Help with finding a new case?

[ajf3]

Hi all,

I want to get a new case to replace my Inwin S500 since it's really tight in there...

Basically, these are the reqs I have & I'm hoping for suggestions on what might be good candidates:

1. 120mm's front / rear - good cooling and QUIET.

2. Space (with adequate cooling!) for 4 7200 3.5" drives. Seems like most of the cases I've looked at have them smashed pretty tightly on top of one another which makes me doubt how well they'll be cooled.

3. ROOMY inside. My s500 is 18D x 17H x 8W. With all the cables, its a pain to get to anything. I'd really like some extra depth as well as height so I can have more space between the backs of the drives and the mobo.

4. I'd like something cool or different looking (although this is definately secondary to the functional stuff above) and I prefer the optical drive covers/faceplate to the swing out door. Also, if it does have a door covering the opticals I'd want at least 1 optical drive uncovered.

I'm pretty open about money if it's the right case... I'd like to spend as little as possible, but $100 or a little more wouldn't be out of the question.


I've looked at a couple already, but haven't found anything suitable:

Sonata - small
3700AMB - hardly bigger than mine, all opticals covered by door
dragon/matrix - probably the best so far, but no 120's and the drives are all covered.
CM 201-C... Nice!, but not any bigger

 

[Mik3y]

try the cooler master cavalier

edit: n/m u already listed it i believe

 

[klah]

Most of the cases that use 12cm fans are listed here: http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=3606

 

[ajf3]

Thx for the link!

The only one that stood out for me there was the Lian Li PC-V1200... nice case - alot of depth!

...but, $wow$ - better than $200. Maybe what I'm looking for is just too expensive!

Also, putting the PSU on the bottom like that - seems like I'd not be able to use my 2 fan TruePower very well in there.

Any other thought appreciated, but I'm thinking what I'm looking for is just too expensive... ;(

 

[Zap]

Antec P160 may fit your needs.

1) 120mm front/rear fans

2) space for 4 hard drives cooled by front 120mm fan

3) dunno, case is mid sized so probably not too much space

4) has a fancier face with two optical drive covers (even floppy cover) and rotating ports, optional side window.

Cost just over $100 w/o PSU.

Disclaimer: I do not own an Antec P160. Just thought it fit your wish list.

 

[ajf3]

Thanks for the post... I've been kicking the P160 around a bit - if it were a little larger I'd probably do it. As it is now, I'd pick up 2" in height and 1" in depth.

Other than that though, your right - it hit's all the reqs!

 

[Degrador]

The cooler master stacker case is perfect for what you're after.

It has 120mm fans for front and rear, with the front one cooling up to 4 HDs. If you want you could then buy another drive cage, and hey presto, another front 120mm fan, and you can now spread the HDs out better.

There's heaps of room inside - can fit an E-ATX motherboard if you feel the need.

Also, no crappy door to bother you .

I currently have one, and have a fan controller, my psu 5.25" bay thing (TrueControl 550W), 3 optical drives, 2 HDs, and a partridge in a pear tree.

It's wonderfully quiet, cool, and spacious. Not for the faint hearted though (14.7kgs just for the case).

 

[ajf3]

You right - that's an AWESOME case - thx!

I do think the p160 looks a lot better, but it's smaller (and cheaper!)... Looks like I have a decision to make