I've been researching cases for months now and still can't decide on which one I want.
Here's what I'm looking for:
- 2x120mm fans (inlet and exhaust)
- a larger midtower case (something I can grow into)
- preferably black but also like silver
- preferably with a side window
- need a fan controller (doesn't have to come w/ the case)
- would like a temperature display (can you get these build into a fan controller?)
- budget for the case is: apprx 150CAD
A note on the budget - I am flexible and could probably dig up the funds if I can justify spending them. This system will probably last me a few years. How long do you think it will be before BTX is mainstream? I only ask because dont want to drop a whole bunch of money on an ATX case and only have it last me one build.
The case has to accomodate the following hardware:
- OCZ Powerstream 520W
- DFI NF4 Ultra-D Motherboard
- XP-120 Heat sink w/ 120mm fan
- 2 hard drives (one may be a 74Gb Raptor)
- 2 optical drives
- fan controller (if the case doesn't have one build in)
Another note: I value the cases cooling ability above anything else. I am looking at OCing a winchester (3000 or 3200) to 2600-3000 mhz so good cooling is a must!!
My research has turned up the following candidates:
(the following are from NCIX.com and prices are in Canadian dollars)
- Antec P160 - $156
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=10624&vpn=P160&manufacture=ANTEC
- Solid all-round case.... tried and tested.
- Silverstone TJ06 - 177
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13600&vpn=SST-TJ06-BW&manufacture=Silverstone Technology
- I was told the DFI NF4 Mb w/ XP-120 will not fit in the wind tunnel. Despite this, many people are getting excellent results using this case without the wind tunnel.
- Silverstone TJ05 w/ controller - $220
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13611&vpn=SST-TJ05-BT&manufacture=Silverstone Technology
- EXPENSIVE... but very nice, excellent cooling and LCD controller
- MGE Quantum - $171
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13748&vpn=CA-QUANTUM-BK&manufacture=MGE
- MGE gets mixed reviews by people on the forums and in the reviews. However, this case seems to stand out among the OC community. I have read a couple of reviews on this case and all of them gave it praise.
PRO's - Integratted fan controller w/ temp display, supposedly has good cooling (lots of ventilation)
Cons - 3 80mm fans and 2 92 mm fans w/ 2 big vents = lotsa noise - although the reviews never mentioned the noise to be a problem
Now on the budget side
-------------------------
- Coolermaster Centurion 5 - $67
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13954&vpn=CAC-T05-UW/UB&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
- CHEAP... and I like the design.. simple fut effective.
- I am concerned with the cooling though... 1 120mm fan and 1 80mm intake.... and the case is a little small.
- Chieftec / Chenming cases
- There are several of these available but I am having a hard time finding one w/ dual 120mm fans. Most of them (like the dragon) come w/ 2 80mm intakes and 2 80mm exhausts. Does anybody know if there are any dual 120mm versions?
-------------------
My personal favorites are the TJ05 and the TJ06. I've been pouring over the reviews but just can't seem to make up my mind about which one is better. I particularly like Anandtechs review of the TJ06 because it compares it w/ the TJ05.
http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2219&p=9
As you can see from the review, the TJ06 has better cooling than the TJ05... but this was while using the windtunnel. I was unable to find any reviews on TJ06 performance w/ out the windtunnel. Also note that the TJ06 was 4db louder than the TJ05. I dont think this is a big difference but its worth noting. What do you guys think.... TJ05 or TJ06??
On the cheap side...
How much better would 2x120mm cool a case than 4 80mm? And how much noisier will 4 80mm fans be? I guess I should say that I really dont want something noisy... I can handle a bit of noise but I dont want my computer sounding like a turbine. I'm wondering if I should just get something cheap like a Chieftec Dragon. The TJ05 is 3x the price of the dragon.... I'm having a hard time justifying the money... how much worse would something like the dragon or centurion 5 be?
