Posted: 3/29/2005 1:57:16 PM EDT
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I want a cool-looking, decent case, under $100. Do you guys have any good suggestions? I checked on Newegg.com, and while they have a wide variety, there are just too many and I don't know what to look for. Thanks in advance. |
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Something big enough to hold everything that you are going to put in it. I have two HDDs right now, and want to add two more, but my case it too small. Lots of ventilation. I would look for one that does not come with a power supply, as those are usually pretty weak, and you will find yourself wanting an Antec. |
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I like Enlight cases. Most require no tools to open up and they're quality. Cheaper ones have sharper edges inside and the power supply is usually from a third party and will go bad quickly. www.enlightcorp.com |
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Antec makes the best bang for the buck cases. I have built probably 20 computers and have used nothing but Antec since I bought the first one. They have a wide variety of models to choose from, get the simplest model that will fulfill all your needs. They are built like tanks and will hold up for years, I think I am on the fourth or fifth processor/motherboard in this case (had it since 2000). I personally woudl avoid any case with a door, they will jsut get broken and in the way. The Lian-Li cases are very nice too (all aluminum) but they are a lot more $$ since they usually don't include power supplies. Most power supplies are vastly over rated, and cases that come with them use junk, but the Antec ones are top notch. I would recommend this one: Case Since it's easy to find all your drives, card readers, etc in black now. |
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Anything that says Antec on it is a safe bet. Enlight and In-Win are also great choices. Despite the leftist leanings of most board members there, Ars Technica is a great wealth for information like this. Check the system guides in the link, and see what they recommend for cases, as well as why they're recommended. |
+1 I got a black Antec case with the super quiet fans, rubber HD mounts, etc. I love it. |
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Actually a nice case. No sharp edges or missing mount holes. www.buyxg.com/store/cat.asp?key=xsuperalien420 
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Antec are top notch. |
Here's what I just bought, and I like it; www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-196-002&DEPA=1 |
IIRC, LianLi has an "aquarium" side plate available, upgradeable at any time. It's really cute.  What are you putting together? I'd recommend one of the Shuttle XPCs -- they cost more, but you get a motherboard and PS and all that crap. Just add processor, memory, and drives. Or if you want cheap, the Asus Terminator for the AMD K7 is about $100. Same sort of deal as an XPC, but larger and not as well engineered. Still, it's an Asus, and will probably outlast the Shuttle by years. |
I was looking at that case, it looks pretty cool. How's the cooling/fan noise? I am looking for something more "flashy" than most of the cases you guys suggest. LED lights, acrylic side panel, etc. Some examples of the type of case I'm looking for: www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-146-013&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-171-052&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE Could be slightly less flashy than the cases above, but I want something that stands out pretty strongly, a "gamer" design. What about the power supplies - am I definitely sunk if I go with the provided PSU, or am I fine as long as it's a 400W+? I'm not looking to totally cheap out on it, target range is around $75. Should a good PSU be provided in that price range? |
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I have one of these and am rather impressed with it. www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20030804/case-42.html |
+1 on this case, I used it to build a guy an AMD 64 system and he loves it. |
These are what the specs are looking like (don't need a supplied mobo, I already have a deal set up for my mobo): DFI Lan Party nf3 mobo AMD 3000+ 64-bit processor nVidia 6800 graphics card 1GB DDR PC-3200 RAM undecided HDD some cd burner/dvd reader drive So it will not be some ultra-fast machine running a 4000+ on an SLI board with dual 6800 Ultras, but it will be something that needs effective cooling and deserves a "gaming" case. |
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I just built a computer with an Antec LANBoy case. Aluminum so it's light and super expandable with easy swap drive bay slots. that being said, I just got a Dell SC420 Poweredge server to use as my desktop machine that has probably the most killer case ever. It opens like a car hood and everyingthing slides out without screws. It's killer. I'd go Antec though, both I've used have been nice. |
Got one and like it just fine. It is a big beast though. |
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I think I might know what I want. This is the freakin coolest case I've seen. All acrylic with five LED fans. A bit steep at $100 with no PS, but it's cool as hell. images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-148-001-12.JPG I'm excited. |
That is a nice one. Check out the power supplys on newegg too. I got a 500 watt with LEDs in it. Looks cool through the side panel.   I don't think my cooling fans are too loud either; Just a smooth hum, and not as loud as the HP Pavilion it replaced.
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I found a pretty cool acrylic PS with blue LEDs. Is this yours: www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-170-001&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE I'm currently on a Dell Dimension 4100 (3 or 4 years old). It's SO loud, it's insane. Edit to say I was looking at these one too: www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-163-018&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-167-007&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE |
All acrylic can be a very bad idea for most people. Be aware all acrylic cases have no shielding and therefore can cause havoc with other electronics placed close (sometimes within 20 feet) to them. Stick a 500 watt power supply, a 3GHz+CPU, ect in an unshielded case and you get a hell of a lot of electronic noise. |
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Sniper, That's not the one, but it's similar. It mounts upside down, so the lights show real well;  EDIT---One more pic, showing what it actually looks like;  www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-148-004&depa=1 Max, I had no idea it made any difference with interferance. It hasn't hurt anything yet, so maybe it'll stay that way.  |
How big of a deal is this? And how shielded would the area have to be? For example, if it's in the bottom of a computer desk with wood surrounding all but the front and back, is that alright? |