Trying to identify model number of case

[Ksyder]

Hi everyone,

This case has been saved from being thrown out in the trash by me but I would like to see if I can find a new front door for it (even though I know they are horrible) but it would still look better with it. I'm pretty sure its either an Antec or Chieftec branded case but I can't find the exact model. Does anyone know and also if anyone knows where to get a new door for it.
Also I don't care what color door it is, it may end up getting painted/modded anyway.


http://i223.photobucket.com/al...ioclothes/IMG_0017.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/al...ioclothes/IMG_0016.jpg

 

[Tim]

It's the Chieftec Dragon mid tower, aka the Antec Dragon.

 

[Ksyder]

Thanks for the reply. Based on that info I found a number of new front bezels on Directron. It looks like the- http://www.directron.com/frontmatrix.html - should do the trick... Unless anyone disagrees I'll assume that this will fit.

 

[Tim]

From the description, looks like a winner. Have fun with your old/new case

 

[RallyMaster]

Thinking it's something like that: http://www.antec.com/us/suppor...tails.php?ProdID=91060

 

[Zepper]

Yes, it is in the Antec SX8xx or 10xx series but it has only two external 3.5 and two HDD bays, so it can't be the 1060. I'd get in touch with Antec support and ask them to identify the unit (be sure to have the case height and width dimensions for them) and how much a new bezel (or door) would cost for it - they may even have some in their online replacement parts list. Until recently, Antec cases never had names like "Dragon" (that was Chieftec's name for the same case), they always had numbers as did Chen Ming, the originator of the design. I think the LAN Boy was the first Antec case with a name.

The bezel at Directron might fit it anyway - nope, you can tell that the switch positions are in a different place so the 3.5 external bays might not line up with the openings.

.bh.

 

[Ksyder]

I'm thinking that the Directron bezel might be o.k.- since the switch and led's are built into the plastic front, and the 3.5 inch openings being different would require the actual 3.5" cage to in turn be in a different position. Since I'm sure they are not going to move the position of the 3.5" cage just to change the front bezel styling I would assume they would be compatible. If anyone can find fault in that logic I'm all ears.

Also I would need to find a few more 5.25 mounting rails since it only included 3 (?) as someone had 2 optical drives with one drive being shoved in there with a rail on just one side. If someone knows how to obtain these that would be awesome. It seems silly to dump a bunch of money into this but with a few parts I'd like to turn it into a decent p.c. for a friend. It would certainly be easier if I knew who "made" the case (I'm thinking its not Antec b/c in RallyMaster's link there is a rectangle in the middle of the lower front intake that is not present in mine.) Also the PC was originally built by ECE electronics which is probably a small shop so I'm thinking Chieftec/Chenming or something similarly generic in terms of brand recognition (as there is no antec or any other names embossed in it. )

This is one of those times where I'm glad that the ATX standard is still alive and well. On a side note, a friend of mine runs a PC shop and he said the BTX systems that he's repaired have odd quirks and/or performance characteristics that he can't really explain. We kind of suspect in the different circuit layout present on BTX boards maybe there is some crosstalk or something? I suppose thats a different discussion...

 

[Zepper]

BTX, yet another misguided development from your "friends" at Intel.

Here is the link to more info on the Chieftec Matrix with more pix:
http://www.directron.com/cherrycase.html - for some reason the large versions of the thumbs are jpg files but not labeled as such, so you may have to open them in IrfanView or similar that checks what a file actually is and can open mislabeled graphic files -IV is just so cool! Or it may just be that my popup blocker is keeping Directron's site from displaying the large versions for me. IAC, you can see that the switch in the door is just a pusher and the "LED"s are just clear light pipes to carry the light to the front, but it looks as if there are another set of pushers on the inner panel that will work the switches on your case. So it looks more like it will work on your case and the full dimensions are there for you to compare as well. Remember, the height may be overall, so you may need to allow for the feet.

.bh.

 

[Ksyder]

Perhaps they are different- I've only got one 3.5" cage in mine. I think you are referring to the led's on the door? I'm seeing the LED pass-thru's on the door as well as the locking mechanism, and then hopefully the switch and led's itself would reside on the inner part of the bezel with the door having the holes for the LED's light output as well as the lock. Since the bezel should be sold as a whole, which would include the actual bezel with the door attached via the plastic hinge. In turn all that needs to be compatible is the height and width dimensions with the 6 clips being also in the same location, and the wiring pass-thru holes in the steel case being roughly similar to where they are in the Matrix.

I am also an Irfanview addict- if you know the keyboard shortcuts you can edit and resize pics so fast! I use it to do all my Ebay pics because its lightweight and fast and free. I've tried many- ACDsee, Photoshop, and others but IMO Irfanview is the best for quick and dirty edits.

Thanks for the helping hand on this one of course. I'll check my measurements and if they seem to be the same it would be worth the risk I suppose to order it and try it.