Any help would be greatly appreciated... I'm really stuck
-Adrayic
Here's what I'm looking for:
- 2x120mm fans (inlet and exhaust)
- a larger midtower case (something I can grow into)
- preferably black but also like silver
- preferably with a side window
- need a fan controller (doesn't have to come w/ the case)
- would like a temperature display (can you get these build into a fan controller?)
- budget for the case is: apprx 150CAD
A note on the budget - I am flexible and could probably dig up the funds if I can justify spending them. This system will probably last me a few years. How long do you think it will be before BTX is mainstream? I only ask because dont want to drop a whole bunch of money on an ATX case and only have it last me one build.
The case has to accomodate the following hardware:
- OCZ Powerstream 520W
- DFI NF4 Ultra-D Motherboard
- XP-120 Heat sink w/ 120mm fan
- 2 hard drives (one may be a 74Gb Raptor)
- 2 optical drives
- fan controller (if the case doesn't have one build in)
Another note: I value the cases cooling ability above anything else. I am looking at OCing a winchester (3000 or 3200) to 2600-3000 mhz so good cooling is a must!!
My research has turned up the following candidates:
(the following are from NCIX.com and prices are in Canadian dollars)
- Antec P160 - $156
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=10624&vpn=P160&manufacture=ANTEC
- Solid all-round case.... tried and tested.
- Silverstone TJ06 - 177
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13600&vpn=SST-TJ06-BW&manufacture=Silverstone Technology
- I was told the DFI NF4 Mb w/ XP-120 will not fit in the wind tunnel. Despite this, many people are getting excellent results using this case without the wind tunnel.
- Silverstone TJ05 w/ controller - $220
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13611&vpn=SST-TJ05-BT&manufacture=Silverstone Technology
- EXPENSIVE... but very nice, excellent cooling and LCD controller
- MGE Quantum - $171
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13748&vpn=CA-QUANTUM-BK&manufacture=MGE
- MGE gets mixed reviews by people on the forums and in the reviews. However, this case seems to stand out among the OC community. I have read a couple of reviews on this case and all of them gave it praise.
PRO's - Integratted fan controller w/ temp display, supposedly has good cooling (lots of ventilation)
Cons - 3 80mm fans and 2 92 mm fans w/ 2 big vents = lotsa noise - although the reviews never mentioned the noise to be a problem
Now on the budget side
-------------------------
- Coolermaster Centurion 5 - $67
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=13954&vpn=CAC-T05-UW/UB&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
- CHEAP... and I like the design.. simple fut effective.
- I am concerned with the cooling though... 1 120mm fan and 1 80mm intake.... and the case is a little small.
- Chieftec / Chenming cases
- There are several of these available but I am having a hard time finding one w/ dual 120mm fans. Most of them (like the dragon) come w/ 2 80mm intakes and 2 80mm exhausts. Does anybody know if there are any dual 120mm versions?
-------------------
My personal favorites are the TJ05 and the TJ06. I've been pouring over the reviews but just can't seem to make up my mind about which one is better. I particularly like Anandtechs review of the TJ06 because it compares it w/ the TJ05.
http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2219&p=9
As you can see from the review, the TJ06 has better cooling than the TJ05... but this was while using the windtunnel. I was unable to find any reviews on TJ06 performance w/ out the windtunnel. Also note that the TJ06 was 4db louder than the TJ05. I dont think this is a big difference but its worth noting. What do you guys think.... TJ05 or TJ06??
On the cheap side...
How much better would 2x120mm cool a case than 4 80mm? And how much noisier will 4 80mm fans be? I guess I should say that I really dont want something noisy... I can handle a bit of noise but I dont want my computer sounding like a turbine. I'm wondering if I should just get something cheap like a Chieftec Dragon. The TJ05 is 3x the price of the dragon.... I'm having a hard time justifying the money... how much worse would something like the dragon or centurion 5 be?
Any help would be greatly appreciated... I'm really stuck
-Adrayic