Still looking for a new (ATX) case

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cyde Weys
  • Start date Start date
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Cyde Weys

Well, I'm still looking for a new case. I thought I was going to
get the Antec Lanboy, but after you people talked about it, I've decided
to go for something else. The main reasons I decided against it: it's
not sturdy enough and it's too cramped.

Here the specifications I need in a case. It has to be
lightweight, i.e. made out of aluminum(I live in a dorm so I'm moving my
computer around at least 3 times a year just between home and college).
Also it has to be sturdy, because I expect to be putting a nice amount
of money into it (somewhere around $100), and I want it to last long.

It has to be ATX compatible, of course. I don't care whether it
comes with a power supply or not. And this is perhaps the hardest
qualification to enumerate: I want it to look _cool_. This right here
is a nice-looking case:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-125-223&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
And it's made out of aluminum. But it's a full-tower, server-size,
which may be bigger than I'm looking for (and bigger than may fit into
my dorm). This guy right here is also nice
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-125-268&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
, but I think the coloring is a bit ... vibrant. I'm looking for
black or dark shades of blue only.

So, what are your suggestions? Specific cases, or just general
brands? So far I've been looking mainly at Antec and Chieftec because
I've heard that they're good, but I'm open to suggestions of cases from
other manufacturers.

So, in summary: decent size (not mini but not server), aluminum,
sturdy, ATX, looks cool. Optimally I would want something with a nice
plexiglass side that allows glowing cool blue lights to shine out.
 
Well, I'm still looking for a new case. I thought I was going to
get the Antec Lanboy, but after you people talked about it, I've decided
to go for something else. The main reasons I decided against it: it's
not sturdy enough and it's too cramped.

Here the specifications I need in a case. It has to be
lightweight, i.e. made out of aluminum(I live in a dorm so I'm moving my
computer around at least 3 times a year just between home and college).
Also it has to be sturdy, because I expect to be putting a nice amount
of money into it (somewhere around $100), and I want it to last long.

It has to be ATX compatible, of course. I don't care whether it
comes with a power supply or not. And this is perhaps the hardest
qualification to enumerate: I want it to look _cool_. This right here
is a nice-looking case:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-125-223&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
And it's made out of aluminum. But it's a full-tower, server-size,
which may be bigger than I'm looking for (and bigger than may fit into
my dorm). This guy right here is also nice
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...1-125-268&catalog=7&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
, but I think the coloring is a bit ... vibrant. I'm looking for
black or dark shades of blue only.
Click to expand...

I have one just like it but its an Antec. Its charcoal gray. It
matches wel with a lot of the black and silver black components out
now without looking to weird with the usual beige CDR/DVD drives like
a black case does.
So, what are your suggestions? Specific cases, or just general
brands?

So far I've been looking mainly at Antec and Chieftec because
I've heard that they're good, but I'm open to suggestions of cases from
other manufacturers.
Click to expand...

As I posted theres a TON of brands that buy from the same
wholesalers/manufacturers who make Chieftec style cases.
Get the CHEAPEST one that has the features you like. They will differ
a bit in the inside - window in the panel, fan mounts, 3.5 inch
mounts etc.

The cheaper ones will probably have less fan mounts and maybe even
only one 3.5 " holder . As I mentioned my Antec which tends to cost
more because of the brand but which is rebated intermittently at
Compusa sales - had two. Two removable 3.5" cages that included fan
mounts in front.

The Chieftec full towers are your best bet for long term happiness. Im
totally satisfied with mine and it has the room and features (mounts)
that give me total flexibility . I always felt the midi towers which
became fashionable in the last few years were barely OK and Ive seen
people seemed to like smaller and smaller cases (eg, the CUBEs ) after
APPLE came out with there cutesy models.

THe thing is - they are the most flexible cases with room to grow and
good cooling and of good quality. Second - I doubt the few extra
inches here and there will make it impossible to fit in your room
unless you have some special desk or something you already have for
your PC or insist on putting it on your desk. Also even the full tower
isnt that heavy nowadays - nothing is because they are made thinner
and made of aluminum so tehy dont even compare with the older cases I
have made of heavy steel .

One thing DONT SCRATCH the surfaces. The fancy metallic paints are
hard to match up if you slide the case against some rough surfaces or
put metal objects on it etc and scratch them up. They should sell some
touch up paint with the cases like they do with cars.
 
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