Thiddy needs a case

[Automata]

Well, I've decided to "get rid" of my benching station and go to a case since I'm basically done with benchmarking. I've been looking around at a few cases and got an idea of what I want. There are a couple rules:

1. Price is not a problem (to a point, no $300+ cases), but cheaper is better
2. Size is not an issue, the bigger the better
3. I have no problem modding (removing grills, new holes)
4. Quiet is nice

The case MUST:

• Be able to support full ATX
• Take AT LEAST 4 drives, they must be actively cooled
• If there is a door, it has to have space on the inside for my fan controller
• Decent airflow (Cosmos is too little)
• I don't like large fans (200mm+), they don't push much air and have horrible pressure
• Color doesn't matter....to a point
• Weight/material doesn't matter

I'll add more if I think of it. I'm picky...very very picky.



I have looked at:

• CM Cosmos (too little airflow...don't really care for the design)
• CM Stacker 830 Evolution (not bad, seriously considering)
• Lian-Li 2000/2100 (love them, airflow is a little on the low side)
• Gigabyte 3D Aurora (not bad)
• Antec 900 (don't care for)
• Antec 1200 (see above)
• Thermaltake Armor (loved this case when I had it)
• Thermaltake Armor PLUS (HATE, DO NOT WANT, uglier than sin)
• Thermaltake Mozart TX (not bad)
• Caseless (hard to carry around, easily broken components, price is a plus though)

Any input/pictures/impressions is highly appreciated. I must make a point. I do not "just go" with a case, that is why I'm doing information gathering here.

If I forgot any information or need to add anything, I'll do so.

 

[Adragontattoo]

UFO
Just clear out a 10' sq to plop the case down.

 

[Automata]

UFO
Just clear out a 10' sq to plop the case down.

Thanks for the idea. While they make very nice cases, I'd rather not drop that much on one....let me check what other ones they have though.

 

[Adragontattoo]

I keep debating the Tt cube type case. Supposedly it will hold a Full ATX IIRC AND a mATX.

HTPC and Fileserver AIO!

 

[Automata]

I keep debating the Tt cube type case. Supposedly it will hold a Full ATX IIRC AND a mATX.

HTPC and Fileserver AIO!

If it could do two ATX's, I'd do it

Then my server would be with me at all times.

 

[mattspalace]

I'd buy the Stacker 830 if I was you. That was my first choice actually but the shipping costs to get it from Newegg to Stuttgart, Germany were just too high. So I had to narrow it down to what I could buy on the German economy and the Cosmos was it.

Although if you replace that 120x25mm with a 120x38mm fan, the airflow is actually pretty good. It's a pretty quiet case as well. Have you looked at the Cosmos S? Might be an option.. No door and has a 120mm fan in the front as well.

 

[Automata]

Although if you replace that 120x25mm with a 120x38mm fan, the airflow is actually pretty good. It's a pretty quiet case as well. Have you looked at the Cosmos S? Might be an option.. No door and has a 120mm fan in the front as well.

The S also has one of the huge useless fans

Thanks for the input.

 

[gsrcrxsi]

i love my antec 900. i know you said you arent fond of it, but it does have great airflow. i think it makes a good use of space i have 5 HDDs in mine and i could fit 3 more easily. HDDs are actively cooled. nice big fan on top keeps all the air moving, etc. i;m not a fan of huge cases.

 

[gsrcrxsi]

ill throw in some pics

no drilling needed, just some ingenuity

 

[Automata]

i;m not a fan of huge cases.

LOL, I get it You're not a fan of big cases

Cable management doesn't seem to be too bad...just seems a little small...I'll reconsider it . Thanks for the pictures!

If anyone else has pics of a case you'd suggest (with hardware installed), that would be great, it helps me figure out how much space I have to work with! gsrcrxsi's pictures are a perfect example!

 

[cabose1227]

I love my raidmax smilodon, dont have pics though.

 

[Automata]

I love my raidmax smilodon, dont have pics though.

That case is really small, I don't think my setup would work well in it.

 

[cabose1227]

Its not to small.

 

[Automata]

Its not to small.

Sorry, but to me, that would be cramped. I like to have room to move my hands

I have a Raidmax case EXACTLY that size; it was my server...and difficult to work with.

 

[cabose1227]

I like how the pannels flopdown but it is hard to get the wires nice.

 

[freeagent]

i think youd be pretty happy with a stacker have you seen that stacker slacker thread at xs?

 

[Automata]

i think youd be pretty happy with a stacker have you seen that stacker slacker thread at xs?

I have not

If you could link it, I'll check it out tomorrow at work

...or I'll use my google-fu skills

 

[gsrcrxsi]

the cable management could be better, but thats the best i could do without cutting anything.

 

[Automata]

i think youd be pretty happy with a stacker have you seen that stacker slacker thread at xs?

Omg.....that case is awesome...I see sooooo many good ideas there. Might have to pick one up.

*link for self*
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102550

 

[jmsanders2]

i've got this case, cant remember the name but i think it had 690 on it that someone did a good review on.

boy are you picky