tigerdirects offices may be in miami but there warehouse must not be, i got $25 shipping to tampa
VirtualLarry
No Lifer
- Aug 25, 2001
- 56,587
- 10,225
- 126
Ditto to MA, roughly. I popped for a 'black' full-tower model. First time that I've ever ordered from Tiger, makes me feel a tiny bit dirty inside, but looking at the case, and reading all of the reviews of the similar Chenming/Chieftec/Antec cases... well, it was too dang hard to pass up. Even with $15 added for shipping, that's still cheaper than both computer shows and local B&Ms for a full-tower case of this magnitude.
One minor issue - Dravic, I noticed that the pic that you posted of the side-panel shows *two* fan holes. I was reading on the Chieftec site that they changed the design mid-2004 (scroll to bottom of page) to improve the cooling, and added the second side-panel fan/vent hole, but the pics on TD show only the older, single fan mount, with the speaker-grille cover. Personally, I like the looks of the older one slightly better, and was hoping to get that model, but after thinking it over, and reading the mention in the reviews that the speaker-grille was slightly restrictive to the airflow, and how having two fan holes, one blowing on the AGP video card, and one on the CPU, probably is better. Even if it ends up "showing" more of the guts of the computer through the holes. (I'm not really a fan of fancy lights and case windows and stuff, I tend to be more of a functionality-oriented case-modder (more airflow!) than for looks/show.
I'm sorry that I didn't post this earlier to this thread, but Directron.com had a "deal of the day" special yesterday on their 520W (really 450W) "Super Flower" PSUs for ~$33 (or 420W for ~$30), I ordered one in black to complement this case. (It has *ten* IDE leads! Perfect for six HDs and four opticals!) (Edit: Still showing at that price, get 'em while they're hot.) Made by TTGI.
Directron also has retail-box Chieftec PSUs (same HPC-xxx-xxx model code as ThermalTake, actually made by HighPower, I think) 360W for only $19.99, and the 420W for ~$35. They look quite decent, not "generic". They also have some very affordable Fortron units as well. Additionally, they carry quite a bit of Chieftec stuff, including replacement Maxtrix-style front panels, windowed side-panels, and 5.25in drive rails ($5 per set though, kind of pricy - I sure hope TD ships a full set of six 5.25in rails with the case.)
Now I'm trying to pick out some good black-colored optical drives as well. All of mine are currently beige to match my currect case. Decisions, decisions.
Thanks for the scorching deal, OP!
A 'Dragon' full-tower review (good pics of insides)
PS. On TD's homepage, they have a link to some current networking specials, they have SMC USB (1.1-only) 10/100 network adaptors for only $5! I find them invaluable to use for attaching client PCs to a LAN for backup/virus-scanning/etc., to avoid having to open the case. They also have some Netgear 5-port GigE switches for ~$55, but reading the product specs they don't appear to support Jumbo Frames. Not sure how much of a big deal that is on a smaller home GigE LAN anyways, if most of the machines are using GigE cards that are bridged to a 32-bit PCI bus. (IOW, lack of Jumbo Frame support may not even be a bottleneck. But it's good news that SOHO GigE switches are finally affordable at ~$10/port.)
Edit: Heavily linkification added. Btw, I'm not affiliated with either site, I just went a little crazy with the linkage.
Edit 2: Note, I double-checked between the 360W Chieftec PSUs on Directron, and the specs listed on HighPower's site for that same model number (HPC-360-102DF). There is an important difference - the current model listed on HighPower's site shows SATA connectors included. Directron's site shows that the model that they are selling for $20 does not have SATA connectors. That may or may not be an issue for some. Those colored Super Flower PSUs also lack SATA connectors.
Edit 3: Well, color me slightly confused. Directron has two different colored 520W Super Flower PSUs, same mfg model number (TTGI TT-520SS), both claim to be "retail box", but with different specs and prices. ($33 here , $55 here) The $55 looks to be more likely a true 520W, the specs on the cheaper 520W are more similar to their 420W for $30 here, although the 420W only includes 8 molexes, instead of 10 as on the 520W models. So either the specs on one of them are out of date (both are "retail box", remember, with the same mfg model number), or one is an older model with weaker specs (especially on the +12V line), and that's why Directron is selling them much cheaper. I vote for the latter.
