Please help me decide on a case for my new build.

[Sinnerx96]

I'm about to order my new system build in the next few days. I'm having lots of trouble deciding on a case. This is my first build, so I think it's best that I ask for some help with this.

My primary concern is cooling performance. I want to OC as high as possible with AIR. Noise is not much of a concern, if at all. Looks are factored in a bit though
Weight and Size are not too important. I want a decent looking case that can keep COOL and help me OC my system. Under $200 would be great.

Since I've never done this before, I'm not sure what other features are important. I guess I'd like a quality case that's easy to work in as well.

Here's what I'm most likely getting;

CPU:Q6600
Mobo: Abit IP35 Pro
RAM: Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800
Video Card: EVGA 8800GTS
OS HD: WD Caviar 80gb
Storage HD: Samsung SpinPoint 500gb
DVD/RW: Pioneer DVR-212DBK
PSU: Corsair 520HX
Cooling: Tuniq Tower 120
I was going to go with the TR 120 Ultra E. But there seams to be issues with it. So this case will need to fit this Monster.

Here are a few cases that have caught my eye so far;

Antec P182 This seams like a safe bet, as many people are using these. Looks classy.
Lian Li PC7BPlusII Looks Boring. But people seam to rave about them.
NZXT Lexa Stylish. Seams to get good reviews.
Lian Li PC60BPlusII This one looks interesting. But it seams the cooling system would conflict with the Tuniq Tower, wouldn't it?

EDIT: I've raised my budget for a case. I'm now very interested in these two;

Cooler Master Stacker 830
Cooler Master Stacker 832

Which of these would perform best? Would it be a significant difference in temps? What else should I be looking at? Suggestions? Links to review sites for cases?

I'd like to keep the price from going any higher than these. Under $250.

Thanks a Lot guys. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Zepper]

Have you considered the Enermax Uber Chakra? Too bad you didn't post this a lot earlier. A guy had an NZXT Zero on ebay at $85. + sh. but it's gone now. He still has an Uber Chakra at $100. + sh but his shipping seems excessive (his auction has ended, but I could give you his eMail address as I bought an item from him). However the case is oversize and made of steel, but it still seems the shipping could be lower. The XClio WindTunnel may be interesting. And I always like the Silverstone Temjin 5 (SST-TJ05). The Chenbro SR10568 or 69 (best price is usually at eWiz.com) is a pretty compact case for being able to take long cards.

The Tt Tsunami is basically the same as the Antec SLK3000-B. An 8800GTX card will either be very tight or an impossibility.

.bh.

 

[Sinnerx96]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Have you considered the Enermax Uber Chakra? Too bad you didn't post this a lot earlier. A guy had an NZXT Zero on ebay at $85. + sh. but it's gone now. He still has an Uber Chakra at $100. + sh but his shipping seems excessive (his auction has ended, but I could give you his eMail address as I bought an item from him). However the case is oversize and made of steel, but it still seems the shipping could be lower. The XClio WindTunnel may be interesting. And I always like the Silverstone Temjin 5 (SST-TJ05). The Chenbro SR10568 or 69 (best price is usually at eWiz.com) is a pretty compact case for being able to take long cards.

The Tt Tsunami is basically the same as the Antec SLK3000-B. An 8800GTX card will either be very tight or an impossibility.

.bh.

Thanks Zep.

I saw that Zero on ebay. I almost bid on it.

The Xclio and Enermax are not really calling to me in the looks department. And aren't there some issues with fitting a Tuniq Tower in those cases with the big fan on the side?

Thanks for the reply. I'm taking the Tsunami off the list. I'm also looking into the TJ05. Any more suggestions or comments are welcome. At this point so far, the Zero and Lexa are looking more attractive by the minute. But there are so many cases out there now. Please feel free to recommend other Good Quality, Great Cooling cases for me to check out!

Thanks again.

 

[Zepper]

The Gigabyte Aurora 3D cases might interest you - the 570 version should be able to handle any length card. They are pricey mostly due to the aluminum as they are basically the same design as the Chakra and Uber Chakra inside.

.bh.

 

[Sinnerx96]

Sorry to bump this old thread. But I've decided to raise my budget a little bit for a case. I'm now VERY interested in the Cooler Master Stacker 830 and 832.


Cooler Master Stacker 830
Cooler Master Stacker 832

Are these worth the price? They sure do seam to get great reviews for cooling, and I Love the looks.
Thanks again guys.

 

[Slugbait]

If I remember correctly, MaxPC really likes the Stacker. I must admit, USB/Firewire/Audio ports located at the top is a no-brainer design that far too many case manufacturers engaged without brains. However, seems the fans are optional. Can't see the innards. My previous case also has a door, kinda annoying. Personally, I don't find the Stacker all that attractive, but it is well designed.

