Some suggestions needed...

Vampyromaniac · Jan 27, 2004, 07:17 PM

Hey there

I think it's about time to ditch this old Dell case I have. Almost nothing inside is from the original Dell anyway, time to leave the case behind as well

So, if anyone can help me buy a new computer case, I'd really appreciate it. I've looked around a bit, but there are literally thousands of cases out there, and got a bit dizzy after a while.

Here's some info to narrow it down:

Price: aiming for $100 or less. Any deals would be great
Size: mid-tower. Not more than 18 inches tall
Color: don't really care, as long as it looks OK with beige drives (I will not paint or mod my drives to another color)
Power Supply: don't need one, but if it comes with one, that's OK (as long as it doesn't drive the price up)
Window: don't really care
Cooling: need decent airflow/arrangement of fans/mounting (I can buy 1 or 2 more, if there's mounts without fans)
Front ports: only necessity is a couple USB 2.0

Also, some cases have 4 feet sticking out from underneath, that the body sits on . . . I do not want a case with feet.
And the only thing I don't like as far as appearance: cases with a curved grille going down the front, such as some Antec and other cases have.
That's basically it. As long as the case is of good quality, not some cheapie case with sharp edges, flimsy pieces, etc.
If you have a link to a store selling a particular case, that would be great.
I'll still be looking around, myself, starting with Antec's site (but I think most of theirs are too expensive)

Thanks for any suggestions!

**Roadee** · Jan 27, 2004, 07:35 PM

Damn......I sure am glad that you aren't very picky!!

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jan 27, 2004, 07:37 PM

Hmm i would sale you my old Lian Li but its black and would match your drives.

Dyre Straits · Jan 27, 2004, 07:41 PM

My son picked up a whole computer not long ago at a garage sale that has one of the coolest cases I've ever seen. There are no screws that hold it together. It's all snap/tab and comes apart completely in less than 15 seconds. That includes a back cover, two side covers and the TOP.

I'll take some pictures shortly if you're interested or haven't seen one of these. It makes working on it a real pleasure. It's also a mid-tower.

Oh, BTW, he paid a whopping $ 6 for the whole thing.

Vampyromaniac · Jan 27, 2004, 11:19 PM

I gave all the details I could, to save time from any questions people might ask.
The main restrictions are price and height; the rest of the conditions can be filled by many cases.

Dyre, sure I'd like to see a pic of that case.

Anyone who has a case they'd like to recommend, please post!

So far, I'm checking out the Antec Sonata case.

Dyre Straits · Jan 27, 2004, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Dyre, sure I'd like to see a pic of that case.

OK...here they come.....

That's it. There are no screws or bolts needed and no tools.

mainman · Jan 27, 2004, 11:58 PM

Wow, really nice case there Dyre, very handy indeed...

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jan 28, 2004, 12:04 AM

Hmm very nice...i love all the thumb screws in my Lian Li

Vampyromaniac · Jan 28, 2004, 01:02 AM

That's handy . . .my Dell is almost like that, but has 1 thumbscrew.

Now, anyone have suggestions for me?
Please

Markius · Jan 28, 2004, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vampyromaniac
the Antec Sonata case.

id say go with that case...it fits your guidelines and looks good.

**Roadee** · Jan 28, 2004, 01:22 AM

I do like the Sonata.......but I have built 2 systems using the solution series and liked them alot. The Sonata looks better and is only a little smaller. The 120mm fans really have excellent cooling power.....good choices. And the PSU that comes with them are pretty good.

Vampyromaniac · Jan 28, 2004, 09:54 PM

The one thing that worries me about the Sonata is that you can't mount a front fan all the way in the front; it has to be on the other side of the hard drive cage

**Roadee** · Jan 29, 2004, 12:32 AM

Well....the solution series allows you to mount a 120mm in the front of the drive cages and comes with the 350w PSU. Since you dont need a PSU the Super Lan Boy is pretty nice.... smaller..... cheaper..... lighter......and a better deal than the Sonata with excellent cooling already installed. And it has all the connections that you could want mounted in the front. Very user friendly case.

Vampyromaniac · Jan 29, 2004, 03:37 AM

Man... looks like it's pretty much between these Antecs... mainly considering Sonata vs. Super LanBoy

BWX · Jan 29, 2004, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vampyromaniac
Hey there

I think it's about time to ditch this old Dell case I have. Almost nothing inside is from the original Dell anyway, time to leave the case behind as well So, if anyone can help me buy a new computer case, I'd really appreciate it. I've looked around a bit, but there are literally thousands of cases out there, and got a bit dizzy after a while.

Here's some info to narrow it down:
Price: aiming for $100 or less. Any deals would be great

Size: mid-tower. Not more than 18 inches tall

Color: don't really care, as long as it looks OK with beige drives (I will not paint or mod my drives to another color)

Power Supply: don't need one, but if it comes with one, that's OK (as long as it doesn't drive the price up)

Window: don't really care

Cooling: need decent airflow/arrangement of fans/mounting (I can buy 1 or 2 more, if there's mounts without fans)

Front ports: only necessity is a couple USB 2.0

Also, some cases have 4 feet sticking out from underneath, that the body sits on . . . I do not want a case with feet.
And the only thing I don't like as far as appearance: cases with a curved grille going down the front, such as some Antec and other cases have.
That's basically it. As long as the case is of good quality, not some cheapie case with sharp edges, flimsy pieces, etc.
If you have a link to a store selling a particular case, that would be great.
I'll still be looking around, myself, starting with Antec's site (but I think most of theirs are too expensive)

Thanks for any suggestions!

Man, I would go with a proven good case manufacturer like Lian-LI

There is one recommended here in that sharkyextreme guide that's on the front page. I checked at NewEgg and they are offering free shipping now here. It's 120 dollars, but you will have a nice case and be able to get years of use out of it. It's aluminum, has a fan exhaust on top, 2 in front and one in back. It has a nice window, but for 105 bucks you can get the Lian-Li PC-60 without a window. For the money, I'd get the window. Anyway, a case is something you will have for a while, if you're gonna spend that much, you might as well get a good one you know you will like.. My next case will probably be something similar to that.

I think your drives will look just fine in there too- the case is pretty cool looking.

edit-
I just remembered, you can turn those feet around so they don't stick out on most cases with "feet" too.
I like those Tt cases too- they come with great fans and a nice fan controller too- plus the drives are hidden with a door.
I know this is a little out the price range, but man its' sweet! And great looking.

Newegg