Want to replace my Antec 180b - Decided to keep it.

[BAMAVOO]

I may have to take a couple of pictures. The inside looks tons better, still not perfect, but very good. I figure I can spend my money on something else, like a better cooler for my xeon 3210. I am using the Freezer 7 that I had on my core2duo and it is doing fine, but I know I can get better and queter as the freezer is really loud unless I use speedfan to adjust down.

Thanks for all the suggestions and if I ever decide to make the switch I have several cases to look at again.

 

[MichaelD]

Hi there,

I was in the exact same position as you; I have an original P180 and basically b/c it has no cable management (i.e. it's not a P182 with the cool factory mods) my case was a bit of a mess. You can clean up a P180 if you really try but even that still leaves a lot of cable clutter.

What I did was Google "P180 Mods" and I found literally a hundred threads w/pics. The ones I focused on were about basically turning a P180 into a P182.

If you have a Dremel and several hours of time you can make your own P182. The 24-pin ATX cable wont' route the same way due to the lack of a recessed mobo tray, but it's almost as good. I wish I saved the links! The most radical Dremeling occurs in back of the top hard drive cage.

Underneath that area where the useless little parts box mounts...you basically cut the floor out. You also cut out the side of the HD/PSU 120mm fan mount. You run your ATX cable to the side of the fan, thru the hole you cut in the floor where the cage mounts and voila, it's right there where you mobos 24-pin connector is.

I haven't taken any pics of mine yet. Google and you'll find it.

I really like my P180; quiet and it holds a full-size videocard and 6 hard drives. It's also got filters, which are very important for me. I am not ready to replace it yet.

Good luck.

 

[Zepper]

If doing some modding isn't your cuppa, then what is your budget, any size limitations, color preference, door/no door, etc.??? You really didn't give us much to go on...

.bh.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Zepper
If doing some modding isn't your cuppa, then what is your budget, any size limitations, color preference, door/no door, etc.??? You really didn't give us much to go on...

.bh.

Don't forget wheels!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Zepper
If doing some modding isn't your cuppa, then what is your budget, any size limitations, color preference, door/no door, etc.??? You really didn't give us much to go on...

.bh.

Givent that he doesn't like the 180b and wants a removable motherboard tray, that narrows it down A LOT! Lemme see what I can find besides the new Lancool Metal Boned K7.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

Originally posted by: Zepper
If doing some modding isn't your cuppa, then what is your budget, any size limitations, color preference, door/no door, etc.??? You really didn't give us much to go on...

.bh.

Givent that he doesn't like the 180b and wants a removable motherboard tray, that narrows it down A LOT! Lemme see what I can find besides the new Lancool Metal Boned K7.

I actully like the look of the Lancool and the price is good too. I prefer black and the height of the 180b is about as tall I as want to go. I don't care if it has a door or not, but without a door it would have to be black as all my drives are black now. I really don't want to mess with modding the case. I already had to make an external cmos switch as getting to the jumper was a pain in the rear everytime I went too far on the OC or updated the bios. I really want something with ample room inside as I have an 8800 GTS 640. I only run two hard drives, a dvd burner and a cd burner. I hope this helps.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

Originally posted by: Zepper
If doing some modding isn't your cuppa, then what is your budget, any size limitations, color preference, door/no door, etc.??? You really didn't give us much to go on...

.bh.

Givent that he doesn't like the 180b and wants a removable motherboard tray, that narrows it down A LOT! Lemme see what I can find besides the new Lancool Metal Boned K7.

I actully like the look of the Lancool and the price is good too. I prefer black and the height of the 180b is about as tall I as want to go. I don't care if it has a door or not, but without a door it would have to be black as all my drives are black now. I really don't want to mess with modding the case. I already had to make an external cmos switch as getting to the jumper was a pain in the rear everytime I went too far on the OC or updated the bios. I really want something with ample room inside as I have an 8800 GTS 640. I only run two hard drives, a dvd burner and a cd burner. I hope this helps.

The Lian Li PC-7b meets all your requirements with the exception of the removable motherboard tray. For $90 it's at a good price/performance with a pair of 120mm fans.

 

[Tullphan]

The Ultra M998 meets the majority of your requirements. 2x120mm fans...removable mb tray...temps comparable to the P18x..."power bar" to ease cable clutter...& it has wheels!
Review here, here, here, here, and here.
I'll let the experts that've actually seen it & tested it answer any questions you might be having about it. It's kinda pricey, though.
If you want one cheaper, you can get it here sans the power bar & also not anodized black.
Hope this helps.

 

[Zepper]

Well, the Global Win is anodized black on the outside, it's just the front that is gray plastic while the M998's bezel is black plastic - a can of Fusion can fix that. It also lacks the M998's power bar. The Raidmax Smilodon has a different take on the mobo tray, the whole right side folds down, cards mobo and all - IDK about wire management, but there are several reviews out there with pix. The Spire Pininfarina is a more conservative looking version of the same chassis. Newegg carries that too, but they didn't use the word Pininfarina in their description for some reason - would be an easy search if they had. You may also want to look at the XClio Windtunnel (also found under the Tagan/A-Plus names). No mobo tray, but it is large (about same height as p180 but deeper) - has room to dress cables neatly and work in the mobo area w/o skinning your knuckles...

