Need a new case - bad overheating problems

[Cyde Weys]

I've been running my computer in this generic beige case, and I've just
about had enough of it. I'm plagued with overheating problems, and now
I basically have to keep the skins off to keep my temperature in
acceptable ranges. As such, I'm in the market for a new case. Any
suggestions? Here's what I need ...

I'll need a standard ATX-size case. Nothing too expensive, please. If
it has transparent plastic windows on it or anything like that then it's
probably too expensive for my tastes. If it comes with fans, that'd be
a plus. Another plus would be silence ... I'm in a dorm room, so
excessive sound is a problem. I already have a (generic) power supply,
but if it came with a nice name-brand, 400+ W power supply, that'd be
really nice.

So, any suggestions?

 

[CarSeeker]

I've been running my computer in this generic beige case, and I've just
about had enough of it. I'm plagued with overheating problems, and now
I basically have to keep the skins off to keep my temperature in
acceptable ranges. As such, I'm in the market for a new case. Any
suggestions? Here's what I need ...

I'll need a standard ATX-size case. Nothing too expensive, please. If
it has transparent plastic windows on it or anything like that then it's
probably too expensive for my tastes. If it comes with fans, that'd be
a plus. Another plus would be silence ... I'm in a dorm room, so
excessive sound is a problem. I already have a (generic) power supply,
but if it came with a nice name-brand, 400+ W power supply, that'd be
really nice.

So, any suggestions?

Find out why your computer is running so hot?

 

[Trent©]

I've been running my computer in this generic beige case, and I've just
about had enough of it. I'm plagued with overheating problems, and now
I basically have to keep the skins off to keep my temperature in
acceptable ranges. As such, I'm in the market for a new case. Any
suggestions? Here's what I need ...

I'll need a standard ATX-size case. Nothing too expensive, please. If
it has transparent plastic windows on it or anything like that then it's
probably too expensive for my tastes. If it comes with fans, that'd be
a plus. Another plus would be silence ... I'm in a dorm room, so
excessive sound is a problem. I already have a (generic) power supply,
but if it came with a nice name-brand, 400+ W power supply, that'd be
really nice.

So, any suggestions?

www.pricewatch.com


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

 

[Cyde Weys]

Find out why your computer is running so hot?

Yeah, the case, bad ventilation ...

 

[kony]

I've been running my computer in this generic beige case, and I've just
about had enough of it. I'm plagued with overheating problems, and now
I basically have to keep the skins off to keep my temperature in
acceptable ranges. As such, I'm in the market for a new case. Any
suggestions? Here's what I need ...

I'll need a standard ATX-size case. Nothing too expensive, please. If
it has transparent plastic windows on it or anything like that then it's
probably too expensive for my tastes. If it comes with fans, that'd be
a plus. Another plus would be silence ... I'm in a dorm room, so
excessive sound is a problem. I already have a (generic) power supply,
but if it came with a nice name-brand, 400+ W power supply, that'd be
really nice.

So, any suggestions?

Well if it's a cheap case you may be as well off to just cut out a fan
hole or two, in the rear if there's space for 80mm fan, or in the front
wall or side panel. Many cases have mostly obstructed stamped-in fan
grills, that once cut out, improve airflow by over 200%.

$50 will get you a "turbo case", which like Antec, is another name for
Cheng Ming cases:
http://www.buyxtremegear.com/sx1040win.html

Around $35-40 you can get a base model from many manufacturers: Antec,
Enlight, AOpen, Inwin, etc.

Watch the metal thickness though, I suggest a minimum of .8mm thick, as
..6mm thick is too flimsy IMHO, though better cases are 1.0mm, and in the
"good ole days", even thicker. I wouldn't get .8mm aluminum though, Al
needs to be a little thicker for same strenth as steel.

