Need case suggestions

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:50 am

I want to replace my Lian-Li PC-60 case with a cooler and quieter case. I've been looking around and the Antec P180 sounds like a winner but it's so GD tall (21.5” I believe) I don't think it would fit on the side shelf of my desk where my current rig resides. There are so many cases out there I can’t seem to narrow them down and I don’t have a lot of experience with a lot of different cases so I’m relying on you guys that have tried a few.

Anyone have any suggestions? For reference, I will not be transporting it so weight isn’t an issue. I will only be using 2 hard drives, 1 DVD drive and 1 bay for my Sound Blaster control panel. I’ll be installing a DFI Ultra Lanparty board (not running SLI), my Antec Neopower PSU and my Zalman CNPS7000A-CU HSF. However, I may end up moving to a water cooled solution eventually so it’d be nice if the case would be usable for that too (I guess most are but I thought I’d mention it).

Anyway, I’d like functional rather than fashionable so I’m not really looking for the bling factor (i.e. lights, windows etc are not necessary but not unwelcome either).

Thanks for everyone's input in advance.

Post by **Apoptosis** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:00 am

Antec Sonata or Sonata II get my votes

The simple gloss black paint job, and windowless case has enough room for what I need. If you don't mind the front case door I'd look at those.

I personally run the original Antec Sonata with the OCZ PowerStream PSU for my case and power supply.

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:40 am

Cooler Master makes some nice cool running cases. i've have 2 different versions of the Centurion 5 and was pleased with both. The lastest model offers 2 120mm fans for great cooling and the entire front is vented with mesh with foam filters keeping things dust free.......

AgentVX · Post by **AgentVX** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:03 am

Bio-Hazard wrote:Cooler Master makes some nice cool running cases. i've have 2 different versions of the Centurion 5 and was pleased with both. The lastest model offers 2 120mm fans for great cooling and the entire front is vented with mesh with foam filters keeping things dust free.......

Cooler Master Centurion 530 here. On the whole, can't really complain, it's a great case and relatively cheap.
I also used an Antec P160 for a while but it really annoyed me...the drive mounting system is silly and the cooling wasn't great.
However, based on what I hear about Lian Li cases, you (@ the thread starter) may find other manufacturer's cases somewhat inferior in terms of quality and functionality. Just something to consider...

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:20 am

Thanks, guys. While I do like the overall design of my Lian-Li, it is not very cool and sebsequently loud because I need to keep the fans on high

The Sonata II looks pretty good although I hate to pay for a PSU I won't even use. The Centurions look pretty good too. I'm doing some research on each. Anyone have any experience with the Cooler Master Praetorian 730 cases? They sound nice!

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:38 am

I would agree with most all of the comments so far. The Cooler Master Cenurion 5 is a great case with a great price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119068
Or with a window:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119077

The Antec Sonata II is also another one of my favorites and would recommend that as well.

The classic "Chieftech Dragon" style case is always a good choice and I've seen lots of these with water cooling setups. It is a little taller (just over 20") so not sure if it is still one you want to consider. These cases are also very easily modded if you ever decide you want to try your hand at that

Available at newegg in steel with a window:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811125475
in Aluminum:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811125444
or in steel without window:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811125435

Since you mentioned the P180, I'm assuming you're willing to shell out some decent $$ for a case. The Silverstone TJ-05 is also one of my favorites but is pretty large.
It can be had with a window:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811163038
as well as in a silver color and also with or without a front temperature and fan speed display. I believe they also do have versions without a window.

I think overall, you should be looking for cases with at least one 120mm fan as they are quieter and push more air than the typical 80mm fan.

You may also want to check out the ThermalTake Tsunami as well.

There are really TONS and TONS of different cases out there (as you have already discovered) so it's hard for someone to suggest a case to you as everyone has their own criterion that they look for in a case. SO I say browse around and come back with some narrowed down choices you know you like, and we can add our input on which cases we like out of the ones you like.
There are also some other colors and versions of the cases I listed so check out the vendor websites for complete model information and read lots of reviews to get an idea of what the layout and construction of the case is like so you know you are getting something that you will be happy with. I spent months and months of late nights slaving over the keyboard and mouse by light of my 15" LCD reading reviews and checking out all the different cases out there before I finally bought my case (Cooler Master Cavalier 3). But I bought my case for different reasons than what you are looking to do (primarily modding, see the link in my profile) so, like I said, take your time and check out all of your options before jumping into a case so you don't get stuck with something that annoys you every day.

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:11 pm

Thanks. I did take a look at the SilverStone case...not bad but you're right it's a little big. I don't mind paying the $ for a quality case if it's going to be worth it. Typically, you get what you pay for but there are deals to be had as well.

The more I look at the Centurion 532 case the more I like it. It's priced well and seems to fit my needs. Cooler Master also seems to make the quietest 120mm fans.

I think I'm down to the Praetorian 730 and the Centurion 532. I'm going to check and see if I can find anyone with conflicts with the above mentioned cases and the components I'll be using.

Funny, when I built my PC with the Lian-Li case, sound wasn't a priority. How bad could it be? Over time, the noise is really bothersome especially when gaming (typically when you are running a high load) and there are subtle sounds that are drowned out by the fans. I plan on doing some moderate OC'ing so the heat dissapation is important.

