Suggestions for new case?

[TR0GD0RtheBURNiNAT0R]

Okay. I just got a new machine, and my Xaser III just isn't worthy of all this greatness. I've been looking around, but can't find a case that meets my standards exactly. Right now, I'm leaning towards a TJ06, but there has to be something better out there. Here are my criteria:
EDIT: I could probably go with a Lian-Li PC-V1000B, but the price kinda hurts...

Essentials:
-No plastic on the outside (except maybe case feet, or other small parts)
-Either a bezel door or avaliable in black (I don't want to stealth all my drives)
-Under $225 US
-Quality
-Good cooling
-Not Ugly

Important: (I could give up maybe 1 or 2 of these)
-Alluminum
-Full tower size
-Removable mobo tray
-Quiet
-Good modding potential
-Around $150 US

Bonus points:
-Black and bezel door
-Tool-less (at least mostly)
-Around $100
-120mm fans
-"Upside-Down" design (Like TJ06, or those new Lian-Lis)
-Easy to do a good cabling job on
-Not alot of "hidden cost" (extra fans, etc)

Any reccomendations?

 

[burningrave101]

I would look at something other then the Lian-Li V1000 series. If you think you really want one then go with one of the full tower V2000's. The V1000 has too many issues like the PSU compartment is cramped, the airflow is somewhat restrictive because of the seperated compartments, it requires longer IDE and SATA cables to reach the hard drives (using IDE cables 24" and longer can result in data loss), even with the wheels locked it will still roll back and forth about a half inch, the window is mounted on the right side and the mobo is mounted upside down ( i personally dont like this),it has no reset switch, it has no mobo tray, and hideing cables is a bitch.

I would go with a nice Cooler Master or Silverstone case myself. The Cooler Master Praetorian is a great case if you dont want a front door. Its a mid-tower though.

 

[TR0GD0RtheBURNiNAT0R]

I would look at something other then the Lian-Li V1000 series. If you think you really want one then go with one of the full tower V2000's. The V1000 has too many issues like the PSU compartment is cramped, the airflow is somewhat restrictive because of the seperated compartments, it requires longer IDE and SATA cables to reach the hard drives (using IDE cables 24" and longer can result in data loss), even with the wheels locked it will still roll back and forth about a half inch, the window is mounted on the right side and the mobo is mounted upside down ( i personally dont like this),it has no reset switch, it has no mobo tray, and hideing cables is a bitch.

I would go with a nice Cooler Master or Silverstone case myself. The Cooler Master Praetorian is a great case if you dont want a front door. Its a mid-tower though.

You've pretty well summed up my delema. There are all these cases that are great, but...

I can't afford the V2000 (about $260, could get a TJ03 for that price), and I've heard about the bitch cabling on the V1000s. OTOH, I like the looks, plus the upside-down mobo, and I'm using SATA HDs, so cable length isn't as big an issue. IMHO, the reset switch ain't that important (mostly a Linux user), and I could always install one later. And I have a bottom-intake PSU, which are supposed to do better in that case. But there's always that $195 price tag .

I don't really like the looks of the TJ06, plus its mostly steel, but it has everything else, plus the price is right.

The Praetorian looks pretty good, is definatly quality, and has a great price, but A) it's loud, B)It's not really tool-less, C) as you said, it's a mid-tower, and D) I just dont trust 1 80mm fan in the rear to provide adequate cooling at a reasonable volume.

Ah well, now I have 3 cases to decide between. Thanks alot!

 

[burningrave101]

You've pretty well summed up my delema. There are all these cases that are great, but...

I can't afford the V2000 (about $260, could get a TJ03 for that price), and I've heard about the bitch cabling on the V1000s. OTOH, I like the looks, plus the upside-down mobo, and I'm using SATA HDs, so cable length isn't as big an issue. IMHO, the reset switch ain't that important (mostly a Linux user), and I could always install one later. And I have a bottom-intake PSU, which are supposed to do better in that case. But there's always that $195 price tag .

I don't really like the looks of the TJ06, plus its mostly steel, but it has everything else, plus the price is right.

The Praetorian looks pretty good, is definatly quality, and has a great price, but A) it's loud, B)It's not really tool-less, C) as you said, it's a mid-tower, and D) I just dont trust 1 80mm fan in the rear to provide adequate cooling at a reasonable volume.

Ah well, now I have 3 cases to decide between. Thanks alot!

The single 80mm exhaust and top 80mm blowhole design is used in most of the mid-tower cases out there such as the ones from Cooler Master and Lian-Li. With the right fans it will provide more then adequate cooling. The Praetorian with a side panel window looks really nice. You also can't beat Cooler Masters motherboard trays. They're better then Lian-Li in that area.

Check out this thread here:

http://www.coolermaster.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=315

And its not like you've got a 3.8Ghz P4 Prescott so i wouldn't worry too much about the cooling part when your looking at Cooler Master, Lian-Li and SilverStone cases which are all three well known for good cooling.

 

[TR0GD0RtheBURNiNAT0R]

Well, I think I'm leaning towards the praetorian now.(the price is definatly right )
OTOH, the TJ06 is still pretty appealing. And it looks much better in black.
Don't think I'll go with the Li-Li unless the price drops 50 bucks, though.
Anyone else have a recomendation?

 

[TR0GD0RtheBURNiNAT0R]

Bumping thread...
Anyone else have anything to say?
Please. I don't want to end up with buyer's remorse