They also have a 450W color for $33, that claims to have an Al housing, and *better* specs than the 520W colored model. (+5V is 45A instead of 42A, 3.3/12V are same, number of molex leads is same)
Ok, another data-point, they also have an "EPS12V" (server-style) 520W PSU for $88, again, with the *same* mfg model code "TTGI TT-520SS". So there must be some sort of mfg sub-identifier that Directron is not listing in their descriptions. So those two other 520W color models could well be different units.
Btw, if you're willing to spend a little more money, I discovered that CaseArts is selling these cases with an absolutely KILLER paint-job on them. Check out the Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines case, or this really nifty Red wood-grain case! (Oops. Looks more like they are interested in distributors/reseller orders only (min qty. 100 units), and Directron is their only distributor so far. Darn. That T3 case looks *awesome*. Edit: Looks like they don't offer the the "picture" case models, probably due to copyright-licensing issues. Only 'patterned' CaseArts cases. A review of the 'Red Cherry' model.)
No you cant from my first inspection, but there are three spots for 80mm fans in the front.
1 on the bottom below the lower drive cage, and 1 in each drive cage so i wouldnt worry about it.
Yeah it was unexpected but doesn't look to bad..
I'm much more into functional modding myself, and like LOTS of air flow over pretty neon tubes and UV reactive stuff.. I'm a big fan of putting one of these in the drive bay.. you can see a beige one in my existing tower.
My old case didn't have the side fan/exhaust holes so i had 4 fans blowing in, and this exhausting in the top bay with a little clearance.
Black dual 92mm twin turbo bay exhaust
These are going fast.................................
Another $41 dollars outta my pocket because of Anandtech !!!!!!!!!!!
Another $41 dollars outta my pocket because of Anandtech !!!!!!!!!!!
actually it was $23 but thats with tax, tax in florida
Note: silver outa stock hurry up before blue and black is gone
WT
Diamond Member
- Sep 21, 2000
- 4,816
- 60
- 91
VirtualLarry, why not paint those optical drives ? I used dye on mine and the results were fantastic. The black is easy to do, since there's not much worry about overspray. Ohh, and excellent post as well !! Bling isn't my thing, but I really do plan on trying to keep this case color coordinated to an extent.
VirtualLarry
No Lifer
- Aug 25, 2001
- 56,587
- 10,225
- 126
Hmm, dye... why didn't I ever think of that? I was thinking spray paint or latex paint or something. Knowing me, I'd probably end up with an un-even paint job or something. But I was looking at the possibility of upgrading my opticals anyways, and it would be nice to get only two drives to handle what my four are doing now.
I got mine and its frick'in huge! I like it but its not gonna fit where I originally intended for it to go.
VirtualLarry
No Lifer
- Aug 25, 2001
- 56,587
- 10,225
- 126
Yeah, I got mine yesterday, it seems sturdy and the steel parts are solid, but it lacks the chassis-intrusion switch, tool-less slot-cover, and the easy-removal of the 5.25in plastic bezels, that the Chieftec site and a review respectively described. The plastic front bezel is pretty cheap, and the keylock is purely for show, this is a server-like case, not a true server case by any means. But it's got plenty of room, plenty of bays, and plenty of well-placed fan-mounts, which is really the primary reason that I got the case. The feet were pre-attached too, and there was no instruction page. I was scared I was going to snap the front bezel taking it off.
To remove front plastic bezel:
1) Unscrew the side panels, on the back of the case. Push the handle on the side-panel that has one forward (not pull outward), the back end up the panel should then be able to swing outward freely, and should then be easily removable.
2) Remove the swing-out front-panel door, it snaps in at the top of the axis, and sits on a post on the bottom of the door's axis. (Obviously, make sure that it is unlocked before doing that.)
3) With the now door-less front bezel facing you, and both metal side-panels removed, place both hands on either side, just inside the metal frame in front, near the top, there are plastic snaps on each side. (This is at the top - I'm not talking about the two buttons on the side of the front plastic panel that you have to push in to remove it. Not yet anyway.) With both plastic snaps at the top released, give a very gentle and even tug forward at the top, the center-top of the front bezel should come forward slightly, showing that there are two plastic posts aligning it at the center-top.
4) Now, you should push the two buttons on either side, again, evenly, and pull slightly forward.
