Looking for a good quality, cheap case

[Elcs]

Im looking to move upmarket from my 5+ year old, generic case which has edges you could shave off, they are that sharp.

Im aiming to keep a pretty small case, I only need 3 lx 5 1/2" bays. Im not likely to expand to any more in the next few years. Id like at least 2 pre-designed slots for 120mm fans. 5/7V'ing the 120mm fans should keep the noise down and cooling acceptable. My current 12V 80mm L1A's are pushing enough air and providing enough "quiteness".

I want to keep this as cheap as possible and I dont need a PSU bundled in. Im not particularly interested in the looks of it and I dont have a material preference although the cheaper material is preferred.

I really want a decent case that can fit these criteria and wont cause me to spend £££'s on bandages. I dont want to go generic again.

 

[0roo0roo]

antec or antec clone

 

[NetDevil]

Slk 3000b

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: NetDevil
Slk 3000b

Looking good and nice price.

My minor gripe is I was looking at some 120mm Panaflo L1A's and they seem to be 38mm deep. The 3000B only takes 120x25mm's. Would it be easy to mod them to fit or are there any reasonable other solutions to the 3000B?

 

[Zepper]

Yup, the 3000-b is hard to beat - best price has been from Amazon or Provantage. The Evercase 42x2 series is equally nice (see the reviews on silentpcreview.com ) but you will probably need to order the HD cushions direct from Evercase as the online vendors don't order them properly equipped... Front fan location only holds up to 92mm fan, but can be modded out if needed. The Athenatech A600 series are also very nice, but you do get a PSU thrown in. You would have to mod in your own HD cushions if desired. And I don't care for the side-saddle drive mount fad.

.bh.

 

[furballi]

SLK3000B @ $45.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: furballi
SLK3000B @ $45.

SLK3000B-UK @ ~£33. Considering I paid £30 for my old generic case with generic PSU around 5 years ago, its very reasonable.

It does seem perfect to me apart from the 120mm fan mounts are 120x25 and not 120x38. I was looking to use Panaflo 120mm L1A's which happen to be 38mm deep.

Looking at the SLK3000B, there seems to be an 80mm fan mount on the side of the case. Can anyone confirm that... or is that just a vent?

 

[furballi]

The top round opening is for a duct designed to cool the CPU. You can also bolt an 80 mm fan here.

There is also another vent at the bottom, to cool the video card. You could drill a few holes to mount a 60 mm case fan to cool the video card.

The front 120 mm fan opening will accept a 120 x 38 fan. Just bolt it directly to the case. You can put any 120 mm case fan at the rear.

The case also features tool-less design (quick release) for the optical bay, floppy bay, and hard drive bay. The left and front covers also snap out without tools.

 

[c1001]

Look at the Compucase LX-6A19. Available from Directron for $40 (price just went up from $36). Antec clone but without the fugly plastic door. It is dead silent.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: furballi
The top round opening is for a duct designed to cool the CPU. You can also bolt an 80 mm fan here.

There is also another vent at the bottom, to cool the video card. You could drill a few holes to mount a 60 mm case fan to cool the video card.

The front 120 mm fan opening will accept a 120 x 38 fan. Just bolt it directly to the case. You can put any 120 mm case fan at the rear.

The case also features tool-less design (quick release) for the optical bay, floppy bay, and hard drive bay. The left and front covers also snap out without tools.

Music to my ears. Ill check a local fair this weekend. Dont fancy ordering a case online. Shipping charges are bound to be extortionate.

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: furballi
The top round opening is for a duct designed to cool the CPU. You can also bolt an 80 mm fan here.

Ive just got my case and put it all together. How do I mount an 80mm fan on this duct? Without fiddling around with it, Its not looking like it will work or I cant see what way would be best to do it.