Suggestions On Upgrading Case

[Snowbum]

I am currently in the market for a new case. Here are a few things that I am looking for in my new case.

• Plenty of space - Most of the cases that I have now are Antec Performance II SOHO series cases. I love the room that they have.
• Easily removable bays. Again, the Antec cases that I have have the removable drive bays for the internal 3.5 in devices. They also come with these rail kits for the 5.25 in devices, like CD ROMS, that allow you to press on a tab on each side to remove the drive.
• Removable motherboard tray. That is something that I don't have but would be a great feature.
• Also, I would like to have some type of tempature montior and fan control knobs. The question about this item is, should I simply buy any case and buy some type of 5.25 in device that has this ability? Or should I look for it as a feature of the case.

I am looking to spend as much as $170. So far, it seems as though the Thermaltake cases have most of these features. However, I don't know if they have the removable motherboard tray. I like the Lian Li's because they do but unless someone can convince me otherwise, I am not very impressed with the Lian Li cases. I was looking at the Antec P160 which is a very nice case, but it doesn't have a very good temperature, fan control device built in. Again, maybe this is something I shouldn't worry about in a case. If anyone has any good recommendations for third party, fan control, temperature monitoring devices, please post those as well.

 

[Snowbum]

What do you all think of this case?


http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/Damier/v5000a.htm

Has anyone had any personal experience with this case? Are the decorations on the front stickers that do not have to be applied. They are pretty damn ugly but the case is awesome.

Here is another one from Thermaltake that is similar it doesn't have the two smart fan buttons on the front like the one above, it also doesn't have a 7 color, flashing LED on the backplate, and the window on this one is not 'X style'. Other than that I can't see any other difference.

http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/xaser3/v1000a.htm

 

[Vikings-N1]

anything chieftec bro

 

[Snowbum]

Originally posted by Vikings-N1
anything chieftec bro

They seem to be very nice cases. Although, they are identical Antec replicas. I cannot believe that companies can get away with that.

The only problem I have with the Chieftec cases is the same one I have with the four Antec cases that I own. They are very nice cases but they don't have anything spectacular.

 

[Iconz]

There IS one basic case that looks the same as an Antec, however, that's the only one I can think of. Go to their website.

http://www.chieftec.com/products/products.htm

Otherwise, if your budget is $170, a lot of people will suggest a Lian Li.

EDIT: I'm sure the thermaltake case is good quality, but it looks like an old Chubby Checkers costume.

 

[Snowbum]

Originally posted by Iconz1
There IS one basic case that looks the same as an Antec, however, that's the only one I can think of. Go to their website.

http://www.chieftec.com/products/products.htm

Otherwise, if your budget is $170, a lot of people will suggest a Lian Li.

EDIT: I'm sure the thermaltake case is good quality, but it looks like an old Chubby Checkers costume.

Which Lian Li would you recommend? There website is not very good as far providing decent pictures. Newegg doesn't carry man of their cases. Is there another site that may have better pics?

 

[theNoid]

if you want those features and dont mind a pre-mod.. the Aspire X Superalien is your best choice.

 

[Iconz]

Originally posted by Snowbum
Which Lian Li would you recommend? There website is not very good as far providing decent pictures. Newegg doesn't carry man of their cases. Is there another site that may have better pics?

I'm not in a position to recommend a particular model because I don't own one. But there are a lot of people here who do or have had one in the past. For looks, I like the PC-65, simple, aluminum, and windowed.

 

[mabegman]

If you really don't have a problem dropping $170, I own and highly recommend CoolerMaster. You won't get any removable drive bays or a stock thermal control unit with it, but you will get a quality built case with plenty of room and the removable motherboard tray. NewEgg has a smoking looking ATC 201 with a side window for $150 or $160. Enermax's new UC-A8FATR4 thermal control unit looks sweet in it too.

 

[iZero]

A Lian Li PC-6* will be smaller than your typical mid-sized Cheiftec based case. They lack height, and there is a big beam running along the side of the PSU to the front. Cheiftec cases themselves have decent height, but cram the MoBo right up against the HDD rack.

