Need recommendation for a case

[kitt314159]

Hi,

I just spent the last three hours looking over the cases on newegg and reading their reviews; so far however, all of the cases with good fans (such as one 120mm rear and one 120mm front) have covers over the drive bays, which I would like to avoid if possible. Could anyone offer some suggestions? I don't care about PSU (will use my own anyway), but the csase need to be <$85, have no cover over the drive bays, and places for front & rear fans for good ventilation.

Thanks,

Yan

 

[imported_DaveA]

athenatech a602. newegg has them for $50.

 

[fireontheway]

I have never seen this in person but it looks interesting.

I found a better case-->Cooler Master Cavalier for $59(with door but still a good deal)

 

[Aries64]

Could anyone offer some suggestions? I don't care about PSU (will use my own anyway), but the csase need to be <$85, have no cover over the drive bays, and places for front & rear fans for good ventilation.

I don't know what your timeframe is, but check out the prices around the net' and local computer superstores for the CoolerMaster Centurion 5.

About three weeks ago Fry's Electronics was selling the C5 on sale for $85.00. Price on Outpost.com is $99.99. PC Club carries them too, and will match current ad prices - although PC Club's normal price is lower anyway at $95.99 (or $105.99 with window). The C5 also comes with a 350W PS that you can sell or keep as a spare.

Heres a link to the C5 page at CoolerMaster:

http://www.coolermaster.com/in...e=CAC-T05Centurion%205

My brother built a system for a client using the C5 and a Retail Athlon64 3500+. The case seems sturdy (it's all steel except for the corners which are brushed aluminum), fairly well-built, has good ventilation, and is pretty quiet, especially with the 80mm (front fan) turned down a little with a fan controller. The rear exhaust is a 120mm. I don't know why CM didn't use 120s' for front and rear.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the entire front of the C5 is mesh (including the drive bay blanks) This contributes to the cooling efficiency of the case the mesh allows plenty of cool air to flow in from the front. It IS NOT noisy either, as one might expect.

 

[CraigRT]

I hope this fits your "covers over the drive bays" quota

I have a compucase identical to this, and I mean exactly the same inside, and it's a fantastic case to work with, and cooling capabilities are stellar. 1 120mm up front, and 1 in the back.

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...tion=11-129-152&depa=1