Opinions on this case? [Link inside]

[Lokan]

I've never heard of this company but the features and price seem nice. Here's a link Linky. The things to note or the type of "steel" listed. This company is the only one at newegg which uses size for type of case instead of just basic "alum" or "steel", they have ".06mm steel".

Any opinions? Other than that I'm looking at a raidmaxx.. Thanks!

Oh, and going to order tonight.. If you have any suggestions for a case with similar features (side fan, window preferred, sturdy, etc), please post.. need to order tonight tho.. thanks!

Link again, C&P style... http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=11-185-005

 

[deepinya]

The case looks nice but shipping is half the price of the case. lol

 

[Lokan]

Honestly, I don't mind paying s/h charges because in the scheme of things, 45 bucks for a case w/ a decent amount of acrylic and two extra fans is about on average w/ the comp, plus add the front temp guage and it seems not to shabby. /shrug. Just didn't know if I could have a better deal out there or if this was sub par quality.

 

[deepinya]

Most steel cases are Japan secc 1mm. This one is .6mm...can it be aluminum? It really doesnt say..

 

[Lokan]

Icute Tech Corp Mid Tower Case Model 195SL-8GT with Clear Windows OEM This Case comes with Front Tempature Gauge, Side and Top Acrylic Panels and Fans.
Specifications:
Material:Steel SGCC 0.6MM
Form Factor:ATX
Bays:5''25*4/3.5''*2/Hidden H.D.D*5
Expansion Slots:7
Fans: FRONT8CM*4 + BACK8CM*2
Power Supply: No Power Supply
Ports:1x IEE 1394 Firewire, 2x USB, and Audio In/Out
Dimensions: W*D*H=200*470*430(mm)

Says Steel, SGCC.. dunno what that means.

 

[godmare]

looks like a thirty dolalr case to me- lotsa chinsy plastic and flimsy sheet metal. It's only thirty bucks, though, so you can't really go wrong depends onwhat you want in a case, I guess.... cool window if nothing else.

 

[Slogun]

Yea, it's a low price case, but seems well laid out.
Nice that it has room for 2 front and 2 rear fans.

What's that cable coming out the back?

 

[mroptimistic]

what raidmax case were you looking at?

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: Slogun
Yea, it's a low price case, but seems well laid out.
Nice that it has room for 2 front and 2 rear fans.

What's that cable coming out the back?

Yeah, that is a good point about the fans. Lots of drive space, too
I dunno about that thing on the back. Maybe a USB extension? it almost looks like a cat5 connector on the end, but I dunno what they'd be doing with that back there....

 

[Lokan]

The option for fans is nice because I just ordered some NMB fans from SVC and some round IDE cables. Here's the Raidmax Case I'm looking at... Linky. It's listed as Zinc Plated Steel, $42.99 + free s/h, has no PSU.

Speaking of... Having to add a new PS is killing my prices. I've found a fairly inexpensive one (I believe at least) here..

I have very little experience with PS's. I know Antec's are considered top notch but they're double the price and I really don't have the money to spend right now on those; I figure 350w is the minimum I want to go. Any advice or Suggestions? Help mah! I haven't even ordered yet because I'm hoping to find that "diamond in a rough" and hoping you guys can help. Thanks again!

One last thing, I've asked before but never received a response, how is this case? Maxtop. It's $57 + 10s/h but has a 350w PSU included in that price which is nice. Thanks guys!

 

[Slogun]

People on this forum swear by quality, dependable PSUs.
There was an article I saw recently that made a correlation between a PSU's weight and it's quality, lower weight PSUs being lower quality. That article also listed several quality brands including (of course) Antec and Enermax, I don't remember the other brands.

If possible, you should spring for a few extra bucks and get an Antec. Especially if you are running an Athlon pocessor, it helps to have a PSU that has a fan in it's BOTTOM.

Having said that, I will also tell you that 2 of my computers running Athlon tbird processors, with cheapo PSUs have not given me any problem. Make sure your PSU gives you at least 12A of more at the 12 volt rail.

 

[Lokan]

Last case suggestion...

I know nothing of this merchant but their resellerrating seems hit or miss. More recently it seems there are issues w/ their video cards mainly, they're 7.16 overall.

Here's the link to the case... Link

For getting two of these (need two), w/ the neon light (for sh!ts and giggles ;D) the total SHIPPED would be $147. So I get a 350w PS, windows, lights, side fan, and aluminum for a decent price? Lemme know what you may think!

And thanks again for all the responses. I just want to make sure I get this right the first time

 

[godmare]

While I like the looks of the raidmax better, it looks liek your best bet for airflow will be the first one you mentioned. If you are able to do so, I highly recommend using a dremel or tin snips or something to cut out the steel around the fans in front. Do the same to the back if you want, although that's less crucial, and add wire grills to the back. This will greatly increase your airflow while considerably quieting your fan operation.
As far as PSU's go, I will never bother with anything but an Anted or a Sparkle again, see my thread. While it's not necessary to read all the way through my bookish post, there are some pics I posted towards the bottom.
It will be worth the stretch to get a good power supply- Newegg had 350w Sparkle supplies for $42 the other day...
When looking at power supplies, more important than the overall wattage is the max watage on the 3.3v and 5v rails- you'll want at least 220 (a really good 300w psu may provide that, and a 350 should definitely) for a contemporary system. I have an Antec SL350 that I bought after my incident, it's 330w max load and 230 max on the 3.3v and 5v rails.

EDIT:
yes, that 350w psu with that last mentioned case is rated at 190w for the 3.3v and 5v rails, with 350w at the max. If you can, I'd advise against that.. it was a real pain in the butt replacing my mobo atx header, and I wish I'd just bought a good psu a few months ago instead of saving $20 or $30.

