Recommend me a good case.

[JPB]

I have searched and searched and searched some more for a nice case. I would like one where the motherboard mounts upside down. It doesnt matter if the psu is in the top or the bottom however. I would also like it to be aluminum. I would really not like to spend more than $110 on this. So please help me out here so I can get rid of this ugly one im using now, lol....thanks in advance

John

 

[Zepper]

Lian Li has some but IDK the prices - probably very high. The Aerocool Coolview, Masstige (aka Bay Dream) and Zero Degree but they aren't light by any means. Aerocool Spiral Galaxies, Thermaltake Circles, Silverstone Temjin 06 (all based on the same chassis - Enermax has one too - none are all aluminum).

.bh.

 

[JPB]

Is there any advantage one way or the other for the motherboard to be mounted upside down ? Ive been looking at the Masstige and would prefer my purchase to have a window ( I could make my own window, but prefer not to...have allready several times ).

Also, on the Aerocool Coolview, the led's on the front, do they work properly ? I'd hate to purchase the case then they not work properly.

Thanks again. You really seem to know your cases Zepper.

 

[Zepper]

I think it doesn't make a lot of sense for an ATX mobo (they have a BTX kit for it too) - generally causes the rear exhaust fan to be mounted too low on the back of the case so the add-on cards tend to sit up in a hot pocket. You could use a Zalman fan bracket to stir the air up in the pocket.

I own a silver CoolView (see my write-up on Newegg) and the included Coolwatch device is worth what you pay for it... 😉 OTOH, right now you get the case for half of its original price which makes the Coolwatch free along with a discount off the case itself (at least the HDD and Power LEDs. work consistently). And the ledge the front internal HDD bay sits on really gets in the way of making easy use of the bottom bays - they should have stacked those bays at the rear (look at the Evercase 4292 HDD brackets for a proper idea). That's what's going to happen to mine shortly - ledge WILL BE CUT OFF. The OEM fans are junk. At the time, I was unaware of the Zero Degree version and the C-V was a super deal at something like $86. with free shipping.

Actually if you use the heat sensors as intended (in tandem with the labeled fan connectors) it works fine in auto mode or you can use manual mode and set the fan speeds (fans MUST have working speed sensors as the C-W won't set the speed on a fan it can't read) you want and fageddaboudit.. Setting the C-W is done with software (you have to download it???) via a USB connection.

. I think the Z-D version is the best executed of the three. That big fan obviates the problem of the hot pocket and you shouldn't need any other fan except one to push some air over the HDDs if you put them in the front bays like I have done (Lian Li EX-34B cage which I'm now selling on eBay). But it also lacks a speed sensor (tach) wire like all the OEM fans on the other models. Ironic, when you consider the nice fan controller/speed monitor mounted in the front of the case. I'm 😕 !

The C-V is a discontinued model - if you were wondering why the good price.

.bh.