Case Recomendations Please

[B737Capt]

I am looking for recomendations for a new computer case. Here are some of my wants and requirements:

• Good quality and cooling of course.
• No doors to access dvd-drives.
• Quiet!!!
• Mostly toolless
• Capable of 4 or more hard drives
• Front access for USB, Firewire etc. (Case will be inside desk storage area so its hard to get to some cases with ports at the top or back.)
• No need for windows on door. (Case will be inside desk storage area.)
• Room for 8800GTX card.
• No need for water cooling.
• Pleanty of room to work in.

Lets hear your suggestions! Thanks!

 

[64dragon]

putting a case into a storage area is goin to starve it of air causing high temps especially with an 8800 in it. how big is this storage area cause thats goin to limit the options avalible

the first case that comes to mind would be an antec 900, good cooling and no door, i believe they can fit 8800's but theres not gona be a lot of room to work with

 

[B737Capt]

putting a case into a storage area is goin to starve it of air causing high temps especially with an 8800 in it. how big is this storage area cause thats goin to limit the options avalible

The storage area is 10.5 inches wide and 24.5 inches tall. The back area is completely open and I usually leave the front door open when the computer is in use.

 

[kush]

It doesn't exactly fit your requirements, but I like my Armor 8003BWS (windowed/25cm fan), available w/out windows, and in gray aluminum, as opposed to the black/steel models.


It does have:
-- those ridiculous flaps, that for a lot of people inc. me don't even latch down [shitty magnets]. They're easily removable though, loosen a couple screws in each corner and they're gone.

-- TOP access for USB/FW/etc, but entire front panel is drive bays, easy enough to get a 5.25 panel for replacement if you wish. Also, the case is 21" tall, so there'd be plenty of room on top in your 24" enclosure for the wires to run.

-- not totally toolless - big thumbscrews for internal access. But, somewhat screwy mounting bit for front bays, secure once engaged though. Bigger issue, mounting HDs in the iCage is a bit of a PITA, but unless you find yourself often swapping drives this isn't that much of an issue.

++ TONS of space to work in, plenty of cooling - 1x120 stock in front of supplied iCAGE, 92mm in top/back for the 2nd HD mounts, 120mm exhaust, room to add at least 2 more 120s in front if so desired, filters on ALL drive bays

++ By default can hold 6xHD's, 3 in back, 3 in front iCAGE.
-- Bit of a detraction, if you mounted 3xHDs in the rear, there's likely little flow left for cooling (ie: very close together)

++ Should be no problem fitting an 8800gtx, I think I measured 14" from the PCI covers to the end of the drive bays, subtract about 1" with the length the iCAGE will protrude..You can however move the cage anywhere up or down so this won't be any issue anyway.

++ Built like a tank, at least the black/steel version. Although it should be - it weighs like 40lbs EMPTY .

price: ~$120-$200 @ the egg, depending on model/color/options & maybe an MIR (ie windowed, but non side fan'd 8000BWS (black/steel) @ $150-$30 MIR). Could always check froogle.google.com for better prices.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ke+armor&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

 

[B737Capt]

It doesn't exactly fit your requirements, but I like my Armor 8003BWS (windowed/25cm fan), available w/out windows, and in gray aluminum, as opposed to the black/steel models.

Yes, I was looking at the black version of this.

It does have:
-- those ridiculous flaps, that for a lot of people inc. me don't even latch down [shitty magnets]. They're easily removable though, loosen a couple screws in each corner and they're gone.

Hate those things! What is there purpoase anyways? Just for looks I guess. I suppose if they come off it would be ok.

-- TOP access for USB/FW/etc, but entire front panel is drive bays, easy enough to get a 5.25 panel for replacement if you wish.

The top mounted ports may not be useful in my setup. Any suggestions for a 5.25 panel replacement? Never thought of that.

-- not totally toolless - big thumbscrews for internal access. But, somewhat screwy mounting bit for front bays, secure once engaged though. Bigger issue, mounting HDs in the iCage is a bit of a PITA, but unless you find yourself often swapping drives this isn't that much of an issue.

Don't see myself swapping drives much. May not be an issue for me.

++ TONS of space to work in, plenty of cooling - 1x120 stock in front of supplied iCAGE, 92mm in top/back for the 2nd HD mounts, 120mm exhaust, room to add at least 2 more 120s in front if so desired, filters on ALL drive bays

I like that!

++ By default can hold 6xHD's, 3 in back, 3 in front iCAGE.
-- Bit of a detraction, if you mounted 3xHDs in the rear, there's likely little flow left for cooling (ie: very close together)

Not sure about having two of my drives mounted in the back.

++ Should be no problem fitting an 8800gtx, I think I measured 14" from the PCI covers to the end of the drive bays, subtract about 1" with the length the iCAGE will protrude..You can however move the cage anywhere up or down so this won't be any issue anyway.

++ Built like a tank, at least the black/steel version. Although it should be - it weighs like 40lbs EMPTY .

price: ~$120-$200 @ the egg, depending on model/color/options & maybe an MIR (ie windowed, but non side fan'd 8000BWS (black/steel) @ $150-$30 MIR). Could always check froogle.google.com for better prices.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ke+armor&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

Everything else seems pretty good.