Thermaltake Armor - Good case?

[Atty]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133021

I'm about to buy my new PC and I'm trying to decide on a case. I've been looking around NewEgg and found the Armor case.

Does anyone here have one? Can you tell me how good it is? Is it worth it? Any information about it would be aprreciated.


Thanks.

 

[buzzsaw13]

My roomate has the silver aluminum version without the 250mm fan on the side. The thing is HUGE and has lots of space inside for a large HSF and has great airflow.

I dont really think the 250mm fan on the side is necessary, but its a pretty good price.

 

[imported_RedStar]

I am also trying to decide on a case and failing (2 days of research now).

I have read up on the antec p180/b (also their sonata 2, p150, p160w) that everyone seems to go on about and also thermal take's:
tsunami/aguila and Gigabyte's 3D Aurora 2 Aluminum Case.

Every single case gets great professional reviews but there is always 2 or more things that seem to be deal busters to me and yet don't impact the rating (especially on newegg consumer reviews).

For example, the P180 seems to be the most recommended case and yet just about everyone points out that you need a PSU with long cables to reach...that it is hard to cable through the compartment "door" seperating the 2 chambers ...and that ide cables can't reach to the bottom hdd enclosure..also that the p180 is a heavy steal chassis (and no mobo tray--like all i mentioned).

Now the reason i am posting here ...is because i am leaning towards the aquila along with it's faults. This case is the current incarnation of the armor junior that you mention (so i wanted to know about this as a possible one also)..Actually, you mention the full size case variant. So i might be wrong in thinking you really wanted a mid-tower solution.

Anyway, here are a few reviews about your full tower armor (i thought we could share this thread

http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-280-1.htm

http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Tt_VA8000_Armor/index.htm

http://www.fastlanehw.com/reviews.php?i=151

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/ttarmorvm8000s/

Lets see if our interests are the same:

want a case that:
-is aluminium (not a deal breaker)
-has no psu installed (though can always swap out --adds to cost)
-Big enough to fit a full atx Mb with room for sli (future) --but small enough to fit under a desk
-has 120 mm fans vs 80mm
-room for a 600-700 watt PSU
-120-175$ cdn price range
-has tool less installation (both 3.5 inch and 5 1/4 drive bays plus pci-slots)
-front firewire/usb ports preferably not located in the middle of the top panel.
easy maintenance.
----
I have a feeling most will either recommend a lian-li (too expensive) or a p180..
so convince us on the p180. It does not seem as "hot" as so many people say.

Now, if your criteria is greatly divergent from mine..then i apologize for assuming we could share. The info should still be useful to us though

 

[Zepper]

Unless you need all those drive bays, I think the Tt Eureka or the Silverstone Temjin 5 (SST-TJ05) are better. If you do need all those drive bays, then the CM original Stacker (STC-T01) would be my choice and there are rebates on it all over: ZZF, SVC, the Egg, etc. The Armor is just too riced out for me.

Another option if you need lots of bays is the Aerocool CoolView. Includes an Aerocool fan control/temp monitor basically for free on top of the rebate. I know the Egg still has some and it's catch as catch can elsewhere. I think the rebate certificate can be used no matter where you buy it.

.bh.

 

[imported_fallen]

I agree with Zepper (Partially because he's the one that Pointed me in the correct case direction.) I was looking at the SS-TJ05 but saw some issues with the mounting of Sata HDD's & in general couldnt find a good deal price wise.
I ended up with a ThermalTake Eureka. According to what I have read it appears to be exactly what I was looking for. Personally I do not care for the styling of the P180, but thats mostly subjective as I have heard lots of good things about it.

Bottom line is I am MORE than happy with my ThermalTake Eureka.

 

[McArra]

Thermaltake Armor is a superb case, very well designed and practical. Airflow is great and overheat is not a problem.

Happy users for allmost 2 years now

 

[imported_RedStar]

For the Tt Eureka:

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/thermaltakeeureka/3.html

"it also doesn't fix the panel flex found on the Shark that users have issues with either. The panel has a fair amount of wobble, and when coupled with the imperfect handle, makes for an unfortunate door situation"

You don't have a problem with the side door? And is the paint finish as bad as the review article says?