InWin S500--Any good?

[fergus]

Anyone know if the InWin S500 is any good? I'm looking for an Athlon approved PS/case. I can get one with a 300 watt ps for $50. I've read up on the Enlight 7237 and the Fong Kai but am hoping I don't have to spend the bigger $$.

 

[Netopia]

I consider the S500 among the best "bang for the buck" cases around. They have good quality power supplies, removable side panels and spots for two cooling fans, the regular lower front and in the back just behind the CPU. They are made from very nice rolled steel (no sharp edges) and are VERY easy to work with. They have a removable hard drive cage and use rails for 2 of the three 5 1/4's and both of the external 3 1/2 bays.

I've built MANY machines with this case and am very happy with the results. I've got some machines with Durons at and above 900 using the stock Power Supply, but the Power Supply (250W) has seemed a bit weak for overclocked TBirds and I've had better luck replacing them with Enermax in those situations.

If I had one negative thing to say about them it would be that they are sort of "plain Jane" looking, but you can't have everything!

Joe

 

[fergus]

Thank you! Would you say it's relatively quiet compared to its peers? It is plain jane looking bordering on ungly compared to others. But, it has a flat top for putting crap on! This one is coming stock with a 300ps so no worries about power with it.

 

[clumsum]

I even like the way the S500 looks .................... and the new version for the P4 is also cool, I think its the S508 ? or something ......
Nice cases to work with and good quality ...........!

 

[Netopia]

Actually, I like to cut a blow hole in the top, so I can't put anything there and I lose the top 5 1/4 (because of a 120mm blow hole). At home I built a stand that sits on the top edges and holds a shelf 6" above the top and I put a scanner on it.

As far a "quietness" goes, a TON of that depends on what PS is going into it. I also use a dremel to cut the bottom front and rear fan guards off. I leave the bottom front with just a big hole and drill out the two "nipples" on the back one and mount a chrome grill. Net result is that it looks better, has better airflow and less turbulence (noise). The other thing that I do is to drill out ALL of the small alternating dimples/holes in the bottom front of the case and replace them with alternating large/small holes instead... again better airflow and less noise.

Joe

 

[PrelateBishop]

Just put together my new rig using the IW-S500. Little shocked that it did not come with a removable mobo tray (did not look at the specs closely). However, mounting the mobo was no trouble at all. In addition, all the drives mounted into the case without the use of screws (uses snap-in rails). The HD cage is novel and it came with a 300 watt power supply.

The ability to add (2) additional case fans is very nice. I have (2) Panaflow fans on the way that I will install when they arrive. The stock PS fan is quiet (as far as I am concerned).

I have owned (3) In-Win cases in the past and have like all of them very much.

Hope this helps.

 

[bozack]

best case that I have worked with yet. Cheap too.

 

[fergus]

Thanks for the positive replies! i feel confident now. I bought it today and it looks good and well built. Now all I have left to get is a mobo. Then the work begins.

 

[GroundOO]

What is this thing like relative to the A500 and Q500???

 

[SeaHarp]

The only difference between the a500 and the s500 is that the a500 is a little shorter and a little wider. The q500 is if full size tower.

 

[mechBgon]

The A500 has some other differences too. The power supply of the A500 sits sideways over the CPU, which I never liked, and last I checked it had no auxiliary rear exhaust ports, which I believe is one of the requirements for an AMD Athlon-approved case. Furthermore, the A500's top and side panels are one piece, rather than having removable sides.

Stick with the S-series, if you want my opinion. Here's a link to that new version of it: S508 with fan

 

[Sukhoi]

Question for all you guys with the S500:

Have you had any problems with the expansion slots on the motherboard not lining up with the slots on the back of the case? I have an S500, and while I can put PCI/ISA cards in, I can only screw in the bottom ISA card. All the other cards don't like up with the screw holes on the case. Do you think my case is defective, or is it probably my mobo?

I may be buying a case for a new system soon, and the S500/S506 really is exactly what I need, but I'm not interesting in buying one if I won't be able to screw in the cards on my new system either. I may have to go with the Antec KS282, though I think the S500/S506 is a nicer case overall (please correct me if I'm wrong). Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

No problems like that on mine, Sukhoi. One of the pre-formed motherboard standoffs did touch the underside of my motherboard in the area of the IDE connectors (I used an old drivers' license to insulate it, doubles as proof of ownership if it were stolen). I have an Abit BP6, not sure if it's Abit's fault or Inwin's there.

If you wanted another option, the Enlight 7237 is pretty much the same thing, although the metal is a little thinner. Very nice case, and you can find them without power supplies if you have a good PS already. Russ carries them with the Enermax and Antec PSU's over at CompuCheap.

 

[GroundOO]

ah, I see. I've been thinking about moving the PS outside but it'd be too much of a hassle. Fans are not a prob after my mods. I'll probably get a Q500 when I get the $$ to.

 

[Sukhoi]

Hmm, thanks mechBgon. Today I was over my friends house installing a V3 3000 PCI (he has an i810 mobo), and I couldn't screw it in either. I must have bad luck.

I guess I'm going to stick the S500/S506 back on my list of possible cases if I can get this new computer. I'm still going to think about getting the KS282 though, since Antec supposedly makes very nice cases. But it would be very handy to have two S500's since they would all use the same parts.

 

[vsfoxe]

Am using In-Win S500. Very pleased with it. Roomy & pretty quiet. Not too confident about fold-away front panel! Not quik-access. Has 2 screws!

 

[ToxicMussels]

I just got my InWin Q500!

I stuck in 3 Panaflo 80mm L1A's and WOW!
I wanna have sex with this thing!

I have never been so satisfied with a case......................yet!

It's the greatest thing since "sliced bread"!

Very pleased and would recommend it to anyone!

 

[Sukhoi]

<< Not too confident about fold-away front panel! >>



Me too. I've already broken off one of the tabs, and I've only opened the bezel a few times. :| The S506 has a different bezel, so it might be made better.