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Casing selection....

A

ahmadka

Senior member
I am (pretty much) in the final stages of choosing the casing....

I have found a selection on Newegg....have a look

Thermaltake Soprano VB1000SWS Silver (SECC Steel version...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133146

The Aluminium version...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133132

Another good SECC Steel casing I found...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811146009

I know that Aluminium is better at heat dissipation, but I am trying to save some cash now.....so if the difference in performance is not too great, shall I just go for the SECC steel version ??

secondly, the second SECC steel casing i have linked to, is just the same as the first, but more attractive.....should i go for this or not ??

Thanx in advance
 
Aluminum cooling better is a MYTH. It does not lower temperatures or dissapate heat faster or help cooling in any way, shape, or form.

That said, if you prefer a lightweight case, I would go with aluminum. If you prefer a sturdier case, go with steel.
 
Yes, aluminum doesn't "outperform" steel as a case material for cooling your computer because... your computer doesn't depend on your case material for cooling!!! Well, your HDDs do, but that's another story. Steel theoretically makes for a quieter case because the higher density attenuates sound waves, however I've had steel cases with thin sides or loose fitting sides that rattled/buzzed like no tomorrow. I own both steel and aluminum cases and find both materials to have merit.

Instead of material, I would choose based on design.

First, let's start with the third. That case is just butt ugly, but to each their own.

Second, the first case is not the same as the second. Besides having the same front panel yet different chassis materials, the interior chassis design is different.

My personal choice out of the three would be the second case because I feel the chassis has the best design. It is near identical to the Antec SLK3000B chassis except for a different front and constructed from aluminum. It is also similar to the Antec SLK3700AMB and Compucase LX-6A19, differing in chassis material and design of fan grills. I have had one of the Compucase units for over two years and really like it. Here's my 30 second review of the Thermaltake Tsunami from studying the pictures and comparing it to my own case:

PROS:
Plenty of drive bays
HDD cage removable for ease of installation
HDD mount with rubber grommets for quietness
120mm fan spots front/rear with decent grill design
Classy looking front face (Coolermaster clone)
Aluminum+window gives it some bling
"Toolless" PCI card installation

CONS:
HDD mount with rubber grommets causes drives to run hotter
"Decent" grill design still not as good as the classic wire finger guard for airflow/quietness
Door over external drive bays (pet peeve of mine, but some see it as a feature)
"Toolless" PCI card installation sometimes doesn't hold cards in securely because plastic doesn't snug up properly on occasion.

Regardless, I still think the second case is the superior design.
 
The Soprano case is not as good as the Tsunami, indeed I would not buy that case. It doesn' have to do with price (what, only $20 difference) or aluminum versus steel. The case design of the two are identical from the middle to the back, but the front is much different. The Tsunami has removable 3½" drive cages, meaning you'll never have to remove the other side panel to assemble your system or even swap out a drive. Also, the rubber grommets - I mentioned HDDs run hotter, but there is a 120mm fan right in front of it to cool the drives. Finally, the Tsunami actually has real vents in the front face (look at fourth picture with door open) while the Soprano... where does the front fan get its air from? I don't see any vents... if the vents are that well hidden, then they don't let enough air through.

With both of these cases I've just noticed something that would make me NOT buy them. The "front" USB ports are... on the top middle?!?!? WTF were they thinking? :roll: Ports on the top of the case are fine if they're to the front, such as the Antec P160 case. That makes for easy access if you keep your computer on the ground versus ports at the front bottom (such as my Compucase) or front edge (have to plug in from side). Top center? That makes those ports all but useless in 90% of computer desks since most "computer" desks have a special place to put the computer where you can only access the front. Also, if you have the computer on your desk top, reaching the ports wouldn't be easy from a seated position. The best design would be a "normal" front, somewhere around the middle. My Antec Super LAN Boy is like that. Those ports are easily accessible whether the case is sitting on the ground, on the desk or wherever.

Anyways, you asked for my opinions on these three cases and there they are. #1 has stupid USB ports and no air intake. #2 has stupid USB ports. #3 just looks fugly and is short a few HDD bays (though the included power supply isn't total trash, being an HEC Orion). Still, as long as you aren't running too hot a system in case #1 or you like the way they look, these cases aren't too terrible. I've seen worse.

What are you looking for in a case? 120mm fans and side window? Perhaps we can come up with some other suggestions.
 
That's the exact Lian Li I'm thinking about using for my wife's upcoming build. Excellent quality and ventilation, reasonably sharp looking without the "14yr old gamer" look, side window and front/rear 120mm fans. We have teh winnar!
 
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