New Quiet, Cool, and Accessible Case?

[cooldan]

Hi Guys,

As the proud owner of a new Opt 170 and ATI 1900XT, I have come to the conclusion that my cases are too hot, or too loud, or just plain suck to work inside of.

Do you guys have any suggestions to a case which is the best of all 3 ? Money isn't really an object as long as the case doesn't cost ridiculous amounts.

Thoughts? There are so many cases out there...I'm sort of lost, and my last case sucks to work in...I'd rather not make that mistake again.

Thanks!

[HourOfDarkness]

well see the thing about cases is, there isnt much of a difference between them, unlike the heatsink. i mean, as long as they have 5 or 6 holes around them, they're gonna function the same. there isnt much technology advancement in casing so you should be fine with a case that has lots of little bunch of holes around. oh and BTW, make sure you install lots of fans around those holes to bring fresh and cool air in.

[cooldan]

I understand the cooling concept I have had an antec case that was actually very cool and quiet, but a literal pain in the ars# to work with. The power supply was located on the bottom of the case which made for a stretch of cables that I could not make work.

I guess I'm looking for some personal favorites from everyone instead of insanely hunting them down.

[OakIris]

I have to disagree with HourOfDarkness that all cases are built and function alike; they may serve the same purpose, but some case manufactures build cases that serve the purpose much better than others, IMHO. No offense meant, HOD!

My favorite cases are those by Lian Li. I don't have tons of experience with different cases, but all of the systems I have built have been in Lian Li cases. Very user-friendly, no sharp edges inside, thumb screws used throughout, made from aluminum, so easy to mod and cool. Clean looking lines, etc..

The new system I am building this week is with a Lian Li PC7 Plus. It comes with two 120 mm fans, with a grill at the top for a blow hole fan if you wish. I purchased one modded by Performance-PCS that has four 120 mm fans.

Anyway, I'm obviously prejudiced in their favor, but Lian Li gets my vote.

Holly

[cooldan]

I do have a Lian LI PC60 I believe. It has the older 80MM fans in it. It is rather to easy to work with...but it's not the quietest/coolest box out there.

I think I will stick with Lian Li...I just have to find the best one to suit my purposes.....

[laozx]

I'm partial to lian-li's as well, but I think any brand of case that can has a 120mm intake and exhaust fan will provide u sufficient airflow in your case.

[PowerHungry]

It's all about airflow and you not disrupting it, or as little as possible.

But case manufacturers in an attempt to make their cases look a little different, have caused a major blockage of intake air by reversing the hard drive cage so it faces you when looking at the inside of the case, It might help cool your hard drives but it does nothing in the way of allowing cool intake air into the motherboard area, as the framing of the hard drive cage blocks more air than it allows to pass through.

A case that uses 120 mm fans thru out and has all the drive bays facing towards the back of the case is better than just about anything else, because it allows intake air to flow in over and under your hard drive.

So you see, all cases are not alike!!

[-=SparX=-]

I have to recomend the Coolermaster Centurion 531 in black or silver...

Specifications

Available Color Silver/Black
Dimensions L485 x W208 x H442 mm
Weight 10kg
Material Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis
M/B Type ATX 12” x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.5 cm),m-ATX
5.25 inch 5 (Exposed)
3.5 inch 1 (Exposed); 4 (Hidden)
Cooling System One 120x120x25mm front fan ( Intake); One 120x120x25mm rear fan (Exhaust )(Option)
I/O Panel USB2.0 x 2; MIC x 1; SPK x 1; IEEE1394 x 1
Power Supply Standard ATX PS2, 380W (Option)

Click for review