5) The most difficult part, are the two longer plastic alignment posts on either side of the bottom of the removable front bezel. (At the middle of the front of the case in general.) If one pulls the front bezel forward at too sharp an angle or unevenly side-to-side, the metal frame tends to cut into those two posts, and that makes a "notch", which can make it a real PITA to remove smoothly. After releasing all of the other posts, I had to simply give it a pretty-good tug and pray. That's when I discovered the notches that my prior uneven tugging had dug into those posts, and why the one on the left decided not to easily allow removal. After I wranged the panel free, I used an x-acto-type knife to whittle the "notch" a little to make it a bit smoother so it wouldn't "grip" and prevent installation/removal of the panel in the future.
At that point, you can remove the plastic 5.25in drive bezel panels from the front pretty easily, and then get access to the metal frame to remove the breakaway metal 5.25in bay covers, and access the thumbscrews to remove the tray that holds the 3.5in floppy.
Note that the above guide applies to the 'Dragon' full-tower ATX model, without front-panel USB/Firewire, not sure if the front bezel or it's removal is different for other case models.
To remove front plastic bezel:
1) Unscrew the side panels, on the back of the case. Push the handle on the side-panel that has one forward (not pull outward), the back end up the panel should then be able to swing outward freely, and should then be easily removable.
2) Remove the swing-out front-panel door, it snaps in at the top of the axis, and sits on a post on the bottom of the door's axis. (Obviously, make sure that it is unlocked before doing that.)
3) With the now door-less front bezel facing you, and both metal side-panels removed, place both hands on either side, just inside the metal frame in front, near the top, there are plastic snaps on each side. (This is at the top - I'm not talking about the two buttons on the side of the front plastic panel that you have to push in to remove it. Not yet anyway.) With both plastic snaps at the top released, give a very gentle and even tug forward at the top, the center-top of the front bezel should come forward slightly, showing that there are two plastic posts aligning it at the center-top.
4) Now, you should push the two buttons on either side, again, evenly, and pull slightly forward.
5) The most difficult part, are the two longer plastic alignment posts on either side of the bottom of the removable front bezel. (At the middle of the front of the case in general.) If one pulls the front bezel forward at too sharp an angle or unevenly side-to-side, the metal frame tends to cut into those two posts, and that makes a "notch", which can make it a real PITA to remove smoothly. After releasing all of the other posts, I had to simply give it a pretty-good tug and pray. That's when I discovered the notches that my prior uneven tugging had dug into those posts, and why the one on the left decided not to easily allow removal. After I wranged the panel free, I used an x-acto-type knife to whittle the "notch" a little to make it a bit smoother so it wouldn't "grip" and prevent installation/removal of the panel in the future.
At that point, you can remove the plastic 5.25in drive bezel panels from the front pretty easily, and then get access to the metal frame to remove the breakaway metal 5.25in bay covers, and access the thumbscrews to remove the tray that holds the 3.5in floppy.
Note that the above guide applies to the 'Dragon' full-tower ATX model, without front-panel USB/Firewire, not sure if the front bezel or it's removal is different for other case models.
WT
Diamond Member
- Sep 21, 2000
- 4,816
- 60
- 91
Any recommendations for 80mm fans for these boxes ? I've found my 92mm fan that comes with it is making quite a noise compared to other fans I've had, so I guess noise isn't too much of a concern. I'd like to add two fans to cool drives in the front and at least one to pull out of the back. So far, CoolerMasters at $5 a pop seem like passable fans. I also have to order some 24" rounded IDE's as it is quite a stretch to get the cables plugged into the upper optical bays.
VirtualLarry
No Lifer
- Aug 25, 2001
- 56,587
- 10,225
- 126
I've always just used BB Sunons, because I had a stock of them, but I've now run out. I guess some consider them a tiny bit loud, I've never had a problem with them though, and they move a good amount of air. So I'm curious what other good options there are too, looks like I'm going to have to stock up on 80mm fans again too. (Need 5 for case, and would like more spares for PSU fan replacements too.)
I was also a bit worried about the fan noise on the side-panel, is it purely from the fan, or does it cause the entire side-panel to vibrate too? That was my main worry.
