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The best case for the money???

M

MoD TaRkIn

Junior Member
Hey, I'm in the middle of building my new comp and I've struck a problem. I was going to use a Mac G5 style case by Alpine, and fit it out with 4 SilenX 80mm fans on an Akasa fan control (both of which I've ordered). But I just found a review of the case which doesn't speak too favorably of it. :thumbsdown:

I now need to find a new case for my system, one that has good cooling (I overclock, but noting extreme), and preferable space for my 4 SilenX fans (why let them go to waste). But I'm out of ideas. I really like the Lian-Li V1000, but It's a little to pricey for my wallet and wont take 80mm fans. :frown:

Cheers!
 
how much do you want to spend?
I have a Lian Li PC-65B comes with 4 80mm fans so you might not like that, but its solid big and cools well, i have a mobile 2400+ (45w one) @ 2.4 GHz 5 HDDs DVD roms...... never seen my case tem above 45C even in the Summer

 
Well, I was thinking about £100 (~$190), but I could just baout stretch to £150 (~$290) if I find something really good. But it would have to be one sweet mother for me to shed out that much!
 
Well, you have several options. I like the Cooler Master Stacker for that price range - it's huge, has a ton of bays, two power supply mounts, and room for all the following fans at the same time:

4x 120mm fans
4x 80mm fans
1x 300mm Crossflow fan

Needless to say it does not want for cooling.


Aside from that, there are several Lian Li Cases you should be looking at as well.

There are less expensive deals as well...such as the Cooler Master Centurion or Praetorian, or the Antec Sonata.

All of these are rather good choices.
 
For the money you're talking, look at the Lian-Li V1100 case (and V1100B). I recently picked one up and I've been converted to wanting only that line of cases (specifically ones from Lian-Li that have the same features/functions as this one, not the cheap cases that are just like a hundred others). It's VERY quiet, has excellent fit and finish, and is actually reasonably priced for what you get. I paid ~$220 (US) for this case and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
 
Akira34, what kind of power supply are you using inside the case as I've heard that most are a tight fit?
Do you think running an Nvidia 6800 ultra there would be any heat buildup as the main case 120mm case fan
sits kind of low?.... good for the CPU though. Also do you have open the door each time to turn the unit on or is there a way around this. I can't decide between this one and the Silverstone SSt J05 model. 😕
 
Personally i just ordered a Temjin tjo6 and i have nothing but good things to say about this case for the $100 i payed for it. I too also considered the v1000s and i still would get one had they been cheaper.

I think to help you better choose a case we need know know more info.
 
Yes the Temjim6 is on my list also. Actually it rates better for cooling than J05. I just like the front door on the Silverstone J05 model. I'm probably going with the 3500 AMD Winchester, Themalrights XP-90, Lan party or Asus NForce 4 motherboard, and a Fortron AX500-A psu with a 120mm fan, and finally a 6800GT BFG or Ultra video card. I think Fortron and Enermaxes are a little better than the Themermaltakes power supplies from what I've been reading. I'll probably go with Samsung drives also because of cool and quiet operation. And top the case off with Nexus or Panflo fans.
 
See my sig to see everything inside/connected to my pc... You do need to open the door to press the power button (same with most cases with doors). It's really no big deal, unless you have no power in your own arms.

The V1100 case is so much quieter than any other I've used before it's well worth the extremely minor hassle of opening the door to power it on.

Unless you have a lot of spare cash, get the 6800GT over the ultra. I've installed an Arctic Cooling unit on mine and it's running smooth as silk at lower temps (at stock/default speeds). I'll be changing my HSF in the next two days to a Thermalright SLK-948U with a panaflo H1 92mm fan... I should get better temps that way (over the stock HSF on my processor now)...

All future builds that I do (for friends, family or money) will be using either the V1100/B or one with the same features (divided zones)... FYI, the metal plate between the hard drives, PSU and the rest of the system blocks any heat from those parts from spilling over to the other zone.
 
