What is everyones opinion on these cases? Are they as good as Lian-Li case? I have never bought a Lian-Li case, but I have owned a SkyHAwk and thet seem pretty durable.
SkyHawk cases
- Thread starter fibes
- Start date
my opinion is that they are the best bang for the buck as far as all aluminum cases go. do they compare to lian-li? no, but they also cost 3/4's of what a lian-li does. I own the MSR-4610 which I purchased from dealsonic about month or two ago. I am very happy with it, and I don't feel I could have did any better for the price I paid ($37 shipped)
rise
Diamond Member
- Dec 13, 2004
- 9,116
- 46
- 91
i just built my friend a comp with a skyhawk and i promptly orderd another for my next build. for the money (his was 43 delivered,mine 33 delivered) i was very impressed. not that i'd compare it with my cm praetorian or a lian li but its really nice for the money.
you heard something good from me. besides, steel cases suck for modding. the skyhawk cases are cheap enough you can make a mistake or two and it's ok, and not like spending $100 for a lian-li only to ruin it.
I've got a couple of the ones that Newegg was blowing out here and they are pretty solid except for the side panels, which could do with a bit of bracing - you definitely don't want to accidentally sit on one of the side panels... But they made it all the way across the country in good shape.
. Now these are the so-called "server" cases (the MSR series). Some of the other Skyhawk models used thinner aluminum than these and are definitely flimsier.
.bh.
. Now these are the so-called "server" cases (the MSR series). Some of the other Skyhawk models used thinner aluminum than these and are definitely flimsier.
.bh.
Yeah... I ordered one from newegg for $33 shipped.
EXCELLENT bang for the buck. Like everybody said, it's a little flimsy... but I don't really care. I want to mod the bejesus out of it.
I couldn't see a reason NOT to buy one of these cases. Except for if you have extra cash to burn.
Personally... I'd rather burn my money on something important (Like the PSU or mobo) than get a more expensive case.
Or.. take the extra $$ and get a UPS.
EXCELLENT bang for the buck. Like everybody said, it's a little flimsy... but I don't really care. I want to mod the bejesus out of it.
I couldn't see a reason NOT to buy one of these cases. Except for if you have extra cash to burn.
Personally... I'd rather burn my money on something important (Like the PSU or mobo) than get a more expensive case.
Or.. take the extra $$ and get a UPS.
I have never owned a Lian-Li, but as far as looks goes, I think they almost look identical. Build quality for the SkyHawk is good.
I got Skyhawk from dealsonic for around $35 shiped for my kids computer. You just can't get a better deal on a case. The motheboard try is a better setup than my P160, and it's a very nice looking case.
dabuddha
Lifer
- Apr 10, 2000
- 19,579
- 17
- 81
I got the same Skyhawk Greenman did but I got it from newnegg.
The drive covers are crap. They don't really "lock" into place so they easily get skewed. The power/reset switch kept getting "stuck" whenever I would push them so I ended up using my dremel to "shave" off a sliver off the buttons. Now the buttons work nicely. I love the removeable motherboard tray. And when you have all your drives in, it's nice because you can't see them from the outside so it makes for a neater case.
As for the side panel, I used my dremel to cut out the two grills on the side and put on proper 80mm grills. I also dremeled out the back 80mm grill as well as the front one. My next step is to cut a round hole in the front panel so air can get to the fan in front of the hdds. I didn't see why they bothered putting the fan in front if they completely block off the front of the case.
All in all, I say it's a good deal for $40
The drive covers are crap. They don't really "lock" into place so they easily get skewed. The power/reset switch kept getting "stuck" whenever I would push them so I ended up using my dremel to "shave" off a sliver off the buttons. Now the buttons work nicely. I love the removeable motherboard tray. And when you have all your drives in, it's nice because you can't see them from the outside so it makes for a neater case.
As for the side panel, I used my dremel to cut out the two grills on the side and put on proper 80mm grills. I also dremeled out the back 80mm grill as well as the front one. My next step is to cut a round hole in the front panel so air can get to the fan in front of the hdds. I didn't see why they bothered putting the fan in front if they completely block off the front of the case.
