Looking for a case, have a couple requirements...

[Sqube]

- The case needs to be relatively light. I'll be carrying it around every so often (particularly once the summer kicks in), and I'd just as soon not throw my back out.

- No. lights.

- No side window. The wiring job isn't going to be impressive in there, so there's not going to be anything to show off.

- Removable side panel.

- Ideally, it should be tool-less or require a minimal amount of tool usage in order to put the rig together.

- Needs to be able to fit the EVGA 8800GTS (G92) in there.


If anybody's aware of a case that meets all of those requirements, I'd greatly appreciate it. My aesthetic tends towards minimalism, silver, and black.

Thanks in advance, as always.

 

[Zepper]

The only ones I know of in that description have side windows, but that can be fixed with a roll of heavy duty Reynolds' aluminum foil or some plastic-safe spray paint... Antec Super Lanboy (in the B-Stock store on their site) or the Cooler Master Mystique 631 like I have for sale in my FS/T listing linked in my sig below. Both are light aluminum cases.

.bh.

 

[Sheninat0r]

Lian-Li?

 

[nevbie]

Originally posted by: Sqube
- The case needs to be relatively light. I'll be carrying it around every so often (particularly once the summer kicks in), and I'd just as soon not throw my back out.

Cardboard box. Well.. I'm not entirely sure if it can endure a lot of carrying.. but it is easier to modify than plastic or metal cases.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- No. lights.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- No side window. The wiring job isn't going to be impressive in there, so there's not going to be anything to show off.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- Side door. Obvious.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- Ideally, it should be tool-less or require a minimal amount of tool usage in order to put the rig together.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- Needs to be able to fit the EVGA 8800GTS (G92) in there.

Big enough cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
If anybody's aware of a case that meets all of those requirements, I'd greatly appreciate it. My aesthetic tends towards minimalism, silver, and black.

Thanks in advance, as always.

Ouch. Well you can uh.. paint it silver and black?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: nevbie

Originally posted by: Sqube
- The case needs to be relatively light. I'll be carrying it around every so often (particularly once the summer kicks in), and I'd just as soon not throw my back out.

Cardboard box. Well.. I'm not entirely sure if it can endure a lot of carrying.. but it is easier to modify than plastic or metal cases.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- No. lights.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- No side window. The wiring job isn't going to be impressive in there, so there's not going to be anything to show off.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- Side door. Obvious.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- Ideally, it should be tool-less or require a minimal amount of tool usage in order to put the rig together.

Cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
- Needs to be able to fit the EVGA 8800GTS (G92) in there.

Big enough cardboard box.

Originally posted by: Sqube
If anybody's aware of a case that meets all of those requirements, I'd greatly appreciate it. My aesthetic tends towards minimalism, silver, and black.

Thanks in advance, as always.

Ouch. Well you can uh.. paint it silver and black?

This is going to sound entirely sarcastic but, I'm actually serious. What kind of cardboard would you suggest? And would you build an actual enclosed case or, more of a torture rack?

 

[nevbie]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
This is going to sound entirely sarcastic but, I'm actually serious. What kind of cardboard would you suggest? And would you build an actual enclosed case or, more of a torture rack?

I know nothing of cardboard types. I don't know what kind of case the OP is trying to find exactly, but if he has trouble finding a case that fulfills his requirements, it is always possible to try creating something of your own.

Personally I'm going to build my next build (Q9450 and stuff) to a cardboard box. More accurately, it is a LCD monitor package. Perfect size. I will "build" an enclosed case myself.. that means, I'll close the side that I opened when I took the monitor out from there. I'd imagine enclosed makes airflow simpler (like a wind tunnel). The hardest part is finding a power button, as cardboard boxes don't usually come with one. I salvaged a front panel with all connectors from the cheapest case obtainable. Because of Intel, my project is still ongoing though.

What is the purpose of the case anyway? To keep the PC parts together while carrying it around? Then put them in a bag.

To not break them while carrying them? Hmm.. you'll want to keep the parts from bashing each other. A modified briefcase perhaps? With tight cells for each part? There are endless amount of possibilities!

Unless.. finding a power button is too difficult.. or any of the other external connectors/front panel lights.

 

[Sqube]

It wasn't so much that I was having trouble finding what I was looking for. Instead, I figured on polling the knowledgeable folks on AT to see what would be recommended.

The cardboard box solution, while intriguing, isn't exactly what I had in mind.

 

[MarcVenice]

If zepper doesn't know of one, I doubt you'll fine one. I personaly don't know of any with a sidedoor. I'd say p182, because I love that case, but no sidedoor. You didn't state a budget either ? Hmmm, the p182 isn't really light btw. You want a midtower I presume ?

 

[Zepper]

Hey Mark,

I think by "side door" he means, removable side panel. At least that's my assumption.

.bh.

 

[MarcVenice]

Allright. What actually constitutes a light case ? I have no trouble carrying my p182 around, but then again I'm young and I work out, I can imagine my dad not being so happy having to carry my p182 around.

 

[Zepper]

The two I mentioned up the line there are light. The Super Lanboy is around 8 pounds net. And the Mystique 631 is 11.5 pounds net - remove the (easily removable) front door and it's over a pound lighter.
. I'd say those are light for cases that can take a full ATX mobo. Most steel ATX midTower cases are about 16 pounds and up. The last steel mid I had here (SST-KL01B) was about 19 pounds net (a good piece of that was in the thick, extruded aluminum door) and the CM-690 which I consider a maxi-mid weighed 22 pounds net. And I have an ancient (in Internet years) Enlight mid here that weighs over 20. But then, I have the huge Rocketfish here that weighs less than 19 net. The other cases I have here right now are large and heavy, but they aren't mid tower ATX cases either (EATX server size jobs) - they both punch 30 a good whack on the way up...

.bh.

 

[Sqube]

MarcVenice: The budget isn't much of an issue. I think the upper limit for cases is like $300, so I'd like to remain under that. As far as the weight issue is concerned, the P182 looks to weigh about 36 pounds filled up. I certainly don't think I'd have an issue with carrying it around, but I think I'm just spoiled because the case I'm using right now doesn't weight much of anything (Thermaltake Tsunami, about 18 pounds full). Will the 8800GTS fit into the P182? It's definitely looking intriguing.

Zepper: Yeah, I did mean a removable side panel. I just couldn't think of those words. The OP has been edited accordingly.

In any event, thanks for the recommendations that have come in so far. I'll keep looking into it; the case for me is out there somewhere.

 

[CheerUpEmoKid]

Antec Sonata II. i love the thing. apparently its deactivated on newegg :S. it does have a light on the front panel, but you dont have to hood it up. amazing case

http://www.newegg.com/product/...x?Item=N82E16811129155

 

[MarcVenice]

I'd say go with the p182, you'll have a bit of a work out for when you visit a lanparty and sit behind the PC for hours in a row It will fit a 8800gts just fine. It will in fact fit any videocard, but some videocards might require you to remove the middle HD cage, which isn't a problem, because you can have 4 HDD's in the lower HDD area which is the best place for HDD's anyways.

There are other sleek looking cases though, I like the Cosmos S for example. Not the regular one, but the S edition, does cost 250$ though Or this Lian Li case, which are always qaulity cases: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112155

This is one is pretty good to I think: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112066

Then there this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112122 which I think is what the RocketFish case is based on, can buy one for 85$ from zepper. This one might actually be the 'lightest' out of all of these

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, thanks for the plug, Mark - he's in Maryland so the shipping shouldn't be too outrageous, but he should check his area Best Buy stores first. I suggest checking by phone. But this case is very large and not that easy to carry even though it is light.

.bh.