Newegg.com is an outstanding place to see a lot of cases, nice pictures:
http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=7&DEPA=0

 

[XXXX]

I've been running my computer in this generic beige case, and I've just
about had enough of it. I'm plagued with overheating problems, and now
I basically have to keep the skins off to keep my temperature in
acceptable ranges. As such, I'm in the market for a new case. Any
suggestions? Here's what I need ...

I'll need a standard ATX-size case. Nothing too expensive, please. If
it has transparent plastic windows on it or anything like that then it's
probably too expensive for my tastes. If it comes with fans, that'd be
a plus. Another plus would be silence ... I'm in a dorm room, so
excessive sound is a problem. I already have a (generic) power supply,
but if it came with a nice name-brand, 400+ W power supply, that'd be
really nice.

So, any suggestions?

I really like the Chieftec style cases though its debatable whether
itll actually be better than any other decent case. Ive seen a few
that were relatively cheap - but not in the super cheap range.

The main thing about them is - its big, mainly tall. So theres lots of
room inside and theres a a place for two fans in the rear below the
power supply, a side mount fan and one in the front in the usual
place. And theres a place to mount another fan in front of your hard
drives. Have no idea if all Chieftec style cases have all these
options - probably not. The one I have is a real Antec.

Ive seen some Compusa brand cases if you cant find cheaper ones in
your region , that sell for $59 I think without a power supply. They
look fairly similar to the Chieftec but probably have way less
features.

 

[DaveW]

Antec 1080 case fits the bill. 430Watt Antec Tru-Power PSU comes in it.

 

[Cyde Weys]

Antec 1080 case fits the bill. 430Watt Antec Tru-Power PSU comes in it.

This one looks pretty cool:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-145&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

It should be able to fit all of the components in my current computer
(ATX power supply, ATX mobo, etc.), right?

 

[kony]

This one looks pretty cool:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-145&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

It should be able to fit all of the components in my current computer
(ATX power supply, ATX mobo, etc.), right?

Yes, it'll fit a standard ATX mobo & PSU.

An interesting looking case, but keep in mind that it's not as sturdy as
the equivalent, older Antec 8(nn) series of the similar size, by design
and because it's aluminum... aluminum is great if you have a need to carry
it around, but if you have a lot of stuff to put in it, will leave it
sitting at home, better to get the all steel Antecs.

 

[XXXX]

This one looks pretty cool:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-145&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

It should be able to fit all of the components in my current computer
(ATX power supply, ATX mobo, etc.), right?

Thats one I HATE !!!!! Ha ha.

Ive used tons of Enlights and other brands that were the standard
midtower size. These are OK - what people generally use but it can be
a tiny bit cramped if you used a lot of drives - expecially hard
drives with lots of the those IDE flat ribbons. I almost always get an
extra IDE controller for 8 devices so the inside was usually a tangled
mess.

The 1080 the other poster mentioned is exactly the type I have now
except I bought the PS separately an ANTEC 400 watter. The 1080 has a
430 watt. Compusa had them for $59 I think without PS which I already
had .

The LANBOY I bought because I was sick of my enlight cases and COMPUSA
had a sale on the Antec lanboy style with PS 350 watt for $49 or so. I
jumped on it and sold the PS and got a separate 400 watt antec PS.

The lanboy style case is SMALLER than a typical mid tower. Its MORE
cramped vertically. The only good thing is its wider so theres airflow
on the side of the drive bay since theres a space there. But its more
cramped vertically. So cramped with drives sitting on top drvies with
my situation I quickly wanted to get rid of it. Also as I whined about
- its fragile as heck. Its like tin foil. I bought two of them and one
was already extremely dented on the top when I opened it which I took
back.

My other one is OK but I ended up put several small dents on it very
easily - dropping small objects that wouldnt have put a scratch in a
normal case. AS soon as I saw the chietec style I jumped on it and its
like night and day. Its huge inside - bigger than the mid towers since
its a full tower which many may or may not like. It gives you lots of
room to expand and gives you tons of space for good airflow. However I
also improved things by getting SATA adaptors so I can use the small
SATA cords and the number of drives is also reduced - you can only
have two SATA devices and 4 IDE instead of 8 altogether on the newer
SATA + PIDE controller boards.