All in all, I say it's a good deal for $40
Indeed it is a nice case to mod, but if gouging grills is not your thing then look at other cases.
Zap
Elite Member
- Oct 13, 1999
- 22,377
- 7
- 81
Here's my opinions on aluminum cases in general. Disclaimer - I'm only going to mention cases I've owned or worked with.
Lian Li "6" series: Decent design and nice metal thickness. Used to be way too expensive, but now there's some nice ones hovering around $100 (had my eye on a 7Plus with front/rear 120mm fans for around $120). Would like to see a "refresh" in these more budget units, such as using finger guards for better airflow and using rubber grommets for HDD mounts, plus false fronts for optical drives.
Aspire "alien" series: These Chenming cases have been popular with the aftermarket crowd for years under different brands and with slightly differing designs. Mine had the sideways HDD mounts. The case has great airflow but the ones I've used all were noisy with included fans. Reasonably sturdy for an aluminum case. The aluminum versions of these hover just over $100. Good for those wanting a more pimped out look, but don't want to pay double for a Thermaltake with the same chassis.
Antec LAN Boy: I actually had the original Chenming version. Aspire had their version. This was probably one of the lightest aluminum cases I've ever owned, because the metal was the most thin. The bottom of mine started to develope a permanent bend just from the weight of the components. The chassis is actually rather stiff when both side panels are bolted firmly on. Great airflow, few HDD bays, inexpensive at $40-60 depending on branding/features. Good choice for a minimal system for LAN parties (minimal meaning single HDD, single optical, no copper HSF).
Antec Super LAN Boy: I really like this case design, except for the "waffle" front grill which is easily solved with a finger guard. Oh yeah, don't really like doors over drive bays, but it does hide the mismatching optical drives. I don't know why people think this case is flimsy because the only aluminum cases I've used (note: only comparing to cases in this list) that were more sturdy have been the Lian Li, Aspire "alien" and AOpen, and all are more expensive. The SLB case can be had for under $50 with the constant rebate deals going on for the past year - a steal at that price. It's lightweight, comes with carrying straps, has decent cooling and is relatively quiet. Nothing cheaper can match the cooling or quietness - comparing stock, unmodified.
AOpen A600B: This is a beautiful but understated case. It has a smallish side window, 3 color rear 120mm fan and has 6 internal drive bays. The power button is lit up and cycles through various colors. Lighting isn't too bright, so it doens't actually draw too much attention to itself. The finish is a nice glossy one but does take some work to keep it nice (just like any other glossy finish), even came with a polishing chamois-like cloth. Comes with a 3 position speed controller that can control rear fan plus a second one. This one is kinda big, so better for the stationary system and not a LAN party box. Ventilation is good, but rear fan could use a finger guard instead of punched out grill. Comes with a 300w PSU made by Fortron (judging from model#) and runs about $130. A real suprise from AOpen. They now need to cut a few bucks off, use a finger guard in rear and sell it w/o PSU.
A+GPB mATX: The chassis design is similar to this case. These seem to be discontinued and indeed A+GPB no longer exists, but morphed into Athena Power. The power supply is kinda an SFX form factor, but a few companies make really nice ones that bolt right in, TTGI and Enermax. We're talking high amperage quality PSU that fit. I still own two of these cases. The aluminum is reasonably thick and the chassis is rigid. Rear has two 60x15mm or so fans in a plastic holder. The punched out grill can easily be snipped off with dykes, similar to the ones on the original Shuttle SV24 (concentric, just four snips and it falls out). Side panel has no holes in it at all. Front face is plastic with a plexiglass cover. The "bottom" of the front (if stood up like a tower) looks like the vents in the Antec P160 series, complete with blue LEDs. I had a rockin' gaming machine built into one of these for a while with a Chaintech Nforce2 Ultra 400 mATX board, mobile Barton CPU overclocked with wire trick, 6800GT video and Enermax PSU. Only drawback of chassis is that it is so small that most optical drives interfere with larger HSFs. My temporary solution was an external USB optical drive.
