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Looking for a case with these characteristics

A

archcommus

Diamond Member
The things I'd like in a new case:

- midsize ATX
- motherboard tray
- thumbscrews everywhere
- sideways HDD cage
- only one intake and one exhaust fan, each 120mm

Is there one with these features? Thanks.

Updated desired feature list 1/30:

- midsize ATX
- removable normally-oriented (not sideways) HDD cage
- only one intake and one exhaust fan, each 120mm
- height under 18", depth around 19"

Removable motherboard tray not necessary, nor are thumbscrews (can use my own).
 
Originally posted by: archcommus
The things I'd like in a new case:

- midsize ATX
- motherboard tray
- thumb screws everywhere
- side loading HDD bays
- only one intake and one exhaust fan, each 120mm

Is there one with these features? Thanks.
Click to expand...

thumbscrews with only 1 intake and 1 exhaust is the problem.

Im also assuming your looking for something cheap as well?

If you dont mind buying the thumb screws seperately, some rosewell cases might fit your criteria exactly.

You can buy thumbscrews for cheap if you get them in bulk 10 or more.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I never said I was looking for cheap, up to $100 or so would be okay. And yeah I could buy my own thumbscrews, so I guess that's not really a huge factor. All the other requirements are very important, however. The side loading HDD bays I mentioned could instead be normal rear loading, but be a removable bay. I've never really considered any Rosewill products in the past, but I guess I'd give them a try if they had a case that worked for me.

Tullphan, that case appears to be full size (over 18" tall) so it wouldn't work for me, thanks though.

Lian Li will probably be the way to go. They seem to have many cases with 1 120mm intake and 1 120mm exhaust, a removable HDD bay, and of course mid-size, but I'm having trouble finding one with all that AND a motherboard tray.
 
Okay so it seems the Lian Li PC-7 series has everything I want except for a removable motherboard tray, whereas the discontinued PC-6 series had a motherboard tray, but 2 80mm intake fans like my current case instead of 1 quieter 120mm. Why would they remove the tray in the new series?? That's frustrating.
 
The Rosewill 5600 series cases have most of what you want - no mobo tray. But are fairly roomy in the mobo bay for a midTower. The only other Rosewill that are worth looking at are the R6A and R6X series. See my review here:
http://www.techIMO.com/reviews/ under Cases/YeongYang (mfr. of the cases). The Cooler Master RC-690 has a roomy mobo bay too (once you remove the wire management clips and before you put the drives in) - you don't need to use more than the F/R 120 fans, but there are mounts for LOTS more.
Take a look at the Raidmax Smilodon or Spire Pininfarina (newegg has the Pininfarina cases but doesn't make them easy to find) - the Whole right side panel folds down on a hinge taking the mobo and add-on cards with it. You can resolve the rear 120 issue with a fan adapter like this: http://i52.photobucket.com/alb...r0/fanOnWaveMaster.jpg a little cutting will be required. The Egg is so dumb that they hide one of the best features of those cases. You have to go to the mfr's sites to see the right side open.

Yup, putting a mobo drawer into a mid-tower almost forces 80mm rear fans (maybe 92mm at most) putting a 120 there requires widening the whole case - like the Global Win that Tull linked. Then there's the Silverstone TJ09/10 - WAY over your budget.

You may also want to look at the Maxtop Domino cases at www.arrowmax.com - their site is slow so be patient and they also sell on eBay. Check both for best deal. Direct link to cases page: http://www.arrowmax.com/produc...5_89_29&products_id=98 . Ooops, 19" high. The mobo pan may be removable out of the right side panel - at least my Silverstone Berserker's tray was and it was OEM by the same chassis maker. http://www.servercase.com also sells them (the A model) and has more pix.

.bh.
 
Wow! Thanks for the massive info, and for explaining why those new Lian Li's probably don't have the motherboard tray, I didn't realize the 120mm fan might affect that. Since I don't upgrade often, I guess losing the tray for the bigger rear fan is a worthy trade-off.

I will check out your links and suggestions.
 
What's the deal with a removable mobo tray anyway? Like it's too much to ask to remove the other side panel or something? You can't put a case on it's side and work on it?
 
Originally posted by: archcommus

Tullphan, that case appears to be full size (over 18" tall) so it wouldn't work for me, thanks though.

Lian Li will probably be the way to go. They seem to have many cases with 1 120mm intake and 1 120mm exhaust, a removable HDD bay, and of course mid-size, but I'm having trouble finding one with all that AND a motherboard tray.
Click to expand...

Actually, according to Globalwin's website, the dimensions are 460Hx240Wx560Dmm which converts to 18Hx9.4Wx22D (give or take a few tenths).
 
