Recommend me a case...

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bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,727
46
91
requirements:
aluminium preferred but steel ok
full tower
good airflow over hdds
3-5+ internal 3.5 bays (more if possible)
3-5+ external 5.25 bays
1 external 3.5 bays
multiple 80-120mm fans or at least the places to put them
no psu
black
simple design - no crazy looking cases

upto $100

thanks in advance
 
G

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
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We do have a Cases & Cooling Forum ;)

Antec SLK-3000B should Froogle for <$50. It has a door. Do not use an Antec TrurePower or SmartPower PSU.

That is all,
...Galvanized
 
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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
2,689
1
0
You're not going to find a good full tower for less than $100. Aluminum will run you closer to $150, though the ultra aluminus is an exception. (is it full?) If you're willing to make an investment, check out a couple lian li case. Tops for quality, a few that come to mind for full towers are the v2000b and g71b. Both ~$200 though. Why do you need full tower though? Any good mid tower will have 3 or 4 extrernal 5.25" spaces, 2 external 3.5" spaces and plenty of room for hdd's. Look into the lian li pc7b+2. A lot of case for $90 shipped. The cooler master centurion line of cases is notoriously solid, not really gawdy and have aluminum bezals, not cheap plastic ones like tt. Check newegg, they usually have fair shipping and rebates.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
The SLK3000B is a great case, with the 120mm intake fan mount placed to move cool air over the hard drives (intake fan not included).
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Originally posted by: acegazda
but it does come with a 120mm rear exhaust, correct?
Click to expand...
Yes, and drive cages with rubber grommets to reduce noise.

The drives are also spaced apart vertically for better airflow.
 
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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
2,689
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so whould you say that it is better than the similarly priced centurion 531? comes with 120mm intake and you add the exhaust, rather than the other way around.
 
bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,727
46
91
Originally posted by: acegazda
You're not going to find a good full tower for less than $100. Aluminum will run you closer to $150, though the ultra aluminus is an exception. (is it full?) If you're willing to make an investment, check out a couple lian li case. Tops for quality, a few that come to mind for full towers are the v2000b and g71b. Both ~$200 though. Why do you need full tower though? Any good mid tower will have 3 or 4 extrernal 5.25" spaces, 2 external 3.5" spaces and plenty of room for hdd's. Look into the lian li pc7b+2. A lot of case for $90 shipped. The cooler master centurion line of cases is notoriously solid, not really gawdy and have aluminum bezals, not cheap plastic ones like tt. Check newegg, they usually have fair shipping and rebates.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info. i thought abuot the ultra one but all that is available for the cheap is the blue one :(

as for why a full tower i just like to have room. i guess i could go a large mid tower but that is about as small as i could go.

i currently have original lanboy and it is way too small considering i added another scsi hdd - now the hdd cage that i put a fun in front off is right in line with my gpu so i can't put the new hdd in there, plus it has a door. i always use active cooling on hdds so i went last night to comp usa to pick up some 5.25 fans and a hdd cooler, a 5.25 mount and it came to ~$40, figured that would be better $$$ to go to a case instead of cramming it all into this little arse case.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
The SLK3000B has one less 5.25" bay, but 1 more internal 3.5" and one more external 3.5". It's also $50 cheaper, though you might prefer the looks of the Centurion.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Originally posted by: bob4432
i always use active cooling on hdds so i went last night to comp usa to pick up some 5.25 fans and a hdd cooler, a 5.25 mount and it came to ~$40, figured that would be better $$$ to go to a case instead of cramming it all into this little arse case.
Click to expand...
Then I guess you do want some big steel monster with many 5.25" bays instead of relying on an intake fan like the SLK3000B has?

No idea, maybe some razor-edged Rosewill case and throw away the $5 PSU?
 
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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
2,689
1
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Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The SLK3000B has one less 5.25" bay, but 1 more internal 3.5" and one more external 3.5". It's also $50 cheaper, though you might prefer the looks of the Centurion.
Click to expand...

uhhh... maybe $5 cheaper?:confused:
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Originally posted by: acegazda
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The SLK3000B has one less 5.25" bay, but 1 more internal 3.5" and one more external 3.5". It's also $50 cheaper, though you might prefer the looks of the Centurion.
Click to expand...

uhhh... maybe $5 cheaper?:confused:
Click to expand...
At newegg the 531 is only sold as a $110 model with a PSU.

Looking at all the other 5 and 5xx cases there though, I'm guessing other vendors sell it without a PSU?

So the main difference is the drive bays.
 
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ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
1
0
why not go with one of the CoolerMaster Centurion line cases? they're cheaper, made of steel, solid and very nice imo. i have the Centurion 5 and although it only has 1 external 3.5" bay, it has 3 internal and 5 internal 5.25". it comes with an 80mm fan on the HDD cage and a 120mm fan for exhaust. both fans, while not absolutly the quitest, are pretty quiet and i don't really hearm them. great case and only $50.
 
bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,727
46
91
Originally posted by: ForumMaster
why not go with one of the CoolerMaster Centurion line cases? they're cheaper, made of steel, solid and very nice imo. i have the Centurion 5 and although it only has 1 external 3.5" bay, it has 3 internal and 5 internal 5.25". it comes with an 80mm fan on the HDD cage and a 120mm fan for exhaust. both fans, while not absolutly the quitest, are pretty quiet and i don't really hearm them. great case and only $50.
Click to expand...

haven't ruled it out yet.....thanks
 
A

acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
2,689
1
0
Originally posted by: bob4432
Originally posted by: ForumMaster
why not go with one of the CoolerMaster Centurion line cases? they're cheaper, made of steel, solid and very nice imo. i have the Centurion 5 and although it only has 1 external 3.5" bay, it has 3 internal and 5 internal 5.25". it comes with an 80mm fan on the HDD cage and a 120mm fan for exhaust. both fans, while not absolutly the quitest, are pretty quiet and i don't really hearm them. great case and only $50.
Click to expand...

haven't ruled it out yet.....thanks
Click to expand...

Cheifvalue.com sells the cm centurion 531 for $50 shipped.
Check it out! Good store.
Proavantage has a good deal on the slk3000b for like $48 shipped.
 
bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,727
46
91
ok, move the price up to $100 and i need the hdd to mount front - back, not side to side...

thanks all for the input
 
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