Cooler Master Elite 340 MATX Case

[OBLAMA2009]

any opinions on this case?


http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...pNo=3486544&CatId=3428

in general is coolmaster a good brand?

 

[seemingly random]

Looks like standard uatx affair.

Pros:
- doesn't come with a psu or fan that you'll probably have to discard anyway
- room for a 120mm rear fan
- apparently room for a 120mm front fan
- doesn't look tacky

Cons:
- no obvious ability to have a fan directed onto hd's
- shipping will be 1/2 - 2/3 of case price

 

[imported_Kiwi]

I picked up an Elite 330 near the middle of CompUSA's selloff to the bare walls ending, for $25 or so, and when I compared it to a Cooler Master Centurion 534 I'd intended to use for my newest (at that time) system build, I was favorably impressed by the cooling capabilities, and although it was somewhat on the small side for a mid-tower, I chose the Elite instead. I have been well pleased with it.

If the 340 shares the twin 120 mm fans and other air flow characteristics, I'd be in favor of it.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

thanks for the reply. do you know of any really better micro atx cases? its sort of hard to find this standard type of minitower case anymore. most cases are the low profile type or the half height type

 

[mpilchfamily]

Here are 4 options for mini tower cases.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...78&name=ATX+Mini+Tower

 

[seemingly random]

This is a good case if you don't need all four mb card slots available. The hd mounted in the lower chamber will block one. It has a pretty decent psu and a half-assed rear 120mm fan. One or two 92mm fans can be installed in the front as needed. It's fairly tight, so it's not a case for someone that constantly modifies things.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129035

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Here are 4 options for mini tower cases.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...78&name=ATX+Mini+Tower

I've looked at some of those, and there is often a conflict created by where the power supply ends up being moved to. On the other hand, the reason I've never used any mATX cases, not even with mATX mainboards, is the paucity of good power supplies for the small cases, so this type and the several cubes similar to the X-Qpack design are better in my book because they accept an ATX size power supply.

These (the link won't last past the end of today's business because of its nature) "Athena" Mini-boxes look really interesting, in spite of the PSU limitation, however:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...1192071&page=3&bop=And

 

[OBLAMA2009]

so i need to worry about the power supply size when i buy a micro atx case? is there such a thing as a "micro atx power supply"? how do i know whether a given micro atx case takes a microatx power supply or a standard atx?

 

[imported_Kiwi]

There are both SFX and mATX power supplies, and none would fit the InWin mATX box I tried to use, save for very low-powered ones, like the 150 that came with the case. I ended up shoving the stupid thing out in the garden shed.

 

[seemingly random]

A pretty good education can be achieved by looking at the types of psu`s available at newegg. I would go for a case that can handle the 'standard' size psu unless there is a need for compactness.

This and this are good representatives of 'lower' power psu`s. The 80 PLUS Certified psu`s are generally as efficient as available today. The goal with psu selection is quality, not quantity. Most quality psu`s with a 120mm fan will be quieter than others. Money saved on psu selection can be a costly mistake.