Requesting Tower Case Recommendation

[Thunder9]

Suggestions anyone? I'm looking to start with a full tower. As a
newbie, I need something easy to work with even if that means spending
a little more money.

Requirements:
1. Its gotta be black.
2. At least 6 or 7 exposed 5.25" bays. Three of which will be
dedicated to removable drive trays for my drives. Ok I *might* be
willing to do the standard 4 external 5.25" bays if I have some more
in the cabinet that are /* very easy */ to swap out quickly.
3. Cool and quiet features is a plus.
3. User friendly features is a plus.

Intended to be used mostly for multimedia with PIII 2.6+ GHz, but I do
not plan on overclocking. It won't be a heat pig, but I also want to
use it for my primary music and video like an HTPC. However, I don't
mind if its big because it will also double as my only home PC, and
besides I heard big is actually good for quieter because you can
attach bigger slower fans and have better air flow. Also room for
water cooling should I find that necessary in the future.

Regards,
Thunder9

 

[Richard Dower]

Suggestions anyone? I'm looking to start with a full tower. As a
newbie, I need something easy to work with even if that means spending
a little more money.

http://www.aopen.com/products/housing/h700-series.htm

 

[Atlantic965]

Best deals on cases is http://www.extremecase.com

I 've bought a couple already

 

[Serial # 19781010]

I use the 2 fan case with a 350 watt psu from askacs.com. If your in
the states it is only $45.00. comes in different colors, but only has
4 exposed 5.25" bays.

god luck

 

[Thunder9]

I use the 2 fan case with a 350 watt psu from askacs.com. If your in
the states it is only $45.00. comes in different colors, but only has
4 exposed 5.25" bays.

That's nice, but I'm looking for something bigger... something more
like a full tower version of the antec sonata...

Regards,
Thunder9

 

[Thunder9]

http://www.aopen.com/products/housing/h700-series.htm

I don't usually see sweet looking full tower cases, but this one is
nice!!!

 

[Thunder9]

I just needed to post this... in my research this is a great link
which is a google post for many current reviews of cases....

http://groups.google.com/[email protected]&rnum=3

Thanks,
Thunder9

 

[Strontium]

Nice case. I wonder if those 3.5" bays are removable, though...

-
Thunder9 stood up at show-n-tell, in (e-mail address removed),
and said:

 

[ric]

Suggestions anyone? I'm looking to start with a full tower. As a
newbie, I need something easy to work with even if that means spending
a little more money.

http://www.calpc.com/catalog/full_tower.html

In beige or black.

 

[Richard Dower]

I don't usually see sweet looking full tower cases, but this one is
nice!!!

I have this myself, cost 180 Euro...i removed the power supply and put in an
Antec 480 Watt TruePower. But there is nothing really wrong with the power
supply included with the case per se.

It just wasn't what i wanted, it's a great case...support for seven 80mm
fans, heaps of space. One of the best i have seen.

 

[Richard Dower]

Nice case. I wonder if those 3.5" bays are removable, though...

They are, the internal 3.5" caddy can be removed, so can the hard drive
caddy. The six 5.25" slots are all removable.

 

[Thunder9]

I have this myself, cost 180 Euro...i removed the power supply and put in an
Antec 480 Watt TruePower. But there is nothing really wrong with the power
supply included with the case per se.

It just wasn't what i wanted, it's a great case...support for seven 80mm
fans, heaps of space. One of the best i have seen.

I've decided to go with the Lian Li full tower aluminum case. It fits
all my requirements. Here are some links to reviews...

http://www.icehw.net/review.asp?id=103
http://www.burnoutpc.com/index.php?page=reviews&review_id=38
http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/cases/lian_li/pc71/index.htm

Thanks,
Thunder9

 

[Thunder9]

I've decided to go with the Lian Li full tower aluminum case. It fits
all my requirements. Here are some links to reviews...

http://www.icehw.net/review.asp?id=103
http://www.burnoutpc.com/index.php?page=reviews&review_id=38
http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/cases/lian_li/pc71/index.htm

Ok I take this back... I'm not sold on using aluminum for making my pc
more quiet. Here's an article that describes "The Aluminum Myth":

http://www.silentpcreview.com/modul...ns&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=75&page=1

Here's an excerpt:

The Aluminum Myth - Some favor aluminum cases, citing an ability to
better cool components mounted within. This is a myth. No heat
producing component benefit in any significant way from being inside
an aluminum case. The only heat producing devices that are normally
mounted in direct contact with a case are the drives, particularly the
hard drives. The difference between aluminum and steel in this cooling
fuction is insignificant.

Regards,
Thunder9

 

[Timothy Daniels]

Ok I take this back... I'm not sold on using aluminum
for making my pc more quiet. Here's an article that
describes "The Aluminum Myth":

http://www.silentpcreview.com/modul...ns&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=75&page=1

Here's an excerpt:

The Aluminum Myth - Some favor aluminum cases,
citing an ability to better cool components mounted
within. This is a myth. No heat producing component
benefit in any significant way from being inside an
aluminum case. The only heat producing devices that
are normally mounted in direct contact with a case are
the drives, particularly the hard drives. The difference
between aluminum and steel in this cooling fuction is
insignificant.

In my trusty ol' Dell Dimension, the primary hard drive
is mounted in a PVC cage with only 2 long screws that
make any contact with metal, and I haven't found any
aluminum anywhere in the case. Furthermore, by being
less massive, an aluminum case is easier to vibrate, and
it would couple more fan vibration and interior air
turbulence to the walls of the case, making it noisier.
For noise containment, I'd go with a massive and rigid
case structure and leave cooling to the air flow.


*TimDaniels*

 

[MikeW]

Antec 1040II if you want black. The 1080 is essentially the same case
but in silver, with a slightly bigger PS, and a side fan for a few
bucks more.

Neither is to rad, but they are well built, flexible, have alot of
features, and are available anywhere.