OK, which of these cases to buy

[digitalduck]

Ok, Ive narred it down to these cases... which do you think would be best and why?

TT Lan Box Lite

AeroCool M40

LIAN LI PC-V350B

Make your decision based on these points:

1. I wont O'C
2. I would love the extra space...
3. I do have a larger vid card (although ive heard they fit in all)
4. I would get another tower...but I wont use the 3.5 drive although ill use it in a smaller
case for my HD since I will only have one... and will probably have an external backup.
5. I'd preferr a quiter case since its in my bedroom..



Thanks!

 

[Zepper]

Don't let others make up your mind for you - make your own decision and then own it. There are reviews of all of them out there - search engines are your friends. Get as much info as you can and decide on the basis of your own needs/wants. The people here have already given some plusses and minuses.

.bh.

 

[digitalduck]

Zepper..thanks, thats very true and Ive appreciated your feedback thus far.. I wanted to put the final choices in one post (while also adding a new one) and get some final feedback in an easier format...and another problem is that I think Ive reaed every possible review out there for all of these cases...theyre pretty similiar and I was wanting to get some forum feeedback to make sure I wasnt missing something about one of these cases from people who actually have them or have in the past.
Thanks!

 

[Zepper]

You might want to repost over in the SFF, notebooks section too for folks who actually use these things. Mostly folks who use mid-tower to humongous (FullMetalChocobo) hang out in C&C. Maybe the mods won't notice the double post (make the thread title different, that'll help and mix up the body text a bit as well)...

.bh.

 

[EvilBob]

Just one observation that might help you - I was looking at both the M40 and the V350B for an HTPC case - I ended up going with the V350B because it had the external IEEE1394 (key for easily pluging in the vid camera for offloading videos - saving me from hunting around the back for the plugin on the mobo faceplate), whereas the M40 only has USBs.

I liked that thermaltake, too (and it also has an IEEE1394), but didn't consider it because I was looking for a case that was more subdued looking (also a point against the M40, there, due to the somewhat pointless LCD).

Note that thermaltake does make less-garish versions of their cubes
VF1000SNA - me likey the look!
and
VF6000BNS - same as your first choice, but without the windows

Good luck! And as Zepper said, own your choice! All of the cases you listed are good!

 

[digitalduck]

EvilBob...great adivce and Zepper, thansk I might do that.
Evil Bob...the first alternative is good but im going for all black (monitor is big and black, so im going for a theme..) the second was the TT Lite case again...good point about the IEEE though...that might help eliminate one from the three..thanks..

 

[Tullphan]

I don't know if this will help or not, but in the past year i've owned a custom made LX-6A19 from Coolcases.com, an Antec Sonata III, an Antec P180B, a CM 690, a Chenbro SR105, a CM Stacker 832 & presently using a slightly modified LL V1000BW.
I must say out of all of these that the build quality goes to the LL followed by the Chenbro. Both Coolermaster cases seemed to be cheaply made...flimsy side panels, etc. The Antecs were ok, though overrated, IMHO.

 

[faxon]

if you really want quiet get yourself the aerocool, or mod the TT one so instead of using 2x60MM fans on the back, it has a 120MM fan on each side for airflow across the system from one side to the other. the 90mm fan should probably be fine so long as it isnt to loud, and 90mm fans are easy enough to replace with something quieter. i would only leave it in though if you really need the extra cooling for the drive bay. as for modding the TT, since the case has 2 side panels that are acrylic, it would be a relatively simple job of cutting out the side panel with a dremel and then adding screw mounting holes. just make sure there is enough clearance inside for all your components to be 25+ MM away from the sides of the case or the fans will get in the way. if 120s are to big you can always use something smaller also, but they will be much louder at the same airflow levels

 

[digitalduck]

Faxon, (Tullphan) Thanks.. its more and more tempting to get the thermaltake since the Lian is as much as the TT and new maxt mobo..the Lian is nice but seems too big (althoguh I need to measure it) but I still think I like the TT...if the Lian was a bit cheaper ($60 difference) then id jump on that...I like the idea of the fans..I wonder if I should see what the noise is like first.. (although id be comapring it to my Enlight tower case with two fans in it now...

 

[Tullphan]

Just remember this is an investment that you'll probably not upgrade as often as you do your other components. Even if it means spending a little extra, don't "settle" on something or you'll regret it later & end up getting the one you really wanted to begin with & the other will end up in the garage (like mine).
BTW...wanna see the cases in my garage? You might save some money! hehehe
The V350B is 14.7" x 10.9" x 10.3" & the TT is 17.0'' x 11.8'' x 9.1'', btw, so the LL wins in the size department (if you're wanting smaller).
Also, if you like the LL better than the TT, just get a Newegg rep in a chat box & see if they'll give you free shipping on it! 🙂

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Maybe the mods won't notice the double post (make the thread title different, that'll help and mix up the body text a bit as well)...

That's like plagarizing by running text through a translator and back. BTW, some mods participate in the forums and may notice the "maybe the mods won't notice." :evil:

No matter. The one in SFF has zero replies.

digitalduck, you say you would love the extra space. Do you mean that you want the computer to be LESS TALL or LESS WIDE? These cube cases are visibly small because they're short, but they're pretty wide. If you want a quiet system, then the easiest SMALL case to make quiet would probably be the Antec NSK3480. It can fit the largest cards, has the softest HDD grommets, has among the best ventilation and uses a rear 120mm fan... unfortunately it is a tiny tower and not a cube.

For purely quiet, I wouldn't choose any of the cubes you listed (or any you didn't list). The Lian Li uses an 80mm exhaust fan. The AeroCool uses three 80mm exhaust fans. The LANBOX uses two 60mm exhaust fans.

 

[digitalduck]

Tullphan, Zap thansk guys for your replies.. Zap..to be more specific what I am looking for:

I would like something black because my 24" dell is black along with my mouse and ill be buying a black keyboard and speakers.
I would like something small (less tall) because im replacing this big Enlight case and its alwasy been way to big with 4 drive bays for my one drive and I dont use the 3.5 bays.

Id like it quiet since its in my rom and if i have to elave it on all nigtht I dont want to hear a freight train. Also I like the idea of the sube since its small and is just different....having thta enoligth case for years i either need a case that doesnt have a 3.5 drive and 1 or 2 drive bays or close to it...even though i dont own an matx board ill get one along with it..
Thanks!

 

[nerp]

I'm a Lian-Li guy myself and have always been willing to pay a little extra for it. I think all your choices look good and it's really down to brand preference, as long as each meets your basic requirements.

 

[digitalduck]

Thanks Nerp, yeah the Lian 350B does look nice im just wondering how it comapres to the TT Lan Box lite? Since there is a big price difference.