Torn between cases...

[MistaTastyCakes]

I'm between the Fong Kai FK-320, the Nikao Zeus, and the Antec SX830. All are less than $100, and seem to be pretty nice.. but I'm just torn between em! I need a case that's gonna have decent cooling and be of good quality. I'm ready to ditch my old budget Antec and go for something a little more upscale, but under $100. Each case has it's ups, the FK being the fact that it's got some sweet fan support, the Nikao in that it has a very nice window, and the Antec being of an overall nice quality. As for downs.. the FK is kinda ugly to me, the Nikao cases I've heard are kinda flimsy, and the Antec is just kinda...blah. So, anyways.. what do you think is gonna be the best bang for the buck?

 

[CocaCola5]

I voted the FK 320 but the Antec 1000SX is nice too.

 

[Lizardman]

i vote Nikao Zeus becuase it looks cool

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

Yeah.. that Zeus does look nice. I'm liking the window shape and all. All I'd need to do is pop a blue cold cathode in there and yum.

Still taking input though...

 

[ryiot]

Go with the Antec!

 

[Mitzi]

Other - Lian Li PC60 but thats over your budget so I'd say the Antec, which are fanstastic cases.

 

[FlowerMan]

Get the Enermax version of the Antec SX1030 from www.newegg.com for $99.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

Would 18 inch IDE's be long enough for the Antec 1000 series, or would I need to get new 24's?

 

[Thooor]

18" ide cables were fine for me as long as I put my slave drive in the lowest bay. After doing a little origami with my ribbon cable to allow for proper cooling, I had just enough to get from mobo to slave cdrom. My master cdrw drive is in the top bay, with a bay bus unit and cooling device in between.

If you want both mounted in the top bays, you'll need either a longer cable or make a custom 18" with both master and slave connections near the end of the ribbon.

BTW, I picked up an Antec/Chenming/Chieftec/UNeec 1040 case with 400 w psu at googlegear.com for $90. Their shipping is kinda high but I bought components for an entire system from them so I got a break in shipping costs.

 

[SWScorch]

I have xperience with both the FK-320 and the SX830, so I will try to shed some light on the topic.

The FK-320 is very sturdy and well-built, and the airflow is remarkable. The 92mm fan at the back with the shroud should blow air INTO the case, so as to provide the CPU with a fresh supply of cold air. If you have an Alpha heatsink, or any other where it sucks air off the heatsink, you will need to switch the fan around, which greatly comprimises the cooling abilities,m and you will be better off with an Antec case. Otherwise, the case is very well insulated, looks nice (I think), and is overall just a great quality case. However, the left side panel is a PITA to attach and remove. I mean, you really gotta give it a lot of muscle to move it. It is my only complaint with the case, but its annoying for one who messes around with the innards of his computer so much.

The Antec SX830 i also very well built, uses drive rails, has 3 spots for intake 80mm fans in the front, and 2 80mm exhaust ports in the back. Excellent airflow. It, like the FK-320, uses removeable drive cages, but I like FK's method better; is much easier. The SX830 utilizes a wonderul "door" swing/hinge method to open the case, which is simply beautiful. It is so easy to remove the side panel. Its like a dream. I really really like that feature. The case sides feel a bit flimsier than the FK's to me, although this may be unfounded. Both are very sturdy and heavy. You cant go wrong with either.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

I'm going with other, I like the Noblesse, as long as you clean up some of the crap they have written on it. Also I just found a site that has the antec 1000 cases in blue and silver. They're a little more expensive, but the blue looks so damn cool . Design Comp

 

[mboy]

I vote for the SX830. I have to SX1000 series and cant say enough good things about them. I used an SX830 to build my pop's rig and altho a little bigger then the micro ATX Compaq crap he was used to, he LOVES it.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

The Dancing Peacock...thanks for the link...I'm most likely gonna pick up the blue SX1000. I could pop some white and blue LEDs in and that thing would look sweet

It was between the SX1000 and the FK-320, but the blue color choice made it for me. Both seem to be nice cases...tough decision. It all came down to the color and the fact that I can get 4 80mm Panaflos for the price of a 92mm and a 120mm Panaflo for the FK-320, and both'll cool just fine. So, once I get my cash...blue Antec case, here I come.

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

I was thinking blue and white LEDs in that case too It's a little more expensive then the black ones at Newegg, but It really looks sweet in blue. Have fun with it

 

[dakata24]

antec! just got a sx1030 (i know, not the same model but quality the same nonetheless).. my addtronics 6896a sucks compared to it.. the antec IMO is built better and looks awesome.

 

[Paladin]

Don't have experience with the Antec, so I'm not going to blow smoke up your as$. I have the FK 320B and it's awesome!! Great cooling properties, but the sides are a pain to get off. It's not that big of a deal if you set your computer up and leave it like most. It's also not as big as the Antec, a slight plus in my book.