Need help with choosing a new case

[rdukeman]

Right now I am upgrading my computer to give to my brother. I currently have a Sonata I case. I am planning on building a e6600 machine. I already bought a 550w PSU which I may transfer to the new case I buy and put that one it comes with in the Sonata, or I might buy a PSU-less case and continue to use the stock psu in the sonata case. I just don't want it to give my bro any trouble since it's about 4 years old.

So I was looking at this:
http://www.arrowmax.com/product_info.php?products_id=138

It's a very cheap case which I am assuming has cheap fans too? Since I paid 100$ for my PSU already it is like buying a 130$ case I suppose. Which is why I may go ahead and get a p180 or a Lian Li.

Any help anyone can give me would be much appriciated. I don't mind buying a cheap case like this and supplying my own fans. In fact, I assume it would be cheaper. And I could use the stock fans for a few months and maybe buy a new fan every two weeks when I get paid.

 

[imported_wicka]

You've gotta watch out with the cheap cases, you really can't comprehend how ****** some of these are until you get one. I ordered one - from Newegg, of all places - that had the front bezel completely broken off because the supports were so thin and brittle. Usually the metal itself is too thin and comes warped or dented, or both. If you have $100 to spend on a case I wouldn't necessarily spend it all, as sometimes it's not worth it, but Cooler Master has some good cases for around $50-$70. On the low end, Rosewill has some extremely cheap cases that are built surprisingly well (i.e. http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811147024).

 

[buzzsaw13]

Check this out:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119047

Centurion 5, $35AR and $16 for shipping, or you can jump in on one of those Antec SLK case deals.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

for $100, the best case you can get: Lian-Li PC-7bB Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112099

best quality, quietness 2 x 120mm fans that spin at 1500rpm, a good balance between quietness and airflow, looks great and lightweight. centurion 5 is a decent case, but has inadequate cooling, front instake is a small slow 80mm fan that is blocked off so doesn't get much cool air into the case, resulting in hot hdd's and overall warmer temp inside. decent quality tho.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: rdukeman
I don't mind buying a cheap case like this and supplying my own fans. In fact, I assume it would be cheaper. And I could use the stock fans for a few months and maybe buy a new fan every two weeks when I get paid.

Exactly!

And you don't have to worry about 'crack heads' stealing it from your trailer, when you're at work... :laugh:

 

[natethegreat]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
for $100, the best case you can get: Lian-Li PC-7bB Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112099

best quality, quietness 2 x 120mm fans that spin at 1500rpm, a good balance between quietness and airflow, looks great and lightweight. centurion 5 is a decent case, but has inadequate cooling, front instake is a small slow 80mm fan that is blocked off so doesn't get much cool air into the case, resulting in hot hdd's and overall warmer temp inside. decent quality tho.

This is the centurion that you want to buy:Centurion 534 Can be had for $50 shipped after rebate, it doesn't have an 80mm fan like the Centurion 5, but you will want to buy a 120mm for an exhaust.
2 really good deals are:
Rosewill R6A34-BK ~$52 shipped
Antec SLK 3000-B ~$50 shipped

 

[gordanfreeman]

i was able to pick up a p180 direct from antec B-stock for ~$100 and it arrived in perfect condition from what i could tell. Would definately do it again-sweet case for a good deal cheaper than retail and brand new!

 

[imported_wicka]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
for $100, the best case you can get: Lian-Li PC-7bB Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112099

best quality, quietness 2 x 120mm fans that spin at 1500rpm, a good balance between quietness and airflow, looks great and lightweight. centurion 5 is a decent case, but has inadequate cooling, front instake is a small slow 80mm fan that is blocked off so doesn't get much cool air into the case, resulting in hot hdd's and overall warmer temp inside. decent quality tho.

I have a Centurion 532, which is very similiar to the 5 (in terms of the interior) and the front isn't blocked at all; it comes with a 120mm fan, and the entire front of the case is mesh, so it gets plenty of airflow.

 

[PascalT]

I have a Centurion 534 and i love it. I got a 120mm fan for the back, and it dropped my case temps by 7-8C easily. It's cheap and quite nice inside with good room. If you want something a bit better get a Mystique version, all aluminium and 2 120mm case fans in it.

 

[Zepper]

I don't care for the case you picked - they included superfluous top and side fans instead of the more useful front and rear fans...

However, I do like the Maxtop Domino server cases that Arrowmax carries. ServerCase.com also carries them for $10. more each. Probably comes out the same with shipping though - arrowmax charges over $30. for shipping (at least on thier eBay ads). The B models have three 5" bays in the bottom while the A model has four sidesaddle HDD bays in the bottom plus up to two more on the arm.

.bh.

 

[jgigz]

quote:
[/quote]Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
for $100, the best case you can get: Lian-Li PC-7bB Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112099 [/quote]

I love this case amazing to work with