Still looking for a case,Help!

[hipster]

Boy, what a learning experience it's been! Looking in the $75-$150 range. I'm looking for a case 18"-24"h with good to excellent air flow w/12mm fans,very good to excellent 400-550w psu, mobo tray, front USB2.0 and audio ports and lastly very clean looking.
Is there such an animal? I've spent alot of time looking around and it seems they're either cheap or very expensive. Please provide any info/suggestions you might have. Thanks Bill

 

[Deathknight]

Your best bet will be to search for your PSU and case seperatly. If you are looking for cases with all of those features + such a beefy PSU you are going to narrow the field to almost nothing.

A couple of cases that I like that have some, but not all of the features you are looking for are:
Lian-Li PC-6X
Aopen h700b

Those both have slideout mobo trays, but don't have 120mm fans. The Lian-Li is probably outside your price range, although there is some knockoffs that are cheaper. The aopen case has a nice psu bundled, but is bigger than what you are looking for.

One of my favorite cases is the Compucase LX-6A19. This case doesn't have a slideout mobo tray, but it has 2 120mm fan mounts, and is cheap leaving plenty of cash for a great PSU.

Here is a good lis of cases with 120mm fans:

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=3606&highlight=cases+120mm+fans

 

[Speed_Mechanic2]

Would you consider modding the case fan openings to accept a larger 120MM fan w/o disruption to the airflow?

 

[hipster]

Your best bet will be to search for your PSU and case seperatly. If you are looking for cases with all of those features + such a beefy PSU you are going to narrow the field to almost nothing.

A couple of cases that I like that have some, but not all of the features you are looking for are:
Lian-Li PC-6X
Aopen h700b

Those both have slideout mobo trays, but don't have 120mm fans. The Lian-Li is probably outside your price range, although there is some knockoffs that are cheaper. The aopen case has a nice psu bundled, but is bigger than what you are looking for.

One of my favorite cases is the Compucase LX-6A19. This case doesn't have a slideout mobo tray, but it has 2 120mm fan mounts, and is cheap leaving plenty of cash for a great PSU.

Yeah I know, I'm just trying to cover every aspect before I actually buy a case and the more I get involved....well the more I want$$$ I guess I'll have to compromise some where along the way though. As far as modding the case fans, hell, I don't have a problem with that though I hadn't really gave it any thought. Though I don't think I would want to run out & buy a 4" holesaw just to cut 1 or 2 holes but My neighbor does own a very well respected Stainless Steel fab shop ( He makes stuff for the food & medical business-high quality, in fact everything around his house is SS eg.mailbox,flafpole,hottub cover platform!) Well, I just might be starting a whole new venture here! Thanks for the link! I'll check it out again. Bill

Here is a good lis of cases with 120mm fans:

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=3606&highlight=cases+120mm+fans

 

[davidw2005]

Yeah, definately buy the things seperately to get best quality...my computer came with a generic PSU and it blew out on me in less then 1yr. I then just went out and bought a nice retail PSU...and it works great. The ones they give you are always crap...even if their power rating is high.

Of course...if you buy Alienware...you're safe

 

[hipster]

I think I'm to the point of compromise. Does anyone know if this Ultra is a good psu? The case don't seem to bad even though it has 80mm fans. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3539&Sku=DRG-C-S ULTRA

 

[juliendogg]

the Aopen comes with a 350w fortron, that PSU will do as well or better than most generic 400-500w psu's. It's the quality that counts, and the fortrons are wayyyyy under rated.

i've never seen that "ultra" before though, perhaps someone else has more info on it.


J.

 

[hipster]

Thanks everyone for your idea's, Hey deathknight, I'm thinking either the Lx6a19 from directron for 40.00 as you suggested http://www.directron.com/cslx6a19bl.html or the antec SLK3700amb w/350psu @ newegg for 60.00 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-122&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0

I don't see any difference between the two except the lx6a19 has audio ( which is a big +) and the antec has a psu, although it may be underpowered for my application?? Any suggestions between the 2.

 

[hipster]

Thanks everyone for your idea's, Hey deathknight, I'm thinking either the Lx6a19 from directron for 40.00 as you suggested http://www.directron.com/cslx6a19bl.html or the antec SLK3700amb w/350psu @ newegg for 60.00 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-122&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0

I don't see any difference between the two except the lx6a19 has audio ( which is a big +) and the antec has a psu, although it may be underpowered for my application?? Any suggestions between the 2.

I've been all over the spectrum the past wk but I think I'm coming down to these 2: good design,120mm fans,least expensive descent psu. I'll be running 2 ide burners,floppy,nic,ATI-AIW9000,2 fans (maybe a 3rd?) and a couple hard drives,Abit Ai7?w/2.4C OCed at times so what about psu needs? Will 350w or 400w cut it?Thanks guys

 

[globalgrl]

I like my SuperAlien case (red, aluminum) with a 500watt power supply.
Check out www.aspireusa.net

 

[Posidon42]

Thanks everyone for your idea's, Hey deathknight, I'm thinking either the Lx6a19 from directron for 40.00 as you suggested http://www.directron.com/cslx6a19bl.html or the antec SLK3700amb w/350psu @ newegg for 60.00 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-129-122&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=0

I don't see any difference between the two except the lx6a19 has audio ( which is a big +) and the antec has a psu, although it may be underpowered for my application?? Any suggestions between the 2.

I can tell you that I just bought this case from Directron and it is GREAT!! I can't believe how great it is. I have two chieftec mid towers that are getting ready to be up for sale on this forum because I like this case so much better. Just my $0.02

 

[Posidon42]

I like my SuperAlien case (red, aluminum) with a 500watt power supply.
Check out www.aspireusa.net

No offense, but that is a nasty looking case. Of course I am a bit more conservative with my cases, and I like them to look a bit classier than that one. But geez!! Those bug eyes would get to me after a while

 

[Deathknight]

I don't see any difference between the two except the lx6a19 has audio ( which is a big +) and the antec has a psu, although it may be underpowered for my application?? Any suggestions between the 2.

The PSU that comes with the slk3700 isn't bad, but it may not be enough power for everyone. Personally I prefer to get a case without a PSU and pick a PSU that fits my particular needs (unless you could unload the one that comes with it on ebay or something).

The slk3700 does have a door over the drivebays, which some people prefer. It also has a pretty nice paintjob. Overall though I think the lx-6a19 is more flexibile. On the inside of the cases they are nearly identical (and the interior is where this case really shines).

 

[hipster]

Well, I kind of prefer the lx6a19 over the antec as well (don't prefer the door since the box will be to the right of me) What do you think would do for the psu? I guess I'd want to spend around 60-65.00maybe?

 

[Deathknight]

Depends on your needs. Most people can get by with a Fortron 350w ($42 shipped from newegg). If you need more power then the 530w Fotron is also an excellent bang for the buck ($74 shipped from newegg).

We can probably give a more accurate idea of what kind of PSU would be good for you if you list out some details about your system