Warm deal on ATX mid-tower case w/250W PSU ~$30 shipped

[Floyd]

Just found this at www.compgeeks.com. They have a mid-tower ATX case w/250W power supply, three 5¼, three 3½ (two exposed) drive bays for only $19.95. This ah heck is heavy at 18 lbs so shipping will be around $10-$15 (mine was $12 which is perfectly reasonable IMHO). It's a new item and looks like an ideal choice for building a second system or even a primary system for that matter, depending on how ambitious you are I've been accumulating components for a second system, in large part due to this forum so this will put me one step closer to getting it completed on the cheap. Direct link to the item at http://www.compgeeks.com/cgi-bin/details.asp?cat=OtherStuff&sku=205-4260. I went ahead and picked up a basic PS/2 keyboard and mouse for $7.95 from the page that pops up when you place an item in your cart (one of those, "May we suggest?" sort of deals). Not bad!

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Raziel]

Compgeeks has had this deal before, but I suppose it's worth mentioning again. My roomate bought one of these so he could replace his Packard Bell case I told him he should just replace the computer, but he didn't care.

Anyway, for the price, it's a very good case, motherboard plate is not quite as accesible as I liked, but we had the computer transferred from one case to the other in about an hour. (we ended up breaking apart most of the excess plastic on the Packard Bell, those cases are fighters )

 

[Grumpy1]

I used this case on several computers and they are fine, as long as you don't plan on using a slokett. With the power supply verticle and not horizontal you can forget a slocket.

The grump

 

[Kroffty]

If you get this case and plan on using it with a socketkey make sure to get a low rise socketkey. I have one with a MSI 6905master and there is about 1/16th of an inch between the socketkey and power supply. I have a asus socket key that will not fit (too tall)

and the golden orb on the msi socket touches the power supply.

 

[|mpeg|]

i feel sorry for anyone that uses this for their main case i have it on one of my computers, it does the job.

 

[larrymoencurly]

It looks almost exactly like the $25 case I bought from Fry's a month ago (regularly $50, ATX rear panel can be removed but not reinstalled). The power supply hasn't burned up yet, but then I'm using only a K6/200 in it.

 

[kronos2000]

My roommate bought one as well, and if you have anything other than a microATX mobo things will be tight. He tried to put in a BX6 and he couldn't install a CD-ROM drive (went over a dimm slot). It's like a dead end as far as cases go...

 

[Bleeding Jawa]

Not bad, but it was much better when they had the Monorail cases w/ floppy drives through egghead. $29 w/ free shipping for a nice case w/ floppy a floppy drive. I'm building two systems w/ these cases right now.

 

[topaz22]

Dont forget about putting "MC EXCLUSIVES" and using your mastercard at computer geeks, for a 10% (?) discount. can't remember if this still works...

 

[Celoverclock]

sure its not the best case...but it isnt too bad of a price
id buy one...

..
..
..
maybe for my mom..
but id never give up my inwin full tower!!

 

[abovewood]

I have one of these cases. A BX6 r2 with C366@550/slocket fits OK in it. But I couldn't change the CPU unless I take out the motherboard.

 

[bigjon]

I bought 3 of those cases a few months ago, but I'm right back to buying the Voltex cases - regular price is $26 but s/h is only $8.50 for me (Florida to SC), so it's only a couple bucks more than the compgeeks one with s/h. The Compgeeks cases have cheap sheet metal which bends way too easily, and the slot covers are a real pain to pop out.

http://www.voltexcomputers.com/cases/cas3005.htm

 

[Mister T]

bigjohn,

About the voltex cases, is there enough clearance between the cpu and
power supply for an alpha?

Also, what size is the case fan that voltex offers, and is it worth it?

