• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Mid tower black aluminum case.

I

imaheadcase

Diamond Member
Im finding it hard to find a simple black aluminum mid tower case. I prefer no window, no swing doors, basic stuff in front, prefer usb/firewall ports in lower bottom.

I would spend up to $150 if its a good one.

Anyone got some good suggestion..remember NO VOLTRON CASES included. I don't know why they market those cases to kids who can't even reach a computer on a desk..😛
 
Originally posted by: Ken90630
I personally think these cases are about as good as it gets in the category you describe. Build quality, "fit and finish" are flat out excellent.
Click to expand...

I like the praetorians too but I tired of their 80mm fans 🙁

If you're willing to spend up to $150, I'd be looking at Lian Li.
 
The Sonata II is a nice case. Piano Black finish, rear 120mm exhaust is 3-speed fan. Plain looks, no swing door, although to open it you have to swing it towards the front almost 90 degrees and than remove it, not so when you want to put it back which is done as you would with any other case, just slide it on and latch it.
 
I think I'd rather get the solo and a seperate PSU than the sonata II. Theres a thread on it here with some pics and opinions.
 
Originally posted by: jlbenedict
The Gigabyte Poseidon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811233006
Click to expand...


That gets my vote too.

Those Lian-Li's are almost a joke IMHO, I got the exact same case in silver made by SkyHawk for $24.99 shipped. Not much to them, although they are gorgeous. I just have a hard time spending so much for a case that could be sold for so much less...

Nat

*oops, sorry... I wish the whole thing was Aluminum though. The way the hard drives mount, outward, is a life saver for those who use big video cards and lots of hard drives though.
 
OP speced aluminum so that leaves many of the recommendations out. In fact, the OPs criteria read like a Lian Li spec sheet. It's either LL or Silverstone for quality aluminum w/o a door - too bad the Kingwin 424/Beantech Igloo are no longer available... But if you want to spend less money, there are still a few of the Shyhawk MSR series floating around. Check Dealsonic, Mwave, Froogle, eBay.

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: skooma
Originally posted by: Ken90630
I personally think these cases are about as good as it gets in the category you describe. Build quality, "fit and finish" are flat out excellent.
Click to expand...

I like the praetorians too but I tired of their 80mm fans 🙁

If you're willing to spend up to $150, I'd be looking at Lian Li.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I hear you and agree that 92 or 120mm fans would be preferable. However, unless the user is running a rig with inferno-producing components (scorching vid card & CPU), the case will be plenty cool enough. Remember, the Praetorian has a top-mounted blowhole fan in addition to the front & rear 80mm fans. As such, I think the cooling capabilities of this case are more than adequate. A computer case simply needs to remove internally-produced heat fast enough to prevent damage to the components inside -- contrary to what some poeple think, the fans don't have to create an environment that resembles an igloo. 😛

I'll also say that I don't think the material quality of the Lian Li's compare to the Praetorian (or WaveMaster). I've touched/handled Lian Li cases, and I own a Praetorian and WaveMaster. There's simply no comparison -- the Lian Li's just look and feel so much less 'substantial' than the Cooler Master cases do. Whether it's the thickness/finish of the aluminum, the paint quality, the precision & 'solidness' of the construction, the weight or whatever, the Lian Li's feel 'cheap' in direct comparison to the Cooler Master cases. Ditto the Antec Sonatas -- flimsy feel and cheapy paint job [Earl Scheib? 😀 ], if you ask me. Just 'cuz they use 120mm fans doesn't make them better all-around cases. As I've said before, you have to touch/handle the Cooler Master cases in person to appreciate them -- pictures don't come close to doing them justice.

Cases are, of course, subjective. It totally depends on your priorities -- if having 120mm fans is absolutely critical, then the Praetorian is not the case for you. But if build quality, fit & finish are more important, I think choosing the Praetorian (or WaveMaster) is a no-brainer. But hey -- to each his own. We choose the cases that'll make us happy, not other people.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top