What PC Case?

[peanutismint]

Wow, this thread really took off since my first post!!

Well thanks for all of your comments and suggestions. I'll let you know what I decide to get!

[Jay-]

Don't pass up the Antec 1200!!! Yes that stands for 12 hard drives!
Has Esata and USB on the front, spot for the removable sata drives option. It has 5 fans! Silent ones with speed knobs. n Thats 3 120mm and one 220mm! Yes a 220mm fan on top! I looked at all the others on the topic and chose the 1200. It was a whopping $200 with out PSU!

Its a near selling point when a client sees it and goes ~WOW~

Im not into silent with 6tb of client data my self. Its a tad louder then the most silent option but I chose an all metal (Mostly steel but the trim)

I give marks down for the plastic trim.

I love that case!!!!

[JeffE]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

+1000000thumbsup

This computer case puts all the others to shame, literally. Quiet, sleek, built like a tank, and plenty of room for the biggest motherboards. The case is just magnificent and easy to work with. I promise you that you won't be dissapointed.

Well, I'm going to disagree with you here.

While the Antec may be a good case, in terms of materials, build quality, and elegance, I think Lian Li and Silverstone cases are superior. Here's what I'm using for my DAW:

Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-V1010B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Expensive, but elegant, well built and incredibly quiet.

[peanutismint]

See, as much as I like all these 'quiet cases', I'm seeing one recurring feature, the price, which seems to be an effect of many of these cases being meant for hardcore gamers...

I'm looking to spend money on what goes inside the case, rather than the case itself, and so am looking at around a £50 ceiling. This case, an Antec Three Hunded is currently what I'm considering - it might not be made for silent running but it looks very nice and has plenty of cooling/connectivity features...

[JeffE]

Originally Posted by peanutismint

See, as much as I like all these 'quiet cases', I'm seeing one recurring feature, the price, which seems to be an effect of many of these cases being meant for hardcore gamers...

I'm looking to spend money on what goes inside the case, rather than the case itself, and so am looking at around a £50 ceiling. This case, an Antec Three Hunded is currently what I'm considering - it might not be made for silent running but it looks very nice and has plenty of cooling/connectivity features...

I don't think the cases being mentioned are for hardcore gamers - most of those tend to be lighter (for carrying to LAN parties) and have more bling (cold cathode fluorescents etc.). I offered up the Lian Li because it looks similar to the mac G5 cases (in silver, at least).

However, I understand budget is an issue, which you didn't mention in your original post. I agree that the Antec 300 is a great case for the money, and if you spend a few dollars more you can swap out the Antec fans for Pabst or other quieter fans. Then you'll be good to go thumbsup

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by JeffE

Well, I'm going to disagree with you here.

While the Antec may be a good case, in terms of materials, build quality, and elegance, I think Lian Li and Silverstone cases are superior. Here's what I'm using for my DAW:

Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-V1010B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Expensive, but elegant, well built and incredibly quiet.

Honestly, they still can't touch the Antec P180/P182. Those Lian Li cases are not as easy to work with as a Antec. I learned how to assemble computers in High School in the 9th grade. Fast forward 11 years later my first build since then I got a Antec P182 case and started my build.

Antec P180 Case

Antec Earthwatts 650 Watts Power Supply(Can't even hear it running)

Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Processor

Seagate Barracuda 500 Gb Harddrives (2)

2 Samsung Dvd/Cd Burners

Rme 9632 PCI-E Card

Sony Floppy Drive

(Might I add that the latency in this system is pretty much a non-factor and I haven't even tweaked it for audio yet.)
Took me less than 4 hours to build and get it up a running smoothly. Everything installed perfectly and easily. Most of time was spent of hard drive formatting and Windows XP installation and authenicating. You never did a build with the Antec P180 evidently because if you did, you would be happily agreeing with me that this is the best case ever. The Antec also kills it in the looks department and the build quality is second to none. You figure Lian $250.....Antec $120 on a bad day, you be the judge.

[JeffE]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

Honestly, they still can't touch the Antec P180/P182. Thosw Lian Li cases are not as easy to work with as a Antec. I learned how to assemble computers in High School in the 9th grade. Fast forward 11 years later my first build since then I got a Antec P182 case and started my build.

[computer specs deleted]

Took me less than 4 hours to build and get it up a running smoothly. Everything installed perfectly and easily. Most of time was spent of hard drive formatting and Windows XP installation and authenicating. You never did a build with the Antec P180 evidently because if you did, you would be happily agreeing with me that this is the best case ever. The Antec also kills it in the looks department as well. You figure Lian $250.....Antec $120 on a bad day, you be the judge.

Dude, give me a break. It's fine to have an opinion, but it's quite another to trumpet it as gospel.