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 1:26 pm

Yeah, I'm a big stickler for sound. I've found anything at or above about 30db is just too loud!
To be honest, I really do not like the look of the Centurion 530 or 532. It's a great case with great cooling, and most of it actually looks ok, but I just don't like those big silver "poles" on each side in the front and how they come together at the top where the Power button and stuff is. The Centurion 5 and 531 are my favorite Centurion cases.
Between the 532 and the The Praetorian 730 I would probably choose the Praetorian. Although I think the front door on the Praetorian is a little "overstyled", it is still a really nice case.

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:54 pm

Vstrom wrote:Thanks. I did take a look at the SilverStone case...not bad but you're right it's a little big. I don't mind paying the $ for a quality case if it's going to be worth it. Typically, you get what you pay for but there are deals to be had as well.

The more I look at the Centurion 532 case the more I like it. It's priced well and seems to fit my needs. Cooler Master also seems to make the quietest 120mm fans.

I think I'm down to the Praetorian 730 and the Centurion 532. I'm going to check and see if I can find anyone with conflicts with the above mentioned cases and the components I'll be using.

Funny, when I built my PC with the Lian-Li case, sound wasn't a priority. How bad could it be? Over time, the noise is really bothersome especially when gaming (typically when you are running a high load) and there are subtle sounds that are drowned out by the fans. I plan on doing some moderate OC'ing so the heat dissapation is important.

I pulled one of my systems out of a Lian-Li for the same exact reason, it got to loud over time, but I did use it for over 3 years. ......................

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:24 pm

I think I'm going with the Centurion 532 case mainly because it has the 2 120mm fans (one front one rear) whereas the Praetorian has 2 80mm fans in the back which is probably noisier and not as efficient. Although the Praetorian has the side duct opening (duct won't fit with the mobo etc I will be using) where you can mount an optional 120mm fan. This would make 4 fans though and that's just more power drain and more noise.

There aren't many reviews on the web for this case though - maybe I can do one!

It kills me that it comes with a 400w power supply. Anymore, that's the absolute minimum you should have if you even have a midrange system. I hope my Neopower fits instead!

I'll prolly place my order tonight or tomorrow with Newegg.

-mogwai · Post by **-mogwai** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:42 pm

the chenbro gaming bomb ii was pretty damn sweet looking...

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:13 pm

Vstrom wrote:I think I'm going with the Centurion 532 case mainly because it has the 2 120mm fans (one front one rear) whereas the Praetorian has 2 80mm fans in the back which is probably noisier and not as efficient. Although the Praetorian has the side duct opening (duct won't fit with the mobo etc I will be using) where you can mount an optional 120mm fan. This would make 4 fans though and that's just more power drain and more noise.

There aren't many reviews on the web for this case though - maybe I can do one! It kills me that it comes with a 400w power supply. Anymore, that's the absolute minimum you should have if you even have a midrange system. I hope my Neopower fits instead!

I'll prolly place my order tonight or tomorrow with Newegg.

Nah, newegg has the 532 without a PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119094
^^Great rebate on that one too!^^

Plus the 530 and the 532 are almost identical, the only difference drive bay covers at the top front and the addition of a "tooless" desing in the drive cages on the 532...
http://www.coolermaster.com/product_com ... 07660e.jpg

But to be honest, after using the Cooler Master "Tooless" drive rails, I'm not very impressed at all. They are not smooth, don't always secure it tightly, and it only secures the drive on one side (the other side uses screws if you want. I would honestly just rather have the traditional screw design than Cooler Master's "Tooless" design

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:10 pm

gvblake22 wrote: Nah, newegg has the 532 without a PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119094
^^Great rebate on that one too!^^

Yeah, I saw that. No window though...even though I'm not that concerned about the bling I am getting a lanparty board so maybe it should be on display

My Corsair RAM has the LED's too.

I'll just yank the PSU and sell it. Maybe if someone here is desparate for a PSU I might be feeling generous...

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:15 pm

AAAHHHHH, yes, it does appear as though it's not possible to get one with a side window but no PSU. Maybe you can sell it and make a couple $$

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:45 pm

Cripes, I'm confused. Newegg says that the 532 case has 2 120mm fans (1 intake, 1 exhaust) but everywhere else (even CM's website) says the rear is optional but it's not very straightforward -

on the CM website features it says:
-120mm fan for the front and real to provide maximum airflow while maintain silet solution - yes "rear" and "silent" are spelled wrong.
On the specs it says...
One 120x120x25mm front fan 1200 rpm, 22 dBA ( Intake)
One 120x120x25mm rear fan, 1200 rpm, 22 dBA ( Exhaust ) (option)

Maybe it's me but how much attention to detail can a company have when there are 2 obvious spelling errors (in the same sentence no less) on a marketing page of their website?

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:47 pm

HAHAHA, yeah, that is pretty lame

My Cooler Master Case came with a front and rear case fan installed; I have no reason to believe that the Centurion 532 would be any different. Check some reviews on the case and see what they got it with.

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 8:55 pm

Couldn't find any!

AgentVX · Post by **AgentVX** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 12:21 am

My 530 came with only the front fan, if that's of any help...

Kerii · Post by **Kerii** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 1:58 am

Well, if it's not too late, have you considered the Lian-Li PC-V1100?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811112052

Or maybe a PC-V1000 is more to your liking?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811112051

gvblake22 · Post by **gvblake22** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:17 am

Kerii wrote:Or maybe a PC-V1000 is more to your liking?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811112051

A very nice case, just expensive.