Cheapest case that isn't complete crap?

[KoolDrew]

I plan on building a cheap PC for the gf and the case right now is taking up more of the budget than any other component. Any recommendations on some really cheap ones that aren't completely crap and at leas look decent? I'd prefer a more minimalistic design.

I've noticed some really cheap Rosewill and Raidmax cases on Newegg, but always stayed away from them.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
I plan on building a cheap PC for the gf and the case right now is taking up more of the budget than any other component. Any recommendations on some really cheap ones that aren't completely crap and at leas look decent? I'd prefer a more minimalistic design.

I've noticed some really cheap Rosewill and Raidmax cases on Newegg, but always stayed away from them.

No need to stay away from some of the Rosewill's...their quality on their 5601, 5604, 5605 & some others are about on par with Antec. Of course, if you don't like Antec.......
Ask Zepper...he's more learned than I on Rosewill's...he's had one (or 2) & wrote a review on it.

 

[Zepper]

The Rosewill R5600, R6A and R6X series are high value cases - the rest of the Rosewills aren't their equal. I've reviewed the 5600 series here: http://www.techimo.com/reviews/ it is in the Cases section all the way down at the bottom of the list - Yeong Yang/Rosewill 5604. The R5604 is the focus but I cover the entire series and discuss the R6A too. You didn't mention what else is going in there because if you're using a microATX mobo, there are some nice ones out there for less. Some of the CompuCase models are identical to the R6A series.

.bh.

 

[KoolDrew]

Zepper, I do plan on using a mATX motherboard. Any specific mATX models you'd like to recommend?

 

[Zepper]

This one is nice Global Win, but the PSU is old school - 30A on the +5 and only 15A on the +12. SVC tends to eat up on the shipping, especially across the country you fellow NewYorker you.
. The Athenatech A100 series from Newegg et al. is nice and they have one with a modern PSU of 350W or an old-school of 270W. The 350 has full range AC sensing and active PFC. It's probably worth most of what they are charging for the bundle. Both are Fortron/Sparkle PSUs - decent. Most of that type of case aren't great on cooling - I take one of the 60mm rear fans or buy a 70x15 and mount it below the hard drive for cooling (some cutting/drilling required) - the drives get really warm where they are, and mod in an 80 mm fan at the rear. Have to buy an 80mm fan for the front too. The 270 PSU is probably enough if all you have is the mobo w/ integrated video/CPU/fans/1HDD/CD-DVD burner/RAM/ and maybe floppy or flash card reader in there. There are a number of similar cases out there but I like the ones like I named and others of the same height (Enermax used to make a nice one called the Venus series - one was a pretty blue and white, perfect for the ladies) as they can take full height add-on cards. Or you could go with a standard mini-tower like the Evercase 3505 from eWiz: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=CA-3505B . Takes standard ATX PSU and has 120mm fan mounts front and rear (comes with one fan I think) - perhaps the best of the type available today. eWiz isn't shy on their shipping either...

And I just ran across this Enlight while I was browsing - probably a better build quality than the Athenatech (if experience with their ATX units is any guide re. these units) but the Athena are prettier, and it comes with a modern Delta PSU with 25A total on the +12. I'd probably go with this one as it would be easier to do the 60 to 80mm rear fan mod than the Athenas. The Global Win has easier rear fans to mod as well. Here's the link to my fan mod: http://www.techimo.com/photo/showphoto.php?photo=9079 - I've done it 60 to 80, 80 to 92 (in the pic) and I just did 80 to 120 on the Wave Master case I just got. You have to cut out the restrictive fan grills to make it work well.

.bh.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: Zepper
This one is nice Global Win, but the PSU is old school - 30A on the +5 and only 15A on the +12. SVC tends to eat up on the shipping, especially across the country you fellow NewYorker you.

that case is ridiculous lol

anyway,
Good cases for the money are Cooler Master's lower end (sub-$50) cases. such as the Cm690 and the Centurion 5. i've worked in the 5 and they're decent for the $$!!

