• 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.

Modded desktop cases

A

amfriedman

Junior Member
I am building a desktop computer for my 10 year old daughter. She wants a "cool" case. I really don't want to do any modding. Does anybody know any good websites or manufacturers of modded (or it least non-generic) DESKTOP computer cases (not tower).

Thanks.
Alan
 
You and your daughter will enjoy Case Arts at www.directron.com. You will find them
under cases and fans. Be sure to check the close-out sales, as some are there for cheap.

For a 10 year old girl they even have one covered with flowers 🙂 The guys here really
got a good laugh out of that one but for a young girl, she might love it. Let us know what her
pick is.



Galvanized
 
Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
You and your daughter will enjoy Case Arts at www.directron.com. You will find them
under cases and fans. Be sure to check the close-out sales, as some are there for cheap.

For a 10 year old girl they even have one covered with flowers 🙂 The guys here really
got a good laugh out of that one but for a young girl, she might love it. Let us know what her
pick is.



Galvanized
Click to expand...


Thanks. I checked them out. There are some great designs, but I couldn't find any that are desktops, only towers. Do you have any other ideas?

Thanks.
Alan
 
Sorry, amfriedman. Maybe if you did a search for Case Arts website or emailed
directron. There are several that post here that are really into what is avalible and
where to buy. Give it 24 hours, then bump your thread.
A mid-tower would offer more room to work and the up-gradeability is there.

I know what a desktop is by definition but my mid-tower is 28" off the floor because the
air is cleaner off the floor. So i consider it a desktop ;-)


Galvanized


Xoxide has a selection of desktops, but none are moddedLINK
 
The CoolerMaster Cavalier desktop cases look pretty good without modding, as does the Enermax Venus in blue/silver (if you can live with using a microATX mobo)... Similar cases to the Enermax are also available from Athenatech and others. Perhaps a look at the Chenming 118 or the Aspire X-Qpack might be worthwhile as well. All can be seen on Newegg (which may or may not have the best bottom-line price on any given model).

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: amfriedman
10 year old daughter

wants a "cool" case

don't want to do any modding

DESKTOP computer cases (not tower)
Click to expand...

I broke it down to the basics.

For a classier look, check out the various HTPC cases. They are all horizontally oriented for the "desktop" style and many look like stereo equipment. I recently got a Cooler Master ATC-620C that holds a standard ATX PSU but a mATX motherboard.

The Aspire X-Qpack cases are popular. You can choose from a number of color schemes and even with or without side windows. They take mATX motherboards.

Other options are slim mATX cases that have the CDROM parallel to the motherboard. None of them have super innovative styling (AKA "I'm a 15 year old boy gamer") but there are black/silver options, some even with stealthed CDROMs. Logisys even makes a clear acrylic model. Note that most of these can be used as either desktop or tower, though using it as a tower means your optical drive needs to support vertical operation.

One other option would be to get a Shuttle mini system with acrylic face. Those have a paper backing for the acrylic which you can replace. Shuttle makes "kits" for these, but you can basically just print out some images on paper and use the original backing for a template for cutting - basically the whole front of the case becomes a picture frame (minus optical drive unless you stealth it). Not too difficult to do. Shuttle SS56GV3 would do the trick for an inexpensive setup. The SiS chipset allows you to use the dirt cheap "high density 128x4" RAM on the market - I picked up some on Ebay for $55 shipped for a 1GB stick!!! With a minor pin mod you can use mobile P4 or Celeron chips in these (check "For Sale" forum or Ebay, many to choose from under $50 with a possible easy overclock to 3GHz+). These have integrated video, but also an AGP slot for upgradability, plus have good cooling for the CPU and are reasonably quiet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top