I HAVE built a computer using an Antec case. I bought an Antec Sonata and was sorely disappointed - it was very noisy.

You're correct that I've never built a computer using a P180/P182. When I was case-shopping for my latest rig, I passed on those because I didn't care for the looks. I much prefer the classy aluminum Lian Li cases to Antecs, which seem to have more plastic. But you know what? Looks are subjective, and if you like the way your case looks then that's cool with me. Different strokes for different folks.

I'll grant you that the Antecs are less expensive than some of the Lian Li's although there are several Lian Li cases for $100 or less that I would much rather use than a P182.

As far as ease of build - the V1010 has a removable motherboard tray, anti-vibration grommets for hard drives (which simply slide in to the rails), and in general doesn't require any tools. It's also extremely quiet as it uses a 140mm front fan and 120mm rear fan.

So I'm glad you like your case, but please don't patronize me by saying "You never did a build with the Antec P180 evidently because if you did, you would be happily agreeing with me that this is the best case ever." That's your opinion, and I choose to disagree.

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by JeffE

Dude, give me a break. It's fine to have an opinion, but it's quite another to trumpet it as gospel.

I HAVE built a computer using an Antec case. I bought an Antec Sonata and was sorely disappointed - it was very noisy.

You're correct that I've never built a computer using a P180/P182. When I was case-shopping for my latest rig, I passed on those because I didn't care for the looks. I much prefer the classy aluminum Lian Li cases to Antecs, which seem to have more plastic. But you know what? Looks are subjective, and if you like the way your case looks then that's cool with me. Different strokes for different folks. The antec has all those feature too except for the removeable motherboard tray and who the hell needs that, LOL.

I'll grant you that the Antecs are less expensive than some of the Lian Li's although there are several Lian Li cases for $100 or less that I would much rather use than a P182.

As far as ease of build - the V1010 has a removable motherboard tray, anti-vibration grommets for hard drives (which simply slide in to the rails), and in general doesn't require any tools. It's also extremely quiet as it uses a 140mm front fan and 120mm rear fan.

So I'm glad you like your case, but please don't patronize me by saying "You never did a build with the Antec P180 evidently because if you did, you would be happily agreeing with me that this is the best case ever." That's your opinion, and I choose to disagree.

An Antec Sonata and a Antec P180 have nothing in common, lol so your point isn't even valid. The Lian Li is way overpriced and ugly at that Jeff, come on guy, you got eyes just like us. Paying an extra 130 dollars for a case that is less appealing than the p180 its a no brainer Jeff.

[JeffE]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike

An Antec Sonata and a Antec P180 have nothing in common, lol so your point isn't even valid. The Lian Li is way overpriced and ugly at that Jeff, come on guy, you got eyes just like us. Paying an extra 130 dollars for a case that is less appealing than the p180 its a no brainer Jeff.

Whatever. You're an Antec fanboy, and there's no point in trying to have a dialog with you.

Enjoy your case.

[Fast_Fingers]

If price is a concern, there is the NZXT Hush, which does a decent job. The Antecs are solid too...here's a new review on the P183. But don't skimp on power supplies...they have a dramatic effect on noise. Seasonic, Corsair (VX450 is really quiet until you get to 90% of its capacity), and BFG are good choices.

[ekwipt]

Corsair Obsidian Series 800D

Welcome to Corsair :: Obsidian Series 800D Product Information

[space2012]

Originally Posted by gregory

Hello, do you have an A77? if so are your standoffs removeable? thanks in advance.

Lian Li Industrial Co., Ltd.

Lian-Li PC-A77 - Review - Clunk's Forums.

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/tw/product...0.A7700.01.pdf


Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-A77B Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-A17B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

[Matt Hepworth]

Originally Posted by Fast_Fingers

If I ever build a dedicated studio computer, I'm sticking it in here: Cooler Master's Cosmos 1000 enclosure - The Tech Report - Page 1

Well, I've got a server in the Cosmos case. That case is HUGE! There are some disadvantages to it as well (like the USB on top to collect dust and such in them).

The Sonata is definitely a good DAW case (I've built a dozen or more in them). Antec also makes a rackmount AV type case as well. Pretty nice. $350.

[soundguydave]

Originally Posted by shootingsparks

check these out, they're awesome

Silence Cases Attenuation Cabinets to Quiet Computers and Products for the Project Recording Studio

I ordered one of those a few weeks ago, and now I haven't heard from the guy in a while. I would hold off on ordering from him.

[Jay Dee]

Antec - Take 3 + 650

[Matt Hepworth]

Originally Posted by Jay Dee

Antec - Take 3 + 650

Yup, that's the one I was referring to.

