HTPC case or case + accessories recommendation?

[Pandamonium]

Basically a repost from General HW (I figured the workaround qualified it for Gen. rather than C&C)

I'm looking for an HTPC-style case with a built-in IR receiver. However, the IR receiver has to be wired such that it can turn a computer on from S3, S4, or S5 via a remote like the Microsoft MCE remote. I also want the case to use >= 80mm fans for ventilation, have only one 5.25" bay, accept standard ATX PSUs and full-height PCI/PCIe cards, and ideally, also be made of mostly aluminum. (Edit: I also am not a fan of LCDs on cases)

I've been searching high and low for such a case or combination of parts, but I'm not having very much luck. Does anyone have any ideas?

So far, I know that iMON equipped cases can power up from at least S3, but since I want to use a Logitech Harmony remote, I don't want to pay for the extra iMON remote/software. Does anyone have something like this set up?

 

[Pandamonium]

bump

 

[aigomorla]

VFD's are all addons.

You can get a HTPC case without the VFD and addon to it.

I probably went though 3 htpc cases, and what i learned from all the builds.

1. Dont watercool it.
2. Needs to be super quiet
3. Doesnt need to be overclocked unless you game on it
4. VFD's are a waste and so are remotes when you have a wireless keyboard.

http://www.mrgadget.com.au/cat..._dinovo_mini_hands.gif

What i used and what replaced my harmony.

Exactly what is your expectations on the case? Do you overclock? what kind of GPU card did you intend on using?

Your other hardware should dictate how large of a HTPC case you require, and then from there do a search for the size you need.

 

[Pandamonium]

I want a lightweight case that can go power on from S3, S4, or S5 via a remote. I don't care which power state is "off", but I want to make sure that ALL moving parts do not move in the "off" state. I've had some motherboards whose S3 power state leaves the PSU and system fans on, and that just pissed me off. S4 should not have moving parts, but S3 should not have either. S5 is the only power state that I am sure will not have moving parts. I don't overclock, and plan to use the lowest power GPU capable of accelerating 1080p playback. I haven't done all the research yet, but I think the latest Intel boards have sufficiently fast GPUs.

I've been looking at the Origen AE S16V. It's all aluminum, which satisfies my weight criteria. I can buy a $25 addon to the ~$425 case that will allow IR signals to power on the computer from S3-5, provided the motherboard supports it. Origen AE's S16V and X11 both have the 80mm exhaust fans that I want. Unless someone has really compelling evidence stating that two low airflow 60mm fans can exhaust heat well, I'm playing it safe and only considering 2x80mm exhausts. I'm leaning towards the S16V over the X11 because the extra ~$50-75 gets me a much better looking case IMHO. I like the pseudo-symmetry of the S16V. If any of the cases with centered optical drives and centered VFD/IR assemblies had 2x80mm exhausts, I'd choose those in a heartbeat.

I'm really just looking for some way to rig an HTPC to turn itself on via remote. If one could wake from Bluetooth or RF, I'd gladly consider that too. I thought about the keyboard solution, but remotes just feel more natural. The next most important criteria is 2x80mm exhaust, and the third most important criteria is weight.