Still looking for a new case

[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.

 

[Trent©]

So, what are your suggestions?

Sorry...missed this one. That's 3 times with the same message!

I think you'd be DANGEROUS with a new case!!! lol


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!

 

[George]

Well, except for your requirement that the case "look cool" (whatever that
means to you) this might interest you. I just bought a case that isn't half
bad, especially for the price. It is CompUSA's $30 mid-tower w/10 drive
bays and no power supply. I had to buy it as my old case wouldn't fit an
ASUS P4P800 w/3 optical drives (old case was too shallow). Anyway, some of
the things I like about this case is that it has space for 6 fans (I added
4) plus I put in a 600W power supply from Computer Geeks and all this came
in right around your $100 target price. The case is one of the easiest to
work in that I've owned...it even has an external cover plate that goes over
the mounting screws for add-in boards so you can hold a screwdriver
vertically outside the case and tighten the screws. There is also front
panel space for Firewire and USB (though the connectors and cables are not
included). Now the downside, your choices are beige or black. Also, the
sheet metal is a little on the flimsy side but does become quite rigid when
components are in place.

George

 

[kony]

Well, except for your requirement that the case "look cool" (whatever that
means to you) this might interest you. I just bought a case that isn't half
bad, especially for the price. It is CompUSA's $30 mid-tower w/10 drive
bays and no power supply. I had to buy it as my old case wouldn't fit an
ASUS P4P800 w/3 optical drives (old case was too shallow). Anyway, some of
the things I like about this case is that it has space for 6 fans (I added
4) plus I put in a 600W power supply from Computer Geeks and all this came
in right around your $100 target price. The case is one of the easiest to
work in that I've owned...it even has an external cover plate that goes over
the mounting screws for add-in boards so you can hold a screwdriver
vertically outside the case and tighten the screws. There is also front
panel space for Firewire and USB (though the connectors and cables are not
included). Now the downside, your choices are beige or black. Also, the
sheet metal is a little on the flimsy side but does become quite rigid when
components are in place.

Beware of Compgeeks power supplies.

A case made rigid by the parts in it, is putting stress on those parts...
not an ideal situation. It may easily be fine for a stationary system,
but not a good idea for a system moved around much.

 

[George]

Beware of Compgeeks power supplies.

True, I've bought a couple of supplies from them. But the blue 600W supply
I got is great and the power is clean. A black 430W supply I got from them
may be a bit quirky (I'm having some quirky problems getting something to
run for my daughter after her video died...I'm using parts that I salvaged
from my PC and a couple others so nothing is beyond suspicion.

A case made rigid by the parts in it, is putting stress on those parts...
not an ideal situation. It may easily be fine for a stationary system,
but not a good idea for a system moved around much.

Very true. I was mostly referring to the back panel (I don't care much for
cases where if you bump the metal between the card slots, it bends in or
out)...the drive cage is about average in rigidity (nowhere near the quality
of the no-name case it is replacing...too bad that case is now too small).