I guess some consider them a tiny bit loud, I've never had a problem with them though, and they move a good amount of air. So I'm curious what other good options there are too, looks like I'm going to have to stock up on 80mm fans again too. (Need 5 for case, and would like more spares for PSU fan replacements too.)I was also a bit worried about the fan noise on the side-panel, is it purely from the fan, or does it cause the entire side-panel to vibrate too? That was my main worry.
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
I've always just used BB Sunons, because I had a stock of them, but I've now run out.
I was also a bit worried about the fan noise on the side-panel, is it purely from the fan, or does it cause the entire side-panel to vibrate too? That was my main worry.
Ive used probably 40- 80mm case fans my lifetime. I use the Arctic Fan Pro TC, its basically sillent (need ear right up 2 it hear anything), reasonably priced, dont need to undervolt it to be quiet, and its thermal controlled.
The side panel is a 92mm cheiftec fan made by yate loon. Its reasonably quiet if you undervolt it, otherwise its loud. The holes will also fit 80mm fans on the side. If you want alot of fans and reasonably quiet id go with 3- 80mm fronts, 2-80mm rears and a 80mm as an exhaust in the top side panel hole (3 push 3 pull).
Side panel may/probably will vibrate but no worse then the hard drive cages. My solution has worked awsome for me.., is spray rubber undercoating used for cars. Spray a thin layer inside your case, nothing will vibrate and youll be suprised how much noise was coming from vibration.
Edit:Arctic Fan Pro 2L TC I hear is a hair louder, moves a little more air, is 34.5mm thick, and has blue leds, and is even easyier to find
VirtualLarry
No Lifer
- Aug 25, 2001
- 56,587
- 10,225
- 126
Interesting, but according to this review I found, it has a non-standard size and thus doesn't fit well in cases such as the 'Dragon'. Not to mention, in three other reviews and two other sites selling that fan, they don't even mention if it's sleeve or ball-bearing. How strange. I'm just going to find another batch of bulk OEM Sunon or NMB BB fans somewhere, I guess. Don't want to pay over $2.50/fan, and those Arctic fans look like they sell for almost $10 each.
Edit: Check out Nexfan , they've got a bunch of various fans, some on sale. Sunon BB are $4ea, sleeve $2ea, but they have some "Evercool" BB ones on sale for cheap, I think I'll inquire about a discount for a case of them. How many fans usually ship in a case? 20?
Directron's case fan noise comparison chart (Interestingly, the Sunon BB's that I tend to like, show up as the noisiest fans on that chart. OTOH, they seemingly last almost forever.)
Great case. If you are into water cooling the rads I sell fit perfectly into the top bay of these.
I am looking for an aluminum chieftec for under $85 shipped. Newegg has it for $85 shipped, I would like to maybe save around 10-15 dollars. A black one btw.
Interesting, but according to this review I found, it has a non-standard size and thus doesn't fit well in cases such as the 'Dragon'. Not to mention, in three other reviews and two other sites selling that fan, they don't even mention if it's sleeve or ball-bearing. How strange. I'm just going to find another batch of bulk OEM Sunon or NMB BB fans somewhere, I guess. Don't want to pay over $2.50/fan, and those Arctic fans look like they sell for almost $10 each.
Edit: Check out Nexfan , they've got a bunch of various fans, some on sale. Sunon BB are $4ea, sleeve $2ea, but they have some "Evercool" BB ones on sale for cheap, I think I'll inquire about a discount for a case of them. How many fans usually ship in a case? 20?
Directron's case fan noise comparison chart (Interestingly, the Sunon BB's that I tend to like, show up as the noisiest fans on that chart. OTOH, they seemingly last almost forever.)[/quote]
the Arctic Fan Pro TC and Arctic Fan Pro 2L TC are two different fans, I noted the 2L version has leds and is larger so it wont fit in the drive cages (without modding). You can find both both these fans for $5-$6+
Ive read the Directron's case fan noise comparison chart before... though I take it with a grain of salt... I have the enermax fan thats supposedly the quietest, and its far from silent. I actually purchased the fan because I had read that.
Nexus fans are great but very expensive and to note the 120mm at least is made by yate loon.
Edit: Oh nexfan not nexus fans, those thermal controlled evercools arent bad or an undervolted regular one if looking for something cheap. Spire fans lowest speed fans arent that bad and really cheap ive found also. The only sunon ive heard is a horrid high speed one, was in my first pc I ever had (purchased), drove me to seek quiet products ever since.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter