Looking for a well built case

[roaming_builder]

I am looking for a new case to house my computer. I currently have a:

antec case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129140)

IT isn't exactly the same but gray with a side window. I bought this first a long time b4 I bought my components and literally bought the first one I saw at my local best-buy...

now i realize that i should have looked a bit more b4 i chose my case. I was disappointed at how flimsy and cheap it felt. So the quest begins to look for a new computer case. My problem is that I have no idea what to look for =)

I see alot of lian lai cases that have good reviews, but are they really worth as much as they cost? LIke this one:

Lian Li Classical Silent PC-767 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112083)

I just wonder if it is worth that much money.... It doesnt have to be lian Li, but if anyone has other cases to mention, feel free. Something with decent airflow that is built well with an intelligent design that is cable management friendly as i am a mess =)

thanks,

-Roaming_builder

[juppy]

Generally, Antec cases are one of the better brands, as far as being made out of steel instead of plastic as well as coming with a good quality power supply. Most of the cases by Lian Li that I've seen have been made out of aluminum, not steel, which would explain why they're so high priced. I've never used one but I have heard they're good.....albeit too expensive for most people's pocketbooks. I've used two different Antec cases in builds and neither one is what I would call flimsy. I don't know about that particular model you linked to, but the ones I've used have been quite sturdy (if you want to feel flimsy, go feel a plastic case). It seems like alot of people like to use cases by Aspire (now they seem to be called Apevia on Newegg....dunno why??) but the problem with those is the power supply that comes with the case isn't that good of quality (unless of course they changed power supplies when changing their name.....dunno that either :D ). Most of their cases have lights and a side window on them, but I've heard if you put a decent power supply in them, they're pretty good quality cases as well. Me personally though, I'll stick with Antec.

[roaming_builder]

oh, when i said flimsy, I was referring to the plastic door, basically the whole front part of it, the steel case itself is sturdy, but when I open the door, as I must to turn on the comp, i feellike I am gonna snap it off.

I wasnt referring to antec as a bad brand, I meant that i did not like this particular case. I would be open to another antec case that you might have experience with

thanks for the reply,
Roaming_builder

[Hi Ho]

I have a CoolerMaster case and I am impressed with it. My case is steel with a solid aluminum front and it is very sturdy. HERE (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/342397658/1342446839038316632WZJyoc) is a picture. They also make all aluminum cases.

Lian-Li cases are very high quality, made of thick aluminum. They leave out no details. They eliminate all sharp edges so it's impossible to cut your hands while working inside (a common problem in cheap cases). They are expensive though, that's for sure.

[Chris_Rootes_Wizard]

Okay, third time in writing this!!!!!!!!! GRRR

Right,

You only have one fan, not very good airflow there, unless yours has more.

No PSU; Better to get a cheaper case, and no PSU, just so you can chose yours, and be sure. You can never miss out on the PSU. A failed PSU can ruin nearly your entire system.

Heres what to look for:

Steel/Aluminum, No plastic, or any reviews that say its flymisy.

2/3 Fans More the better, bigger the better

Front: Sucking In
Middle; Sucking In
Back;Exhaust (Sucking out)

Front -to- back

Bottom; Sucking In
Middle; Sucking In
Top; Exhaust (Sucking Out)

Bottom -to- top

Thats basic setup, good airflow there. They probably wont say which is sucking in etc,but set up something like that, they probably are, if not, you can change them your self by turning them around, if there wrong.

Optional, Window (you can put light etc inside :) ) Front Cover (opens to get to drives) Sensor, anything elce. Thats maily for show off tho. o_0

Thats about it.

[lostplanet]

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=61050#

older pic,
http://tuning-pc.com/boitier-1000-plusview-pi-784.html?image=0

also known as AMG plusview and plusview 2, SX1040BII, PLUS1080AMG, the more modern version comes with a single 120mm fan as opposed to 2X 80 mm's.they come in Midi tower and Full tower versions.

I've had 4 of these cases so far and i am very pleased with the quality and price.
Cheiftec used the same case design for there dragon series a while back and i think that some alienware cases were very similar design, if not the same.
http://www.chieftec.com/products/Workcolor/Dragon.htm

the only problem ive had is the USB PCB at the front of the case can push back to far from its fixing so i superglued it in place and havent had a problem since.
these are big cases, so check the room you've got, and you wouldnt want to take it to a lanparty :)
pic:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y252/lostplanet/100_0143.jpg

[glc]

If you want a STURDY case, you can't beat an Enlight. However, they are very plain looking and the included PSU is not suitable for a mid to high end build. They are so inexpensive that this is no big deal - and some can even be ordered with no PSU.

[Cricket]

How much are you willing to spend on the new case?

Lian Li would be a good choice as it is very high quality and very solid...but you will have to decide if you're willing to pay the price for a premium case like that. Good quality does come at a price. But then everyone I know who owns a Lian Li never regretted buying it.

:) Cricket

[Floppyman]

If you want a STURDY case, you can't beat an Enlight. However, they are very plain looking and the included PSU is not suitable for a mid to high end build. They are so inexpensive that this is no big deal - and some can even be ordered with no PSU.

Amazing how times change :). Back in the day my P4 3.2GHz machine would have been considered mid to highend. It's still housed inside a four year old Enlight 7250 with 360W PSU that's worked out great.

[roaming_builder]

I appreciate all the comments and I will look into those reccomendations. Budget doesnt matter, I will pay for the quality that I get. Prolly $300 max, but that should buy most of those that I have seen. will pqay more for something if I like it that much. I just dont want to pay 250 bucks for something I wont like, but it looks like i hear consistently good reviews on those lian lai cases, so maybe I should look at more of those.

[Mr.Ferrari]

I sold my thermaltake, got a lian-li and never looked back :D.

[Cricket]

If $300 is the most you'd spend on a case (that's about $225 more than I'm willing to spend on a case) then most Lian-Li cases are well within that budget.

:) Cricket

[jfk]

Lian Li. FANTASTIC quality and WELL within your budget.

[roaming_builder]

I found a pretty cool case here:

Lian Li PC-60BPLUSII (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112116)

this might be the one that I order, I like the price, the look, and the side window to show off all my components. I was considering getting without one, but I got all the lighted stuff, might as well show it off i guess.

-Roaming_Builder

[juppy]

That's a pretty sweet-looking case. I like those extra cooling fans and ducts they put in it. And that price isn't too bad either, compared with that other one that was like $225 or so (I bout fell outta my chair on that one :D ). This one looks good though.