New case

Renekal · 09-25-2008, 12:32 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc... %20haf%20932

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ntec%20case s

I found the Antec for $150 including shipping here: http://www.provantage.com/antec-twel...d~7ANTG051.htm

Basically I'm looking to upgrade to a full mostly for more space, better air flow. Any thoughts/recommendations?

Fozzik · 09-25-2008, 06:10 AM

That Antec twelve hundred seems a little over-the-top to me... unless you've really got a TON of components to stuff in there, it's just fricken huge. An Antec nine hundred is a bit more reasonable (and still has lots of space).

I like all the fans in the Coolermaster, but I can't really say how well it cools considering some of the fans might be working against each other.

Does your current case have the power supply mounted at the bottom? If not, you should check to make sure the cables on your power supply will reach if placed in a new position (like with both the cases you linked

).

Greyrhubarb · 09-25-2008, 03:12 PM

I have this case and I absolutly LOVE it! It's huge huge huge and super quiet. Even if you put all 3 fans on high it isn't very loud. Also it does not have any annoying blue lights!

It's at least worth looking at.

rabb1t · 09-25-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renekal

Basically I'm looking to upgrade to a full mostly for more space, better air flow. Any thoughts/recommendations?

Antec 900

All the space you need, particularly if you remove the fan on the back of the hard drive case. Currently $130, guess ya just missed the last deal it had for $100 about a week ago.

The only boost to the 1200 is a bit more space and ports for liquid cooling. As mentioned, unless you are running a zillion drives you won't need the extra space. Heck, even the 300 has nearly the same space as the 900 and it's only $60. (Though it has less fans.)

Giftmacher · 09-25-2008, 06:20 PM

I vote for the 900 too, that or the P180/2. I've got the former, it's whisper quiet and spacious. The only draw back, and I've mentioned this before, is the need to clean it fairly regularly. Three big fans draw plenty of dust in.

Gift.

Renekal · 09-25-2008, 07:58 PM

So here's what I have in the case currently:

-2 HD
-2 optical
-I/O port/bay deal for soundcard
-8800 gts (2 slot)
-tv tuner
-soundcard

So nothing, the extra space is more for convenience than anything (though I have been entertaining the thought of going water cooled), but there are a couple spots that are on the tight side and a huge pain in the ass to get my hands into/around to make/undo connections.

I pretty much veto the p180/2 as my case has a 'door' for the 5 1/4 ext bays as well, and it's become annoying with using the SB I/O bay.

So we'll see, I might go to a Fry's and take another look at what they have to get a better feel for things.

Boceefus · 09-26-2008, 09:53 AM

They are all great cases really but just be warned both cases you listed will not be quiet and frankly are made for hard core air overclocking and that goes for the 900 as well so if you want it quiter you would need to get some decent low rpm fans like some yate loons.

If you have $150-200 to spend then frankly for the money, looks and performance you really can not beat a COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000.

It looks good, is quiet and is very feature rich. Provantage has then for $150ish as well. The inside is just so damn nice and its set up where you can really clean up the wires and really open air flow. Check it out as its a fantastic case and the outside is sleek and good looking.

EDIT: Just noticed you dont like front doors so the cm might be out unless you can live with it. If so check out some of these cases.

LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII
LIAN LI PC-A6010B
SILVERSTONE FT01-B
Thermaltake ArmorPlus VH6000BWS
LIAN LI PC-G70B
LIAN LI PC-A70B

Prices vary but they are all awesome cases for looks and function. I am pretty sure at this point I did absolutely nothing to help you on picking a case as I just flooded you with to many options

I still like the cosmos though. Door smoore :P

Giftmacher · 09-26-2008, 10:54 AM

Actually, the 900 is whisper quiet on low fan settings, and they shift plenty of air. You'd have to do some serious OCing before you needed to turn them up... damn I sound like a total fanboi.

Gift.

rabb1t · 09-26-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renekal

So here's what I have in the case currently:

-2 HD
-2 optical
-I/O port/bay deal for soundcard
-8800 gts (2 slot)
-tv tuner
-soundcard

Easily handled by the 900 minus the rear hard drive cage fan on low.

