HTPC Case with 120mm fans

[lirsch]

Hi all,
As a starter I'm looking for a good HTPC case that is running 120mm fans inside (good air flow and quiet enough not to be heard) that will fit the following components -
- CPU: i3-530
- MoB: Support ATX / mATX / Both (might be GA-P55-UD4P or GA-H55M-USB3)
- GPU: Passive (might be POWERCOLOR Go! Green AX5670 or Sapphire ATI HD5450 512MB silent-passive)
- CPU Heatsink/cooler: might be Scythe Big Shuriken (~60mm height) or Cooler Master Geminii S (~87mm height) - if you have a good case that won't fit one of them you are welcome to advice regarding other silent cooler that will fit it
- HDD: will include a 1.5TB Green WD HDD
- Case fans: might be changed to NoiseBlocker M12-P 120mm ones to make it even more quiet
- PSU: might include Nexus NX-5000 or Nexus Value 430 or FSP ZEN (400W)
Well, as you can see, I made my homework regarding silent components and now I have to fit them inside your recommended case

 

[ComputerWizKid]

Antec NSK2480 or the other variants of the case

 

[EarthwormJim]

I made a HTPC case out of Legos, it has a 120mm fan

 

[manimal]

i made a htpc case out of legos, it has a 120mm fan :d

must see!!!! Post post!!

 

[lirsch]

Guys be serious, I need some help here

 

[alyarb]

none of the parts in your machine (clarkdale, 5600/5400, WD15EADS) are heat producers. you could stuff all this in an ITX case with no fans and it would not get very hot at all. you do not need supplementary airflow, let alone a big ATX case for this HTPC.

If you were running a quad or six core CPU and were going with a 150+ watt GPU, that would be a different story, but a clarkdale+5450 does not need extra airflow.

 

[lopri]

The aforementioned Antec cases (NSK/Fusion) are decent. Great cooling and easy access inside. I have had one for 3 years and have no complaints other than the finicky software for front LED, but that was 3 years ago so they might have fixed that. (It doesn't support ATX)

 

[PCTC2]

I've never used them but you could always look for reviews on the Silverstone GD05B and Lian LI PC-C34(F). The Stone supports mATX only, but the Lian Li supports full ATX.

 

[MadScientist]

This.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/silverstone-gd05

$89.99 shipped from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Aluminum-Steel-Computer-GD05B/dp/B0036WTDGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275222427&sr=8-1

 

[Fallen Kell]

This.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/silverstone-gd05

$89.99 shipped from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Aluminum-Steel-Computer-GD05B/dp/B0036WTDGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275222427&sr=8-1

Unfortunately, you didn't read the OP's specs for ATX support, that case is mATX.


Antec Fusion Remote Max - 120mm front/bottom and rear fan, 140mm side fan. Very good air cooling and room for large tower CPU heatsink, and GPU heatsinks that go above the height of the PCB like the fanless HD5750's. (In terms of CPU heatsinks, SilentPCReview fit a Scythe Orochi in there).

Cooler Master cMedia 280 (or 282) - 120mm front, side, top, and rear fan positions/mounts (most mounts can also use 80 or 92mm as well but why would you want to unless you don't have spare 120mm's to use). This case is the one that converts from mini-tower to HTPC style. Very good air cooling.

 

[PCTC2]

Unfortunately, you didn't read the OP's specs for ATX support, that case is mATX.


Antec Fusion Remote Max - 120mm front/bottom and rear fan, 140mm side fan. Very good air cooling and room for large tower CPU heatsink, and GPU heatsinks that go above the height of the PCB like the fanless HD5750's. (In terms of CPU heatsinks, SilentPCReview fit a Scythe Orochi in there).

Cooler Master cMedia 280 (or 282) - 120mm front, side, top, and rear fan positions/mounts (most mounts can also use 80 or 92mm as well but why would you want to unless you don't have spare 120mm's to use). This case is the one that converts from mini-tower to HTPC style. Very good air cooling.

Except he said ATX, mATX, OR both. He's looking at the GA-H55M, a Micro ATX board. so the GD05B is an option.

 

[Zap]

I'm currently using an Antec NSK2480, but if I had to build a new one I would get the Silverstone GD05B. They are similar in the cooling, but I like the shorter depth of the Silverstone better, though the Antec is not bad compared to many other HTPC cases.

 

[crazylegs]

I've just ordered an Antec NSK2480 today - its specification and price seemed very good to me.

Only point i'd like to change is for it to be all black, not with a silver facia. Will see how it looks under my TV, if i'm not happy i might be brave enough to DIY spray it