HTPC Case decisions.... [Archive]

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ps2cho

11-07-08, 08:52 PM

I would love a touch panel....but out of the question lol.

So I was considering these:

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163118
Silverstone LC10B-E $108-$20 rebate = $88
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-163-118-02.jpg

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204032
NMedia 2000B $110
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-129-054-03.jpg

3) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129054
Antec Fusion /w Remote $180
^ A lot more expensive, but has a small lcd display and a remote included.
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-204-032-02.jpg

4) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133169
Thermaltake Bach Media Lab $110
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-133-169-11.jpg

I want a good amount of space for HDD's and such.

Any other suggestions? My price range is less than $200....cheaper the better of course, but I consider this case an investment so I'm ok spending a little more if the features deem worthy for it.

Considering buying a LCD TV as well because I don't own a TV (for my room, the house has one)....but one step at a time.

I'm leaning towards the Silverstone at the top due to price and based on the reviews, it seems a great budget HTPC case. Not to mention it has SEVEN 3.5" drive bays so I will never have problems for HDD's which sounds perfect for me.

jimmsch

11-08-08, 06:38 AM

I love my Silverstone HTPC case

Wicked Klown

11-08-08, 03:02 PM

Another vote for SilverStone, love my LC20m.

stang8118

11-08-08, 06:59 PM

I am going to be going with a Silverstone myself.

Going to use THIS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163033) case because it looks more wire management friendly.

ps2cho

11-09-08, 12:59 AM

I ended up with the #1 because the price is reasonable and it has space for 7 HDDs!

What should I look for my OS? I have XP Pro, but WHS looks very appealing....the deal breaker for me would be gaming compatibility. If I set up WHS on that box, could I still run games through it or is it pretty much a dedicated storage OS? Could I watch DVD's through it etc...

Or should I stick with XP Pro and work around file sharing the old fashion way?
Alternatively, what about MCE 2005?

Wicked Klown

11-09-08, 05:01 PM

I would say go with Vista Home Premium which has media center built in. Using it in my HTPC for movies, MP3s and gaming.

mrgreenjeans

11-09-08, 05:30 PM

I went with a Silverstone LC-18 because it would hold full size video cards. mine has a small lcd on the front but pretty much useless. Although the remote is nice for powering on and off.

ps2cho

11-09-08, 07:28 PM

I went with a Silverstone LC-18 because it would hold full size video cards. mine has a small lcd on the front but pretty much useless. Although the remote is nice for powering on and off.

After some second thoughts I actually canceled late last night and ordered the LC20B-M :) Cost me about $40 more but I think that the LCD and the remote is worth the extra buy. I mean in the future to buy the remote separately might cost me close to $40 with shipping and all...I'll just save myself the hassle now :)
Also went onto Jab-Tech and bought 2 92mm and 3 80mm quiet yate-loon fans so this thing should be pretty silent. Wonder if it comes with any fans?

All I need now is a nice big LCD HDTV :D

I would say go with Vista Home Premium which has media center built in. Using it in my HTPC for movies, MP3s and gaming.

Wow never thought of that! Sweet! I actually have a copy of VHP because I had it before I won that free Vista Ultimate va MS. That saves me $100 having to buy MCE or anything. Should work out great.

I'll take some photos when everything is set up!

LandShark

11-09-08, 09:50 PM

another user of LC20M here, and I had used the LC10M in my previous HTPC too. but is nice and could swallow lotta HDD. but as WK pointed out, the LC20M could handle a full size video card (I have a 2600XT w/ HIS Icecooler, no problem) and also could be w/c'ed too if needed (see my sig.).

I also is building a new main HTPC using the Antec Fusion black, so far, I do like it a lot. only thing is for me, 2 HDD is more than enough for me (especially w/ today's HDD price) since I house all my download/backup media in my WHS box. so, it's just for recording. and being mATX limited is fine w/ me too (some might not!) as it's just a pure HTPC box, no gaming, and w/ the latest onboard VGA (HD HA), I don't really need a extra video card nor good o/c'ability. nice, quiet, low heat, and low power consumption are more what I'm looking for my HTPC 3.0v.

IMHO, depends on what you'll need, you can't go wrong with either SilverStone or Antec. (FYI, I'm also thinking to use LianLi's low profile PC37 as my bedroom HTPC client too)

ps2cho

11-11-08, 02:33 PM

Thanks guys :) Confirms my decision to go with the LC20M. Can't wait to get it up and running!

chaos

11-11-08, 06:22 PM

Drew@PSU

11-11-08, 06:26 PM

Not bad, but for that money, I'm gonna plug my favorite HTPC case ( the one I bought :) ):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112147

Wonderful case, plenty of room, also an MATX version available....

LandShark

11-11-08, 10:30 PM

Well I guess you gotta put pictures with your post to get a response(I asked a similar question about cases awhile aga..)What do you think about this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811160017 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=11-160-017-03.jpg&Image=11-160-017-03.jpg%2c11-160-017-05.jpg%2c11-160-017-04.jpg%2c11-160-017-06.jpg%2c11-160-017-07.jpg%2c11-160-017-08.jpg%2c11-160-017-09.jpg%2c11-160-017-10.jpg%2c11-160-017-11.jpg%2c11-160-017-12.jpg%2c11-160-017-13.jpg%2c11-160-017-14.jpg%2c11-160-017-15.jpg%2c11-160-017-02.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16811160017&Depa=0&Description=CHIEFTEC%20Black%20HIFI%20HE-01B%20ATX%20Media%20Center%20%2f%20HTPC%20Case
not bad. but not too special neither imho. if it's more lower in price than the rest of the competitor, it will be more attractive then.
Not bad, but for that money, I'm gonna plug my favorite HTPC case ( the one I bought :) ):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112147

Wonderful case, plenty of room, also an MATX version available....

yup, I'm thinking the PC37 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112186) for my bedroom thin client too! I must say the Lian Li is one of the best looking (A/V matching, non PC looking) HTPC case!

stang8118

11-11-08, 11:50 PM

I love the inside of the PC-C32 Lian Li case, but I don't like how it shows the DVD drive faceplate. Makes it look to much like a computer IMO.

Drew@PSU

11-12-08, 05:26 PM

Me, I've got a mouse hooked up 24/7 ( maybe not for too much longer ), and It's the only box I have besides my STB and router, so I'm very much into the look. Anyway the rest of my furniture is black an silver around the TV ( to include the TV itself ), so it fits in quite nicely.

As for the insides, it'd be nice to have another HDD rack or two, but at the rate HDDs are increasing in space, by the time I finish my deployment, I'll just toss a pair of 5 TB hdds in there and keep hoarding SD TV :D

ps2cho

11-13-08, 12:42 AM

Get my case and fans tomorrow :)

At costco they have a Visio 32" 1080P for $570 and I like the look of it. Would they honor price adjustments within 90 days if they dropped?

Maybe worse comes to worse I'll store all the packaging and just return it and rebuy at another costco if they refuse a price adjustment.

ps2cho

11-13-08, 07:38 PM

Yep got it right now :D

Man I tell you I'm happy with my decision to spend a little more and get this one. The case is an absolute 10/10 !!! It looks clean, no plastic, relatively lightweight....list goes on.

This thing gonna take a while to set up though! A lot of stuff to remove, but I think its going to come out great. Will take pictures when everything is in place. Gonna spend some time and route cables nicely.

EDIT: Looks like my Geminii II won't fit! Too long....Gonna have to ghetto fit my XP-90 I have lying around as I have no other heatsinks for AM2 and I ain't sacrificing my Q6600's U120E LOL!