If you dont have that many drives and you hate big cases then it might
be what you are looking for but I hated it because it was slightly
smaller height-wise vs the avg midtower which made it incredibly
cramped for people who use lots of drives.

 

[Cyde Weys]

An interesting looking case, but keep in mind that it's not as sturdy as
the equivalent, older Antec 8(nn) series of the similar size, by design
and because it's aluminum... aluminum is great if you have a need to carry
it around, but if you have a lot of stuff to put in it, will leave it
sitting at home, better to get the all steel Antecs.

I'm not quite sure I follow your logic. The steel is stronger and the
aluminum is lighter and more fragile ... so if I was getting a computer
I needed to carry around a lot, I certainly wouldn't want something
fragile. You'd definitely want steel for that task. However, since I'm
just gonna put the computer on my desk and leave it there, I see no
reason why there should be a problem with aluminum.

 

[Cyde Weys]

XXXX wrote:

The 1080 the other poster mentioned is exactly the type I have now
except I bought the PS separately an ANTEC 400 watter. The 1080 has a
430 watt. Compusa had them for $59 I think without PS which I already
had .

The Antec 1080 "Plus" - if I'm looking at the same thing you are - is a
HUGE monster and costs $150!! Is there a non-plus version that I'm not
finding? And is the only difference that it doesn't have a power supply
- or is it smaller?

The lanboy style case is SMALLER than a typical mid tower. Its MORE
cramped vertically. The only good thing is its wider so theres airflow
on the side of the drive bay since theres a space there. But its more
cramped vertically. So cramped with drives sitting on top drvies with
my situation I quickly wanted to get rid of it. Also as I whined about
- its fragile as heck. Its like tin foil. I bought two of them and one
was already extremely dented on the top when I opened it which I took
back.

I'm in a dorm room so emitting less noise (the Lanboy has 2x 120mm
low-speed fans) and being a small formfactor is pretty important to me.
And I researched the cases and they are .8mm thick ... which isn't
really that fragile. Maybe you just got unlucky.

If you dont have that many drives and you hate big cases then it might
be what you are looking for but I hated it because it was slightly
smaller height-wise vs the avg midtower which made it incredibly
cramped for people who use lots of drives.

Right now I'm running with 2 optical drives, a floppy, 2 hard drives, an
AGP Radeon 9500 video card, Audigy 2 sound card, and WinTek TV tuner.
As long as all of this stuff fits in the Lanboy I should be fine. Well
.... does it fit?

 

[kony]

I'm not quite sure I follow your logic. The steel is stronger and the
aluminum is lighter and more fragile ... so if I was getting a computer
I needed to carry around a lot, I certainly wouldn't want something
fragile. You'd definitely want steel for that task. However, since I'm
just gonna put the computer on my desk and leave it there, I see no
reason why there should be a problem with aluminum.

The idea is that a computer that you want mobile, you may not build up as
much, only including essential parts. Lower part counts and the Al, make
it significantly lighter.

While it would be good to have it as sturdy as possible when traveling, if
you have multilple things to carry with you the weight of each becomes
more of a factor than if only carrying the computer.

Since Al is more expensive but no benefit beyond the weight, there is no
reason to spend more if it'd never be carried around.

You desires may be different.

 

[kony]

The Antec 1080 "Plus" - if I'm looking at the same thing you are - is a
HUGE monster and costs $150!! Is there a non-plus version that I'm not
finding? And is the only difference that it doesn't have a power supply
- or is it smaller?

"1080" dictates the size, they are same size.

I'm in a dorm room so emitting less noise (the Lanboy has 2x 120mm
low-speed fans) and being a small formfactor is pretty important to me.
And I researched the cases and they are .8mm thick ... which isn't
really that fragile. Maybe you just got unlucky.