I think the Global Win specs have some errors - note the Gross and Net weight reversal... And that measurement is w/o the wheels. Sorry, Tull. You can look at the Akasa site and the UltraProducts.com site as the Akasa Eclipse 62 and the Ultra m998 are all based on the same case. The front is gray, but a can of Fusion can fix that. Probably as close to what you want as anything. Gross wt. of 22 lbs (luckily a good part of it is aluminum) so shipping shouldn't be terrible. Too bad only one source. The other versions generally sell for over $150.00. Height is 18.11" w/o wheels.

To see the Akasa versions: http://www.akasa.com.tw The Akasa cases are unobtainium in the states except that Sidewindercomputers.com sometimes gets some.

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: Zepper
The Rosewill 5600 series cases have most of what you want - no mobo tray. But are fairly roomy in the mobo bay for a midTower. The only other Rosewill that are worth looking at are the R6A and R6X series. See my review here:
http://www.techIMO.com/reviews/ under Cases/YeongYang (mfr. of the cases). The Cooler Master RC-690 has a roomy mobo bay too (once you remove the wire management clips and before you put the drives in) - you don't need to use more than the F/R 120 fans, but there are mounts for LOTS more.
Take a look at the Raidmax Smilodon or Spire Pininfarina (newegg has the Pininfarina cases but doesn't make them easy to find) - the Whole right side panel folds down on a hinge taking the mobo and add-on cards with it. You can resolve the rear 120 issue with a fan adapter like this: http://i52.photobucket.com/alb...r0/fanOnWaveMaster.jpg a little cutting will be required. The Egg is so dumb that they hide one of the best features of those cases. You have to go to the mfr's sites to see the right side open.

Yup, putting a mobo drawer into a mid-tower almost forces 80mm rear fans (maybe 92mm at most) putting a 120 there requires widening the whole case - like the Global Win that Tull linked. Then there's the Silverstone TJ09/10 - WAY over your budget.

You may also want to look at the Maxtop Domino cases at www.arrowmax.com - their site is slow so be patient and they also sell on eBay. Check both for best deal. Direct link to cases page: http://www.arrowmax.com/produc...5_89_29&products_id=98 . Ooops, 19" high. The mobo pan may be removable out of the right side panel - at least my Silverstone Berserker's tray was and it was OEM by the same chassis maker. http://www.servercase.com also sells them (the A model) and has more pix.

.bh.
Click to expand...

I've looked into the cases you recommended. I cannot find the Pinnafarina, and the Smilodon is simply too ugly for me. Both the Rosewill R5604-BK and the CM RC-690 look very good, except the R5604-BK is a little ugly and I don't like the front ports being on the top of the case (not very accessible for me). I love that the CM RC-690 has side-loading HDD bays, toolless optical drive and add-in card installation, and the PSU at the bottom! That looks very nice. However, is that front fan accessible/replaceable? I can't tell and that is important. If it is this may be the case for me. The Rosewill R6A and R6X also look good, your recommendations were spot on!

I was also looking at the CM Centurion 534 and the Lian-Li 7 series.

Originally posted by: Scoop
What's the deal with a removable mobo tray anyway? Like it's too much to ask to remove the other side panel or something? You can't put a case on it's side and work on it?
Click to expand...

You've apparently never worked with a case with a removable motherboard tray before. Opening up the other side wall will not help you at all, all that does is give you access to the rear of the stand-offs. A motherboard tray allows you to remove the motherboard and all attached cards entirely from the case, giving you all the space you need to work on it without being bothered by other cables and drives. But, I don't upgrade motherboards often, so I'm willing to give up this feature for others as long as the case is roomy enough.
 
Originally posted by: Scoop
What's the deal with a removable mobo tray anyway? Like it's too much to ask to remove the other side panel or something? You can't put a case on it's side and work on it?
Click to expand...

You've apparently never worked with a case with a removable motherboard tray before. Opening up the other side wall will not help you at all, all that does is give you access to the rear of the stand-offs. A motherboard tray allows you to remove the motherboard and all attached cards entirely from the case, giving you all the space you need to work on it without being bothered by other cables and drives. But, I don't upgrade motherboards often, so I'm willing to give up this feature for others as long as the case is roomy enough.
Click to expand...

That's why I asked 🙂 I've always had enough room having the case on it's side on the ground.
 
The front fan on the C-M RC-690 is mounted to a filter bracket - one you have the front bezel off (can be a snug mutha) it comes out easy - the side panels will fight you too - give a spray of silicone lube to the front grippers on the door and they won't be so recalcitrant after...

