Choosing a case to mod

[YoMoma]

I will be building my first computer very soon and wish to purchase a case by next week. My question is... what is a good first case to by to mod out. I want the case instuctions to be very thorough since it will be my first try. I want to buy a powerful PSU, maybe a 520 watt because I will have an SLI setup with 2 graphics cards.I want there to be a big windowed door to view the "innards". I see some PSU`s have a top fan mounted in them. If I went with this choice, I would need to buy a case with a hole in the top for the fan, right?
My price range would be up to $150 for the case.
Any Ideas?

ALSO I want to use a Rheobus to control a couple of fans and a ccfl or 2. Can I mount the Rheobus back a bit in the bay so the knobs arent in the way if I buy a case with a door?

 

[iSkylla]

If you want a modable case, get a CM Stacker and a window.

 

[YoMoma]

Are the CM Stacker cases a little too big, if I were not to do the extras like watercool and the sorts. I heard the case is a little big and some wires and cables made for ordinary mid case size might not be long enuf for use in the Stacker. They are a sweet looking case though.

 

[LongShotHero]

Building your first computer and modding the case?! I wouldn't have been able to do that.

But back on topic, Lian Li makes good cases to mod. They are expensive, but there are some under $150.

 

[SomeoneWhoIsntMe]

Chenming 601

 

[daedal]

will be building my first computer very soon and wish to purchase a case by next week. My question is... what is a good first case to by to mod out. I want the case instuctions to be very thorough since it will be my first try.

Bigger is usually better. Look for larger cases like the Thermaltakes, Chenmings and a few Antecs. Also have a look at Lian-Li which is expensive, but of very high quality.

I want to buy a powerful PSU, maybe a 520 watt because I will have an SLI setup with 2 graphics cards.

500 Watts is the minumum I would recommend. Whatever you do, do NOT skimp on the PSU, so generic, no-name PSUs = bad.

I want there to be a big windowed door to view the "innards". I see some PSU`s have a top fan mounted in them. If I went with this choice, I would need to buy a case with a hole in the top for the fan, right?

Most of the time, your PSU will be mounted "upside down" (sorta) which means that the fan will intake air from the bottom of your case and exhaust it from the back.

My price range would be up to $150 for the case.
Any Ideas? ALSO I want to use a Rheobus to control a couple of fans and a ccfl or 2. Can I mount the Rheobus back a bit in the bay so the knobs arent in the way if I buy a case with a door?

Most cases with doors are now designed with that element in mind, but you can ask people who have those cases if a rheobus would fit.

 

[YoMoma]

Building your first computer and modding the case?! I wouldn't have been able to do that.

Well I will only do what I feel I can do, as a first timer. Not going overboard. Just extra lighting and maybe a Rheobus to control fans and lights.

 

[Tanis143]

For your first mod attempt I would suggest buying a cheap case. I've butchered a few of my earlier attempts and would have been severly pissed at myself if I had shelled out 100+ bucks on it. Best thing to do is go to newegg and browse their cases. What I sometimes do is go to ebay and search the cases listed there, sometimes you can find good cases that are not popular pics and make good modding cases.

My first two mods were with Gateway case's:

I've used two of these cases, namely because they were free, and my case is an old Chemming full tower that I picked up off ebay for 10 bucks:

Just because its a popular case does not make it mod worthy. Basically find a case that you can picture the mods being done to and get it.