How important is the case?

[The Constant Juggler]

I'm building my first PC, and I'm looking for a case. I really wanted to be spending my money on the insides of the PC, not the box, and I was a little surprised to see the range of prices on cases. How important is it to buy a better case? Obviously the case needs to stay cool, but how much will a high-end case help with that over a cheap one?

[EzyStvy]

The primary purpose of the case is to house the parts

All cases allow air to flow..Some do a better job then others. Most only need one intake and one outtake..

The number of cd/dvd drives that you have is something to consider.

Some cases are a little more "flimsy" then others...But if the case is going to sit n stay under a desk - being real sturdy isn't too much of an issue.

Then you get into "Comsmetics." That's were alot of the money goes. Can't say that I've ever had the need for the coolest looking case in town when I'm just about the only person to see it and it sits under my desk out of view

[The Constant Juggler]

Oh! It holds the parts?? ;P

I figured that was the answer, and that if I installed decent fans then I'd be all right. I guess it's a good idea to have an intake fan, but the exhaust fan would be the most important, correct?

I'm also not at all fussed about looks - in fact, I want the thing to be as inconspicuous as possible :P. To that end I was going to start looking around for a second-hand case from an old computer, if I could be certain that I wouldn't compromise the computer's performance or durability.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by The Constant Juggler Oh! It holds the parts?? ;P I figured that was the answer, and that if I installed decent fans then I'd be all right. I guess it's a good idea to have an intake fan, but the exhaust fan would be the most important, correct? I'm also not at all fussed about looks - in fact, I want the thing to be as inconspicuous as possible :P. To that end I was going to start looking around for a second-hand case from an old computer, if I could be certain that I wouldn't compromise the computer's performance or durability.

One thing to consider is noise level, if you get a case with 80mm fans than it is going to be a little loud. The power supply is the most important part. If you are looking for simple looking design than Lian Li is a pretty good choice but they are pricey but very nice cases. Foxconn makes some nice cases at a very reasonable price. I like a 120mm in front and a 120mm in rear.

[pam123]

My requirements are pretty basic :

The first requirement is that you have to be able to work in it without blood sacrifice, if it fails that test go no farther ( Blood doesn't improve performance.).

That done for a normal build any ATX mid-tower that you like should do but pay attention to any comments about the ease of working in the case.

That said "screw less" is a good thing but not indispensable and where are the fans or the mounts if you have to buy them ?

I'm not a fan of in case LEDs but a lot of guys are so if that's your thing go for it just make sure you get a psu that can power it all and know this is your chance for "case origami" .

Bottom line ?

You can work in the case easily, the psu is enough, any "bling" is easily configured.

[kilgoretrout]

I go for workability and low noise level in a case. As jdeb noted a second hand case with 80mm fans can sound like a 747 taking off; you want 120mm fans if in you're into quiet. The heavier, better quality cases tend to be more quiet. The mass of the things tend to deaden the noise and you don't have the rattling problems you can get with the cheap cases. I'm also not into bloodsports when building so I go for cases that are easy to work in.

[trulad]

Also, if the case you select has a power supply, is it a good reliable one. Don't skimp on the power supply.
trulad

[AMGrbaowska]

If you are looking for a really basic looking case with beastly cooling for cheap, check this out.
Rosewill R901-P BK Triple 120mm Cooling Fan, Mesh Design Front Panel, ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

[The Constant Juggler]

Size - I already know I want a nice big case, I found that out when working with two family computers of differing sizes :P.

Noise was something I hadn't considered, but I realise now how much I hate fan noise :P.

Probably going to find my own PSU, not be restricted by the inbuilt ones I can find. I think a 500W Antek should do it, but it does only have an 80mm fan :P.

That Rosewill case looks fantastic! Any idea if I could get one in Australia? :P I'll keep looking - thanks for all the input, guys!

[jdeb]

Really nice case ATX mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112099

[quartet-man]

I have a dream of a day when computer parts are all seen as equally important instead of being important or not.

[glc]

There are 2 cases that are my "go to" for decent (not low budget) builds.

1. Antec Sonata 3 - it comes with an excellent power supply.
2. Coolermaster RC690. Power supply is bottom mounted so you have to choose a power supply with long cables.

For high end, I'll go with Lian-Li. For low end, I'll go with Foxconn or Enlight.

[mvanwey]

Originally Posted by The Constant Juggler Oh! It holds the parts?? ;P I figured that was the answer, and that if I installed decent fans then I'd be all right. I guess it's a good idea to have an intake fan, but the exhaust fan would be the most important, correct? I'm also not at all fussed about looks - in fact, I want the thing to be as inconspicuous as possible :P. To that end I was going to start looking around for a second-hand case from an old computer, if I could be certain that I wouldn't compromise the computer's performance or durability.

I would second that opinion. Recycle!
My first build was from completely second-hand parts, recovered from the junk left behind in apartments I manage. The case was from my first PC, a 1997 Gateway G6. The only thing I bought was 2 sticks of RAM on e-bay. I'm running Ubuntu 8 and Ardour for recording guitars iin the garage. I learned how to do it on PC Mech forums.
check this out -
http://picasaweb.google.com/barstowmaintenance/Hobbies#

A warning, though. You may have some problems w/connectors. For example, power switch & LED, HD LED, USB, audio, etc...
A new case and MOBO will have a gaggle of cables (and diagrams) to hook up everything.
Second-hand case - what you see is what you get.
Have fun!

[phigdon]

Unless you absolutely need USB 2.0 on your case front recycling is always a good option. One thing you can also do is spend the money on the 'guts' of the system then in the future change it over to the case that you like the best. One thing though, get a case with 120's and not 80mm.

[David M]

I have always thought it would be fun to build a computer tree sculpture. Basically a caseless computer where the individual component are mounted on flex metal hose. The cables could be run internally in side the flex to keep things clean. Without a case you would not need a fan except for the one for the CPU.

[dabro15]

I recomend this case if you want a clean looking and inexpensive case with excellent airflow:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

It includes a 120mm exhaust and a 140mm top(also exhaust) fans. I through in two 120mm intake fans up front :P. I like it cause it doesn't attempt to resemble a space ship like other cases plus Antec is always a good choice.