Computer Cases

Lord Xeen

Hi all! This is my first post, so... sorry if I am a nub.

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for computer cases (perhaps this should be in the Advice forum?) There is a lot of good info (the Computer thread, etc) on new computer specs, but less on the actual case to buy if building one's own computer.

I have been seriously considering the Antec 900, but having never built a computer before makes that case seem a little taunting (having no brackets, lots of screws, a weird PSU location, a tight fit for big cards, etc).

Still, it has all the features I am looking for otherwise, namely: Great air flow (cooling is an issue on my current comp, the ambient temp in my apt is kinda high), digital temp readout (ditto), no door (I hate those), looks great, cool lighting (if you're into that sort of thing), and fairly sturdy (Not concerned about weight).

Perhaps some folks know of cases similar... but easier to work with?

Raiden333

I don't have a clue but I noticed this post sinking rapidly, you might want to try the Computer Thread on Help/Advice.

fogeyman

The Antec Sonata III is a really popular case. The one linked includes a 500W PSU.

I'm a fan of everything by NZXT. Their cases are a bit pricey but have amazing cooling. The Lexa and Nemesis cases are my favorite. Don't trust an NZXT PSU, though. Antec PSUs are great, but the ones that come with NZXT cases are horrible.

TychoCelchuuu

I'm running an 8800GTS, ASUS P5B Deluxe, 2 gigs of RAM, 500 gig HD, and E6700 on my Sonata III's PSU, and the case is whisper quiet. Good stuff. It's also pretty! The P180 was also one I was considering.

Dracil

I'm getting my NZXT Lexa case tomorrow so I'll let you know how it is, but from what I've read about it, it'll be great. Aluminum (light), screwless (always nice), and dust filters (all cases should have these).

TetraNitroCubane

I can say with some experience that the Antec 900 is a freaking awesome case with some very minor flaws. I just built a system a few weeks ago using the 900, and I'm decently happy with it. The concerns you voiced are valid, but I think they deserve a little qualification.

The PSU issue is really not a big deal. Yes, it's in a weird location, but for cooling I find it to be optimal (that topside fan does good work). If you're a stickler for cable management and want your PSU cords to be neatly away from everything, then the 900 probably isn't a good choice. I personally could give a crap less about having one cord reaching over my motherboard, not touching anything at all. As for a tight fit for video cards, it's actually considerably easier than it looks. Just be sure to take off that internal fan on the HDD bay and there's plenty of room. I've got an 8800 GTS in there with no worries. I will note, however, that both of these points are variable depending on your motherboard.

When it comes to cooling, the 900 is the best I've ever owned. The fans are reasonably quiet compared to other computers I've owned, and airflow is really, really good. But the huge drawback to this case goes hand-in-hand with that advantage. It's practically wide open. This means if you live in an area with lots of dust and insects, you should expect to clean the thing diligently.

Sanders

I have the Antec Sonata II (not the one linked earlier)

Sexy case, but if you pay attention during the "show off your setup" threads you'll notice everybody else has it too.

Also, I like tomshardware for most of my computer suggestion needs.

Malvient

Sanders wrote: »

I have the Antec Sonata II (not the one linked earlier)

Sexy case, but if you pay attention during the "show off your setup" threads you'll notice everybody else has it too.

Yep. Sonata II owner as well. It's a damned solid case, though I'm thinking of switching to the III just for the sleeker front panel. The little silver-plastic bulge always annoys me, even with the lights disconnected.

I'd recommend the Sonata series. Best case I've ever owned.

JAEF

Just one 120mm fan in the Sonata III? How hot does it get in there?

Centipeed

All this Sonata crap has got to stop! Everyone who's anyone knows that the only TRUE case choice is a Lian Li. Their cases are sexy beyond compare. I don't even care if you disagree with me, because you're wrong.

They don't come with PSUs, though. But that problem is outweighed by the sexiness.

taliosfalcon

I absolutely loathe Sonata II's and III's. They have horrible airflow, are extremely cramped to work in and the finish scratches if you look at it wrong. The 900 and p180 and 182's are all very nice cases though

cocheseisdead

I went with Lian-Li when I built my last rig. It's nice but there are a few flaws with it, mostly the sharp edges on the side of the case and the size of it. It's a mid-tower and it absolutely dwarfs my mid-tower from a few years back. Also, replacement parts are ridiculously expensive.

Xaquin

This is my case. I love it. Great air flow, easy to put in mobo even with the inside fan. Easy to install everything and great cooling (comes with 3x 120mm fans with the option to install 2 more.

