome case. Please keep the suggestions coming. I really like this case.
Click to expand...

You don't want that case, trust me. The lower bay is a real pain in the ass. You have to route power cables from the lower bay into the upper bay and back down into the lower bay for hard drives. It's only quiet when you run all fans on low RPM, and then because of the severely restricted front vents you don't really have anything running cool in the case.

Trust me, you'd be wasting your money.
 
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Spoooon

Lifer
Mar 3, 2000
11,563
203
106
Originally posted by: jonmcc33
Originally posted by: tranceport
Originally posted by: Ozoneman
Check this link and click on the "Interactive Demo".

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005325
Click to expand...

Wow.. That is an awesome case. Please keep the suggestions coming. I really like this case.
Click to expand...

You don't want that case, trust me. The lower bay is a real pain in the ass. You have to route power cables from the lower bay into the upper bay and back down into the lower bay for hard drives. It's only quiet when you run all fans on low RPM, and then because of the severely restricted front vents you don't really have anything running cool in the case.

Trust me, you'd be wasting your money.
Click to expand...

I just built one. I like it. It wasn't a big deal routing the cables. I like the clean look. Also, not that loud. I have all the fans on high or medium. Of course, this is subjective.

edit:

Pic of inside (not done organizing cables and such): pic
 
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ArchAngel777

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
5,223
61
91
I just built my Dad's computer last night and was tempted to give him my computer (P180B Q6600) instead and keeping the one I built for him. I used the CoolerMaster Centurion and WOW! I was majorly impressed with the case. I love the looks, very clean and quiet.

He is running

E6750 @ 3.6ghz (450x8)
IP35-E
4 x 1GB DDR 800
ThermalRight SI-128 SE
Seagate 7200.10 250GB Single Platter
8800GTS 640MB

His machine runs very cool, the case looks awesome and it is just a very impressive case in my opinion... The Centurion gets my vote of confidence. It looks BETTER in person than in the pictures.
 
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jonmcc33

Banned
Feb 24, 2002
1,504
0
0
Originally posted by: Spoooon
I just built one. I like it. It wasn't a big deal routing the cables. I like the clean look. Also, not that loud. I have all the fans on high or medium. Of course, this is subjective.
Click to expand...

A 120mm fan on high RPM is unacceptable and not quiet by any sense of reality.
 
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jonmcc33

Banned
Feb 24, 2002
1,504
0
0
Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
I just built my Dad's computer last night and was tempted to give him my computer (P180B Q6600) instead and keeping the one I built for him. I used the CoolerMaster Centurion and WOW! I was majorly impressed with the case. I love the looks, very clean and quiet.
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree with you. I got a Centurion 534 for a system that I built for my mother. I quite liked the case. Very easy to work inside and cools very well too. I think it cools better than my Antec P180. LOL!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119104

 
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Spoooon

Lifer
Mar 3, 2000
11,563
203
106
Originally posted by: jonmcc33
Originally posted by: Spoooon
I just built one. I like it. It wasn't a big deal routing the cables. I like the clean look. Also, not that loud. I have all the fans on high or medium. Of course, this is subjective.
Click to expand...

A 120mm fan on high RPM is unacceptable and not quiet by any sense of reality.
Click to expand...

Whatever dude.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
Hey AA777,

There are lots of CM Centurion models - which one specifically?

.bh.
 
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ArchAngel777

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
5,223
61
91
Originally posted by: Zepper
Hey AA777,

There are lots of CM Centurion models - which one specifically?

.bh.
Click to expand...

Brand: COOLER MASTER
Series: Centurion 5
Model: CAC-T05-UW

I thought they were all pretty similar, but I didn't really investigate. I found one that said centurian, looked at the pictures and the layout, noticed free shipping and clicked away... What a steel! For 44 bucks I got this bad boy, errr... Well, my dad did... :D

 
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