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'Cube' style case that accepts ATX + reasonably tall coolers?

ExcaliburMM

ExcaliburMM

Senior member
Sup Anand,
Thanks to Wiretap ( 😛 ) I'd like to slim down my current behemoth build, sitting in my trusty old CM RC 690. I was considering the 690 II Advanced, but honestly, I need to stop this fetish for large boxes and copious amounts of fans. Its expensive, space consuming, and heavy if said box has to be moved.

I'm looking for a 'cube' style case, preferably one with most if not all of the following:
Full size ATX mobo and psu support. (Could possibly go to a LP JR X58 but would rather not.)
Tall enough to fit my Thermolab BARAM (I'd hate to have to replace it with something else, but its doable I guess. 🙁 )
Fits at least 2 120mms.
2 5.25 bays (one for DVD, one for front panel stuff, unless the case already has a nice feature filled front panel.)
Can fit my 3 3.5 HDDs.
Can fit my 4870, and possibly a 5770 CF/5850/5870 upgrade. (Not sure which I'm going to do yet.)

However I have yet to find one that can do most of these, except for some clear acrylic garbage case. Any recommendations?
 
full atx boards + small cubes = insanely expensive....
 
I was thinking about this today as well after I saw the newegg shell shocker for that mini cube case. After thinking about it, I decided it probably just isn't going to happen.

I have an ATX 790G board with an X3 720, Sunbeam CCF cooler (passively cooled, no fan and yet it idles at 24C and max loads at 34C. Absolutely amazing). I have one TV tuner and 3 hard drives all in an Antec Sonata III. I like having the option of throwing more hard drives and a video card into the computer. I don't only use it as my HTPC, but I use it as a file server and ocasionally a game machine. I won't be able to do that if I start looking for a small cube box.

I don't even have any intake fans in the machine, just one exhaust 120mm that spins at 800rpm, yet the inside of the machine remains at room temperature. The machine is completely silent, looks beautiful (despite the fact it's an obvious computer case sitting near my TV) and is highly upgradable as well as versatile in functionality.

So yeah I just decided to stick with the regular mid-size case for now. My next go around will likely be all about MicroATX.
 
Zap said:
The Apex Shellshocker case is mini ITX, not even close to ATX. 😱
Click to expand...
Yeah I know, I was debating an entire restructuring of my HTPC and downsize it to fit next to my receiver. I decided I'm liking the regular ATX mid-tower setup I have going on right now.

OP: I would recommend you should first decide whether you want to stay with your current ATX hardware. If so, just go with a pretty mid-tower that fits in nicely with the rest of your room. Like I said earlier, My Sonata III looks excellent and most people who visit don't even notice it sitting next to my TV stand.

If you are dead set on a cube setup, sell all your stuff and rebuild specifically around a microATX cube case. But know that you won't be able to fit a tower heatsink, or likely more than two hard drives.
 
ExcaliburMM said:
I think I'm going to convert an old 19" TV into a case. 😛
Click to expand...

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=245398

P2151318.jpg


P2151329.jpg


Or you can card board box it... 😛

If your bored u can put construction paper on the outside and bling it up with some colors even.

😀
 
Naw, I really want to turn an old TV into a case. I however need to find one for cheap. Anyone know where to get a 19-25" CRT TV for cheap?
 
Get out your yellow page book (could use google too) and find a local tv repair shop. I'm betting they'll have some old ones lying about for sale cheap. Never saw a tv repair shop that didn't sell old and used TVs. Pawn shop too may have them as well.
 
Skott said:
Get out your yellow page book (could use google too) and find a local tv repair shop. I'm betting they'll have some old ones lying about for sale cheap. Never saw a tv repair shop that didn't sell old and used TVs. Pawn shop too may have them as well.
Click to expand...
+1

I'm sure you can find one that doesn't work and get it for cheap. My friend's father used to run a shop like this and he always had tons of old, unrepairable things lying around to be tinkered with.
 
I live in the middle of fucking nowhere. This is no such thing as a TV repair shop or salvation army within less than a 1.5 hour drive. :c
 
Anyone know what tool would be best for cutting / drilling this old thin plastic TV casing? I'm going to need to put in some side shelves for HDDs, and possibly holes for mounting a couple of 120mms. What should the shelf under the mobo/above the PSU be made of so that nothing shorts? Should I just buy a mobo tray and use that?
 
D R E M E L...

Man's best friend next to a can of beer, and good porn...
 
I've got all my materials and components picked out. However I do need a less wide monitor if I want the monitor contained inside the TV as well. So for now, it'll just have a nice plexi window front. Later on, I'll throw maybe a 22" wide in there, and it'll be really awesome.
 
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