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My Silverstone Dilemna

B

BigHurt

Senior member
Ok, well for the past month and a half, I have been on the lookout for a nice case that fits all the requirements I had:
Midsize, Aluminum, Front USB/Audio headers, No front door panel covering drives, and 120mm internal fans.

I was originally looking at the Chenbro Gaming Bomb II, but decided against it due to it being just a little too mac'ish. Ive looked at Lian-Li and despite the praise everyone gives them, I do not find their cases that attractive, nor do I like the front mesh/vent holes, that appear to attract dust.

Then just the other day, VOILA, i saw the Silverstone TJ02/ TJ04 and thought I might have found everything I was interested in. Aluminum, no front door, front headers, 120mm internal fans. YAY.

But no sooner did I think I found the perfect case for my liking, I noticed that people seemed to complain about space issues when installing their power supply.

Now my new system is an a64 3500+ (running my thermalright xp-120 once i decide on a fan), asus sli-deluxe, 6800gt pcie, and an ocz 500 watt ps. Space is definitely an issue. I do not want a highly cramped system case, but am definitely sick and tired of my antec 1030 server case.

The other downside was that this Silverstone TJ04 was not completely aluminum, but rather .8mm SECC Body, with Aluminum front panel. Bummer.

So, now I was debating between the TJ03 which is completely aluminum, but sports the 2x 80mm fans (which i was trying to avoid), and the TJ04 with its possible cramped case space and non aluminum chasis.
The front door panel is not such a big deal, but I am really trying to avoid 80mm fans again.

If anyone wants to give me some insight, it would be appreciated.

Help BigHurt find a case!

 
I was considering the TJ-02/04 but decided against it due to the lack of meaningful front intake area. The current intake is under the front bezel and it's blocked by a restrictive opening not to mention the USB ports are right in the middle of the opening blocking it further. From the looks of the photos, the TJ-03 does not look much better.

As for the steel chassis, I say thumbs up:thumbsup: Aluminum is light but is not the best for a quiet rig since it buzzes and vibrates.

My vote goes to the TJ-05. It's large and has excellent airflow. It would make a great low noise project since it has lots of airflow potentional; you can move lots of air though using low speed fans.

Good luck.

Ed
 
The TJ02,TJ04 & TJ05 all have what seems to be a restrictive exhaust grill.Check out the TJ06 and see how you like it.But for me the TJ03 is still king.
 
I have both the TJ03 & the CM Stacker, both are nice cases. I prefer the stacker because of the 3 - 120mm fans I have in it. As for the TJ03, I'm giving it to my brother for his new system. (3500+,DFI,6800GT) ..

Both cases have alot of room to work in... I did not like the cooling of the TJ03, but I fixed the lower front door.. I brought the lower door to a machine shop and had them computer cut
a hole to mount a Dragon Laser cut grill.. Now it's perfect & professional looking. It really is a beautiful case...

Anyway other 120mm cases I'd look at if I were you are the following:l

http://www.overclockers.com/articles1103/

available at: http://www.computernerd.com/ycc-61f1.html

and the CompuCase LX6a-19 at directron.com this case only cost $39 , but is only 17" deep. You will have problems w/ long video cards interfering w/ the hd cage.

If I had to rate the cases here's my list:

1 - CM Stacker - Best cooling & very roomy
2- TJ03 - Very Attractive & very roomy, good cooling
3- Aska/GlobalWin - Best cooling & most room out of the mid-towers
4 - GameBomb2 - Very Attractive & good cooling, most expensive
5- CompuCase LX6a-19 - Very best value $39, good cooling, a little cramp


Regards,
Jose
 
If I were to choose a brand-new case to buy, I would be seriously comparing the Lian Li V1x00 series, the Silverstone TJ06 and the Coolermaster Stacker.

According to your requirements, the Stacker is a bit too big for you. You don't like the "style" of the Lian Li's, but let me tell you -- they offer some tremendous advantages in cooling with a simple ducting of heatsink air to the exhaust fan. The placement of the exhaust lends itself to the simplicity of the ducting solutiion.

Similarly, the Silverstone TJ06. What a way to cool your CPU.

I purchased a Coolermaster Wavemaster -- significantly moved by the "style" feature. I was disappointed with the cooling capabilities. There are tradeoffs with anything you buy. But I won't trade performance for style anymore.
 
in hot deals theres a coolermaster cavalier with window for 49 bucks, but still uses secc chasis, and front door... the thing i dislike the most is the audio ports /usb and firewire ports being tucked on the sides of the case... just makes everything tight when you have to bend cords etc..

main things i dislike about the lian li:
very long in depth
most have wheels on bottom of case
front vent holes promote dust.
overall look.

just have never struck me as sleek or practical, and are almost bulky at best.

i doubt id ever be picking up a lian li based on my impressions thus far, and i know about everyones undying affection towards these cases... but sorry, not my bag baby.
 
BigHurt, what's more important to you ? looks or space or cooling ??

The TJ02 has 80mm fans (loud & pushes less air than 120mm)
The TJ04 has a intake venting issue( not big enough imho).

That leaves you w/ the 3 mid- tower cases:

Aska/GlobalWin - Best cooling & most room out of the mid-towers (9.45x22x18) wxdxh $129
GameBomb2 - Very Attractive & good cooling, most expensive (9.3x20.6x21) $176
CompuCase LX6a-19 - Very best value $39, good cooling, a little cramp (8.27x16.93x18.11) $39

Regards,
Jose
 
I just got a TJ06 and put in a OCZ PowerStream 520W with plenty of room to spare... Take a look at that case...

Oh, just as a quick overview.. this case comes with 2 120mm fans and a "wind tunnel" which slots over your CPU/Memory configuration. The WindTunnel comes with an attachment in case you are running a dual processor system..

When you order this case and receive it, be sure to examine the clips to hold the sides on when you get it. Alot of people (including me) have received this case with those clips broken. NewEgg was good about it and is shipping me 4 new ones. Other than that, this case is solid and has plenty of room.
 
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