You almost have the same setup I have (I have BFG 6800GTOC, XP-90, 3500+ Winchester). I use the MSI Neo2 Plat though. Anyway I ordered a V1000, it hasn't arrived yet (supposed to arrive tomorrow) so I can't tell you much about it but in terms of the best cases I'd have to say CM Stacker or the V1000/1100 series.
 
What does everyone see in the stacker? It seems like such an ugly boring case to me. No reall amazing stuff inside either.

Im not much of a door person myself so any cases ive been looking at would probably not interest you. But i am getting a similar setup just most stuff is one step down but same brand and stuff.
 
I just ordered a Silverstone TJ-03. It's a bit pricy retail ($300) but it is an amazing case. I am using it to house my new water cooling system. It's a beautiful case and a pleasure to work in. Very very roomy and just an exceptional build quality. Not for everyone though because of the price tag. You do get what you pay for...
 
Check out the Lian Li PC6070 reviewed at Dan's, I have it, it's an awesome case. It incorporates many of the same features that make the V1100 such a great case, but in a traditional ATX form factor.

BTW, it uses 3 80mm fans.
 
Personally, I looked at the Mac G5 cases but in the end I went with the Antec P160. It has plenty of space, adding drives, etc is simplicity itself, very easy to work in, etc. So far its extremely quiet with my setup and the airflow is great even without using the 2nd case fan option. My favorite part is the top mounted USB/Firewire, Audio ports, so that I don't have to get down on the floor to plug something in.


Just another $0.02 worth 😉

R
 
Antec P-160 or Antec SLK-3700BQE. 120mm fans.I swapped PSU right away on my 3700 BQE to a NeoPower 480.
Oh,and don't reuse old fans.That's just plain stingy.Put some new stuff in and rest in peace knowing their lifespan isn't already shortened.Plus newer fans tend to run a bit quieter.
 
Akira34, I remember you from an earlier post on Lian-Li cases... I was the dude who got a v1100b and couldn't stop raving about it. The Ferrari of cases...

It's simply a stunning case, ain't it? Welcome to the elite.
 
Originally posted by: wylecoyote
It's simply a stunning case, ain't it? Welcome to the elite.
Click to expand...

I've used the rest, now I have the best... The only case that I would probably ever replace it with is the V2100B... Alas, that won't fit where I have my computer... :evil:
 
Can anyone with the 1100 series comment on its height? Case height is critical in my situation... I read in one review that it's 20" tall... Is that with or without wheels? And... Can the wheels be removed?
 
I just measured mine... From floor to top of the case is 19-1/4". That's with the wheels on. I'd say you want to leave the wheels on, since there are air intakes on the underside that would be blocked with the wheels off. If I recall properly, you can remove the wheels if you really want to.
 
I guess the only drawback with the 1100 Lian case is you can't put large and powerful power supplies in it like the OCZ 520. I'm also wondering if the Fortron AX500-A would be a match since it pushes a larger amount of air with its 120mm fan....if it can't quite suck enough air through the small grills of the 1100 maybe the power supply wouldn't last as long? And if the filter starts to get dirty? Also the 480W Antec Neo PSU which fits the case fine is not rated as good as far as the MTBF. I think the specs were less than 80K. Tagan might be the same... they don't specify.... but the warranty at 1 year isn't as good as the OCZ at five years. I guess the tradeoff is longevity vs. a little more noise.

This is the reason I'm still thinking about a Silverstone SST-TJ05 model.... unless someone who has one that doesn't like it can talk me out of it.
 
There's more air intake than just the front filter on the V1100 series. There's three (maybe four?) 'plates' on the bottom of the case (inside) that are actually noise blockers (on risers) for additional air intakes. The plates inside do a lot to deflect sound from getting to the outside of the case while allowing air in.

As far as the power supply, if you get one that's a standard ATX size you should be fine.
 
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