Pretty fair cheap case

[clok1966]

I build quite a few systems a year as a IT guy and part time system builder. I have used cases i cant fathom anybody paying waht they do, and cases a full pop can could damage if dropped a few inchs. Normally I used the COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 when you could pick them up for under $50 shipped, now they have made a 2nd version and its almost always about$70 shipped. The Antec 300 is the second case i use alot, if you can get it on sale under $50 is a pretty good case. BUT for you BUDGET builders (you would be suprised how people think $20 is alot) lately I have used a HEC BLITZ case from newegg $35 shipped.

First off its got a few GLARING flaws, but overall for $35 I think its a pretty dang good case.

its pretty lightweight so its not going to be chair at a lan party, it wont take that abuse. The front panel is plastic, but not the Break if you look at it wrong type. I have yet to get one damaged in shipping (unlike most other cases). its alot like the ANTEC 300 (power/plugin wise and fan wise). the inside is painted and doesnt seem to be full of sharpe edges like most cheap cases. The HD tray slides out (very nice) and has a fan on front (included with Blue LED's) to blow over HD's like most new cases do. the top has a hinged plastic grill that holds 2 fans (one ships with it) and filters to pull air out of case. it has the standard back fan (not included) spot. the PSU is at bottom. pretty standard stuff.

the negatives: The MB standoffs are built into the MB tray, not screw in, not a big deal, some hate it, some dont care (like me). The wires from the front panel might be short on some MB's.. I have used it on about 6 builds and ran into one older MB that had the USB headers at the bottom back of MB, it reached but only running across MB. Overall nothing to worry to much about, but there is one FLAW i hate. its a flat back case, no recessed card slot holders. So the cards L bracket 9the 1/2 inch part the the screw goes in) is actually on the back side of case. I hate this, no idea way, its works 100% but its just odd and I dont like it.

overall for the price I think its pretty nice looking and not a bad case for the budget builder.

 

[Zap]

I have used cases i cant fathom anybody paying waht they do

Yeah, you know I can't fathom why anybody would pay what they do for clothing when Walmart has such fine threads for so cheap, or why anyone would buy expensive cars when a used Corolla can get you from point A to point B just fine, or why anyone would want to pay the extortion prices some restaurants charge when Top Ramen fills my belly and keeps me alive for just pennies a day.

Oh wait, it is because they want to, or because they can.

BTW is your sig supposed to be really broken like that?

 

[clok1966]

No worries Zap.. we all buy what we want.. the case I pointed out here is CHEAP, no doubt about it. Some people might (maybe not) be interested in a cheap OK case. I look at ease of use, cooling.. and yes PRICE, thats me.. many have need for a more robust case no worries.

My choices and yours wont be the same as your and my comments suggest. . I do believe I have a walmart tshirt or two.. but most of mine come from 6dollarshirts.com. Wouldnt own a Carolla, actually think they are overpriced, even used. And 100% agree on the restaurant thing.. $20+ for a single person? But I dont think I would go ramen maybe a Pita for $6. To each there own

I still cant fathom why anybody would buy a $200 case, but sure dont begrudge um that. Me, if I had the money to buy $200 cases I might buy a $100 one and give a $100 to some charity (or buy another 2TB hd)... but that just me

its all just an opinion by me, sorry never ment to rile ya up and if your just having fun cool too!

oh and my sig, sorta.. never intended it to be broke, but when i saw it was.. i figured.. just as good, sorta silly and still gets you to my heat

 

[XLNC]

I still cant fathom why anybody would buy a $200 case, but sure dont begrudge um that.

I've been on a case kick lately, so I've done a ton of research. At first, I thought the same. But in the end, a case can easily last you thru several builds if you get the right one. Plus, even with all the choices out today, sometimes finding one with everything you need means paying up. Not to mention if it's all aluminum, that'll add significant cost.