.bh.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
The Ultra M998 meets the majority of your requirements. 2x120mm fans...removable mb tray...temps comparable to the P18x..."power bar" to ease cable clutter...& it has wheels!
Review here, here, here, here, and here.
I'll let the experts that've actually seen it & tested it answer any questions you might be having about it. It's kinda pricey, though.
If you want one cheaper, you can get it here sans the power bar & also not anodized black.
Hope this helps.

I actually kind of like that with the exception of the side panel 80mm hole.

EDIT: and with the exception of the price, F-that, just get a stacker for the same price or less.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO
I just want a case that is quiet, has a mobo tray and has eaier cable management.

You might be better off looking for a case that has all of the features you want sans mobo tray. I've found that feature tends to tack on the most to the price and isn't even that useful in reality. Chances are you'll still have to unplug a lot of stuff, mainly mobo to front panel connectors or if you're doing case management with zip ties etc, you'll probably have to disconnect all your other cables as well. Also, many taller CPU coolers are simply too tall now to clear that back rail from the rear, so that'll prevent you from getting much use out of the tray as well if it slides out of the rear. Some of the suggestions so far fit what you need well and will save you in the pocket as well.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO
I just want a case that is quiet, has a mobo tray and has eaier cable management.

You might be better off looking for a case that has all of the features you want sans mobo tray. I've found that feature tends to tack on the most to the price and isn't even that useful in reality. Chances are you'll still have to unplug a lot of stuff, mainly mobo to front panel connectors or if you're doing case management with zip ties etc, you'll probably have to disconnect all your other cables as well. Also, many taller CPU coolers are simply too tall now to clear that back rail from the rear, so that'll prevent you from getting much use out of the tray as well if it slides out of the rear. Some of the suggestions so far fit what you need well and will save you in the pocket as well.

QFT, sorry bam, it's turning into a consensus.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Looks like I will need to skip the mobo tray. From the looks of it something like the XClio Windtunnel or the m998 would fit the bill. Of course a cheaper model would be good too

 

[Zepper]

Well, a lot of case for very low bucks is in the Rosewill R560x series. I personally like the R5605 as it seems to have good features from both of the other models but they stupidly left off the reset switch... The 270 degree door is nice. The mobo space is large for a midTower and clear - 11" of card room. I owned a R5604 for about a year and reviewed it here: http://www.TechIMO.com/reviews/ under Cases/YeongYang (YY seems to be Rosewill's OEM). I occasionally regret selling it, but that leaves room for me to buy an R5605 if something better doesn't come my way and I couldn't consider the lateral arabesque if I still had the 5604... Unfortunately the 5605 never seems to go on sale for as low as the others, while the others are often on some type of special price or free shipping or both.
. I've got four cases queued up here to play with, so it will be a while before I have to "finally decide". I know I won't be keeping the C-M 690 as I have a menagerie of mutt drives and need a door.

.bh.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Zepper

I've got four cases queued up here to play with, so it will be a while before I have to "finally decide". I know I won't be keeping the C-M 690 as I have a menagerie of mutt drives and need a door.

.bh.

You should've gotten in on that P182 deal...or if you're around now, get in on the P180 deal. That way you can hide those hideous drives...hehehe.
You're cheap like me, though...you'll wait around til the next C-M-like deal.

 

[Zepper]

I find the p180 series of cases too industrial in appearance and I certainly don't need anything that large.

.bh.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Now I will have to look at that 5605, it looks like a nice choice. Will an 8800 gts fit without issues?

Priced right as well.


SHould have read - 11" of clearance

Thanks

 

[DerwenArtos12]

You should also check out the iStarUSA Elegant Storm. It's uses the exact same chassis as my CM 532 just without the hideous front colums mine has, it's a great case. I've had it for probably 3 years and it's just a really nice over-all design. All i've done to is is cut out the integrated fan grills for better airflow, removed the stock lower HDD bays and put a Tt iCage in it for some extra intake and to cool my OLD raptor, and cut a gapping hole in the side for a direct vent to my CPU. It keep my 1.5v 3ghz A64 idling aroung 32C

 

[BAMAVOO]

Actually the CM 690 is looking like a winner. I have all black drives and it looks roomy with cable management and a low price.

 

[Zepper]

You have mail.

.bh.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Zepper
You have mail.

.bh.

I think someone's gonna make someone a deal on a 690.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Tullphan

Originally posted by: Zepper
You have mail.

.bh.

I think someone's gonna make someone a deal on a 690.

someone makes someones deals on 690's? how good of deals?

 

[Zepper]

DA12,

It's in my FS/T listing now at the link below. But you are so far away that shipping may be a killer but I have three shipping methods so maybe DHL would be a bit better. The OP is fairly close.

.bh.

 

[Tullphan]

I'm pondering selling mine as well.
I got in on the Sonata III deal today.
Now I just gotta decide whether to use the Sonata-supplied EA500 or my HX520.