"Best" High End "Luxury" Case?

D

DReborn

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 11, 2004
Messages
364
I am looking for a "luxury" high end, QUIET case (i have no problem changing/upgrading the fans).

so far i have been researching:

1. Coolermaster Cosmos S
2. Silverstone TJ10 ESA
3. Gigabyte Mercury Pro

I would like a full tower since I like the extra space inside for wiring, etc. Price really isn't an issue. I have my cases for years so i like to invest.

I want to make sure I am not missing an option.
 
Lian Li V2000B Plus II or V2100.

However, the best cases in the world are from the Japanese manufacturer Windy. Unfortunately, they run $600+ and there are no US distributors.
 
I have a ZALMAN Z-MACHINE GT1000 i bought from newegg and i love it but a little on the high side though
 
The Cooler Master Stacker series ... 830 Evo ... that is the lap of spacious luxury

The antec P180 is also shiny and luxurious, but a total pain in the ass for wiring...
 
cases are personal things... =)

it's tough because back in the day it was Lian Li, then CoolerMaster came on the scene, and then SilverStone was arguably the top "luxury" case.

Now, though...there are all these newcomers like Zalman, Thermaltake, even Gigabyte.

I tried my hand at watercooling and while exciting it just wasn't worth the effort IMHO. Wasn't all that much quieter than air and since I don't OC as much as I used to, it's not worth the time, expense, and added risk. The only thing that I was debating was the gigabyte because supposedly it was really easy to setup, quiet, and just an overall great case.

I just want a solid, beautiful, QUIET, big case that has good wire management.

too much to ask? =)

Lastly, the thermaltake sword is a little much for me. I know it's a great case but I like more subtle, clean look. The Zalman is also a cool case but I've heard some setup issues plus not a big fan of the stickers/decals, etc

thanks for all the suggestions, keep 'em coming!
 
DReborn said:
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=131&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=61

seems like it's getting pretty good reviews...
Click to expand...

I wish that the new Lian Li was sold locally so that I could hear how noisy three up-front fans were -- because I like dust filtered air going into my computer, the washable filter for those three fans looks like a winner, but have major concerns about noise with either of the two new Armorsuit gaming cases from Lian Li.

Anyone out there that owns either of the Armorsuits care to comment on fan noise (even if the fans were replaced with quieter fans??)

MikeSp
 
i was thinking of that as well but they are 140mm fans and there is the fan speed control right in the front which leads me to ASSUME that it would be pretty quiet on it's lowest setting.

I have been reading all the reviews on Newegg and they seems pretty positive...no one has mentioned a noise issue.

EDIT: just read a review where someone complained about the noise even on the lowest setting. ugh. he was going to replace all the fans with quiet ones...add another $100 to the $400 case...

sigh
 
The Armorsuits are like even uglier Antec 900 ripoffs... I wouldn't pay $50 for one of those things.
 
Im very happy with my Antec P182 as far as noise. The fans that came with it arent terrible either, i ran them on low and they were pretty much inaudible. I have eight 120mm fans, all running around 800-1000 rpms and i cant really hear them unless i really try to listen for them. My shitty PSU fans are louder.
 
SwordM, Thermaltake Tai-Chi, Zalman GT-1000 - are all 300+ cases.

Also, on ebay, you can get the Dell XPS 720 case, brand new, for around 300 as well.
 
ha, i don't even know where to start with that Lian Li cube...looks cool but may be a little too much since I am just air cooling.

i might just calling frozencpu and performancepcs and tell then "money no object" build me a silent, cool case.

maybe give them the Cosmos S, Silverstone TJ10 to make silent/sexier, cooler...

they lilke special projects right?
 
...why would you pay someone to "mod" a case for air cooling? You can swap out fans and add sound insulation padding yourself. That's all they're going to do, save with a massive mark-up.

I can almost understand why some go this route with water cooling, as it can be really worrisome cutting holes for radiators and such, and you might not have the tools necessary, but you don't have to do any of the "scary" stuff prepping for air cooling.