One thing I don't like about the 690 is that you can't really use the top surface for much with that plastic bezel on there - I haven't put the top bezel back on since I took it off to fix the front ports grounding issue - look for my thread on that. I've got my new core in the Mystique 631 sitting on top of the 690 for testing and burn-in right now. I couldn't do that with the bezel on - might scrape up the pretty plastic.
. Plus I don't like the drive trays making you put the connectors toward the right side of the case - means you have to pull both side panels and move the case to where you can get to both sides to do serious drive work. Would have been just as easy for them to make bi-directional trays, but they didn't. You can always mod the trays easily enough if you want as they are plastic. Anyhoo, I have the one I've been playing with and studying here for sale soon, it that's what you finally decide on. Click on the link in my sig.

I've just started playing with my C-M Mystique 631. A nice simple case and it's light too (mostly aluminum). A bit snugger than the others inside, but roomy enough for me. SVC has a good price on those.

Did you take another think about the Global Win that Tull linked - really as close to what you said you wanted as anything else mentioned here? Read some of the reviews of the Akasa Eclipse 62 or the Ultra m998 to get a better feel for it - only 18.11" high.

I like my ports on the upper half of my case as it sets next to my desk on a pair of Rubbermaid gun-metal gray foot stools. Each to his own poison.

.bh.
 
So the side loading HDD bays make you load the connectors towards the right side of the case? Well that seems rather dumb, why would you want them that way? Since it is on rails, however, and since the entire cage is removable, I guess it's not a real big deal, but still pretty pointless.

My main question is, what are the differences between the Centurion 534 (RC-534) and the RC-690. They seem practically identical except for the PSU being on the bottom in the 690, and the 690 is twice the price on Newegg ($80 vs. $40). Any thoughts?

The black Akasa/Ultra are alright, and definitely have all the features I'm looking for, but are just too large for my tastes. My current case is about 17 1/4" tall and 8 1/4" wide, and it feels pretty big to me. That case is over 18" tall and almost 9 1/2" wide. Plus it seems every variant of it has a window, which I don't want.

Currently the Cooler Masters are on the top of my list.
 
The 690 has places for umpteen fans (7) including one UNDER the mobo and many can be 120 or the new 140mm size - never seen such a perforated case. Then there's the bottom PSU mount and cable organizers that generally get in the way - you may find a use for one or two of them. Has filters for the front and bottom intakes. And the drive cage is NOT removable on either the 534 or 690 unless you want to drill out some pop-rivets. Plus the 690 is both deeper and taller (21 deep and 19 tall).
. If you want a removable HDD cage, then the Rosewill R6A and R6X (and the similar Compucase) series have that at about the lowest price you can find the feature. If you have a removable cage, then you don't need drive slides as it's very easy to mount the drives with screws when the cage is out on the workbench (or kitchen table, as the case may be).

SVC and ZZF have the 690 for $65. + shipp. right now - don't see any better price (except for mine on FS/).

.bh.
 
Thanks for mentioning the lack of a removable HDD cage on the CMs, I read somewhere that one of them had it, must've been an incorrect user comment on Newegg or something. A removable cage is not necessary if they are side-loading, but would be nice if they're loaded with the connectors to the right, and for getting to the front fan easier. And I forgot the 690 is so tall, that rules it out for me unfortunately. Like I said my current case is 17 1/4" tall and is about the biggest I'd want a case to be.

I mentioned earlier the Rosewill R6A and R6X looked good. Revisiting them and looking more carefully, they really do seem about perfect. The R6X looks good, is completely toolless, has a side-loading and removable HDD cage, and two 120mm fans. Everything I want except for a removable motherboard tray which I've mentioned I'm okay with giving up. Also only $65 on Newegg. The R6A seems similar but much cheaper, I'm not sure what exactly it lacks.

Smaller than the 690, better featured than the 534 (removable HDD cage), and good price. That may be the one. Like I said I've always associated Rosewill with super-budget products, but if you say it's an alright brand I will go for it.

I'm pretty much waiting for the release of the Q9300 to do this build.
 
The R6A is the same inside as the renowned Antec SLK3000-B/and identical to the current Compucase 6A series models. The 6X is an update for those who prefer the sidesaddle drive bays. About the only thing wrong with them is that the space behind the doors (on the models with a door) is pretty shallow, so the Rheobus fan controller may be out unless you are willing to recess it a bit. Those cases are less than 17" tall and just over 18" deep. I like the R5605 better as it is about an inch and a half deeper and it's all in the mobo area - and all of them are under 18" tall. The R6A/X can be a bit tight in the mobo area, and can't fit some long cards. But if you pull the HDD cage until your mobo work is done, that make for more elbow room. The 5600 series are all solid 5-egg, while the R6A/X don't seem to be quite as appreciated by their owners.

Check this on the 5600 series:
http://www.rosewill.com/Produc...uct.aspx?productId=782
- pix are mainly of the 5601 which I like too except for the dedicated floppy bay (means floppy only in that bay unless you're willing to cut the bezel).