I spent $100 less and went with an Armor. Comes with fans. Designed specifically for cooling (both air and water). My Tuniq Tower 120 looks wicked in the side window, perfectly placed. The case got a Kick-Ass award from MaxPC about a year ago.

Just the same: get EXACTLY the case you know you will love for your next two builds...I sure wish I had bought my Armor two years ago instead of that damn Aspire case that got over 600 great reviews at the 'egg...

 

[Zepper]

I think you still get a HDD cage with the Stackers that has a very quiet/low output fan on it (just enough to cool the HDDs, not provide much if any to overall system cooling). Other than that, you choose your own. I'd just as soon choose my own fans anyway than having to pay for ones I won't be using.

I still like the original Stacker (STC-T01) over the expensive aluminum ones. You might want to wait for the Silverstone Kublai models to come out. It's the Stacker idea but not so large. Could be considered a better looking Nine Hundred.

.bh.

 

[Daverino]

Didn't I read somewhere that the Tuniq and TR-120 are too tall to use the side wall fans in the Stacker?

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: Daverino
Didn't I read somewhere that the Tuniq and TR-120 are too tall to use the side wall fans in the Stacker?

My Armor is 8.66" wide, and my Tuniq fits with a little room to spare. The Stacker is 9.9" inches wide, so I assume the Tuniq would fit that case as well...not sure how deep the side wall fans are, but if an inch and a half or more, then it probably wouldn't fit.

Sin, the 832 you linked to is the KKN1. SVC has the 830 Evo KKN2 version with a $40 rebate, but there's a $28 shipping charge. You might be able to apply the rebate to the same 830 KKN2 at ZipZoomFly as well, but you'd spend another $11 with ZZF.

Rebate is good for purchases on the 830 Evo until 8/31. If you want it, don't dilly-dally like you did before...

 

[M1KEV]

I would definitely recommend going with one of the coolermaster stackers. It really doesn't mater which one, both of them are fantastic. If you happen to lower your budget again go with that LIAN LI case or go with the TextThermaltake armor case

 

[nZone]

I know you have $250 budget for the case. If I may, may I recommend you the Zalman Z-Machine GT-1000 case? It costs $399 @ newegg. Lower price at quietpcusa.com, frozencpu.com, sharkacomputers.com etc...

I have this case and it is still awed me until now. There is something unique about this case. This case maintains ambient room temperature and occasionally lower inside the case.

My pc comprises of:

Q6600 @stock w/ 1.815V
Ultra ChillTEC for the CPU cooler
eVGA 680i SLI A1
PNY 8800GTX
4x1GB Patriot 6400 Low Latency running at 1200Mhz @ 2.0v
2x160GB in RAID 0
1x80GB
1xDVDROM
Corsair HX620W PSU

Despite ChillTEC dumping 50 watts of heat and GTX heat my pc maintains the temperature as follow:
idle: cpu=25C; GPU=67C; MB=33C
load: cpu=30C; GPU=75C; MB=35C

System fans:
1x120mm exhaust (Antec Tri-cool running at low)
2x92mm front (Zalman stock fan running at 5v)
120mm in PSU (this thing really doesn't push any air anyway).
1x92mm cpu cooler fan (SilenX)

PS. The reason I listed my components is because I want to show how this case can perform with hot components.

maybe later I go with watercooling for total silence

 

[zero2dash]

Antec Nine Hundred?

 

[Sinnerx96]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm actually in a rush to run back to work. But I have a minute to respond quickly.

I love the looks of the 830/832. That's a concern, as well cooling. I like the looks much more than the T01/810. The Armor is definitely something to consider though. Thanks.

I'd like to hear more info about the Tuniq 120 fitting. It doesn't look like it'd be a problem with how big the 830/832 is. But ya never know.

Thanks nZone. I'll check out that Zalman later today. I was hoping to keep the price where it is though.

Thanks for the recommendation zero2dash. But the 900 isn't as appealing to me. I'm just not liking the looks much.

BTW,...I'd be getting the 830/832 from Clubit. They are offering Free Shipping on orders over $300 this week. (I'll be spending around $300 with Clubit for this build. The rest will be from Newegg).
Clubit has the 830 for $226 and the 832 for $210. That's why I chose those particular model numbers. Those are the ones Clubit has.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help! I'll be back later today for more in depth replies.

 

[Quiksilver]

I personally have been looking at this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811146029

(Sidenote: I will also be paring it up with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811992002 to make use of its small smoked window in front)

Of course the side panel fan's are a little ridiculous but I will more than likely take them off and just let the mesh panel stay. (Note: the case comes with all of the fans)

This site has some nice exterior and interior pictures of it; just wish their review was more detailed
http://virtual-hideout.net/reviews/NZXT_Zero/index.shtml

 

[zero2dash]

Have you looked at the CM Cosmos?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119138

Very nice case, only $199.
Excellent cooling according to early reports...on par with Nine Hundred.

