Case Opinions

[B727BFJ]

I'm looking for a great quality case for my PC build. Does anyone have any suggestions for a full tower ATX case with a lot of cooling options? I'd like to keep it below $150 for the case and fans. Any takers?

J

[Bovon]

I will vote for the Antec SOHO 1040 full tower myself. I bought the Antec SOHO 1030, and I love it. It is just a tad shorter than the 1040, and offers two less 5-1/2 inch bays which I didn't need. They have ample room for cooling with two front intake fans and two rear exaust fans. I'm not positive the case comes complete with all 4 fans, mine had two. Mine was purchased for $99 bucks with free shipping at the time from www.outpost.com. (http://www.outpost.com.) I believe I have seen the full version for about $130 bucks, but don't hold that to be absolute, and it has been a couple of months sence I have seen one listed anywhere.

Mine came with an Antec 300 watt psu.

These cases are some of the best constructed, and are heavy duty

[Stan]

Hi,

I have bought 2 new cases, both from Chieftec (Dragon Series):
- DA-01WD (http://www.chieftec.com/products/dragon/da01wd.htm)
- DX-01WD (http://www.chieftec.com/products/dragon/dx01wd.htm)

They are good quality and have lots of space for fans.

Here are 2 pic of the mid tower case:

<IMG SRC="http://www.btinternet.com/~stany.thibaut/pdc_full.jpg" border=0>
<IMG SRC="http://www.btinternet.com/~stany.thibaut/pdc2_full.jpg" border=0>

Stan

[This message has been edited by Stan (edited 08-23-2001).]

[Sanman]

This is also a very good case.
http://www.directron.com/blacmidatxca.html

[hirschY]

Well, this one is not under your mark, but they look really COOL. http://www.frozencpu.com/
I dont have any, yet, but when I get some cash, here I go!
Looks like a good box for a Duallie! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Bovon]

Dang Stan, nice!!

That tower DX-01WD looks identical to the Antec I have.

Here is the Antec SOHO 1030 (http://shop3.outpost.com/template/boutiques/buildyourcomp/product_navigation/)

[Brangwen]

Take a look at the Inwin series starting a $109. I <u>think</u> I saw them here (http://www.kcomputers.com) .

Good luck.

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

PS: The Dragon series pictured above look nice.

[Raydeo Ray]

Personally, my main criteria when purchasing a case is the quality and reliability of the Power Supply. Appearance,etc. is secondary, or as they say in architecture: "Form Follows Function"...When I was shopping around for my first case(and first computer build) I used the AnandTech reviews on case power supplies and went with the Antec 300W midtower. If I had to do it again, I think I would try the SuperPower cases(mid tower)
The only problem detected with this Antec is that the 3.3V supply is poorly regulated and puts out 3.4V. As the 3.3V supply powers the CPU Vcore, I had to set my Vcore switches down .1V to compenstate. No big deal. Not too nutsy about Antec's front bezel removal scheme, though. And, the PS fan is quiet, so's I don't have to turn up the radio...
When the Power Supply dies, it gets REAL quiet... Regards,

[otheos]

Stan.

is your SCSI card actually on PCI slot 1 sharing the IRQ with the AGP?

How is it working for you? I am curious as usually whatever is in slot 1 causes problems.

[Stan]

Hi Otheos,

Yes, the FastTrak66 is in PCI 1.
Sound is in PCI 2 and NIC in PCI 3&4.
So far, I have never had any problems. This is my server box running Win2000 Server sp2.

Stan