 

[acedaddy323]

Speaking of cases. ANyone know where to get me a nice barebone computer system? I think my motherboard is fried up. I get the blue screen even after formatting my hard drive and doing a complete reinstalla. My computer restarts at random, It is making mu mad. thanks

 

[Cyan]

good post Floyd, this is just what i need, thanks

 

[bigjon]

Mister T,

I doubt there's enuf space for an Alpha, but I haven't had a chance to play with one yet. There's only about 3/4" clearance above a P2 chip tho, about the same as the Compgeeks case

I am modifying this case (http://www.voltexcomputers.com/cases/cas0001.htm) and it's pretty nice for $29. The power supply is not mounted above the CPU which is my only complaint with the other Voltex case I mentioned earlier. If you are worried about clearance, you probably should go with this one. This case is slightly narrower than the $26 case.

The fans are OK as far as fans go (get the ball-bearing one tho). They're standard 3.5" (converts to about 90mm - probably a 92mm fan). I've had only one from Voltex, and I don't remember having any trouble with it (I put it in a computer I sold).

 

[mosdef]

If you're looking at mid-tower cases bundled with power supplies, check out the Antec KS282 with the highly regarded PP303X power supply. http://www.onvia.com/usa/products/index.cfm?Task=ViewProduct&SearchText=antec%2520300w&IdCatalog=2447876. Of course, the price will drop depending on coupons and the now famous pointclick. The case is pretty nice, and it has a compartment for a fan. The only gripe I have is that the "I/O panel" is nothing more than a flimsy metal piece, which may be a tad too delicate. Just be careful and you'll be fine though.

-mosdef

 

[Bleeding Jawa]

hehe...I just ordered the Antec 282 case from onvia last week, but it cost me $65.

For the current cost of $60 shipped ($54 w/ pointclick?), you cannot beat this case. It has decent construction, looks are not too bad, and it comes with one of the BEST 300W power supplies around. Excellent Value, especially with the free shipping.

 

[cmv]

http://www.egghead.com/category/inv/00000205/03074680.htm might be same case at egghead. I ordered one about a week ago right before the free shipping offer. You might want to look around and see if free shipping is still out there, would be great deal at $19 shipped (250w atx).

Edit: compgeeks ships this too, or at least they shipped the last one, that is why I'm inclined to believe they might be the same case.

Another point: These cases kind of suck. I brought cheap AT cases at computer shows that cut my hands. Now those sucked. At least these don't have that problem. But they do have the same alignment problem - you can put in the mobo, screw it all down, then drop some cards in and the mobo gets pulled around and the cards don't align 100% perfect without stress. My InWin 500? is much better as it is 100% solid (even though it ain't the most awesome case). I'm kinda regretting ordering a second one after starting to put together a system with the 1st one of these cases I brought. Sometimes another 20 bones is worth it....

 

[bigjon]

cmv,

Looks like the same case - look at the pictures and notice the swept grill thing on the front of each case - perfect match. Awesome price if free s/h - thx!

 

[RobsTV]

Checking the link for the Voltex case, and the picture from behind shows the EXACT same case that computer geeks have. I bought 3 of the cases from geeks, (at 3 different times), and they are very low quality. All had to be disassembled, power supply removed, cheap metal bent back into position, then re-assembled. There is zero difference between the Voltex and the Geeks case, (as far as the rear photo goes), so I would guess that any cpu mounting problems you had with the geeks case would still be there with the Voltex. The Voltex item number cas3005 even sounds like the same item number that was on the Geeks case discarded packing box?

 

[cmv]

AC722 is the free shipping code for egghead. I don't know if it works though and I really hate trying to test coupons on egghead's site. It just blows... You think they'd learn to follow standard checkout procedure and offer a confirmation screen before the final payment. Irratating checkout crap like this is one of my biggest pet peeves!!!! hehe...

 

[cmv]

So did anyone order with free shipping? I found this case too -> http://www.egghead.com/category/inv/00077407/02739459.htm only 150w power supply but sometimes that is a good thing (like on all the time firewall, etc.) Has a little graphic by it that says $6.95 flat shipping per order, dunno if it applies to cases.

Edit: "EN-7510AK" $28.99, EN == enlight i would assume

 

[Pennstate]

I think this is only a microATX case.

http://enlightcorp.com/pc_cases/7510.shtml

It only has 4 expansion slots. Standard ATX has 7 expansion slots

 

[cmv]

Glad you noticed that! hehe... Would suck if someone ordered that for a desktop case.