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Tullphan

Ask Zepper...he's more learned than I on Rosewill's...he's had one (or 2) & wrote a review on it.

Zep is probably one of the best information sources for cases.



Yes i highly recomend zep's knowledge in cases. He probably knows his cases like i do my h2o parts.

 

[Zepper]

aigo,

Nope, never done any WCing but I do keep my eyes open and mind working, so I can soak up info along the way. A genetic gift for tech doesn't hurt either.

Louiss said - "that case is ridiculous lol "

. I don't particularly care for its looks either, but Zap uses a modded version for his LAN party rig and recommends it and that's enough for me. The OP's GF might like its looks and that's all that matters...

.bh.

err i miss worded that so i'll fix it.

i ment to say my knowledge of h2oing would be eqivalant to your knowledge in cases.

Case and cooling Moderator Aigomorla

 

[superstition]

There was a case at MicroCenter with a huge fan (250mm) on its side and a 120mm exhaust. It was only $40 I think. Is anyone familiar with it? It has an ugly shiny plastic half door for the optical drives.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Zepper
. I don't particularly care for its looks either, but Zap uses a modded version for his LAN party rig and recommends it and that's enough for me.

You're talking about this rig? It's actually totally different. The Global Win case uses a proprietary PSU, AFAIK. Mine uses an SFX sized unit. Mine is also aluminum and the interior design is different. Yes, I have one of those Global Win cases, so I know exactly what's in there. Chassis-wise, mine is like an aluminum version of this Athenatech case, with a different front and side panel. When I say "mine is like" I mean the exact design down to the last rivot.

The Global Win case has a bit more space in the PSU area, so I've been thinking of modding a normal ATX PSU to fit in there, thus giving me the capability of using whatever high end GPU I can squeeze in there.

KoolDrew, take a look at this $25 mATX case. I haven't seen one in person yet, but I've done some research and I think that the chassis is the same as this case (with lots of pics). Reasonably good quality, great airflow (for only a 92mm fan) and dirt cheap. Just not the best for a ton of drives.

 

[Zepper]

super,

lots of cases out there with 250mm side fans now. Look under XClio, Tagan, A Plus case, etc. on Newegg.

Zap,
. Sorry for the mistake, but the front panel of your PortAPC sure looks like the GW.

.bh.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Zap,
. Sorry for the mistake, but the front panel of your PortAPC sure looks like the GW.

Hey, no need to apologize to me, and yes there is a strange similarity. It's also similar to the Antec P160.

 

[Soulkeeper]

how cheap is "cheap" ?

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Zepper
super,

lots of cases out there with 250mm side fans now. Look under XClio, Tagan, A Plus case, etc. on Newegg.

Zap,
. Sorry for the mistake, but the front panel of your PortAPC sure looks like the GW.

.bh.

Enermax has a few, too - the Chakra, Phoenix, and Uber Chakra. I like my Phoenix, though it doesn't have some features that I wish it had (cable management ones, most especially).

 

[superstition]

lots of cases out there with 250mm side fans now. Look under XClio, Tagan, A Plus case, etc. on Newegg.

Are the cheap ones any good? Are those fans quiet and effective? I was concerned regarding the MicroCenter case I mentioned because there wasn't a single venting hole on the other side, which would cause the hot air to be reflected it seemed to me.

 

[MarcVenice]

What exactly is cheap ? I'd get this if I were to be a cheap bastard, or on a really tight budget, or both

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129031

Qaulity case, with a qaulity 80% certified PSU in it. Shop around, and perhaps it can be had cheaper somewhere else. I doubt you'll find a decent case + psu for much less money though.

Or perhaps get this PSU: http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-...loc/101/203477214.html and spend whatever you have left on a case ?

 

[Soulkeeper]

I just picked this Sumbeam UFO case up.

i thought it was a much better deal when compared to the 140 or so that i was considering spending on an antec sonata case

 

[Zepper]

Soulkeeper,
. You'll be sorry - acrylic cases are really only for demo/display stuff at trade shows, store displays, science fairs, etc. Not good for an everyday workhorse.

.bh.