• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Good full tower

RampantAndroid

RampantAndroid

Diamond Member
So I have 3 HDs in total....2 raptors. One of the two started clicking, so to figure out which one it was, I place on outside my case, one left inside. And....it seems these things run really hot...and when one is in the bay on top of the other....well, heat builds up. My guess is that hte clicking was the drive's protection turning it off, then back on.

So I want to buy a full tower case with at least 6 3.5 drive slots for my 3 drives, and all 6 have ot have fans blowing air over them....my dad and I rather liked the the Antec P180, but thats so expensive....can anyone tell me from experience if that case is any good? Of can someone recommend a better one (for less money....)

Have 120mm fans instead of 80mm would be awesome for CFM and noise, but not a must...just so long as I can keep my computer nice and cool.
 
It's probably the best tower you can get in that price range. Most cheaper cases won't be built so well, the p180 has really good cooling and silence.
 
This is not an attempt to be funny or rude, but the P-180 has been worked to near death on this forum recently. It's a very good case. Read a review. Do a search of this forum.

The quote is attributed to old man Gucci,"The pleasure of quality is long enjoyed after the price is forgotten."
The popularity of the p180 means if you need any help it will be there. The options for cooling on that case are good. At about <$130 to your front door, it's not that bad.

Search server case on this forum, as many quality cases have been recommended by Zepper. He has work with server builds for years.


Galvanized
 
I'm not looking for a review on the P180....

[google] I don't care about that, I've seen multiple reviews online [/google]

I care about whether there is a cheaper yet decent full tower with my specifications above....
 
The Antec P180 is very nice but is fussy in its PSU requirements (needs long wires in most instances) and is too big and expensive for many.

So I recommend the Antec SLK3000-B (~$50. shipped from Amazon.com or Provantage.com) has the cooling and noise (elastomer mounts for your HDs) thing down as good as can be in an inexpensive case. 120mm fan mount in front of the drives (5 bays so you can space your drives out) and another 120mm in the rear (std.). The HD rack pops out with a couple of thumbscrews - makes loading up your drives very easy. Comes with ONE 120x25mm fan, so you'll need to order another for best cooling. The front usually needs a 25mm thick fan as there is not a lot of space there, the back can take a 38mm if you want. This case gets uniformly good reviews from purchasers (see the remarks at Newegg, Amazon, etc.) and also from the SilentPCReview.com reviewers.
. There is a guy here (For Sale/Trade section) selling 120x38 Sanyo Denki fans which are excellent (some call the particular model he's selling, "legendary") but you may want a Zalman Fan Mate or similar to tame it a bit as you certainly don't need its full (>100) CFM. The Sanyos of the current model (109R1212H102x - the x on the end denotes speed sensor wire, 1=yes) series have a good voltage range - some of the ...H101 series had a narrow working voltage range of 10.2 to 13.8. You can put the OE fan in the front and the Sanyo in the back.
. You can't go wrong with this setup. If you don't like doors, the Compucase 6A19 series (directron and mwave normally stock them) is identical to the 3000 inside.

.bh.

p.s. Sometimes the user guide for the 3000 is missing from the box - you can DL a PDF from the Antec site.bh.
 
OK....the only issues I see with the CM stacker:

-more expensive (thanks for the link to the p180!!!)
-Only 1 drive bay, need to buy more (and the cross blower) seperate.
-only 1 120mm exhaust fan
-Filters, like with all other coolermaster cases, are VERY hard to get to...

The P180 does seem kinda hectic, yet I do like the look of it....can anyone say if the Antec SmartPower 2.0 500W modular PSU has cables that are long enough?
 
Only issue with the sonanta II is that its still mid-tower...it DOES have 5 bays, but one 120mm isn't going to throw air over all the drives if they each have 1 space inbetween them.....

Also, since its a mid tower, there's gonna be a cable mess, since they super size all cables and PSUs for full tower/server tower cases anymore. I like the look of it, and it is rather cheap, but not quite what I need....I dunno. I'm not buying a new case until I get my replacement HDD and know that heat truly is the issue...and that won't be until monday. So I have time to mull over it.

Thanks for the input...

But my question still stands:

The P180 does seem kinda hectic, yet I do like the look of it....can anyone say if the Antec SmartPower 2.0 500W modular PSU has cables that are long enough?
Click to expand...
 
See my post

The only drawbacks are "SECC steel," IBM-beige paint, and hard-drive cage placement.

Steel vs aluminum won't matter much unless you want "almost-passive" cooling.

Changing from IBM-beige to "Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake" is just a case modding project that teaches a little automotive body painting.

Hard-drive cages can be modded and either bolted or pop-riveted into the case where you want to strategically place them for access and cooling.

I won't belabor the "FREE COMPUTER CASE" topic, but it's a viable option, and there are many sources.
 
Who mentioned the Sonata II?

. Well, the Enermax CS-10182 case is fairly cool and it has two 80mm fans by the HDs so all will get some air. Drives don't need a LOT of air, just a minimal amount of air movement around them will do. Spacing them like you can in the 3000-B helps all by itself. If you can find a Silverstone Berserker case or similar, you could put a CoolerMaster 4-in-3 drive cage in the bottom 5" bays (that's the way I have my SCSIs) and your HDs will be happy. The Athenatech 800 series has some similar to the Berserker. Thermaltake has some cases with 6 HD bays - like the Thermalrock Circle and Aerocool has some.

.bh.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top