CZroe

I have an Antec 900, but I've always hated the aesthetics. It's just plain ugly. I only got it because it was $69 at Fry's and I price-matched it to save another 10% of the difference between that and $150 at Best Buy.

I don't like that the A900 sacrifices many conveniences of an expensive case without giving a thing in return. There are no rails, trays, or dual PSU positioning. Having an alternate position or a place for a second PSU is kind of important in this system because the PSU is not isolated and would be pressed directly against the VGA card in some SLI motherboards (like my Asus P5N32-E Plus). This will block the venthilation. There is not reason for the giant fan on top to be slightly wider than the case... it's so minute, the case should have simply been ever so slightly thicker! I have a similar complaint with the P180 (the "spoiler" should have been as wide as the case). There is no decent place to pick up the A900 and the LED fans are gaudy. The fan/drive cagesare too close to the motherboard for SATA/IDE connectors on the side of a motherboard and I can't even put a fan in one because my video card's PSU connector would be sticking into it. I hate the sloped angular design and the fact that no window-less side panel is available. DO NOT pay $150 for this case. I wouldn't pay $79 (Frys keeps rolling back to that). It really is a cheap case and I'm just surprised taht the case can be so popular for cooling alone. Even then, it's unforgivable that they didn't give the PSU a small gap for boards with a low PCIe graphics slot. It just so happens that this case matches my home theater well, so despite my complaints, I'm using it.

Cases I like:
Antec P180/182/190
Cooler Master Stacker (original dual-PSU design).

The Stacker has about the worst drive bay cover removal of any case I've ever seen (painful to remove; force can break them), but it's trail-blazing features more than make up for that (CrossFlow fan, 3x4-in-3 120mmfan drive cages, dual PSU, perfect front-panel access, etc).

I've never seen a "perfect" case, but if I made one, I'd put a fan power connector on the side panel with the fan and have contacts on the door to connect power to the case. Somewhere in the case I would put a single connector for the side panel fans and the ones that are normally inaccessible. Why waste PSU connectors or run splitters/daisy-chains all through the case when the case can carry power through it to the fan mounts? Also, most motherboards aren't starved for fan headers anymore. I'm tired of running out of PSU connectors from simple fans when the motherboard headers have the software montioring/speed control advantage anyway.

Cepp

The Akasa Eclipse offers great airflow and has tons of room. The front is a little on the plain side but it's a great case for the price.

DiannaoChong

Dont get anything too expensive unless you have the money to blow.

if it costs 100$, and theres plastic as any part of the outside, alarms should go off in your head.

Hell if it costs more then 60-70$ and theres plastic anywhere but the screwless system then alarms should go off.

brandotheninjamaster

I think the look of cases are a matter of taste. Just watch out when you are buying one online though. I bought the NZXT guardian case. When I got it, it looked spectacular. One problem that turned out to be a big one. Along the back of the case one side is about an inch or 2 bigger and it had a clip for 2 80mm fans. The clip got in the way of PS and had to ghetto rig my fans on the back with wire ties.

Snowcone

I always go with Antec cases and I've never been disappointed. I also like my case to be sleek and not look like a goddamn transformer that is about to stand up and kick my ass.

Lucky Cynic

I use the Antec 900 and it keeps everything so damn cool. Note, I do not have any major heat producing components but it does keep everything very stable and well controlled. It's not too quite, I mean, you can still here the fans, but I bet if I relocated it inside the cabinet it is using, well then I wouldn't hear a thing.

redstormpopcorn

Snowcone wrote: »

I always go with Antec cases and I've never been disappointed. I also like my case to be sleek and not look like a goddamn transformer that is about to stand up and kick my ass.

I'm gonna be building a new machine here in a few weeks, and I've been eyeing the NZXT Guardian for a good long while. I think I may just pick it up, because part of me has always wanted a computer that looks like an angry robot. I'm pretty sure it's the same part that forces me to sit through every Discovery Channel special on dinosaurs and/or battleships.

Snowcone

I like the Discover Channel too, but I just prefer my computers to blend in. I guess that in the past I might have gone for one of those, but I don't want to explain to my wife that she needs to press in the left glowing red eye to turn on the computer.

Artereis

I went with Gigabyte's 3D Aurora for my most recent computer. It's a full tower, but extremely light. My 8800GTS fits, but barely. I think they extended the case by an inch or so some time after I bought it to better accomodate those cards. With that case, and a modular PSU, I had more than enough room to work with. It's a great case, and if you're into water cooling, it was designed with Gigabyte's system in mind.