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Suggestions for a cool running, sleek case

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imported_Spoot

Member
Im looking to buy a new case for my computer because my current case just isnt cutting it. I have a 2500+m Barton which is crying to be overclocked but the heat in the case goes outta control (40+C case temp 58+C CPU). So im looking to find a case with good airflow and which has a good sleek look. My first bet is on the Antec Sonata case and I was just wondering what, if any of your experiances are with this case. . Any information would be welcome...as well as other case suggestions, Id rather the case be black and midsize ATX.
 
Want it cheap? Antec SLK3000B... The second Sonata is a lot better than the first one, especially about cooling, but the two are in fact a bit cramped... But if you can find the Sonata II with its built in SmartPower 2.0 450W for a cheap price, don't hesitate... The first Sonata's PSU isn't as good...
 
both sonatas don't have very good airflow. there are cases out there that have much better airflow, such as the antec p180, p150.
 
Originally posted by: Wentelteefje
Want it cheap? Antec SLK3000B... The second Sonata is a lot better than the first one, especially about cooling, but the two are in fact a bit cramped... But if you can find the Sonata II with its built in SmartPower 2.0 450W for a cheap price, don't hesitate... The first Sonata's PSU isn't as good...
Click to expand...

I would say the first Sonata's PSU is just as good as the Sonata 2.

380 TRUE power is equivalent to a 450 Smartpower, IMO.


The higher the watts != the better PSU.
 
It may be a TruePower (albeit one with a single 12V rail), but it is no match for a dual 12V SmartPower...

The Antec SLK3000B seems like a very good choice, if you already have a good PSU...

SilentPCReview has a review of it...
 
The one from the first Sonata 🙂 It's no powerhouse anymore, but should do fine if you're going to overclock that Mobile XP...
 
Hehe, I'll have a go once more sorry 🙂 You could always pick a CoolerMaster Centurion 5 too... They are well priced and aren't that bad as well (although the Antec may be of a higher quality, but nonetheless a very good case too...)
 
P180 if you want it cool and quiet.

I just got my slk3000 today, and while I haven't hooked it up yet... It's going to be a sweet case. I can tell. It'll have some great airflow with 2 X 120mm fans and it's got lots of room for good airflow. It's just a well designed "Simple" case. Not sure if it's as sleek as you want... But it's a sweet case nonetheless... IF money is an issue, it's the one. Can't beat the price.
 
I have 4 Sonatas, 3 of the I and 1 of the II. They all have X2's/Opteron 170, and a small video card and are all OC'ed to 2550, so no problem wit the PSU unless you want to run a high end video card and a dual-core.
 
The Sonata is a nice case and very quiet. But it does have limited cooling capability though.
I put a NV Sliencer on my 6800GT and added a 120mm fan to the door, and that has helped lower my temps quite abit. With just the original two 120mm fans and stock VC cooler, my full load ambient case temp was in the 42-44C range, which is waaaay too high for my liking. It's now about 35C max, which is much better, but I believe it would be even lower with a better cooling case.

So while the Sonata is a good case, I personally think there are better alternatives, though many of them are the same price or more and don't come with a PSU. If $100 is your budget for a case/PSU, the SLK3000B would be a better choice than the Sonata IMO.
 
Originally posted by: Reapsy01
is the slk3000 cramped to work in or roomy? How does it compare to the P180 in that area?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the delay, didn't see this post...

I find it plenty roomy for me. It's not huge, but it's a good size. I've never used a p180, so I can't make a direct comparison, but I have 3 hd's in mine, all with space above and below...
A zalman cooler on my cpu and on my video card, which both fit very easily. I get idle temps at 30 or below in my case (with the case fans turned all the way down) , which is practically SILENT when the case fans are turned down, and my seasonic psu.

It's been very nice to me. The only drawbacks I see are no Firewire/Front audio in the front, and the drive bay door is pretty cheap. But those are pretty minimal in my opinion.

For the price, it's a wonderful case.
 
Both the SLK3000B and the P180 are good choices I'd also suggest the TT Tsunami w/out window its basicly and alu Slk3000B w/ a good door and has work pretty well for me w/ the door closed its pretty quiet
 
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