I like the Cosmos, if I hadn't decided on my Lian-Li and wanted a larger case I would've probably bought the Cosmos (or the LL PC-V1000BPlus II).

 

[Sinnerx96]

QuicksilverX1: I was considering that case for a while. I eventually decided to raise my budget, and I kind of put it to the side. I don't know why, but I kept thinking that I'd like a Stacker more. THEN I decided to raise my budget even more and started thinking of the Stacker 830/832. It's definitely a case to consider if I decide to drop back down to the price point though. Thanks.

zero2dash: I've looked at the Cosmos too. The few reviews I've read, seam to imply that it's main selling point is the Quietness of it. That's just not a concern of mine at all. And the thermal performance is fairly average, according to those reviews I've read. It's not particularly appealing to me in the looks department, so it'd have to make up for that in cooling, which I'm not sure it does. Please feel free to point me to reviews that state otherwise though. I'm certainly not in a position to be arguing with most people here about these things! Thanks man.

 

[Sinnerx96]

By the way Zepper, I just checked out that Silverstone Kublai at NewEgg. They just added it. That thing looks pretty damn nice! I'm going to start digging up some reviews for it now. Thanks!
If anyone knows of any reviews for it, please let me know.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You're getting a lot of advice, and some of it pretty good here.

Before looks -- I look at cooling possibilities. If you intend to stick with air-cooling and you're building a Q6600-based system, it's important.

One of us here just built a Q6600 system with an Armor case. I looked at it, and decided it had "possibilities and high-potential." I've always been partial to many of the CM STacker cases. The high-end versions you're considering are also good.

If you were to follow my strategy for cooling, you would want intake CFMs to exceed exhaust CFMs, but . . . . it's my strategy, and something you may not want to do (although it's cheap -- but tedious.) Some will tell you that it should be the reverse -- higher exhaust CFMs.

Any of these cases, and I include the 3DAurora here (Gigabyte) -- offer that potential. You can use those cases as is, or attempt to add an extra fan-hole or two. Also, I've had a chance to look at an XClio using some oversize side-panel fans, and that's an interesting, viable option.

For me -- I have this obsession about resurrecting ten-year-old cyber-junk full-towers -- even pre-ATX cases to tap ATX holes in the mobo pan as necessary -- and I don't know when I'm really going to buy a brand-new case. But I window shop, and look at the various photos and specs.

If you could find a cyber-junk midtower chassis [you might even have one already] -- you might install your hardware temporarily in it [an open chassis] while you take even longer to look for just the right case. It really depends on how much modding you intend to do, or whether you have a definite cooling "plan" beyond just choosing some fans.

 

[Sinnerx96]

Thanks BonzaiDuck. I do appreciate the advice I'm getting here. This place is great. I just hope I can start contributing more as I learn. As for your statements;

I am leaning towards the Stacker 830/832 as of now. I need a case that can keep things cool, has great quality, ease of working in for upgrades, and Looks that appeal to me. So far, the Stackers seam to fit the bill. I'm hoping this case will last me a long time, through many upgrades.

I really don't intend to mod. There are too many other components to worry about OC'ing, upgrading, and such. Not to mention my other hobbies. So I'd rather not have to worry about that stuff when it comes to a case. At this point, I'll be content with Air Cooling. But who knows, I might get into WC some time down the road. As for the Intake vs Exhaust thing,....I am not going to touch that one. I've heard so many disputes on that subject, and I have Zero knowledge to argue with anyone about it. I'll probably just grab a few extra fans and experiment a bit. I'm clueless when it comes to this stuff. This is my first build. Any recommendations for fans I should be looking at would be fine with me though.

Thanks Duck. I appreciate your help.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The high-end 8xx CM Stacker(s) have a side-panel assembly for four 120mm fans. I don't know if fans come with it. But even with low-noise, low-CFM Scythe and Yate Loons, you should get a lot of intake CFMs there. If the only place for the air to go is out the exhaust, out the PSU and past the heatpipe coolers, you should be "good to go."

 

[Sinnerx96]

It only comes with 2 x 120mm fans. It can accommodate up to 9x120. I'll be buying 4 extra 120mm fans with it. I've heard that you can only put 3 fans in the door, because the 4th would get in the way of the Tuniq 120. So I plan on 1 in front, 1 in back, 1 in top, and 3 in the side door.

I don't know anything about fans, so I'm doing some research now. I don't know which to buy, what type, variable, etc. I'm clueless. I've hear the "Yate Loon" brand thrown around here a lot. But I can't find them on newegg.

