In the market for a pretty nice computer case.

[SlitheryDee]

So I need a nice case and I'm wondering about what's out there. I've heard great things about Lian Li cases, but there are other companies that make great ones too. What are some real quality choices in my price range?

I'm not really into flashy stuff. I want something that would provide ample cooling for a computer that's overclocked without the aid of exotic cooling solutions. A huge number of drive bays aren't necessary, but I want room for reasonable upgrades. Full tower is preferred, but I could be moved on this issue if the right product were to present itself.

I'm currently looking at this LIAN LI PC-G70B Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case as a possible option.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I have the gigabyte 3D aurora 570. Not overly flashy but not plain looking like most lian li cases. I have the black one. dual 120mm rear fans + mesh side panel = good airflow too.

 

[Zepper]

Silverstone Temjin 5 - the Ultra version of the Akasa Eclipse - XClio Windtunnel, etc. Quite a few good ones in that price range including the original Stacker and the NZXT Zero.

.bh.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Nice suggestions. I like the Gigabyte aurora and the Xclio windtunnel particularly.

Another case that caught my eye was the Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case. It's on the flashy side, but the cooling looks awesome and I also hear good things about Antec cases.

 

[Zepper]

The Windtunnel is also sold under the Tagan and A Plus names. Also check out the IStar Nitro - they have both full tower for ATX which can be tight and they have full tower for EATX mobo which has plenty O' room, the Egg has one of the latter in the open box stuff. The rest all seem to be the smaller one.

.bh.

 

[jeffw2767602]

i second the gigabyte aurora reccomendation. this thing is the perfect combination of classy and cool. it is flashy yet modest. you should probably get 3 antec tricools to replace the stock fans though.

 

[Corporate Thug]

if you can afford to add another $35. I would go with this:

http://www.sundialmicro.com/si...ssttj09b_1928_888.html

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
Another case that caught my eye was the Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case. It's on the flashy side, but the cooling looks awesome and I also hear good things about Antec cases.

I own one and it's the best case I've ever owned. It was far more quiet and cools better than the Antec P180 I had.

 

[Zepper]

He's looking for a full tower - the 900 is mid-tower.

.bh.

 

[Mojoed]

Cosmos 1000 really impresses me.

Review.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: Zepper
He's looking for a full tower - the 900 is mid-tower.

.bh.

I believe that OP said "preferred". The only thing a full tower offers is more 5.25-inch drive bays. Is that really needed today? The 900 is much like a "stacker" design so you can really have as many as you want. It's 9 drive bays tall. It has the best cooling design without being noisy. Unlike the CM Stacker it comes with the HDD cages to hold 6 hard drives.

It has 3 120mm fans and a 200mm fan, all with RPM control.

Show me another case with better options.

 

[Zepper]

The 900 is cramped compared to an EATX supporting full tower which has 4 or 5 inches of depth on the 900.

.bh.

 

[swtethan]

The new CM Cosmos looked pretty good to me when I saw it.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: Zepper
The 900 is cramped compared to an EATX supporting full tower which has 4 or 5 inches of depth on the 900.

.bh.

EATX? That's for a server motherboard. No normal ATX desktop motherboard requires that. Even the longest video cards (8800GTX) fit without a problem in the Antec 900.

 

[swtethan]

actually the v series lian-li are really nice, like the v1000 or v2000

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33
EATX? That's for a server motherboard. No normal ATX desktop motherboard requires that. Even the longest video cards (8800GTX) fit without a problem in the Antec 900.

He knows that. There are more uses for a larger case than just a server.

-z

 

[lein]

About how heavy is the gigabyte case? I kinda like the Thermaltake Shark cause it's relatively light.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: lein
About how heavy is the gigabyte case? I kinda like the Thermaltake Shark cause it's relatively light.

Looked up the specs of it on their site
http://www.giga-byte.com/Produ...ec.aspx?ProductID=2322

9.5kg, or about 21 pounds for the aurora 570.

Apparently there is a 570S as well. It looks the same as the 570, but it weighs 1kg (2.2 pounds) less and is 60mm (2.4 inches) shallower than the 570. It is the same depth as the original aurora.

The original aurora is 7.1kg, or about 15.5 pounds. I think that is because it is plastic on the front while the 570 is mostly aluminum (and the door especially, it alone is quite heavy).


I prefer the 570 myself. It is deeper (more room inside) and looks better to me than the original aurora. I've had enough of plastic fronts for awhile so the mostly aluminum front is great.

 

[msarp]

LIAN LI PC-A16B Black
The best case I have ever owned.



http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811112132

http://www.directron.com/pca16b.html

http://www.eastluna.com/hardwa...ails.php?id=2459&id2=b

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: zagood

Originally posted by: jonmcc33
EATX? That's for a server motherboard. No normal ATX desktop motherboard requires that. Even the longest video cards (8800GTX) fit without a problem in the Antec 900.

He knows that. There are more uses for a larger case than just a server.

-z

For EATX? I don't know anything that requires that and isn't a server. I have an Asus PC-DL that uses a standard ATX size.

What use is there for the "extra 4 inches"? I'm dying to know.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33

Originally posted by: zagood

Originally posted by: jonmcc33
EATX? That's for a server motherboard. No normal ATX desktop motherboard requires that. Even the longest video cards (8800GTX) fit without a problem in the Antec 900.

He knows that. There are more uses for a larger case than just a server.

-z

For EATX? I don't know anything that requires that and isn't a server. I have an Asus PC-DL that uses a standard ATX size.

What use is there for the "extra 4 inches"? I'm dying to know.

AMD 4x4

Also just the extra room can be nice, little more space to work in. Like for me, my case supports EATX, I have an ATX mobo in there, and I have my reservoir next to my mobo with the pump below it. If I didn't have EATX capability I'm not sure where I would have put my reservoir really.

 

[Zepper]

Long card and/or long bay devices like mobile racks or Hot Swap drive cages won't interfere with anything. Lots of elbow room in which to work. Looks impressive. Besides, who knows when you'll decide to build a 16-core system...

.bh.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
AMD 4x4

Also just the extra room can be nice, little more space to work in. Like for me, my case supports EATX, I have an ATX mobo in there, and I have my reservoir next to my mobo with the pump below it. If I didn't have EATX capability I'm not sure where I would have put my reservoir really.

Did anyone out there actually buy that POS? Power eating heap of crap and it still fell behind the Core 2 Quad in performance.

 

[tofumonster]

I checked out a few lian li cases yesterday when i was bored : P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112116

it's a pretty sick case (design and all). It looks plain but the side-window gives it an extra something.

if not you could always just go for a P180b = D

 

[swtethan]

WHOA


http://www.silverpcs.com/produ...73efe0f45330d018576d50


http://www.silverpcs.com/produ...73efe0f45330d018576d50


http://www.silverpcs.com/produ...73efe0f45330d018576d50


last one has great airflow