Need help picking out a new case

[Static EMP]

I just bought all brand new parts to build a PC. I ordered this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811133024

...And it's absolutely horrible. I need help finding a new case. I was hoping someone can tell me what the best brand to get is. I thought Thermaltake was a good one, and I'm tempted to buy another one since a lot of them look cool, but I'm afraid it's going to be just like this one. There are other Thermaltakes that are top sellers on Newegg, but I don't know if I will have the same problems.

For the record, these were the problems I ran into in a nutshell:

I spent a myriad of hours trying to install my parts, until I finally realized that that nobody, not even a noob, should have to spend that much time building a PC. The instructions are absolutely horrible and inaccurate. I could not even install my floppy drive because the drive bay could not be removed (contrary to the manual's seemingly simple "remove the drive bay" statements). It was impossible, even with needlenose pliers to get the screws in to mount it. The hard drives were almost as difficult -- I say almost, because after enough blood (yes I cut myself many times) and sweat, I was able to fanagle the screws in to mount them.
Also, the cable names (especially the FireWire ones) are not labeled well -- it was very confusing trying to hook them to an ASUS board. I saw a Thermaltake manual for a DIFFERENT case that made these a little more clear, which just ended up worrying me about the inconsistency of this brand.

 

[Zepper]

Well, the Kandalf is just a variation on the Armor and many seem to like that. I tried to DL a manual for it w/o success. Perhaps starting with something a little simpler would be the way to go for a first custom build - plus old WCing hands would probably say that most pre-installed systems aren't worth what they cost you.

A builders guide like the one at mechbgon.com can make it easier as well. As perhaps you aren't aware of basic things like that there are several sizes of screws used on computers and they are used in specific places: M3 metric screws are used to mount floppy drives and optical drives but not much else unless your case is a Lian Li, and 6-32 thread are used on hard drives and most other places. But some cases use the metric screws for the mobo mounts and others use the number 6. And there are shorter and longer versions of each size - the shortest that will work are what you use on the drives (preferably less than 3/16 of thread length).

Since your Member Profile doesn't show much, I don't know where you live but check out the Rocketfish case threads here and in the Hot Deals section. It is a large impressive case that is generally easy to work with, cools very well on air and can be tricked out for WCing later. Plus it would have saved you a bundle over the Kandalf and can be picked up for $120 or less at your local BestBuy. If you are in the northeast quadrant of the country, I have a couple of them for sale if your nearby BBs aren't selling for less.

.bh.

 

[aigomorla]

lol zepper he's probably talking about the LCS component.

If im not mistaken, thats the kandolf LCS.

Yeah watercooling isnt easy to setup unless you do some research. Building your first loop can take up to 2-3 hours setting up, then an additional 6-12hr leak testing.

:T

If your returning that i dont know if newegg will take it back because you had to of cut the tubing, and used the coolant. Plus the blocks are probably now wetted.

How about just ditching the watercooling aspect of it, and using that case for air. The front could easily house and mod 3 120mm fans to blow inside and would make a pretty decient air case as well.


Anyhow lets assume newegg does take the return, and you eat the restocking fee.

Keeping the price near, i would recomend this one. And you wont cut yourself on it unless its via tools, or you just like rubbing the edge of the side panel.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112066

 

[Old Hippie]

Oh my, you sure made a pricey poor decision.

I'm with aigomorla. Don't rush into that watercooling stuff. I don't have a liquid cooled machine, but there's a lot more going on than meets the eye.

If ya still wanna go for it, you have "Mr. Water Cooled" (Aigomorla) for personal assistance. :thumbsup:

 

[Static EMP]

Thanks for the replies -- to clarify, I never even got to the water cooling part. And I was using the right screws to mount -- my problems were caused by the fact that the manual states to simply squeeze and pujll out-ward the tool-free clip at the desired slot, and then slide out the device tray. But that's inaccurate, because some of the device trays (the floppy in particular) seem to be bolted on there. I saw that there were a couple of screws already bolting them on so I took those out, only to find that it was still bolted on, probably on the other side which would have been insane to get to. It doesn't slide out like the manual says it does. In addition, the hard drive cage, although it does slide out, makes it extremely difficult to secure a hard drive with a screw. Imagine dropping a screw a few inches and hoping it falls straight into the screw hole. Plus, the opening to drop is so small that it broke my new screwdriver. In the manual it also refers to labels FDI, HDD, and FDD that designate where to screw, yet these labels are nowhere to be found on the device trays. Hopefully that clears things up a little.

 

[thegisguy]

Well if you haven't attempted the water cooling set up on that case I say return it. Based on what you have said I don't think you should be attempted Water cooling anyway. I think a basic air cooling system would be better for you. The Antec 900 has removable drive cages since that seems to be a big deal to you. It's also got great air flow...

The Antec P-182 is another popular choice.

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: thegisguy
Well if you haven't attempted the water cooling set up on that case I say return it. Based on what you have said I don't think you should be attempted Water cooling anyway. I think a basic air cooling system would be better for you. The Antec 900 has removable drive cages since that seems to be a big deal to you. It's also got great air flow...

The Antec P-182 is another popular choice.

I have to agree with thegisguy...I'm the happy owner of two Antec 900's and they were on sale at the egg. Very nice case, easy to work with, doesn't break the bank, great for air cooling and quiet. What more can you ask for in a case.

 

[legoman666]

Steer clear away from anything Thermaltake. In my mind, "Thermaltake" is associated with gaudy, tacky, expensive ($280 wtf) and overrated. Take a look at some nice Lian-Lis.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112065
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112061 <- If I didn't make my own cases, I'd buy this.

 

[MarcVenice]

+1 for p182, installing everything was as easy as it ever could be. No blood lost or bloodtransfusions needed. Probably took me 30 minutes to get everything in there.