Which full tower should I buy?

carage

Senior member
Sep 20, 2004
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I got a PC Power & Cooling 850 SSI PSU about a week ago, right now I am literally hanging it outside my current full tower because it doesn't fit.
Does anyone know of a large full tower case capable of housing this beast?
I have neither the experience or the intention to mod a case, so I am looking for a readily available model.
I am currently considering the Thermaltake Armor VA8000SWA.
Does anyone know if that would work?
I also considered the CoolerMaster Stacker 830 recommended by several PC mags, but it seems it is only capable of housing a standard sized PSU.
I've talked to PC Power & Cooling about my situation. The tech responded that the only difference between the 850 SSI and standard PSUs is that it is 9 inches deep.
Thanks in advance.
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,685
136
You haven't really explained why it won't fit, or what else needs to fit in the case.

Is it an issue of interference with the optical drives, or strange bracketry in your current box, or what?

Measure the depth of the optical drives, or whatever might interfere with the psu, and then add a couple of inches. Call that 10", add the length of the psu, 9", so you want a case that's at least 19" deep. You also want an unobstructed area where the psu mounts, w/o strange brackets, enclosures, or blowhole fans getting in the way.

The Tt you reference seems to have those qualities, as do a lot of other cases. Like this-

http://www.servercase.com/miva/miva?/Me...ct_Code=SR105&Category_Code=Adv+Server

Or this-

http://www.servercase.com/miva/miva?/Me...ct_Code=SR107&Category_Code=Adv+Server

They don't have the bling of the Tt, but they make up for it in quality...

 

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
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For the room you seek. Go to Newegg>ATX cases>key words>type in"Extended ATX".
36 cases will come up. If you decide on a Lian Li. Check out www.performance-pcs.com
because they are generally cheaper than the Egg, plus they throw in two optical and a floppy
cover for the doorless cases.
Whatever you find at the Egg, Froogle it for a better price.


...Galvanized
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,685
136
Galvanized Yankee is right, up to a point. The problem is that many eatx boxes will accomodate the larger boards, but will still be an iffy fit with the jumbo 9" psu.

This one, for example, is a nice box-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811125478

But the math gets a little tricky. 9" psu, minus 1" behind the door to the front of the opticals leaves 8-1/2", and many opticals are 7-3/4" deep, leaving only 3/4" clearance... not really what you want with a horizontal airflow psu...

This one seems big enough, but the top mounted blowhole fan and other stuff make it a tricky fit, might not work at all...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811124034

So it's a little more difficult than just selecting an eatx box...

There's also this Chenbro, if you don't need a lot of drive space-

http://www.rackmountnet.com/Server-Case...t-Server-CaseWorkstation-Case-SR20969/

20.9" front to back.... definitely enough room...

Add this one- should breathe extremely well-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811195024





 

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
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True Jhhnn.

I reccomended looking at Extended ATX cases because that beast of a PSU is ment for dual CPU boards, plus a number of HDs.
I have only worked with standard ATX PSUs so my lack of knowledge in this area would have me email performance-pcs with an inquiory. They will reccomend a case. They do offer in house modding to fit any need one might have. From what I've seen on their site they do not over charge for mod jobs.
I bring the modding work up because the OP stated they can/will not do mod work.

...Galvanized
 

carage

Senior member
Sep 20, 2004
349
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0
The primary reason it doesn't fit my current case is that there is like a non-removable "cage" or bars in the PSU compartment so it would only fit standard size PSUs.
I'll look for E-ATX cases, thanks.
 

dlerious

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,137
939
136
The Lian Li Pc-7077 and PC-75 are 23.2" deep The V-2000 and V2100 are over 24". The only thing to check with the V series is if there's enough room between the power supply and hard drive area (and if the cables are long enough)

 

carage

Senior member
Sep 20, 2004
349
0
0
The Silverstone TJ07 as great as it looks is too expensive for me.
The lowest price I could find is around $36X (and would cost up to $400 after we factor in shipping).

I am now considering the CoolerMaster Stacker RC810 instead.
$16X seems to be a reasonable price for my preferences.
Judging from the picture it seems the 810 has the entire bottom space reserved for the PSU, so I am unlikely to have any problems with it.
 

carage

Senior member
Sep 20, 2004
349
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0
The CM830 looks more stylized and seems more refined.
However I was alarmed by this picture from Hardwarezone's review. (Note: I added the red circle to illustrate my point)
Click for picture
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: carage
I got a PC Power & Cooling 850 SSI PSU about a week ago, right now I am literally hanging it outside my current full tower because it doesn't fit.
Does anyone know of a large full tower case capable of housing this beast?
I have neither the experience or the intention to mod a case, so I am looking for a readily available model.
I am currently considering the Thermaltake Armor VA8000SWA.
Does anyone know if that would work?
I also considered the CoolerMaster Stacker 830 recommended by several PC mags, but it seems it is only capable of housing a standard sized PSU.
I've talked to PC Power & Cooling about my situation. The tech responded that the only difference between the 850 SSI and standard PSUs is that it is 9 inches deep.
Thanks in advance.

I will gladly trade you PSU`s............as i drool over the 850...heheee
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: carage
I got a PC Power & Cooling 850 SSI PSU about a week ago, right now I am literally hanging it outside my current full tower because it doesn't fit.
Does anyone know of a large full tower case capable of housing this beast?
I have neither the experience or the intention to mod a case, so I am looking for a readily available model.
I am currently considering the Thermaltake Armor VA8000SWA.
Does anyone know if that would work?
I also considered the CoolerMaster Stacker 830 recommended by several PC mags, but it seems it is only capable of housing a standard sized PSU.
I've talked to PC Power & Cooling about my situation. The tech responded that the only difference between the 850 SSI and standard PSUs is that it is 9 inches deep.
Thanks in advance.

The techie is correct......
If yuo told us what your present case was perhaps we could find an easy mod for you of your present case...
just becuase something is non removable doesnt mean it cant be removed...



 

Slug

Senior member
Oct 12, 1999
800
0
76
I suspect that it will fit in the bottom of a CM stacker. There is tons of room in the bottom of mine, even with the drive cages in the bottom.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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This Skyhawk case would have room, but a support bracket (see the photo gallery - the interior side shot) where the triangle of screw-heads is will need be removed (simple) or relocated forward a bit (just have to drill some new sets of holes). Dealsonic has been selling a similar case at a low price too. Not bad aluminum cases with mobo drawers for the money.

.bh.
 

carage

Senior member
Sep 20, 2004
349
0
0
In the end I ordered a CoolerMaster Stacker RC810 instead.
The bottom deck should provide enough room and sufficient cooling.
Thanks for all the input.