Do you want lights and sleeving and all that kind of thing, or what?
 
that i do...

i've spent too many hours tying, sleeving, hiding, prepping, wires and fans to be ready. I keep my cases for years. If i spend $500 on a video card that lasts me a year, it only makes sense to have pros build me a case i can use for 2+ years.

is it the most cost efficient? course not. are they going to do something that I couldn't do (with enough time, materials, and wherewithal)? prolly not. but am i going to get something that just works out of the box and in 30-60 minutes get a fully cooled, custom case? yes (hopefully).

i am paying for convenicne. I have built over 10 cases (water cooled, dremeld, modded, routed, painted, etc). I want easy now. I want more time playing with my computer than playing with its case.

just my HO.
 
iff you dont the built in watercooling (some folks would want to put in there own stuff) get the gigabyte. i had a 3d aurora for a couple years and it is easly the best built case you can get, in many ways better than the v1000b plus 2 w i replaced it with. nothing rattles, nothing is cheaped out on, no sharp edges, built like a 100% aluminum tank. tons of space, enough space to put a 240x120 rad on the inside. only complaints - included fans suck (for aircooling) and door (on the 3d aurora) opens the wrong way. the door might have been fixed on later models, but i see they still use the same shitty fans.
this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811214027

is also a very nice case, tho not "luxury", very solidly built.
 
I'm pretty sure the Silverstone TJ10 ESA is the right case for me but it just doesn't wow me in looks and unfortunately looks pretty darn similar to my 5 year old CoolerMaster ATC-210.

That's what is pushing me to the Cosmos S.

Eh. I'll be calling frozencpu and performancepcs today to see if they have any clever ideas/thoughts
 
TJ07. Cant get more 'luxury' than some ~8mm thick aluminum not shaped like a box.
 
I personally think my Soldam case is the best luxury case around. Oh wait I never actually received my case. Damn you k00lance!!!
 
Assemble your PC in a Porshe 911 GT3 RS and you will get the most luxury case of all time...
 
Bucken said:
I personally think my Soldam case is the best luxury case around. Oh wait I never actually received my case. Damn you k00lance!!!
Click to expand...

I like my Soldam case, but I since I live in Japan I ordered directly from them.

To the OP, I don't know if there is any way to get any of the Soldam cases outside Japan, but they do offer cases that are meant to be really quiet with good airflow.
 
TJ07, i like the 900 and all, but the TJ07 is a very nice case, and i may decide to watercool my new rig and that will be very interesting.
 
Fuurinkazan said:
To the OP, I don't know if there is any way to get any of the Soldam cases outside Japan, but they do offer cases that are meant to be really quiet with good airflow.
Click to expand...

There are no US or Canadian distributors. I don't know about the UK, but I imagine there are none their either. Windy/Soldam has zero interest in the US market -- the only way to get one of those things here is to have someone you know in Japan buy it and ship it to you, and that is (I imagine you realize) an insanely expensive undertaking.
 
I really like my cosmos 1000

the stock fans are quiet and they push around 36 cfm

however for some reason my gpx card runs a bit hot... might just be cause its stupid...
 
silent-circuit said:
There are no US or Canadian distributors. I don't know about the UK, but I imagine there are none their either. Windy/Soldam has zero interest in the US market -- the only way to get one of those things here is to have someone you know in Japan buy it and ship it to you, and that is (I imagine you realize) an insanely expensive undertaking.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was expensive just getting one here in Japan, but with exchange rates and such cheaper than the z-machine by about $100(z-machines are outrageously priced here). It's a shame they aren't more widely available.

I just thought I'd mention it since they are considered a luxury case.
 
Silverstone TJ07, TJ09, and TJ10 are all "luxury cases" and, as was previously stated, so are Lian-Li's.
 
DReborn said:
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=131&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=61

seems like it's getting pretty good reviews...
Click to expand...

It's probably the best case I have owned thus far. I've had various other Lian Li's, Silverstones, and Coolermasters, and this thing is amazing! :D

MikeSp said:
Anyone out there that owns either of the Armorsuits care to comment on fan noise (even if the fans were replaced with quieter fans??)
Click to expand...

On low, it is almost dead silent. I haven't replaced the fans and don't need to. It's barely audible.

DReborn said:
i was thinking of that as well but they are 140mm fans and there is the fan speed control right in the front which leads me to ASSUME that it would be pretty quiet on it's lowest setting.

I have been reading all the reviews on Newegg and they seems pretty positive...no one has mentioned a noise issue.

EDIT: just read a review where someone complained about the noise even on the lowest setting. ugh. he was going to replace all the fans with quiet ones...add another $100 to the $400 case...

sigh
Click to expand...

Don't base your decision on NewEgg reviews. I don't know what that person heard, but it was not the case fans - maybe his CPU or NB fan was the culprit. Even on high, this case is still pretty quiet, and that is with it near my head sitting on my desk!

This is my first case with a door. I'm having to adjust to opening the door to load/unload a CD/DVD, but I rarely do that, so it's not a big deal. There are no cons for this case IMO, except the price, which could have been closer to $300.

Hope this helps. Anyone who gets this case will not be disappointed, whether for water or air. I can post pics if needed. I'm using a TRUE for now just because I can get a 3.6 overclock without water. :D
 
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