Skyhawk cases: I have gone through a number of the older style chassis - the ones with only a 60mm exhaust fan option and not too many internal drive bays. They were pretty flimsy. Not just the thinness of the aluminum, but seems like they used a lower grade alloy because the LAN Boy cases seem as thin, but also seemed more rigid. My first one was years ago with an "X" side window, using it with a Tualatin CPU and cost about $70 shipped from SVC.com back when most aluminum cases were $200 and few cases came with side windows. My most recent one was purchased from Dumpinggoods.com for about $25 shipped (yes, shipped) and I got it just as a spare chassis. They are, um, okay for the price. Horrible ventilation with small fans and, "WTF, no holes in the face?!?!" Front ports go out the rear and just plug into regular ports instead of motherboard headers. These cases are cheaper than cheap. I would only recommend them for people who have a cooler running system and need a really cheap, nice looking case (BTW, they are all nicer looking than a "beige box" without screaming "14yr old gamer"). Otherwise, better options are out there.
Skyhawk "server" chassis: I just ordered one yesterday from Dealsonic, will see how it goes. Initial observations from talk around here and pics are that it makes for a budget modding platform. Seems to have smart design aspects and be of reasonable quality. [MAD DOCTOR]Looking forward to cutting into it.[/MAD DOCTOR]
Observations on other cases that I haven't seen in person:
Antec P160: Looks like a smart design emphasizing quiet and airflow.
Lian Li V1000: "Different," dunno about all that mesh. I'm from the thought that airflow should be directed, not just allowed to dissipate.
Kingwin KT424: I've been looking for an excuse to get one because it just looks sharp and has nice design features, but alas I keep finding other choices.
Aspire X-Qpack: I was one of the first to mention the case here. If it had just )( that much more depth so that standard PSU and longer optical drives could fit...
Thermaltake: Don't like their design.
Lian Li "6" series: Decent design and nice metal thickness. Used to be way too expensive, but now there's some nice ones hovering around $100 (had my eye on a 7Plus with front/rear 120mm fans for around $120). Would like to see a "refresh" in these more budget units, such as using finger guards for better airflow and using rubber grommets for HDD mounts, plus false fronts for optical drives.
Aspire "alien" series: These Chenming cases have been popular with the aftermarket crowd for years under different brands and with slightly differing designs. Mine had the sideways HDD mounts. The case has great airflow but the ones I've used all were noisy with included fans. Reasonably sturdy for an aluminum case. The aluminum versions of these hover just over $100. Good for those wanting a more pimped out look, but don't want to pay double for a Thermaltake with the same chassis.
Antec LAN Boy: I actually had the original Chenming version. Aspire had their version. This was probably one of the lightest aluminum cases I've ever owned, because the metal was the most thin. The bottom of mine started to develope a permanent bend just from the weight of the components. The chassis is actually rather stiff when both side panels are bolted firmly on. Great airflow, few HDD bays, inexpensive at $40-60 depending on branding/features. Good choice for a minimal system for LAN parties (minimal meaning single HDD, single optical, no copper HSF).
Antec Super LAN Boy: I really like this case design, except for the "waffle" front grill which is easily solved with a finger guard. Oh yeah, don't really like doors over drive bays, but it does hide the mismatching optical drives.
I don't know why people think this case is flimsy because the only aluminum cases I've used (note: only comparing to cases in this list) that were more sturdy have been the Lian Li, Aspire "alien" and AOpen, and all are more expensive. The SLB case can be had for under $50 with the constant rebate deals going on for the past year - a steal at that price. It's lightweight, comes with carrying straps, has decent cooling and is relatively quiet. Nothing cheaper can match the cooling or quietness - comparing stock, unmodified.AOpen A600B: This is a beautiful but understated case. It has a smallish side window, 3 color rear 120mm fan and has 6 internal drive bays. The power button is lit up and cycles through various colors. Lighting isn't too bright, so it doens't actually draw too much attention to itself. The finish is a nice glossy one but does take some work to keep it nice (just like any other glossy finish), even came with a polishing chamois-like cloth. Comes with a 3 position speed controller that can control rear fan plus a second one. This one is kinda big, so better for the stationary system and not a LAN party box. Ventilation is good, but rear fan could use a finger guard instead of punched out grill. Comes with a 300w PSU made by Fortron (judging from model#) and runs about $130. A real suprise from AOpen. They now need to cut a few bucks off, use a finger guard in rear and sell it w/o PSU.