 

[Slogun]

godmare, have you considered a career in surgical medicine with that header repair?
Good job man.

 

[Lokan]

ROCK ON! That's the PSU information I was looking for!! Now I can find a decently priced one with those minimum specs =) I know the Antec is $42 some places, but that really starts to make a $40 case now $80, which starts to put me over the budget when having to order two. Good stuff.. now I just need to find some more info on these cases I linked.

 

[Lokan]

Ok, here's the PS I've settled on... Link.

It has all the requirements (220, 360w PS, AMD approved) and is only $39 shipped, should last me awhile, plus I've actually heard of this company (mostly for cases though). I had actually found a cheaper one but all the reviews said it was louder than hell so this is the one to get I suppose.

That said, I'm back to cases... I'm really curious about the top case, that wire in the pictures is throwing me in a loop. The raidmax for $43 shipped seems decent, but I dunno. I'm really wanting to order the case from newegg because I know and like them, plus I'm getting my ram and PS from there. I just wish they'd combine shipping

Ok, cases.. cases... I don't mind a steel case, would love an aluminum one but the pricing seems to high. I need to be able to get TWO cases for a total of ~$80-100. With needing to get these Power supplies I'm already over budget and need to minimize the damage before the loan officer (fiancee) kills me! So it looks like I'm either getting the Raidmax or an Icute. Any help or suggestions guys? Thanks...

 

[Lokan]

Upon looking at that wire, it appears it might be a firewire connector. Seeing as this case (the Icute one) has a front FireWire hookup, maybe that cord runs from the front hookup to the back to plug into say an Audigy2 sound card?

 

[godmare]

godmare, have you considered a career in surgical medicine with that header repair?
Good job man.

Wow, such flattery I did have help, though- matter of fact it took two peopleto get the old melted one off

It has all the requirements (220, 360w PS, AMD approved) and is only $39 shipped, should last me awhile, plus I've actually heard of this company (mostly for cases though). I had actually found a cheaper one but all the reviews said it was louder than hell so this is the one to get I suppose.

Yeah, there you go I've never used enlight psu's, but know several people that have and are quite content with them-0 good price, too

That said, I'm back to cases... I'm really curious about the top case, that wire in the pictures is throwing me in a loop. The raidmax for $43 shipped seems decent, but I dunno. I'm really wanting to order the case from newegg because I know and like them, plus I'm getting my ram and PS from there. I just wish they'd combine shipping

Yeah, Newegg's shipping does leave something to be desired.... rules of the game, though. There isn't a better hardware retailer, IMO
I agree with you on the first case mentioned, what are your reservations? or are you just waiting for some more opinions and such?

 

[Lokan]

The wire in the back and that damn steel specification. I did a google on .6mm SPGCC or whatever it was and found it's a minimum size for huge (I mean HUGE) rolls of sheet metel that a lot of companies offer, but no indication of the average thickness of a case, etc.

I'm also looking into the Raidmax case for $43 shipped. It has a good rating on newegg and seems to be decent quality. I just hate being the guinea pig for this type of case. The looks seem really nice, lots of acrylic, decent design, front temp guage.. almost seems too good to be true, and when I get that feeling, I tend to look around more. I went to the companies site, it's a company out of Taiwan, nothing wrong with that. I just wonder if I'm going to be regretting a $30 case no one knows about vs a $43 case that has a reputation; OR if there's anything out there better that I'm not finding.

And I agree about the shipping, but Hey, I don't mind paying for that when I know I will get taken care of if I have issues.

 

[Lokan]

Well I had to make the purchase and here's what I settled on...

Link for Case

I really like the specs (folded edges = teh win ;D), looks, and overall layout (the cords are even rounded which is a nice touch). The case cost $45 w/ shipping so that wasn't to bad. I purchased the Enlight 360w PS and 2 sticks of Kingston DDR ram. Total shipped under $300. Thanks for ALL the help especially with the PS questions, it was greatly appreciated and made me feel much better with my purchase!

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: Lokan
Well I had to make the purchase and here's what I settled on...

Link for Case

I really like the specs (folded edges = teh win ;D), looks, and overall layout (the cords are even rounded which is a nice touch). The case cost $45 w/ shipping so that wasn't to bad. I purchased the Enlight 360w PS and 2 sticks of Kingston DDR ram. Total shipped under $300. Thanks for ALL the help especially with the PS questions, it was greatly appreciated and made me feel much better with my purchase!

No problem gl with your case, I believe that's an Enermax clone- some good airflow potential with that

 

[Lokan]

Sweet It comes w/ a fan on the side but I ordered 5 of the NMB quiet fans from SVC; should be enough to keep the air nice and cool in there. Thanks for the well wishes =)

 

[dxkj]

Shoot I just bought a raidmax xwindow case instead, I would have much rather had a blowhole on the top guess that just leaves some room for modding.

My Case

 

[Lokan]

Not bad, in fact they look kinda similar. What'd you pay for that one if you don't mind me asking? Also, how are the rounded cables? Notice any difference between the flat ones? Also, do you have lighting installed? I'm toying w/ the idea of it for this case, I like the thought of it, just don't know the cost+ease of installation. Oh, and what breakout box is that? I'd love to find a good one

 

[dxkj]

Yeah lighting is going in tonight, 4 CCFL yeah i got a few extra so i figured why not


Sunbeam Rheobus 4 channel x 20w



Lighting is really rather simple to install, no harder than installing a fan IMO


I think I paid like 40-45 shipped a month ago or so, not sure.... after seeing that case, I want to mod the top of my case the same, but keep my window setup on the side