New Case First Time Build (Suggestions)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
J

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
2
81
I am going to attempt to build my first computer (thanks to the guide from mechbgon). Anyway, my wife, of course, only cares about one aspect of the computer of the case. I have a Samsung 213T (silver) monitor and am looking for a nice case to match (silver or another color with some silver in it).

For me, I want to have room to work around inside. I have heard motherboard "trays" are a good thing... I think they pop-out so I can assemble things without having to reach into the case? I want a case that will be roomy enough for:

2 optical drives
4 hard drives (initially setup raid & add storage later)
AMD 64 platform (this shouldn't matter)

I also want to have a powersupply that will power all of these things plus have connectors for room to grow 550 watts or more (looking at the new Nvidia cards and future power needs).

Here are her requirements:

Some silver
Not too boxy
A plus with some bling bline neon :p

Here are some cases I found that look OK but may be cramped?

My wifes favorite (looks): Xoxide X-blade Extreme
Her second favorite: Chenbro X-pider
Alien case: Alien Link
She liked this one too: Raidmax Scorpio
I think it looks better in blue:
Raidmax Scorpio

I like the non standard looks of custom cases like this:
Link from sticky topic
I think these may be way more than I want to spend.

Any suggestions you guys have would be appreciated. If you have one of the cases above, please let me know how they are for space, etc....

Thank you!
 
Connoisseur

Connoisseur

Platinum Member
Sep 14, 2002
2,470
1
81
I would recommend the LianLi PC-65. It's all silver, looks clean and beautiful and most importantly has 8 3.5" bays (5 internal and 3 external) which is PLENTY of room for expansion. Furthermore, it is the easiest case to get into and install components. It's got a removable mobo tray, all thumbscrew access, and a housing for the PSU. it's ALSO got great cooling for the HD's (2 case fans blowing directly over the HD's so they'll be extra stable). It's also got a side wiindow if you want to install some LED's for that extra effect. Trust me, this is just about the best case you can get for the money

As far as power supplies go, if price is not a big issue an antec TruePower 550w is the best choice. It's extremely stable, it's got loads of connectors and will last you a LONG time. Hope this helps.
 
Z

zodder

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2000
9,543
1
0
www.jpcompservices.com
I was going to chime in with "Get a Lian Li", but after looking at those cases, I don't think Lian Li makes anything that fugly. :p

edit - Great minds must think alike, Connoisseur. I love my PC-65. :)
 
J

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
2
81
Originally posted by: zodder
I was going to chime in with "Get a Lian Li", but after looking at those cases, I don't think Lian Li makes anything that fugly. :p

edit - Great minds must think alike, Connoisseur. I love my PC-65. :)
Click to expand...

LOL....... Some of them aren't that bad :p My wife likes something different & striking :) Personally I liked the coolermaster / wavemaster. She thought it looked like a box and though "everyone's uses that it's not unique" :roll:

I'll check out the Lian Li's... I did see their lanboy which looked OK to me (I think this was Lian Li)... but probably too small?
 
Axon

Axon

Platinum Member
Sep 25, 2003
2,541
1
76
http://www.xoxide.com/comaca.html

http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/cst-97.html


The Coolermaster Wavemaster (silver) may be right for you. It's VERY long (20+" - I can't measure right now at work, but that means plenty of space for ANY upgrades.) It's real smooth lookin' and made from some very sturdy Aluminum. It's got 2 intake fans in the front for HD cooling, one exhaust fan in the back (plugs into the Motherboard for power, VERY convient) and it has an option for a second exhaust fan on top, which can be switched for a 1394/USB/Audio in port.

It has a sliding motherboard plate and two bright blue LEDs behind the "tombstone" in front. I could not find any action shots of the silver case's LEDs, but the effect is greater than the black version's.

Pics don't really do it justice.

You also can't go wrong with the Lian-Li. Both are great cases.
 
