Hi guys, what's happened to all the decent PC cases?

I've been looking for a nice one for the last 2 weeks and eveything I've seen looks cheaply made or riced out.

Where can I go for some decent quality, versatile cases?

What I am looking for is basically a black case with plenty of room to work in and plenty of fan cooling options/ configurations, so something that can take 60mm and 90mm fans options.

I also wouldn't mind something with a nice pre-cut window.

Alternatively if I can find a nice base chassis, I'll modify what I need to so that it's what I want.

No one?

Does no one buy cases anymore?

depends on what kind of quality you looking for... I mean you really have to pay thru your arse for one of those CMStackers...

Then there's the Antec cases which you also pay thru your arse for

and then comes the Lian Li cases...

so what's your budget?

Do you want a heavy case?

Do you want a cheap case?

Zalman are also really top quality

I am very happy with my Lian-Li, although it probably costs around R1800K new.

Where did you guys buy them though, I'd like to go some where and have a look at what's available.

Can't go wrong with Antec or Lian Li. Some of the Coolermaster's are also ok.

I agree. Lian Li is good

Silverstone

www.silverstonetek.com

They are very expensive thought.

Alternatively the CM 690 is a very good buy.

Regards

Pieter

but also depends on how much you willing to fork out!

I still can't beleive the price of pc components now days...


2-4k for a case
1-6k for a mobo
1-10k for a GPU
1-14k for a CPU
1-12k for a monitor...

O.o

Thanks guys,

I've found 2/3 places in Limbro park that sell the Lian-Li case models.

I'll go have a look next week.

I'm not in a rush to get this machine working as this will be a 3rd rig and space is limited in my flat atm.

Looking for a decent KVM switch to help with the space issue at home (recommendations?).

From you guys who own the Lian-Li's, how decent is the airflow through them?
They look pretty good from the photo's I've seen.

2 intake fans in the front with an exhaust fan at the rear.

Very nice.

I have the 70b (http://www.dansdata.com/pc70.htm)
Its old, (2001 model) and its HUGE.
Airflow is good, and because of its size its a pleasure to work woth, but if space is a concern its probably too big for you. Mine I got with 6 case fans. I dont know if this is standard configuration as I bought it secondhand.

I really cant comment on the airflow of the other models, but Lian-Li makes high quality cases, so I dont think you can go wrong no matter which one you buy.

Thanks bud.

I'll go have a look next week.

These days I just get a great deal for Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, on sale for only $70

It has 3 120mm fans and one huge 200mm blower. Even with the extra fans it runs quiet. this case is an excellent start to a new system or, as in my case, a very welcome and fully featured upgrade to an existing system.

Managed to find a very nice unit by Coolermaster this morning at PC International.

CoolerMaster Centurion 590 - http://www.coolermaster.com/products/produ...ail&id=3927

Man oh man am I chuffed with it.

It was a tad pricey(R690), considering it was with out a PSU of any kind.
But I am very satisfied overall.

I spent about an hour just looking at the case in all it's glory before fitting my mobo, g-card and CPU.
It comes with 2 120mm fans (1 intake and 1 exhaust) pre-installed. Plenty room for more aswell.

I did a little amatuer cable stealthing which I will probably redo this evening.

I really like that the front bezel can be removed with out screws. This will make cleaning and maintenance very quick and easy.
The entire case is screwless. It features a locking arm mechanism that locks the drives in place.

Another great feature is all the ventilation. The entire front bezel and all the drive bay covers are made of a thin metal mesh, they feature a thin foam filter.

There are mounting point for 2 additional exhaust fans on the roof of the chassis, another 2 on the side panel and 1 (80xmm80mmx10mm) on the back plane, just behind the CPU ZIFF socket, Don't know where I will find a fan this thin but yeah, the option is there.

The fan mounting point can accomodate fan sizes from 80mm - 120mm. Which is nice when budget comes into play.

I am really glad I took my time to find a case because this one is one of the most versatile I've seen in a while.
A new blue/red CCFL is on the cards at some point and I might get an additional 4-in-3 module so that I can have an additional 120mm intake fan if there isn't a way to mount the fan with out the 4-in-3 module.

I will start a build thread and link it once I have shopped around for the rest of the components. (H.D.D's, DVD/RW, thermal paste etc).

R690 is cheap for a case considering that nowdays yuo looking around 1k minimum for a decent full tower case

Will, almost done, just found the one problem with the psu mounting being on the floor of the case.

The cpu power connector is too short.

Bought a gigabyte 460W PSU (with the SATA + PCI-E connecters).

As you can see in the pics below, the connector is just too short to reach the CPU power at the top of the board.
The second pic is of a blown PSU I have with miles of extra length.

So now the question is, do I cut the molex plug off the brand new psu and solder the longer cable onto that one?
-Or-
Do I try find a female 4 pin molex plug and make an extension?

There is plenty of space in this case to stealth the longer cable into so that wont be a problem.

I will take a few more pics this week-end to demonstrate some other mods I'd like to make. Small things.

I am super fussy about neat wiring and this case offers lots of oppurtunity for me to finally have a decent stealth job.

I would try get an extension. But that's just me.

R690 is cheap. I paid way more than that for my case a few years back.

Yeah, better do some shopping around at Communica on Monday.
I need a decent soldering iron and a few other items.

Wonder if it'll be a mission to get the female plug for the 4 pin molex?

DO NOT CUT IT... else you'll have major power issues...

I don't think it will be hard. call PC International. I think they will keep them.

Will give them a shout tomorrow morning.

Will let you guys know.

What sort of power issues would I have if I did cut and solder?

Inconsistent Voltage?
Over/Under Voltage?

I think if I can't get an extention I will need to investigate the female 4 pin plug option.

Maybe Communica can sort me out?

Eish.