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Need help choosing a good case

E

efnethore

Member
hi, I'm shopping around for a case, here is my criteria:
1. aluminum case
2. at least seven 5"25 bays in the front
3. preferably a blow hole on top (optional)
4. windowed side panel (optional)

after countless hours of searching, i was only able to find 1 case that meet
my criteria, that is the coolermaster cm stacker 830. but that case would
really put a dent in my wallet (it costs around 270).

does anyone know anything cheaper? please let me know, thanks so much!
 
Hi,

A lot cheaper is the predecessor to the 830 Stacker - the CM810 stacker, still not cheap but has eleven 5.25" bays and an 80mm top fan option.

I think there are two versions, so check which you order, as I went for one for my watercool rig and cut three 120mm blowholes in the top of case for a PA120.3 triple rad (as you can mount the PSU in base area), so you could enlarge the 80mm top fan hole easily.

The verison I have also has a naff circular mesh "window" on the side, but this made adding a circular window in Acrylic very simple indeed, as I just used the naff mesh thing as the template and carefully cut the aluminium "struts" back to give a lovely big clear window that is properly screwed in place.

I also believe you can get a special side panel with an even bigger frosted window, but they aren't cheap, so I did my own in the circular shaper of the mesh thingy.

Ridesy
 
Well, I guess if the Stacker is pricey for you, then the Silverstone TJ-07 is out of the question... 😉 Hard to find Al cases with that many 5" bays. Aerocool has several with Al trim. http://www.servercase.com has the CK-800 cases that have a bit of Al trim that comes in under $100. shipped. Then there's the Tt Armor which is right up there with the Stacker in size and price. The Athenatech A800 (very similar to the CK-800) series is available in 7x5" bay versions but I have no idea where to buy one. Both ServerCase and http://www.buildtoorderservers.com carry several cases with 7 or more bays, but they are pricey too and generally not Al.
. Then there are http://www.keypower.com and http://www.bowsystem.com which sell lots of large cases. KPI sells direct but you'll have to contact Bow if you find something you want (seems like BuildToOrder sells some Bow System cases). Also check out http://www.yycase.com - yet again the problem is where to buy.

And at the low end there is Codegen which has several case styles for >=seven 5" bays. Between Newegg and Dealsonic.com you should be able to see most models - no Al at all.

.bh.
 
Lian-Li PC-V2000 plus fills all of your requirements; This model has the side window available as an option.

http://www.lian-li.com/Product/Chassis/..._Tower/V_Series/S_V_S_PC-V2000plus.htm
http://www.lian-li.com/Product/Accessories/Window_Kits.htm

Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112091
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811995003

The LLs are impressive with their construction and quality. This model is no less and is so well built. I have my 3 computers encased with LLs because of these points.

You get what you pay for. Quality costs.
 
thanks for the replies, this forum seems really warm unlike some elitists forums (i shall not name them)

cm 810 stacker looks good but i think it's secc not aluminum
same for thermaltake's armor, which i bought.

it's really hard to find an aluminum case that meet my needs for under 150..


>.<
 
re. one of your specifications: there is no evidence that a blowhole contributes significantly to cooling and may scavenge air from the PSU.

Short list of Al benefits:
1- low weight
2- sometimes appearance
3- possibly lower shipping cost due to lower weight

Longer list of Fe benefits:
1- better noise control
2- usually stronger as generally not enough Al is used in Al cases to equal its strength
3- lower cost
4- wider array of sizes/styles
5- easier to paint

Did you see the 8 or 10 bay Al ones on Keypower.com?

.bh.
 
RE: re: one of your specifications: there is no evidence that a blowhole contributes significantly to cooling and may scavenge air from the PSU.

the blowhole on top is optional, some believe it helps cooling, some believe it does nothing, but most testings from various sites have yielded a positive outcome.

as to aluminum or secc, this box is going to be like a workstation for me, the oc job will make it run hot, i don't care for the noise, after years living in the cities i'm immune to the noise. but i DO need something that dissipate heat quickly.


p.s. i just saw the 10 bay case on keypower.com, it looks very nice... how can i check the price of that? where can i buy that?
 
You can buy direct from KPI but you need to call or email them (kpi@keypowr.com) as they don't list the price of that one on the site. I think I've seen the case at some of those PC assemblers that advertize in the back of PC Magazine or PC World like Monarch Comuputer Systems and such.

And assuming similar airflow in an equally well-designed case, there will be precious little diff. between an Al. or a Fe. case re. thermal efficiency. Shown experimentally many times using the nearly identical Fe and Al versions of the same case made by Chenming et al.

.bh.
 
The current silver Armors are aluminium. Apparently weig 7.5kg. The black ones are usually steel, though.

Lian-Li's the best, but if the 830 is too much for your wallet, I'd forget an LL.
 
I would recommend the Thermaltake Armor VA8000BWS (the black, steel one). About $120 from newegg, comes with LED fans, plenty of room (tower atx) and side panel.
 
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