J

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
2
81
Originally posted by: Connoisseur
I would recommend the LianLi PC-65. It's all silver, looks clean and beautiful and most importantly has 8 3.5" bays (5 internal and 3 external) which is PLENTY of room for expansion. Furthermore, it is the easiest case to get into and install components. It's got a removable mobo tray, all thumbscrew access, and a housing for the PSU. it's ALSO got great cooling for the HD's (2 case fans blowing directly over the HD's so they'll be extra stable). It's also got a side wiindow if you want to install some LED's for that extra effect. Trust me, this is just about the best case you can get for the money

As far as power supplies go, if price is not a big issue an antec TruePower 550w is the best choice. It's extremely stable, it's got loads of connectors and will last you a LONG time. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I'll show her the Lian Li and see what she thinks.... I was thinking abou the Antec... good to hear it had enough connectors... I was trying to avoid those 600 watt + behemoths :)
 
I

IkeEisenhower

Member
Jun 15, 2003
33
0
0
Originally posted by: jrphoenix
For me, I want to have room to work around inside. I have heard motherboard "trays" are a good thing... I think they pop-out so I can assemble things without having to reach into the case? I want a case that will be roomy enough for:

2 optical drives
4 hard drives (initially setup raid & add storage later)
AMD 64 platform (this shouldn't matter)

I also want to have a powersupply that will power all of these things plus have connectors for room to grow 550 watts or more (looking at the new Nvidia cards and future power needs).

Here are her requirements:

Some silver
Not too boxy
A plus with some bling bline neon :p
Click to expand...

I'm doing my first "ground-up" build here in a while (you're in the right place to ask qustions) and have been doing extensive case-shopping recently. If you're not going to build it right this minute, wait for the Cooler Master CM Stacker. I wouldn't want to persoanlly show one to your wife and have to say it's not somewhat boxy, but I prefer the term "monolithic", and all the drive bay covers lined up help break away from the "it's just a damned computer" visual aesthetic. If you're going to do an AMD rig (or really any newer, powerful processored system), you might someday benefit from having the option to install a second power supply for all your miscellaneous components and then have the rails to your MB clean as a whistle from the original. Besides, if it gets too hot, think about the phrase "Three 120mms in the front, an 80mm blowhole, dual 80mm rear intakes with a 120 rear exhaust, and a 300mm cross-flow fan for the motherboard itself", or think about how much room you have for a water- or phase-change-cooling system in that clean, uncluttered interior. Reasonably priced (i.e. less than a Lian-Li, probably), and it will support BTX for when you build that next system. Plus, it looks tough as nails and sturdy as hell.

If the aesthetics aren't pleasing, MY wife likes the Codegen L-6102, and several of the other Codegen cases we saw while browsing through NewEgg's inventory. I can't imagine it's a high-quality case by anywhere near the standards of the Coolermasters, Lian-Lis, Kingwins or Silverstones, but it has all the (in my opinion) gimmicky stuff like LED fans and side windows (an attractive pattern even to me), so it's decent for the thirty bucks it costs.

Anyway, don't settle on a case until you've talked with at least two people who use one and you're sure you both like it. It can be hard to respect a machine if you hate its enclosure, and the pride of having constructed your new machine is a big part of the fun. And make sure it comes with everything. Mine somehow shipped without the (almost proprietary) motherboard standoffs. That's a bummer. But have fun.
 
J

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
2
81
Originally posted by: IkeEisenhower
Originally posted by: jrphoenix

For me, I want to have room to work around inside. I have heard motherboard "trays" are a good thing... I think they pop-out so I can assemble things without having to reach into the case? I want a case that will be roomy enough for:



2 optical drives

4 hard drives (initially setup raid & add storage later)

AMD 64 platform (this shouldn't matter)



I also want to have a powersupply that will power all of these things plus have connectors for room to grow 550 watts or more (looking at the new Nvidia cards and future power needs).



Here are her requirements:



Some silver

Not too boxy

A plus with some bling bline neon :p
Click to expand...



I'm doing my first "ground-up" build here in a while (you're in the right place to ask qustions) and have been doing extensive case-shopping recently. If you're not going to build it right this minute, wait for the Cooler Master CM Stacker. I wouldn't want to persoanlly show one to your wife and have to say it's not somewhat boxy, but I prefer the term "monolithic", and all the drive bay covers lined up help break away from the "it's just a damned computer" visual aesthetic. If you're going to do an AMD rig (or really any newer, powerful processored system), you might someday benefit from having the option to install a second power supply for all your miscellaneous components and then have the rails to your MB clean as a whistle from the original. Besides, if it gets too hot, think about the phrase "Three 120mms in the front, an 80mm blowhole, dual 80mm rear intakes with a 120 rear exhaust, and a 300mm cross-flow fan for the motherboard itself", or think about how much room you have for a water- or phase-change-cooling system in that clean, uncluttered interior. Reasonably priced (i.e. less than a Lian-Li, probably), and it will support BTX for when you build that next system. Plus, it looks tough as nails and sturdy as hell.