0.8 mm Al is significantly more fragile than 1mm steel... "that fragile"
is relative.

 

[XXXX]

XXXX wrote:



The Antec 1080 "Plus" - if I'm looking at the same thing you are - is a
HUGE monster and costs $150!! Is there a non-plus version that I'm not
finding? And is the only difference that it doesn't have a power supply
- or is it smaller?


I'm in a dorm room so emitting less noise (the Lanboy has 2x 120mm
low-speed fans) and being a small formfactor is pretty important to me.
And I researched the cases and they are .8mm thick ... which isn't
really that fragile. Maybe you just got unlucky.



Right now I'm running with 2 optical drives, a floppy, 2 hard drives, an
AGP Radeon 9500 video card, Audigy 2 sound card, and WinTek TV tuner.
As long as all of this stuff fits in the Lanboy I should be fine. Well
... does it fit?

Itll defintely fit but I think what I didnt like was it had only one
3.5 inch cage so all the HDs had to be crammed into it without as much
space inbetween.

The full tower I have has TWO and you can put a fan infront of the
hard drives.

Your kind of at the limit. Itll be OK but if you get any other drives
then itll get really cramped with no space inbetween the drives since
youll have to move some 3.5 HDs into the 5" bays . I have a DVD
reader , DVD burner and CD burner which is probably more than most
people have. I dont like to wear out the DVD burner for ripping DVDs.
playing them and burning CDs since its kind of slow 16x. The Liteon
burner is dirt cheap now and burns at 52x max.

But that still mean vertically the case is kind of cramped. I have
lots of problems with wires even with the slightly wider space. And it
usually means working on the motherboard is cramped, since the PS
tends be close to the CPU and the ATAPI drives in the 5" bays. I
hated it but I can see it working for someone with a really simple
system. Yours would work but its kind of the max.

The thickness aspect. My Antec full tower is only probably a bit
thicker but it does make a lot of difference. But they are both on the
light side as are many cases nowadays. If you compare both to my older
Enlights no comparison. You get a HERNIA lifting my really old ENlight
case the case metal and frame is so freaking heavy duty.

My other Enlight case same mid tower different design , a few years
newer is lighter but still heavy duty. And then you get to my Antec
full tower which lighter than both, seems kind of barely acceptable to
me. So the lanboy seems a bit over the limit to me though they
advertise to actually be carried ! They actually sell a harness thing
for it ! And I have to admit its very very light.

Personally my full tower seems much quieter than my lanboy. Id rate
the lanboy the noisiest case Ive had.

However I always say many things are a matter of taste. It will be
cramped but with your stuff it will be in the acceptable range and if
size and weight are more important than having a cramped case then it
might be the thing for you. I personally thought it was kind of a hot
case and noisy case but once again I have a LOT drives and wires -
I was using anywhere from 3-4 harddisks then with regular IDE flat
ribbons and 3 ATAPI drives and all the slots were filled with cards.

IF you want a cooler case like you mentioned though , Id go for a full
tower. And particularly a full tower with lots of options for fans -
mine has two in the rear as I said below the PS , options for one
each in each 3.5" drive cage in front , the usual one in the front
lower case and one on the side.

Theres lots of CHieftec style full tower copies. THey are sold under
many names . Im sure you can find one and get a separate PS on sale
for way less than $150.

FMI at compusa and its not even on sale $49 no PS , non door type

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=300256&pfp=SEARCH

One with a door in front of the 5" drive bays $80 no PS
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298808&pfp=SEARCH
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=304238&pfp=SEARCH

Antec 400 watt for $119
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=297029&pfp=SEARCH


Im sure you can find ones cheaper than these at Newegg































..

 

[Cyde Weys]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of that. It really
helped me to clarify what I'm looking for. I've decided not to get the
Lanboy after all, so I'm still looking for a case (which I'll be talking
about in a new thread).