[stag]

Originally Posted by ekwipt

Corsair Obsidian Series 800D

Welcome to Corsair :: Obsidian Series 800D Product Information

This one got to be cool. It seems it has the PSU mounted facing the floor, under the disks.
This kind of design can make the cheapest chassis virtually noise free.

Meanwhile check these ones.
PaQ Limited - Case/PSU/cooler/rackmounts bundle (Powered by CubeCart)

[JeffE]

Several Lian-Li cases, including mine (V1010) also have the power supply mounted in the bottom.

[7161]

i would say that with everyone switching to chises manufacturing you'd be better off getting an old case cos they were built properly

my last pricey Antec case was a pile of crap even tho it offered great drive space and non-screw fixings all round - it had feet falling off & a dud power switch after a few weeks only, really crappy build quality, paper-thin metal sheet. not like the old ones. I've got one old server tower case for example and you could literaly drive a 4x4 over it and it would just shrug it off

pc parts have gone right down the shitter in the last 2 years, partly why i went mac. Got fed up with buying duff parts all the time

[kingchong]

Originally Posted by Jay Dee

Antec - Take 3 + 650

I have a Take 4 and love it.
The only problem is it's REALLYHEAVY!!
I had a hard time putting it in my rack by myself lol

I like it, I can barely hear the pc running in my room, just a little fan noise. If I would buy a fanless vid card, I'm sure that would solve that.

[kaze]

y'all got me wanting to buy a new case... i'll probably pick one up tomorrow... this is going to be a long weekend.

but honestly would you guys say with a decent case it's possible to get a professional sounding recording going if the case is in the same room as the mic at 3.5 meters apart?

[kingchong]

Originally Posted by kaze

y'all got me wanting to buy a new case... i'll probably pick one up tomorrow... this is going to be a long weekend.

but honestly would you guys say with a decent case it's possible to get a professional sounding recording going if the case is in the same room as the mic at 3.5 meters apart?

Well, I finally treated my room, and its pretty dead.
I'm not sure about meters, but my small studio is only approx 12x12 ft and I would estimate that my pc is about 6-8 ft from my mic, and I had my first vocal session last weekend, and didn't have any problems at all.

I was very impressed with the room treatment and not being able to hear my pc fans in the background!
The vocals seemed to fit nicely in the mix with no drastic eq or anything, which prolly had a lot to do with the room treatment but I didnt have to try to eq out the fans which was a huge time saver.

I'll know more by next weekend after my dad comes out to record some acoustic guitar.

[urbangermany]

what is a good silent big tower? the p183 is a little too small

[kaze]

kingchong, cool. so i guess it is possible.

urbanwannabe, i think the p193 is the exact same as the p183 except the p193 comes with an extra fan and is a little bigger, about big tower size i'd say. the antec 1200 is pretty roomy as well and accounts for a big tower, although i think it isn't that high, just really deep and wide as hell. but i'm not sure it kills off as much sound as the p183/p193. i'm not 100% on that though, maybe somebody else can give some insight.

[urbangermany]

nobody answered!
when i look up p193 it says it's mid tower. but i want a big tower!

[kaze]

you do know that a big tower is about 30 inches in height right? since you're in germany, i presume... that would be about 75/76 cm. have you ever seen a tower that big?

well eventhough the p193 is only 65 cm tall, it's 73 deep... which is a bit deeper than any big tower i've ever seen...

[Phiktion]

Originally Posted by Jay Dee

Antec - Take 3 + 650

I've got the Antec Take 4 Case. I think I paid about 260.00 for it at the time with a400 watt PS. I like that it's rack mountable, and the pull-out hard drive bays. The fact that its so huge makes for an easy build, and keeps everything cool. I'm not too thrilled about the build quality, the front door broke off its hinge like 3 days into it. The screws strip like they were made of led... Also, this thing weighs like 60 pounds with everything in it. It's a pain to put it in, and pull it out of the rack! There is nothing quiet about this case at all, the whole front end is slotted for ventilation. Funny that they market this series as "quiet". My suggestion for anyone looking at rack-mountable cases is to get a cheepo server case, and spend the extra dough on quiet fans and PSU's. My last case was a Sonata and although I'd recommend it, I wouldn't call it quiet right outta the box. With a silent Power supply and some new fans, I bet it would be great.

[Yoozer]

I've got a P182 and love it.

However, you'll be a lot happier if you invest in a dual-head graphics card with completely passive cooling. I've got a GeForce 8600 GT which is perfectly fine for desktop use.

Graphics cards have horribly small fans, which means high RPM, which means a lot of noise.

[MikeyMike]

Originally Posted by urbangermany

what is a good silent big tower? the p183 is a little too small

A little too small, LOL, what are you trying to build, a nuclear bomb?

[MontyW]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend me a mini tower chassis as I don't have room for a full tower.

Thanks,

Monty