A+GPB mATX: The chassis design is similar to this case. These seem to be discontinued and indeed A+GPB no longer exists, but morphed into Athena Power. The power supply is kinda an SFX form factor, but a few companies make really nice ones that bolt right in, TTGI and Enermax. We're talking high amperage quality PSU that fit. I still own two of these cases. The aluminum is reasonably thick and the chassis is rigid. Rear has two 60x15mm or so fans in a plastic holder. The punched out grill can easily be snipped off with dykes, similar to the ones on the original Shuttle SV24 (concentric, just four snips and it falls out). Side panel has no holes in it at all. Front face is plastic with a plexiglass cover. The "bottom" of the front (if stood up like a tower) looks like the vents in the Antec P160 series, complete with blue LEDs. I had a rockin' gaming machine built into one of these for a while with a Chaintech Nforce2 Ultra 400 mATX board, mobile Barton CPU overclocked with wire trick, 6800GT video and Enermax PSU. Only drawback of chassis is that it is so small that most optical drives interfere with larger HSFs. My temporary solution was an external USB optical drive.
Skyhawk cases: I have gone through a number of the older style chassis - the ones with only a 60mm exhaust fan option and not too many internal drive bays. They were pretty flimsy. Not just the thinness of the aluminum, but seems like they used a lower grade alloy because the LAN Boy cases seem as thin, but also seemed more rigid. My first one was years ago with an "X" side window, using it with a Tualatin CPU and cost about $70 shipped from SVC.com back when most aluminum cases were $200 and few cases came with side windows. My most recent one was purchased from Dumpinggoods.com for about $25 shipped (yes, shipped) and I got it just as a spare chassis. They are, um, okay for the price. Horrible ventilation with small fans and, "WTF, no holes in the face?!?!" Front ports go out the rear and just plug into regular ports instead of motherboard headers. These cases are cheaper than cheap. I would only recommend them for people who have a cooler running system and need a really cheap, nice looking case (BTW, they are all nicer looking than a "beige box" without screaming "14yr old gamer"). Otherwise, better options are out there.
Skyhawk "server" chassis: I just ordered one yesterday from Dealsonic, will see how it goes. Initial observations from talk around here and pics are that it makes for a budget modding platform. Seems to have smart design aspects and be of reasonable quality. [MAD DOCTOR]Looking forward to cutting into it.[/MAD DOCTOR]
Observations on other cases that I haven't seen in person:
Antec P160: Looks like a smart design emphasizing quiet and airflow.
Lian Li V1000: "Different," dunno about all that mesh. I'm from the thought that airflow should be directed, not just allowed to dissipate.
Kingwin KT424: I've been looking for an excuse to get one because it just looks sharp and has nice design features, but alas I keep finding other choices.
Aspire X-Qpack: I was one of the first to mention the case here. If it had just )( that much more depth so that standard PSU and longer optical drives could fit...
Thermaltake: Don't like their design.
The cheapest Lian-Li I found at Foogle was a PC-50 USB 3 51/2"bays, in silver @ $77. That is double the money of a Skyhawk.
But the Lian-Li is a decent aluminum alloy that is 2mm thick. Small lite-duty holes can be drilled and tapped into it. Aluminum
pop-rivets will not buckel the panels if used.
The side panels are not flimsy and slide into position on tappered fingers, so they fit snug.
The Kingwin 424 series are also 2mm aluminum but I have never seen one in person or I did 3 years ago?
I bought my first case three years ago after going to several stores for a look and touch. Lian-Li won the test.