 

[Sinnerx96]

This brings me to another question. Do I need 3-Pin Fans or 4-Pin fans? I can't find any info at the abit website about the IP35 Pro's connectors. I should be connecting all of the fans to the Motherboard so I can control them, right?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

It depends on your motherboard's capability.

In the DDR and 800FSB generation of motherboards, the manufacturer may have included fan plugs for between three and five fans, and the sensor and control technology was included for all of them, but the manufacturer may only have taken advantage of the chips used to actually control maybe one fan (CPU_FAN). It depended on the model and manufacturer.

My ASUS Striker extreme board has 8 fan plugs. Supposedly some three to five can actually be controlled, while the board can read rpm speed and supply power for all of them. It allows the thermal control of fans through its BIOS features, so no additional software is necessary under the OS. This is one of the last of several things I have to do with my C2Q build: hook up some thermal sensor wires to the motherboard pinouts and move some of my fans to the the board's fan headers, so I won't know exactly the the limits of thermal fan speed control with that feature until I experiment with it -- given some hearsay intelligence I've obtained from the motherboard's user forum.

Even with my mobo, the limit on the number of fans is not just determined by the number of three-pin headers, but by the total 12V amperage-draw by the fans connected.

Your mobo user guide should explain this. On ASUS boards, it is clear from the documentation that the total amperage draw is the limitation. On my board, it is something around 2.5 Amps. More cautious users thought that this means there was a proportionate limit in amperage allowed to each header, but if I have two fans @ 0.52A each and six fans @ 0.30A each, I might be able to connect the first two fans and maybe four of the latter, or some combination less than 2.5A.

I try and relieve the motherboard of the stress and relieve myself of the uncertainty and worry by only using half the amperage capacity, so I may connect only the two 0.52A fans, since the 0.30A fans are almost completely silent anyway.

That doesn't mean I can't use the fan headers to read fan-speeds, though. So with a little soldering and some scrap four-pin Molex plugs and wires, or with the appropriate wires and plugs ready-made, I can leave the fan sensor wire (usually yellow or blue) connected to the three-pin plug so that the motherboard will read the fan rpm while the fan is being powered through a four-pin Molex direct connection to the power supply.

This then introduces the issue as to whether you want to deploy a front-panel (or other) type of fan controller, and the fan-controller could have manual-control rheostat knobs, or it could use tape-on thermal sensors to thermally control fans -- usually involving use of a USB port (which you would prefer to be an internal motherboard connection) and proprietary software.

Until I discover more in the way of indications that I've somehow used the wrong USB header, I urge you to stay away from the Sunbeam Tech Theta 101 controller. To my experience so far, it doesn't do what they advertised that it does.

My best advice is to try in every respect to keep things simple. If, for instance, I were to use ThermalTake Blue LED "Smart" fans, and I have an opportunity to control their speed from the motherboard, I'd disable the "Smart" feature on the fan. If I can't do that, and the fans are either too loud or running faster than needed, I'd use the rheostat wire included with the TT fans to trim their speed and leave it at the desired setting. Of course, there are a lot of possibilities with such fans, given the possibility that you can also use a front-panel controller.

Again, if you use a front-panel controller, be sure and heed the manufacturer's limitation on the wattage draw for each plug. With some controllers, a cumulative wattage limitation isn't the operative rule, and each plug or "channel" is subject to a wattage limit.

You can connect fans in parallel so that they're powered through a single three-pin or four pin plug, but you should only use the tachometer wire of one of those fans, or connect the tachometer wires to (say) separate motherboard fan headers to monitor speed.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Caveat:

If you try to solder together two fans in parallel and power them through a single plug, I advise using identical fans as "twins."

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Sinnerx96
This brings me to another question. Do I need 3-Pin Fans or 4-Pin fans? I can't find any info at the abit website about the IP35 Pro's connectors. I should be connecting all of the fans to the Motherboard so I can control them, right?

I believe most motherboards use 3-pin fan connectors, though adapters are available to convert from 3-pin to 4-pin molex like this or "Y" adapters like this to connect two 3-pin fans to one connector (Disclaimer: Be cautious when hooking up high powered fans to any motherboard tap. The taps usually have a limited currect capacity and it may blow or damage the tap and/or your motherboard.). Here's a picture of the 4-fan side panel of a Stacker w/2 of the four fans hooked into a "Y" adapter. My personal case has 4 fans...two 92mm & two 120mm. I have both 92mm & one 120mm fan hooked into a Sunbeam Rheobus. It allows me to turn them from all the way off to full (12V) speed. It's worth the small investment, I think, to control multiple fans.
The IP35 Pro has five 3-pin connectors according to this diagram. That's not counting the CPU fan connector which appears to be a 4-pin.
Hope this helps!