Good solution for an "integrated look" case for use in Home theater?

[Lucky]

Im looking for something that will look good integrated in the rest of my HT setup. I have a generic case that I painted black, but the front (plastic) dont look so hot and I'd prefer something that looks a bit more like the rest of my componenets.

I saw this rackable case, but at $90 w/no PS, its $$$. Anyone have experience with what Im trying to do?

 

[RedShirt]

Yep...
But I worked with a FLEX ATX case... Really small. Your probably looking for something that will accept full atx or microatx?

 

[Lucky]

<< Yep...
But I worked with a FLEX ATX case... Really small. Your probably looking for something that will accept full atx or microatx? >>






Well, I recently purchased a atx mobo w/a duron 700 for this express purpose, so I dont really want to deviate from this unless you can offer me some detailed advice on what to look for.

I really only need something that can handle what I my requirements are- one external 5.25 for the DVD drive, one 3.5 internal for the startup OS HD, and that will hold a PS. Im hooking it up to a network for MP3's, so no need for 37 bays to hold 17 picobytes of stuff.

 

[Marrkks]

something like any of these? the link

 

[RedShirt]

Well, you could try the following:

I'm guessing all your HT stuff is black

http://www.directron.com/7106.html

http://www.directron.com/blackdesktop.html

or just check out all of them at:

http://www.directron.com/blackcases.html

 

[Lucky]

<< something like any of these? the link >>



Thanks. by chance I was searching around and found that on my own a couple minutes ago. $50 w/no PS or 58 w/one. Seems overpriced for what seems like a regular generic case with a rotated mounting cage and bays. Plus, their comments do not instill confidence in me:

(3) We noticed that the mounting holes for the 5.25" drives may not align well with the CD-ROM, DVD or CD-RW drives. This is because the bezel on the drives is too wide for the drive bay. We either had to force the drive in or drill extra holes on the mounting cage. (4) The middle 5.25" bay is the best to mount a single 5.25" drive such as CD-ROM and DVD since the front bezel is slightly curved vertically. The middle position allow the drive face to wash with the case bezel.


Any other suggestions?

 

[RedShirt]

What do you think about this?

link

 

[Lucky]

Hmm...if I went flexatx I guess I could get somethign such as this....any other suggestions?

Yes, all components are black.

 

[Lucky]

<< What do you think about this?

link >>




Not bad. This might be the norm for cases like this, but I find $56 for a case such as this to much $$$, I dunno. It would have to be a killer design for me to cough up that. Out of stock too.

thanks

 

[RedShirt]

Flex ATX cases are about the size of a small VCR. Directron has black ones. However you need a Flex ATX motherboard.... some micro ATX boards work also.

Flex ATX cases also only accept low profile PCI cards. You have to get special PCI cards that normally cost more than their normal sized sibblings.

If you went Flex ATX, it is a good idea to have a motherboard that has integrated everything. You can get a shuttle board for $120 or so that is flex ATX and has integrated Lan, Sound, Video, and TV out. However, the sound is basic (no dolby digital) etc etc...

To get the most features, you are probably going to want to go ATX.

Also, I do not know of a flexATX motherboard for a Duron that has integrated TV out

 

[Lucky]

thanks redshirt, accepting regular PCI is a must so I can use my herc gtx for 5.1. I appreciate your post!

 

[Neuroanatomist]

Did you look into that Shuttle SV24 aluminum cube case/barebones. You would have to go Intel, as apposed to AMD... but it has alot of nice stuff integrated on the motherboard (audio, video, ethernet, firewire, composite video out).

sv24 cube aluminum case

sv24 @ newegg.com (free shipping, free floppy drive, free 128MB ram)

I bought one, thinking that I could put in a PCI ATI all-in-wonder and use it as a Tivo-like box. After getting it, the mobo has a PCI riser card.. but it doesn't look like a PCI video card as long as the ATI AIW would fit. (it might though, I haven't looked for the exact specs on the card length)

Still, nice compact system for $250 and all you need to add is Intel CPU, HD, RAM, DVD.

I currently have it attached to my TV as a DVD player and it works well.

 

[Marrkks]

if $50 for a case is causing you grief I imagine shipping costs will ultimately make your decision, as they tend to vary quite widely for cases.

happy hunting!

 

[Lucky]

<< if $50 for a case is causing you grief I imagine shipping costs will ultimately make your decision, as they tend to vary quite widely for cases.

happy hunting! >>



It doesnt cause me grief so much, I just despise paying so much for something that really isnt worth it, or something that started out as a $20 case and by way of a $3 cheap hack-job suddenly is worth $30 more. Im not really a cheap skate, I spend money on stuff I consider quality (Just picked up an enermax whisper 350W PS alone for $55.)



Did you look into that Shuttle SV24 aluminum cube case/barebones. You would have to go Intel, as apposed to AMD... but it has alot of nice stuff integrated on the motherboard (audio, video, ethernet, firewire, composite video out).



Hmm.....I was aware of it, but didnt know it came w/built in LAN or v-out. How is the audio? Is it DD 5.1? I could use my herc if it doesnt support that out of box, but then there are no slots left. Something to think about though, thank you for bringing it back to my memory. I think it would would very sleek, your opinions on how it fits in with that silver color?

 

[RedShirt]

That may be worth it... but it is very expensive... You said you already had a Duron lined up for this thing. You'd have to get this kit, a Pentium III probably (I built a flex ATX computer with a Celeron 900 and it can BARELY play DVD in stereo mode without skipping... Dolby Digital causes massive skips, but that is DD software decoding). This turns out to be REALLY expensive. Where you could just get a black desktop, have it be the same color as all your components and save a bundle.

However, this is my opinion and the money may not be that big of an issue to you.