Zalman HD160 Case / Any Experience(s)?

ahmurat

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Feb 22, 2007
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I'm building a C2D E6400 with Asus Deluxe P5b wifi and buffalo firestix. I'm now on to the case. This will be a media center htpc. I'm inclined towards this case Zalman HD160. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience about heat issues. There are reviews out there showing temperatures but I can't assess how much overclocking should I expect.
Has anyone overclocked a C2D in Zalman HD160 case?
Thanks in advance.
 

TheDro

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Dec 14, 2006
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I've got one in black, and the case itself is pretty nice, but there are some things that leaves more to be desired, such as the cheap volume knob which should be aluminum just like the Antec Fusion's volume knob, and a better VFD display. As far as heat, my E6300 (stock) idles at 35C, and 40-42C with Media Center running, the only heat issue I had was with the NB of my DS3 rev 1.0 which idled at 69C in the Bios, now its down to 46C with the Noctua NC-U6 on it. Overclocking probably won't cause any heat issues, and a Zalman CNPS9500 can fit, so that'll be a good heatsink if you want to overclock a C2D in the HD160, hopefully the P5B deluxe doesn't have a hot running NB like the DS3. Oh and the IRTrans software for the VFD is junk imo, the VFD serves no function for me so I just have it displaying "Welcome to HTPC" at all times.

Check out the OrigenAE X11 too just in case you're not a fan of a cheap basically useless volume knob.

My specs:
E6300 w/ Scythe Katana 775 hsf
Gigabyte DS3 rev 1.0 w/ Noctua NC-U6 heatsink on Northbridge
2x1GB G.Skill DDR2-800 2gbpk
Mad Dog DVD-RW burner (cheapest one on Newegg)
320GB Samsung sata HDD
Sapphiretech Radeon X550
Hauupauge WinTV-PVR 1600
Hauupauge WinTV-PVR 150 MCE
80mm Nexus fan running off 5v under HDD cage
Corsair HX520W
 

ahmurat

Member
Feb 22, 2007
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Thanks for the info. I was actually looking at the Origen as well, but I couldn't find a thorough review of it. HD160 was recommended by silentpcreview.com.
I would never be using the volume knob, so i could easily live without it. I actually do not like it's position, being in the middle of the case, it doesn't match my receiver's knob. The Origen without the knob looks better in my opinion.
Thanks again.
 

ahmurat

Member
Feb 22, 2007
74
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Originally posted by: TheDro
I've got one in black, and the case itself is pretty nice, but there are some things that leaves more to be desired, such as the cheap volume knob which should be aluminum just like the Antec Fusion's volume knob, and a better VFD display. As far as heat, my E6300 (stock) idles at 35C, and 40-42C with Media Center running, the only heat issue I had was with the NB of my DS3 rev 1.0 which idled at 69C in the Bios, now its down to 46C with the Noctua NC-U6 on it. Overclocking probably won't cause any heat issues, and a Zalman CNPS9500 can fit, so that'll be a good heatsink if you want to overclock a C2D in the HD160, hopefully the P5B deluxe doesn't have a hot running NB like the DS3. Oh and the IRTrans software for the VFD is junk imo, the VFD serves no function for me so I just have it displaying "Welcome to HTPC" at all times.

Check out the OrigenAE X11 too just in case you're not a fan of a cheap basically useless volume knob.

My specs:
E6300 w/ Scythe Katana 775 hsf
Gigabyte DS3 rev 1.0 w/ Noctua NC-U6 heatsink on Northbridge
2x1GB G.Skill DDR2-800 2gbpk
Mad Dog DVD-RW burner (cheapest one on Newegg)
320GB Samsung sata HDD
Sapphiretech Radeon X550
Hauupauge WinTV-PVR 1600
Hauupauge WinTV-PVR 150 MCE
80mm Nexus fan running off 5v under HDD cage
Corsair HX520W

I noticed you're using a Scythe Katana. I'm inclined towards the Ninja. Do you think it would fit? It seems like ninja is 150mm high and the case is 160mm high. would 1cm difference suffice?
Thanks
 

TheDro

Member
Dec 14, 2006
143
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No it won't fit, you gotta keep in mind the the motherboard is raised... my Katana barely clears the top of the case, in fact the lower part of the case vent which rotates open or closes, actually rubs against the 92mm fan.

With the fan on the Katana its about 130mm tall.
 

ahmurat

Member
Feb 22, 2007
74
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Originally posted by: krotchy
FYI OrigenAE actually manufactures the Zalman HD series cases, so either the OrigenAE or the Zalman's are pretty good choices.

Aside from OrigenAE/Zalman cases to look at, check out the Lian-Li PC-C30 Imon if you haven't already.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112127

Also check out http://www.pcalchemy.com for a ton of other HTPC cases and accessories

That looks like a good one too. I turned 90 degrees and decided on the Antec p180b. I decided that good ventilation and thus silence is more important than looks, plus i dont think the p180b looks bad at all. It will be a good match for the scythe ninja as well.
Thanks all.