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Thinking of doing an HTPC / file server... any suggestions for a case?

S

statik213

Golden Member

... and for cheap

looking to spend max of $125 on the case -- if it's a good one w/ lots of upgrade options.

I'd like to stick at least 3 HDDs in there (want raid-5) + at least 1 optical drive. Ideally 4 hdds, 2 opticals. VFD/LCD is really not a big deal... A big volume knob might be nice to have.


Also, how does mythtv, Windows MCE and the lot compare to a real DVR?
 
That's a tall order. You can get cases that "look" like your other home theater equipment, but they are pretty big - don't expect anything really slim like a DVD player because your parts (especially 4xHDD, 2xOptical) just won't fit in that small a space.

My Cooler Master ATC-620C was under $100 but it is no longer being made. It could fit exactly 2 optical and 4 HDD, with standard ATX PSU but mATX motherboard only. There aren't many options for you under your dollar limit - many HTPC cases are expensive.

I don't have experience with making an HTPC into a DVR so someone else will have to answer that one.
 
Originally posted by: Zap
That's a tall order. You can get cases that "look" like your other home theater equipment, but they are pretty big - don't expect anything really slim like a DVD player because your parts (especially 4xHDD, 2xOptical) just won't fit in that small a space.

My Cooler Master ATC-620C was under $100 but it is no longer being made. It could fit exactly 2 optical and 4 HDD, with standard ATX PSU but mATX motherboard only. There aren't many options for you under your dollar limit - many HTPC cases are expensive.

I don't have experience with making an HTPC into a DVR so someone else will have to answer that one.
Click to expand...

I don't mind it being "massive". I guess it'll look more like a reciever than a dvd player.
 
The front will be like a receiver, but the DEPTH is also "massive" meaning that many of the HTPC cases are deeper than they are wide. Take that into consideration. My CoolerMaster ATC-620C sticks out about 2" past my other components in my rack because I just can't push it back any farther due to the cabling in the back.
 
Some of the new Thermaltake cases come as close as any, but check out nMedia and Coolermaster too. The new nMedia for the ATX mobo can be positioned horizontally with a set of those audio component isolator feet (tall) to make room for air. The JPac NJA is similar to those nMedia cases.

.bh.
 
I've built two htpcs, one with Ahanix D4, and another with an Ahanix 302.
The D4 is a huge aluminum box, with not very good cooling, but does have a vfd and the optical drive is behind a door.
The 302 is much smaller, about the size of a dvd player, but can only use a micro atx case and low profile cards. Looks very cool though, with a vfd.
Try directron for Ahanix.
Silverstone cases are also very nice.
 
Originally posted by: marincounty
I've built two htpcs, one with Ahanix D4, and another with an Ahanix 302.
The D4 is a huge aluminum box, with not very good cooling, but does have a vfd and the optical drive is behind a door.
The 302 is much smaller, about the size of a dvd player, but can only use a micro atx case and low profile cards. Looks very cool though, with a vfd.
Try directron for Ahanix.
Silverstone cases are also very nice.
Click to expand...

Yeah, i've been looking at Silverstones, there are pretty nice. Sucks that these cases are SO expensive.

Any ideas on how effective a HTPC is, compared to a TIVO? My wife isn't exactly the tech savvy type... so it needs to be easy to use.
 
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