If the aesthetics aren't pleasing, MY wife likes the Codegen L-6102, and several of the other Codegen cases we saw while browsing through NewEgg's inventory. I can't imagine it's a high-quality case by anywhere near the standards of the Coolermasters, Lian-Lis, Kingwins or Silverstones, but it has all the (in my opinion) gimmicky stuff like LED fans and side windows (an attractive pattern even to me), so it's decent for the thirty bucks it costs.



Anyway, don't settle on a case until you've talked with at least two people who use one and you're sure you both like it. It can be hard to respect a machine if you hate its enclosure, and the pride of having constructed your new machine is a big part of the fun. And make sure it comes with everything. Mine somehow shipped without the (almost proprietary) motherboard standoffs. That's a bummer. But have fun.
Click to expand...


I really like the stacker that you linked to. I like the fact that it has compatiability with ATX / BTX... I like the idea of a little future proofing :) I'll see what my wife thinks... she'll probably like the second one you linked to more?

Looking for a case has become the most difficult thing in preparing for my build. Like you said... I have to make sure I like the enclosure..... I'll be looking at it for a long time :)
 
P

Polishwonder74

Senior member
Dec 23, 2002
474
0
0
This is the case I've been using

It's all silver plastic outside with all aluminum inside. I tihnk it's really purty, and very simple. Plus, it's just a pleasure to work inside. No sharp edges, lots of room, drive rails, good stuff. There are some other cases out there much purtier and with more stuff all over them, but this one is just all simple & straightforward.
 
M

mdcrab

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2001
2,105
0
0
The Antec P160WF is a pretty nice case that meets your criteria.

mdcrab

Edit: On second thought it may be a little too boxy.
 
A

akseli

Member
Apr 21, 2003
121
0
0
From past experiences I would go with a more reputable company. Antec, Lian-Li, CoolerMasters, ThermalTake or other BIG names. Careful with small companies as they often use cheap aluminium or steel (far too flimsy) and they paint-jobs often come off with a small touch. Furthermore you should take care and make sure that you have adequate cooling ... (I personally went with the antec sonata, I love hearing the silence.)
 
J

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
2
81
Originally posted by: akseli
From past experiences I would go with a more reputable company. Antec, Lian-Li, CoolerMasters, ThermalTake or other BIG names. Careful with small companies as they often use cheap aluminium or steel (far too flimsy) and they paint-jobs often come off with a small touch. Furthermore you should take care and make sure that you have adequate cooling ... (I personally went with the antec sonata, I love hearing the silence.)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice.... I was a bit worried about smaller vendors. I like to stick to www.newegg.com when I go shopping. I recently ordered a wireless router and a couble usb connections from them (quick and painless).

I'll check out the sonata and see what my wife thinks.

Has anyone here bought any of the Aspire cases on newegg? Seems like they have quite a selection?

Also, does anyone know if you can (wihtout drilling a hole myself) put a window in the side of a coolermaster wavemaster?

Thank you!
 
H

high

Banned
Sep 14, 2003
1,431
0
0
that X-Blade xtreme is nice. I have the Blue Raidmax Scorpio and it has TONS of room and came with a 420W Raidmax PSU, it was a great dealand they look cool, especially profiling it in my living room. :)
 
J

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
2
81
Originally posted by: high
that X-Blade xtreme is nice. I have the Blue Raidmax Scorpio and it has TONS of room and came with a 420W Raidmax PSU, it was a great dealand they look cool, especially profiling it in my living room. :)
Click to expand...

Cool... thank you for the input... first time hearing from someone who has one of the cases my wife liked (linked to above). :)
 
dabuddha

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
Originally posted by: mdcrab
The Antec P160WF is a pretty nice case that meets your criteria.

mdcrab

Edit: On second thought it may be a little too boxy.
Click to expand...

I just ordered an Antec P160WF. Should be getting it this thursday :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom