Which one of these cases is a better choice?
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee
Which one of these cases is a better choice?
I am planning to build a P4 3.0 system with a
ASUS 875P Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU.
The qualities I am looking for in the case are in this order:
1. LOW Noise.
2. Cool and ventilated.
3. Front end USB.
4. Built in temp display.
As long as my case is REALLY quiet, and cool, I will be more than happy.
The rest are just added bonuses. Mid size would do. If buying a tower helps keeping it cooler...that;s fine too. I dont mind getting a seperate power supply if the case does not have one.
From what I have found, these are the ones that I like.
So which one is the best buy for MY needs?
1. Thermaltake Highest Xaser III Super Tower Case, Model "V2000A"
2. ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"
3. ANTEC Performance Plus Case with 430W Power Supply, Model "PLUS1080AMG"
4. Cooler Master Wave Master Case without Power Supply, Model "TAC-T01-E1C"
5. ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case with Side Window Panel, Model "P-160WF"
6. Some LIAN-LI case not listed here??
Thanks for the replies.
K
ASUS 875P Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU.
The qualities I am looking for in the case are in this order:
1. LOW Noise.
2. Cool and ventilated.
3. Front end USB.
4. Built in temp display.
As long as my case is REALLY quiet, and cool, I will be more than happy.
The rest are just added bonuses. Mid size would do. If buying a tower helps keeping it cooler...that;s fine too. I dont mind getting a seperate power supply if the case does not have one.
From what I have found, these are the ones that I like.
So which one is the best buy for MY needs?
1. Thermaltake Highest Xaser III Super Tower Case, Model "V2000A"
2. ANTEC Life Style Series Black Case With 380W Power Supply, Model "SONATA"
3. ANTEC Performance Plus Case with 430W Power Supply, Model "PLUS1080AMG"
4. Cooler Master Wave Master Case without Power Supply, Model "TAC-T01-E1C"
5. ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case with Side Window Panel, Model "P-160WF"
6. Some LIAN-LI case not listed here??
Thanks for the replies.
K
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I did #5 (without the side window, shag that). I had a few gripes with it, but you can't beat the sharp looks, excellent ventilation (lousy fans tho), great interior lay-out with lots of working room, and overall 'quiet'-ness design. Not to forget to mention the front USB2/firewire and temp monitors and 'purdy blue lites" to boot!
Everyone who has seen my case has just oooowed and aaaaawed over it.
Of course that ain't saying much since I live on an island where sheep out-number the people!
Everyone who has seen my case has just oooowed and aaaaawed over it.
Of course that ain't saying much since I live on an island where sheep out-number the people!
Last edited by loren_brothers on Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Ahanix "Black Knight"
Hello:
It's #4 that may throw you. I'm not too sure that any of the cases meet your #1 & #2 requirements! How about the Ahanix "Black Knight"?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 126&depa=1
You'll have to choose a quiet PS with an 80mm rear fan, but it comes with two Yate Loon 120mm fans, front USB, front temp readout, and also a built in fan controller.
It's #4 that may throw you. I'm not too sure that any of the cases meet your #1 & #2 requirements! How about the Ahanix "Black Knight"?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 126&depa=1
You'll have to choose a quiet PS with an 80mm rear fan, but it comes with two Yate Loon 120mm fans, front USB, front temp readout, and also a built in fan controller.
People have complained that aluminum cases transmit hard drive vibrations better than steel cases. Hence the lack of Lian-Li recommended cases.
That said, NONE of the cases provide the best hard drive mounting solutions for quiet PCs. Some form of suspension is the best way to go in that regard. Ultimately, the components you put inside the case will have a bigger impact on noise than the case itself, so SPCR users usually strive for cases with excellent airflow over cases that are slightly quieter overall.
In that regard, I would give some consideration to the Antec SLK-3700AMB or BQE. Though if costs are not an issue, you may wish to give the Zalman TNN-500A some thought.
EDIT: I agree with NeilBlanchard. Requiring #4 will severely limit your case options. I would look into an aftermarket temperature monitoring solution, or consider using a software option like Motherboard Monitor 5.
That said, NONE of the cases provide the best hard drive mounting solutions for quiet PCs. Some form of suspension is the best way to go in that regard. Ultimately, the components you put inside the case will have a bigger impact on noise than the case itself, so SPCR users usually strive for cases with excellent airflow over cases that are slightly quieter overall.
In that regard, I would give some consideration to the Antec SLK-3700AMB or BQE. Though if costs are not an issue, you may wish to give the Zalman TNN-500A some thought.
EDIT: I agree with NeilBlanchard. Requiring #4 will severely limit your case options. I would look into an aftermarket temperature monitoring solution, or consider using a software option like Motherboard Monitor 5.
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Re: Which one of these cases is a better choice?
With this:
If you can forego the temp display requirement, I'd go with the Sonata of all the ones you listed, or the 3700AMB/BQE-6A19-D8000 series if you want to include somthing that wasn't on your initial list.
as a requirement, only one of your 5 choices is suitable:kktk wrote:
4. Built in temp display.
because it's the only one with a built-in temp display.kktk wrote: 5. ANTEC Silver Aluminum Performance 1 Series ATX Mid-Tower Case withOUT Side Window Panel, Model "P-160WF"
If you can forego the temp display requirement, I'd go with the Sonata of all the ones you listed, or the 3700AMB/BQE-6A19-D8000 series if you want to include somthing that wasn't on your initial list.
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Ok....so I'm biased. That Black Knight case is what you're looking for. It meets all your requirements, and has some unique features.
Steel case
Two Yate Loon 120mm fans
Ahanix fan controller/temp display
Removable right panel with space to hide wires
Cheap price...add your own quiet PSU
Best door in the industry
Space on the bottom for a big vent/intake
Tight construction...no rattles
Classy looking
Case fans can run at 2.8v (slow and quiet)
Etc.
Cons....Have to de-couple the hard drives by yourself
Have to read the directions for the fan controller
Need to perform some mods for maximum intake airflow
Few people around here own one.
I like mine very much....never saw anything better.
Bluefront's Black Knight
Steel case
Two Yate Loon 120mm fans
Ahanix fan controller/temp display
Removable right panel with space to hide wires
Cheap price...add your own quiet PSU
Best door in the industry
Space on the bottom for a big vent/intake
Tight construction...no rattles
Classy looking
Case fans can run at 2.8v (slow and quiet)
Etc.
Cons....Have to de-couple the hard drives by yourself
Have to read the directions for the fan controller
Need to perform some mods for maximum intake airflow
Few people around here own one.
I like mine very much....never saw anything better.
Bluefront's Black Knight