 

[clok1966]

Oh I know, I have a couple old Linn-li case from my past that I paid ...err enough for Still nice cases but a bit plain looking (not that that matters much). I know when I build systems some of the new cases some customers use are VERY VERY nice, the new ones with the ready made ability to route wires behind the MB plate.. so nice.. But its just some rubber grommets and extra holes punched, Im a bit suprised the knock cheapies havent done this yet.

 

[deimos3428]

I've been on a case kick lately, so I've done a ton of research. At first, I thought the same. But in the end, a case can easily last you thru several builds if you get the right one. Plus, even with all the choices out today, sometimes finding one with everything you need means paying up. Not to mention if it's all aluminum, that'll add significant cost.

A quality case is well worth the investment over a budget one for just that reason, but there are significantly diminishing returns. You have to find the price point that matches the level of insanity you're comfortable with.

eg. I've got a Lancool K58, which in my opinion is a nice solid case for $70-80, with a lot of good features. I could've paid half that for something basic, and I'd actually prefer to have something like a Silverstone FT02...but not for three times the price.

 

[piasabird]

I think Toms Hardware wrote this article once and said a good test for a quality case was to stand on top of the case and if it is rigid and does not collapse that is one good sign of a good case. However, most cases today just are not built to the old standard for IBM ruggedized hardware standard. I still use an old IBM keyboard, simply because it is built like a brick.

My belief about computer cases is the Airflow is more important. However, some people are awed by windows, designs and flashing lights. Sure if you want a case for $300.00, you can get a custom paintjob. I like some of the utilitarian Antec Cases even though some tend to be overpriced.

My son built a computer in a case similar to this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208034

It actually looked a lot better in person. It seemed pretty good.

The way I look at a case is it is a one use item that is thrown away. Maybe it might survive two builds.

Antec sells some NSKxxxx Cases in all black that are pretty nice. I like the Rubber Grommets and the Black finish. Nice plane jane dependable case.

 

[clok1966]

Lots of good points. I really think we all should build what we want and my OP was just on the cheap 'ok' case. I know when I build some of the desktops quite simpley the case and PSU are the two things that people are suprised about. I have a few $80-100 area cases I love to use, easy to work with , solid and just a good case, but when Joe User comes in and wants more than just a surfing/facebook/twitter box and you start adding up parts... they want to skimp. So you can only go so cheap on stuff that matters, and I do believe a good PSU is a required as I back my builds up myslef (I eat all shipping costs, so dont wanna deal with it more than needed) the single easiest thing to skimp on is a CASE.. you dont save much but $40 more to a good PSU is somthing I would do far before putting it into a case. $20 here and there on parts, $40 on a case, you can change a $800 PC build into $500 and still have a "good" setup. it really is a fine line when it comes to people who are not PC hardware savy. Sure i could burn them on a video card, to little ram, etc.. but that comes back to haunt you quickly (and is just wrong anyways).

I only recomended the case as a budget case and its about the cheapest one I will use. My comments on $200 cases are just my opinion.. to all the awsome modder who use high end cases, no offence

 

[f4phantom2500]

if anyone really thinks that you need to drop 2 bills on a case just to have it last for more than one or two builds, you must really beat the shit out of your cases. i've been using a centurion 5 for years now. probably about 5 builds or so. sure its kinda rough around the edges now but functionally it's great. i've been thinking about replacing it soon-ish, but honestly the only real reason i could think to replace it is to get a quieter case. the fact that the entire front of the centurion 5 is mesh is very nice for cooling, but it sucks for sound isolation. still, again, functionally great.

one of my friends had this shitty case, musta been $50 with the psu, and he used that thing like hell. no joke, this kid would not buy a new case. he lost the side panel and kept using it. in fact, he wanted to 'install' a fan above his video card (as in, in the area as though it were installed on the [missing] side panel), so he hung it from the top of the case with a piece of string. i shit you not, he saw no reason to buy a new case.

 

[Cebu]

I paid $49.99 for a HAF 912 and it is one of the best cases I have ever bought at any price. That includes the $200.00 + I spent on Lian Li cases.