I didn't buy it at the time to be *uppity*, it was because after many years of automotive work I developed a strong
distaste for flimsy sheet metal with sharp edges.
Aside from the 31/2" and HD cage there are no sharp edges. All the other panels are rolled over at the edge, this doubles
the thickness and makes the panels quite stiff with no internal bracing.
In my area Fry's had a bunch of cases on display. Three years ago, nothing came close for a mid-tower.
I'm on the left coast, I bought a PC-7 HW Lian-Li from a suppler 1800 miles away for $75 shipped. The box these cases are
packed in are double thick cardboard and 2" thick styrafome caps are over both ends of the case. I have moved twice in the last
three years, this packaging has come in real handy
No, I'm not a fan-boy. I just got lucky in this particular choice.
edit: The bay covers, being 2mm thick are much more desirable if you would ever want
to mod them for switches or such.
I'm not contesting what Zap has to say, I'm glad he will post here as well as Zepper.
I find that these two, as well as some others are not blind fan-boys dedicated to just one
type or brand. I was just trying to add to the mix.
What ever you get OP, you will be the one to look at it and work with it. Chose well.
jj
But the Lian-Li is a decent aluminum alloy that is 2mm thick. Small lite-duty holes can be drilled and tapped into it. Aluminum
pop-rivets will not buckel the panels if used.
The side panels are not flimsy and slide into position on tappered fingers, so they fit snug.
The Kingwin 424 series are also 2mm aluminum but I have never seen one in person or I did 3 years ago?
I bought my first case three years ago after going to several stores for a look and touch. Lian-Li won the test.
I didn't buy it at the time to be *uppity*, it was because after many years of automotive work I developed a strong
distaste for flimsy sheet metal with sharp edges.
Aside from the 31/2" and HD cage there are no sharp edges. All the other panels are rolled over at the edge, this doubles
the thickness and makes the panels quite stiff with no internal bracing.
In my area Fry's had a bunch of cases on display. Three years ago, nothing came close for a mid-tower.
I'm on the left coast, I bought a PC-7 HW Lian-Li from a suppler 1800 miles away for $75 shipped. The box these cases are
packed in are double thick cardboard and 2" thick styrafome caps are over both ends of the case. I have moved twice in the last
three years, this packaging has come in real handy
No, I'm not a fan-boy. I just got lucky in this particular choice.
edit: The bay covers, being 2mm thick are much more desirable if you would ever want
to mod them for switches or such.
I'm not contesting what Zap has to say, I'm glad he will post here as well as Zepper.
I find that these two, as well as some others are not blind fan-boys dedicated to just one
type or brand. I was just trying to add to the mix.
What ever you get OP, you will be the one to look at it and work with it. Chose well.
jj
Zap
Elite Member
- Oct 13, 1999
- 22,377
- 7
- 81
Good to hear another "non-fanboy" chime in on real world experience and observations. I've never used rivets before and I haven't tapped screw holes in over 1½ decades but your observations may help others.
As I mentioned I've actually worked on an older Lian Li case and liked the build quality. If that 7-Plus model with 120mm fans front and rear was more widely available, had rubber grommets in the HDD bays and was priced under $100 I would already own one, or more... Damn, that Kingwin KT424 was sooooo close to being a perfect case, just needs 120mm fans... Let's see, graft the drive bays in the Kingwin into the 7-Plus and make the cost under $100 shipped...
Take a look at this Skyhawk case. Looks like a Lian Li case to me.....1.2mm aluminum, removable tray, removable PSU opening, case feet, etc. All for $26.
Sure you can find a better case.....but for that price?
Sure you can find a better case.....but for that price?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just ordered one from these guys last night. I'll post what its like when I get it.
I will not judge it harshly because i :heart: my Lian-Li. It will be my sisters comp.
I'm only 80 miles from Ontario Ca and the shipping was still $12. Newegg has a differant
model SkyHawk for the same price, shipping $16. I don't care for the apperance of the
one offered by Newegg.
g/y
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