.bh.
 
Great point about the depth of those cases, Zepper. That is definitely a bit too shallow (you flipped your measurements, it's just under 17" deep and over 18" tall, but I know you were thinking correctly). My current case is 19" deep and I really appreciate the ample space in the motherboard area. Before when we were talking about the 5600 series I was looking at the R5604-BK, which I said was kind of ugly, but I like the looks of the R5605-BK, all around a good case. However it doesn't have a removable HDD bay, so do you think front fan access would be easy? And if I'm going to give up on a removable HDD bay, then the CM Centurion 534 is also a good choice again.

So in summary so far...
The CM 690/Global Win are too tall/wide.
The R6A/R6X are too shallow.
The Lian Li 7 series may be too expensive for the features I'm getting.
The CM 534 and R5605-BK seem pretty perfect except for no removable HDD bay, which might not be a problem.

Your knowledge about this appears infinite, Zepper. I really appreciate this help.
 
The 6A series should be under 17" tall and 18.1 deep - as most mobos are 10" deep by themselves and drives are 6" (though I see the drives overhang the mobos by an inch, so total for mobo + drive is 15", plus at leas a half inch for the PCI slot bracket so there would have to be only 1.2" left for fan and Bezel - I doubt it. Once again I say: Don't trust Newegg's Specification list - check the mfr's site and several reviews to figure out what is accurate. eMail Rosewill and ask them to measure one as you doubt their listed values. And here is another review:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Artic.../Reviews/3000B_review/ that gives a better idea of the parts relationships in the 3000B case. The mobo is a Soyo Dragon Plus K7V which is 9" deep. Drives are all 6" deep, fans are 1" deep.
. The nicest R6A model they carry, IMO, is the R6AS5-BK but haven't seen them on the Egg for a while. Link: http://www.rosewill.com/produc...uct.aspx?productId=440 .

Here is a good review that will apply to all the 6A versions (the 6X is diff):
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article210-page1.html - quieter ones like the 3000-B will have a door and indirect venting at the front.
. The Evercase 4252 series mentioned in the review is still available as well as some newer versions, but they are hard to find a place to buy - link to ATX Tower page:
http://www.evercase.com/2product/index5.htm . SPCR called it one of the best designs for noise OOB. Still is. The 4502 is the latest and best version w/ 120mm fan mounts f/r.

On the R5600 series, you pop off the front bezel and the fan is right there in a snap out, purple plastic cage (having read my review of the 5604- http://www.techimo.com/reviews/ under Cases > YeongYang (OEM of the 5600s) -, one should know this little factoid). You can do away with the cage and mount with screws or what have you. The cage allows for only 25mm thick fans. W/o the cage, 38mm fans will fit.

.bh.
 
Thanks Zepper! Sorry for not reading your review, originally I thought that was only for the R5604, which I didn't like the looks of, so I skipped over it. Now I see that review applies to the entire 5600 series basically.

Unfortunately we now have a problem with the CM 534 and Rosewill 5600 and 6X: While reading the review you linked to of the Antec SLK3000B, they talked about the huge negative impact sideways HDD cages had on air intake, something I had not considered. That is not something I want as it defeats most of the purpose of having a good, large intake fan. Do you agree with this? So instead, I would rather have a normally oriented HDD cage, but removable, so drives can be pulled/inserted without being a pain with cards and such installed.

So now we're back to the R6A series being the top pick, except for the extremely shallow listed depth. I would be surprised if the specifications page on their website was wrong about the measurements, but I have emailed them to be sure. You said the SLK3000B review applied to the 6A - are they the same chassis? Because that Antec has completely different listed measurements: 18.3"(H) x 8.25"(W) x 18.6"(D). All around a really good choice, except for the fact that it's discontinued and I hate buying already discontinued products.

The current requirements, then, are: F/R 120mm, a removable normally-oriented HDD cage, and height under 18", depth at least 19" or so. I have given up on a removable motherboard tray, and I can use my own thumbscrews for things.
 
Wow, Rosewill responded already. They confirmed the measurements on the site, the case really is 16.9" deep. Considering my current case is 19", that is way too shallow.

Which case now? Hmm...
 
Check out the iStarUSA S-9 series. It's essentially the same as the Cooler Master 532 but, without the columns on the front. I personally have and use a CM532 for my main rig and it's a great case. You are absolutely right on about the sideways hard drives killing intake flow. There's an easy fix for it though that really helps boost the flow of the case. Pull the lower hard drive rack completely out and set it aside and use something like the Tt iCage in the lower 5.25" bays. Gives a pair of 120mm intakes and with the single 120mm exhaust and the psu the case should be slightly possitively pressurized to help keep dust out.
 
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