If I were looking right now, I'd likely get this Antec:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-144&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0

A couple of reasons: The HDD rack allows the drives to be mounted sideways. This seems like an smart idea to me. The main problem you might run across is trying to stuff the IDE cables somewhere in front of the MoBo. Another thing is the 120 mm fan openings. This would help hugely from a noise standpoint. It's not a huge case, but I think the way its organized is what helps it avoid that need (in fact, I think it is a modified Cheiftec case). Beyond that, it looks pretty good IMO.

 

[Snowbum]

Originally posted by iZero
A Lian Li PC-6* will be smaller than your typical mid-sized Cheiftec based case. They lack height, and there is a big beam running along the side of the PSU to the front. Cheiftec cases themselves have decent height, but cram the MoBo right up against the HDD rack.

If I were looking right now, I'd likely get this Antec:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-144&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0

A couple of reasons: The HDD rack allows the drives to be mounted sideways. This seems like an smart idea to me. The main problem you might run across is trying to stuff the IDE cables somewhere in front of the MoBo. Another thing is the 120 mm fan openings. This would help hugely from a noise standpoint. It's not a huge case, but I think the way its organized is what helps it avoid that need (in fact, I think it is a modified Cheiftec case). Beyond that, it looks pretty good IMO.

That Antec P160 is definitely a kick ass case. IMO Antec is one of the best made cases available. they need to make one with a removable motherboard tray though.

I decided to go with this case. It is fully aluminum has tons of cooling and control built into the case. The graphics, or branding as some people like to call it, are not that great but the case itself is amazing. I couldn't find another company who makes a case that is comparable. Tell me what you think.


http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage...24-04.JPG/11-133-124-19.JPG/11-133-124-09.JPG

 

[netcoord]

Originally posted by Snowbum
What do you all think of this case?


http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/Damier/v5000a.htm

Has anyone had any personal experience with this case? Are the decorations on the front stickers that do not have to be applied. They are pretty damn ugly but the case is awesome.

Here is another one from Thermaltake that is similar it doesn't have the two smart fan buttons on the front like the one above, it also doesn't have a 7 color, flashing LED on the backplate, and the window on this one is not 'X style'. Other than that I can't see any other difference.

http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/xaser3/v1000a.htm

thats just fugly

 

[ST|FFY]

i wouldnt recommend the xaser case, its too wierd and flashy
get the lian li pc-65, has a window if u want
i like the clean simple looking cases

 

[Snowbum]

Originally posted by ST|FFY
i wouldnt recommend the xaser case, its too wierd and flashy
get the lian li pc-65, has a window if u want
i like the clean simple looking cases

It is definitely a different kind of case. However, it is pretty much all modded out. Not to mention all of the very cool features. One complaint that I have read is that there are tons of wires that are difficult to hide. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival.


I forgot to post a link to the one that I actually ordered.



http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage...24-04.JPG/11-133-124-19.JPG/11-133-124-09.JPG

What do you think of this one. It is the Aluminum version.

 

[E-virus]

I have the Lian Li PC-65b. I used to like the multicolored aliens stuff, but after reading a review for the Lian Li, I saw how "beautiful" plain can be. I think the "Cadillac" of cases was is the best way to describe it. In the end, it is taste pure and simple.

Btw, I got my Lian Li from a site called www.dumpinggoods.com for $67 shipped. It was an open box sale, "as is". However, mine came flawless with all the screws and 2 extra drive bay covers to cover up non black floppy and cd-rom drives. The only thing missing was the instructions. I really wanted bare aluminum color, but also liked the black. I guess beggars cant be choosers.

If you go to the computer cases > blowout cases section, you will see one more Lian Li and 2 coolermasters in that list. I suppose there is risk involved, so be careful.

 

[netcoord]

the tt case is still ugly no matter how you try to spin it

 

[Snowbum]

Originally posted by netcoord
the tt case is still ugly no matter how you try to spin it

As E-Virus so eloquently pointed out in his previous post, it is purely a simply a matter of taste. To each his own. I will post more detailed information about my experiences with this case when it arrives tomorrow. I am like a little kid at Christmas! I can't wait.

 

[Iconz]

Originally posted by Snowbum
It is definitely a different kind of case. However, it is pretty much all modded out. Not to mention all of the very cool features. One complaint that I have read is that there are tons of wires that are difficult to hide. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

I forgot to post a link to the one that I actually ordered.

http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage...24-04.JPG/11-133-124-19.JPG/11-133-124-09.JPG

What do you think of this one. It is the Aluminum version.

**shudder**