 

[clok1966]

i've been using a centurion 5 for years now. probably about 5 builds or so.

THIS is the case i used alot in the last 2-3 years. it was a bit more common back then, you could get in in Silver/blue and Red I believe (front trim) so it gave customers options. and the "nomrally" under $50 shipped pricetag made it one of the BEST cases. Easy no screw mounting, good airflow, nice design if a bit plain.. Only bad things i have to say about it.

Power/USB/ front panel stuff is to low for a case that sits on the floor (just fine for desktop). the plastic clips used to hold cards in are crap... but you can still use screws. otherwise a few cases i have shipped had HD's come lose (the plastic screwless holders cant take a Ace Ventura UPS guy handling I guess) again, you can use screws so no biggy.

I loved that case for builds, but as I say, you can still get it but its seldom under $50 anymore. And nowdays I prefer the upper mounted power/usb and the bottom mounted PSU.

I actually have 2 centurions in my house.. one for my Bit@h box (mame, DVD, media center etc in my livingroom) and my 2nd machine (dvd burning, torrent, etc box) great cases.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

OP, thanks for the review of the HEC Blitz. Looks like something to build with soon and try out.

snip

I lol'd at your sig...that's going in a lecture slide.

 

[Red Dawn]

I have one, the only thing I really don't like about it is the steel (aluminum) mesh window on the side panel.

 

[eplebnista]

I usually get the cheapest newegg has with free shipping and wait for the 120mm fans versions to hit $20-$30 price point(usually Rosewill's as expected) before buying one.

I've considered the BLITZ before but didn't like the power supply on the bottom feature.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I've built using low-end Rosewill cases that were $20 FS at times on sale or shellshocker. They're not bad, they usually include a cooling fan, and they also include both AC97 and HDAUDIO FP connectors, like the Antec 300 does.

I've also started using some cases from ewiz.com, the imicro cases. They used to have them, with a 400W UL-listed PSU included, for $32 shipped. They've since raised their prices to $42 shipped, or $50 shipped, with a USB keyboard/mouse/speakers. Almost worth it to get the combo, except for the fact that I cannot stand USB keyboards (compatibility issues with boot discs), and the USB-powered speakers included, really, really suck. (Electrical interference noise from the USB ports comes out the speakers.)

They also don't have HDAUDIO FP audio connectors, only AC97, which really sucks when you're using a newish AMD mobo that only has HDAUDIO. Some good mobos include a BIOS switch that allows for either standard on the mobo pinout, but most don't.

Not to mention, the last one I used, was defective. The HD cage, wasn't riveted on one side, it was bent out of the way of the rivet, and the first expansion slot screw hole wasn't tapped at all. Had to go to the hardware store and get a self-tapping metal screw. So QC kind of sucks. I did build with four of those cases previously without issue.

They do look pretty darn nice, though, from the outside. Oh, and they have a spot for an 80mm exhaust fan, but they don't include it. Most build really do require at least one case fan, otherwise they overheat. Even with older CPUs installed.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php...-400W-20-4pin-ATX-Mid-Tower-Case-Black-Silver

I also use these XION cases, they are quite flashy, without looking ugly. Built about four of them for clients. Used to get them at Microcenter for $40.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-011-_-Product

Another very attractive case that I've used (also for my personal desktops), the CoolerMaster Elite 330. Fairly inexpensive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119115

I also put Thumbscrews on to hold the case sides, for the cases that don't include them.

http://www.svc.com/clearance.html

 

[Conroe]

I've used a number of cheap cases. Never used one I hated. Only got cut once. The last case I bought is A Gigabyte aluminum full tower. Big, quiet and cool with a half dozen fans. It's a pleasure to work in too. I think it's worth the price. Now I need more of a mid range case for my son. I'm thinking about a Cooler Master Elite 430 for $50. I have 4870 crossfire in it and my old Cooler Master Cavalier just can't keep them cool. Not sure how well this HEC would work with that setup?