Need an HTPC Case

I got my AverMedia Combo PCI-E tuner card along with a 2600XT for xmas. I already have a motherboard (P5B-E) that I'll probably slap a cheap dual core in along with 2 gigs of DDR2.

What I need now is a case. I read through the sticky and, to be honest, it wasn't a lot of help. Half of the links are dead now and I'm sure the pricing is out of date on some/most of them as well.

So...

Recommend an HTPC case for me!

I'd like something black, preferably aluminum, and relatively cheap (sub $100 would be awesome). I don't need LCD screens or any of the fancy stuff. I just want something that looks good, is quiet (120mm fans are a plus) and has enough room for at least 2 hard drives.

A name, the price, and a link would be great. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Just for a little more guidance here is a case I am looking at as of now. No 120mm fans though :/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163033

I have an earlier version of this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163065
My hard drive cage is one piece which mounts the hard drives vertically. It looks like this one mounts them horizontally. Mine also has provisions for two 80/92mm fans in front of the hard drives. I recommend a quiet PSU (I used a Silverstone with a 120mm fan) and below 2000rpm fans.
I used this for a CPU cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118113
with a 3800 X2 (939).
The thing is death quiet.

http://www.directron.com/nsk2480.html

Not bad and it comes with a 380watt power supply...120m/m fans...Good and cheap.

http://www.directron.com/fusionv2.html

Mo money...But mo better...Here it is in black.

http://www.directron.com/fusionblack.html

I didn't specifically specify. I need an ATX capable case. All of the options present above look pretty good though. I need to iron down how big of a PSU I need to run this setup. I was planning on getting the 520HX (have the 620HX in my main) but I might be able to spare a dollar or two going with a cheaper unit.

Keep em coming, I'm starting to see they all look alike after a certain point.

Silverstone LC-17 is my favorite, although I haven't looked since I purchased mine. It isn't all aluminum though, just the front.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163055

I remember looking at the LC-10 you linked, but i didn't like the exposed front USB ports and the small fans (60mm rears, 80mm front). The LC-17 has two 80mm rears and room for two 92mm (I got two 100mms to fit) front fans and an 80mm side fan.

What are you going to use as a front end? I am using SageTV and am going to get an extender, I don't know if such things exist for MCE, BeyondTV, etc. I think it will be a much better solution than having a PC in the entertainment center, I will just have the media extender box and I can have the PC in a closet where I don't have to worry about looks and noise. Plus I'll be able to have a nice big case so it will run cooler and I can fit more hard drives. The extender is supposed to have better picture quality as well.

Never thought of an extender. Don't know anything about them to be honest.

I like the look of the case though.

I use a Cooler Master CAV-T04 for one of mine. It comes with a 300W PSU which isn't standard ATX, so upgrading it may be an issue. Cooler Master may make replacements, but I found it works surprisingly well with my HTPC (HD2600PRO, E6300, 2GB DDR2, 36GB Raptor, 200GB HDD, and LG BD/HD drive).

They only run about $75 and come in black and silver. It's a pretty nice case for the price. Full ATX as well.

Jon said:

I use a Cooler Master CAV-T04 for one of mine. It comes with a 300W PSU which isn't standard ATX, so upgrading it may be an issue. Cooler Master may make replacements, but I found it works surprisingly well with my HTPC (HD2600PRO, E6300, 2GB DDR2, 36GB Raptor, 200GB HDD, and LG BD/HD drive).

They only run about $75 and come in black and silver. It's a pretty nice case for the price. Full ATX as well.

Click to expand...

I've looked that case up in a few places. It is sold out everyone and labeled as discontinued.

That is the exact same setup I want for my HTPC. Only small differences are no raptor and I'm sure you have a tuner card. Is all of that really powered on a 300-350W PSU? If so that would amaze me.

300W. I was surprised too. I was going to move it to my bedroom HTPC since it's a little slimmer on the hardware side, but since it was all in the case, I gave it a go just for the hell of it. It's been running, pretty much 24x7, for about 2-3 months now without a single issue.

I have a tuner, but it's an HDHomeRun, which is an external network tuner, so no additional overhead there.

It was discontinued when I got mine, and I got a good deal on it since about everywhere that was still carrying it had it in the clearance section. It's an excellent case if you're able to hunt one down. I don't normally care much for the hidden-bay bezel doors, but the T04 has a very smooth hinge and doesn't seem cheap like the Mozart I have.