Now, if you constantly run those dual opticals and copy stuff, then you may spike the heat up. Those will generate way more heat at full speed than a graphics card would.

I've had my system with a 8800 GTX up to about 90F weather with the fans all on low and never had an issue with cooling.

Quote:

the extra space is more for convenience than anything (though I have been entertaining the thought of going water cooled), but there are a couple spots that are on the tight side and a huge pain in the ass to get my hands into/around to make/undo connections.

Couple of things with that...

First, I believe the 1200 isn't any longer than the 900, it's only taller vertically. So, while you may have more room for drives, you wouldn't have any extra wiggle room in terms of 'getting your hands in there to make / undo connections'.

Next, note that more room = longer travel requirements for cables. Some people complain about how cables are sometimes short on the 900, the 1200 is even bigger.

Lastly, remember that larger space inside = larger space outside. That 1200 is going to be really huge. If you are putting that somewhere you are going to be, say under a desk, it's going to eat a ton of space, plus you really should give it some breathing room. (I recommend 6" above and behind, 6" to one side, and at least 2 feet to the other side.)

If you have a chance to see it at Frys go for it. It's going to be really massively huge. Compared to the 900 I really don't think you gain much. (Particularly for the upwards to 50% price increase.)

Quote:

though I have been entertaining the thought of going water cooled

Here's the thing - if you are just considering it, you aren't likely to do it. It's a pain in the ass that has to be fully integrated into the system when you drop it in there. To put the system in there, then do it later, would require you to effectively rebuild the entire system (due to needing to run the lines various places.)

Sure, having the ports for that is nice, but I'd only recommend it if you are going to be doing it. If you are considering it, I don't think you should bother, as a good 3rd party air cooler will keep it just as cool under non to moderate overclocking at a far lower cost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giftmacher

Actually, the 900 is whisper quiet on low fan settings

Totally quiet. The only case quieter that I've owned was the Super Lanboy. I am not at all bothered by the 900 on low, and I strive to have as quite a system as I can without going passive. Tri-cool fans for teh win.

Renekal · 10-19-2008, 07:44 AM

So this is the current state of my rig:

Notwithstanding it's uber ghetto awesomeness, I still haven't decided which case I'm going to get. Nothing that I've come across fits what I want

I took a good look at the Antec 900, and I'm not a fan (ha!) of it's internal layout and mounting scheme. The P182 has a door, and again internals. Zalman gs1000, poor build quality. Lian Li, waaaaay to pricey.

I know I'm picky but there has to be something out there. boo.

Giftmacher · 10-19-2008, 03:06 PM

Did you take a look at Thermaltake's offerings, or are they doing nothing for you too? (The Armor cases have those odd flap things but they look like they could be removed.)

Gift.

Renekal · 10-19-2008, 06:50 PM

Haven't seen any thermaltake cases that have caught my eye.

Fozzik · 10-20-2008, 06:00 AM

Coolermaster?

Giftmacher · 10-20-2008, 11:03 AM

I feel an ABC of case makers coming on...

Gift.

rabb1t · 10-20-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renekal

Haven't seen any thermaltake cases that have caught my eye.

The M9 seems ok, but honestly for that price range I think you'd get more useful features from the Antec 300 and then just add a colored fan if that's what you feel you are missing from the M9.

Fozzik · 10-20-2008, 11:44 AM

I wasn't just randomly suggesting... Coolermaster makes some nice, simple cases no front door, simple innards, and good fans.

rabb1t · 10-20-2008, 11:51 AM

Aren't they always kind of on the high-price end of things though?

Fozzik · 10-21-2008, 05:21 PM

Not all of them.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119115

That's the cheapest ones... they have some in all price ranges.

Renekal · 10-22-2008, 03:06 AM

Actually the COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP is the closest I have found to what I want, if only it was a liiitle bigger and I dunno, guess I like some of the options of the bigger fancier (read more expensive) cases

Nassir · 10-23-2008, 03:34 PM

Cosmos 1000 is what I got now I replaced my Antec 900 with it...

big I mean like really big...
Looks cool (again opinion)
Removable front dorr
good for air or water cooling but I would replace the fans it comes with if your stay with that air option..