Looking for cases that have these feature

[crystal]

Prefer ATX Mid tower and less than $200 total.

All aluminum
No side windows
Don't really care for side fans
Removable MB rack
Removable HDDs case
Big, sturdy and roomy

Basically I am looking for a clean looking case that will let me have an easy access to the components. There will be no OC on my part so it will not need to have any exotic cooling. Lian-Li & SilverStone make the "clean looking" cases that I was looking for, but WOW they are expensive.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm personally not all that fond of Midtower cases, but there are plenty around which fill your bill -- maybe not at your preferred price.

But here's a question with some observations. Why do you insist that the case be "all aluminum?" There are several cases with SECC steel frames and aluminum exterior.

If it is a matter of "looks," those would fill your bill. If it is a matter of "cooling through aluminum's greater thermal conductivity than steel," the advantages are a myth. so the only remaining "plus" would be overall case weight.

Without "exotic" cooling solutions, a thoughtful selection of cooling fans and their deployment for proper airflow would make the choice of case-metal insignificant to your cooling needs.

On the matter of side-panel fans. Usually -- and I'm among that group of people -- users object to side-panel fans because they tend to be noisier. However, some newer case designs -- like the CoolerMaster Stacker 830 (pricier) and the NZXT "Zero" -- provide a frame or panel for four 120mm intake fans. Running four such fans with low noise ratings and at lower speeds is likely to be a very quiet configuration, and they will provide pressure to the case that would enhance cooling and facilitate one or more properly placed exhaust fans.

The Stacker 830 is currently being sold at Newegg for an after-rebate price of about $219. the "Zero" can be had for an after-rebate price of $119. Both of these are "full-tower" cases, but you're likely to find midtower models that fill the bill. I only offered them as examples, per the side-panel fan issue.

I'll defer more specific advice to others who may review your thread.

 

[Zepper]

Here's one: http://www.directron.com/rc631kkn1.html . If you could learn to tolerate a side window, http://www.svc.com has the same case as above for less than $50.00 after rebate and plus shipping. They may also have some of the 632 version for under $100. Most of the 632 cases you see around now are the S version which has the steel case w/ an aluminum bezel.

If you can wait a while, Silverstone will have their new Kublai KB01/01 series out, but it is also a steel chassis with an aluminum bezel. Can be had with or w/o window. The Gigabyte Aurora cases are aluminum, but may all have windows. Most reasonably priced cases with a mobo drawer have 80mm rear fan(s) which compromise cooling. Don't really need it unless case is cramped inside.

Here are a few sites that carry most of the aluminum cases currently available. Just a few stops to see them all.

http://www.sundialmicro.com
http://www.silverpcs.com
http://www.performance-pcs.com This web site gives me problems when I use Sea Monkey (my default browser). Works OK w/ IE, IDK about other browsers.

The Silverstone Temjin 5 (SST-TJ05) has lots of elbow room - nice looking aluminum front. Has steel chassis though. Reasonable price for this size of case. One of my fave cases. Sundial has it in silver w/o window - sometimes you can find black w/o window via Froogle. I generally don't care for black cases - too depressing...

I generally don't care for L-L stuff either as it has too little in the way of modern conveniences in the reasonable price models, but I might be able to tolerate the recent PC-A12 and similar.

.bh.

 

[crystal]

Thanks for the responses. When I was typing up the questions, I was browsing newegg and somehow miss the aluminum/steel options.
Since I don't OC but do like to upgrade, I guess I was looking for a case that got plenty of room to work with. The reason I don't like side panel fan - that is just more wire I have to manage. How is iStarUSA build quality? S-9-H34 look interesting.

P.S. seems like newegg offers Kublai KB01/01 series.

thx.

 

[MarcVenice]

What about p182, only thing it doesn't have is a removable motherboard plate. Has everything else though.

 

[Zepper]

That particular iStar is basically the same case as many of the Coolermaster Centurion models and just as well made. The extra cost for this model is all in the 4-drive, Hot-Swap cage. If that's something you need, then there you are. Coolermaster also sells a variant with integrated Hot-Swap bays called the iTower 930 (RC-930) - not easy to find a place to buy it in the US though (looks like mWave was blowing them out recently at $60. - gone now...). i-Star had been strictly in the server/OEM market - they've made several missteps in trying to crack the consumer side of things.

Many case companies put their label on variants of that same case design. About all they lack on my Casitude? scale are noise isolation for the HDDs (rubber bushings, etc.) and indirect air paths at the front to reduce noise.

Here's another case with lots of elbow room: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811103012 - side fans are really all you need except one in front of HDDs to make sure they get some air across them...

Yeah, I see the Egg has the Kublai series already. Their prices are high. Units with window are supposed to be about $10. more than units w/o. Probably find better bottom line using Froogle, etc.

Someone just reminded me of the Thermaltake Eureka. If it was made of stronger stuff, you could climb in and take a nap. Very light for its size. IDK why the Egg no longer carries it, but it's out there. The Tt Shark is the same case with a gaudier appearance.

.bh.

The p182 has little aluminum just thin sheets on plastic make up the outside, rest is steel.
That series isn't bad if your major goal is quiet. Lots of places sell Antec for less than the Egg. .bh.