Need a mATX case that looks like an Audio Amp

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:28 am

Heya all, Im looking for a case for a mATX motherboard and at least 3 3.5" slots that looks like an audio amp as it will be going in with all my other AV equipment, Im hopeing to get it under the $250 mark, I dont really care if it does or dosent have a PSU since if it dosent ill just use my fanless silent one, If it does Ill sell it on ebay to recoup some of the costs.

tehfire · Post by **tehfire** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:05 am

Have you taken a look at Zalman's HTPC offerings? They may be a little big and are right at the top of your price range, but they definitely look like amps to me...

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:14 am

Should have pointed out I meant AUD, I really like the HD160 but its $350 here.

surfntom · Post by **surfntom** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:41 am

coolermaster cmedia 250

you might be able to find a used one.

i currently have one and it looks great. just doesnt have a volume knob but same anodized AL.

Jipa · Post by **Jipa** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:18 pm

Do you REALLY need three 3,5" drive bays? Fusion would be such a nice choice for a budget HTPC-case. Zalmans are too pricey and full ATX..

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:37 pm

I have 4 HDD's, I could mod the 5.25" to make a third slot but yes, I really do need at least 3 3.5" bays, And the coolermaster case looks alot like an old VCR XD

FartingBob · Post by **FartingBob** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:06 pm

Yea that coolermaster is damn ugly. Maybe if your going for the huge boxy retro 80's VCR look then this is for you. Otherwise theres probably better out there.

Chris Chan · Post by **Chris Chan** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:04 pm

Take a look at the silverstone grandia line. They're always pretty cases.

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:39 pm

Theyre a bit bland, No VFD or volume knob.

Shaman · Post by **Shaman** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:32 pm

I think you're looking for a case that doesn't exist. Your best bet is to get whichever ATX case you like that fits 3 hdd's, they are compatible with mATX motherboards too you know. You'll just have some room to spare.

Chris Chan · Post by **Chris Chan** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:40 pm

AussieHusky wrote:Theyre a bit bland, No VFD or volume knob.

Grandias? I think they have VFD if not volume knob but im not sure.. I'm sure Lascalas and Crowns have at least one model with both.

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:49 pm

How about this:

http://www.omaura.com/tf8.html

-D

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:37 pm

Wow... that sure is bland XD

Bluefront · Post by **Bluefront** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:13 am

I've done this before....it's somewhat tricky, but can be done. Find a used/non-working Amp that's big enough and looks good to you. Rip out the guts, and build your own case.

You might be able to find a computer display panel to replace the one in there. Can't complain about the outside looks this way...

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:53 am

Yeah, seriously considering doing just that, I have a Case I made, but it dosent have any HD space, the reason for getting a real case is to enclose everything away and make it silent, So if I make my own I still have to assemble a 4 HDD silent drive cage

Bluefront · Post by **Bluefront** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:09 am

Re-consider that four drive thing.....four are too many to keep quiet and cool. I'd go with two.....simplifies everything, and makes it quieter. You might find a small drive cage at a used computer shop. I save the things.....got a box-full in the basement.

Need extra drive space....set up a NAS. Simple, cheap and silent in the next room.

You'll feel better with your own custom project sitting there...

AussieHusky · Post by **AussieHusky** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:28 pm

This is my NAS XD, My laptop is my main computer, the point of this HTPC is to act as storage, and media serving. I currently have 4 500GB drives and cant afford to upgrade to 2 x 1TB drives.

Jipa · Post by **Jipa** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:19 am

To me (and it seems some other around here too) a proper audio amplifier looks more like this:

http://www.dagogo.com/images/Rotel-RB-1092-2.jpg

And compared to that, most HTPC cases don't look bland at all!

CoolGav · Post by **CoolGav** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:13 am

What about putting one or more of the drives in an external enclosure - eSATA or firewire for better performance than USB.

Otherwise, if it's going to be a server, then get whatever is good and hide it away, plugging the laptop into the TV when HTPC functionality is needed.

floepie · Post by **floepie** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:18 am

What do think about this (gasp!) Thermaltake?
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/C ... 001bns.asp

I haven't ever seen a TT case I liked, but this one would look good in an AV case I think. Keep in mind you wouldn't need to have the gaudy graphic equalizer displaying of course.

This case has a 120mm front fan, but (2) 60mm in the rear, unfortunately. If you didn't have so many HDs, you could possibly forego the 60mm fans in favor of a stronger CPU fan directed out of the fan holes. The PSU could assist with exhaust as well.

Blood · Post by **Blood** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:10 am

mighte a bit over your budget. But how about 6 internal HD slots? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... &Tpk=lc16b . Do you have 2 more hard drives

Blood · Post by **Blood** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:15 am

derekva wrote:How about this:

http://www.omaura.com/tf8.html

-D

Damn that's a looker. Now if only there's an easy way to get it...

floepie · Post by **floepie** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:19 am

Blood wrote:
derekva wrote:How about this:

http://www.omaura.com/tf8.html

-D
Damn that's a looker. Now if only there's an easy way to get it...

Have you ever heard of Dell.com?

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:45 am

floepie wrote:
Blood wrote:
derekva wrote:How about this:

http://www.omaura.com/tf8.html

-D
Damn that's a looker. Now if only there's an easy way to get it...
Have you ever heard of Dell.com?

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?c=u ... e&~ck=anav

Cheers!

-D

Blood · Post by **Blood** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:55 pm

Owned.

mLy! · Post by **mLy!** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:08 am

Tacens Theca

Good looking mATX case imo with 3 3,5 inch bays, no PSU and pretty cheap.