What makes a good case?

[pstj]

Apart from the power supply, what makes a good case? If I already have the psu, do I need to buy an expensive case, or $30 case would do? A case is a case after all...

Thanks!

pstj

[HAL9000]

-Good heavy guage metal
-Welded construction
-Rolled edges
-Removable side panels instead of a one piece cover (my personal preference)
-Slide out tray for the motherboard (my personal preference)
-An Intake fan and extra exhuast fan (my personal preference)

At least these are the things I look for.

Since you are in Alberta, maybe check out the Yeong Yang cases available at Peripheral Express in Calgary. This is the one that I use.

[LawyerRon]

My opinion is if you have a good Power Supply, any POS case will get the job done. You could even mount the parts on a piece of plywood if you wanted to. don't laugh, I've seen it done.

On the other hand, some of the better cases (Enlight, Antec, etc) have some really nice features that you'll come to appreciate like slide-in drive bays, smooth edges for no cuts on your hands, extra fans, tool-less panels, panels that fit really nicely together without having to bend the sh** out of them and so on.

But the short answer to your question is "yes", anything will work as long as you have a good power supply since, after all, the power supply runs the show.

[pstj]

Thanks!

pstj

[buildingit]

I am wondering if steel cases are better for electromagnetic sheilding than aluminum cases??- say if I end up putting my computer in with my stereo equipment somewhere down the line.

I have my eye on a beauty of a case: the Antec 1030B. It has a side door with handle and is entirely screwless access! Quick release drive bays, snap in fans! A front door to cover all the drive bays- so I can buy beige drives. I know it's only a case, but geesh, I am almost more excited over this case than any other component!!! It's overkill for me but its black and its steel, so , if I can just somehow justify the higher price tag.....

here's a link
http://members1.chello.nl/%7Em.peters04/hcc/antec.html

[morriswindgate]

All electronics devices sold in the USA are required to be built to an electrical interferance limits. This means that if you have two devices say withing a couple of feet of each other they should not bother with each other.
A computer case is not really an electro-magnetice or RF shield as it takes more than just a metal box to shield this stuff. However all the cards and power supplys (another reason to use a top notched one) do have to meet the FCC restrictions on interferance.

[WJWheels]

I'll vote for the Antec.. my 'server' is in a 1040SX B (black) and I built my wife's computer in an 830SX. They're wonderful cases and actually FUN to work with. I bought mine at www.provantage.com on a special sale they had a while back.

[buildingit]

Wow! It's 77 $US at that web site! It's $165 Canadian here! That's sure more than an exchange rate difference!

That's why I like this case so much (ak! not the price, I mean). I don't want to have to groan and delay about opening up my case- which is what I do now- for weeks on end. Now, if I can just get the thing on wheels!

& thanx Morris- I had no idea that I don't need to worry about sheilding....

[Cricket]

Ever since they hit the market back around autumn 2000, the Antec SX Performance Series cases have been very popular with the computer crowd. They were well built, had nice features, had excellent cooling and of course had those great Antec power supplies. When I was doing my pre-build homework for my PIII 1GHz system back in December 2000, pretty much all I could find were case reviews for the Antec SX830 and SX1030. Prior to the Antec cases, the top choices for serious systems were the Chenbro Genie, Lite-On FS020, Supermicro 750A, Addtronics 6896 and the AOpen HX08. These were all server cases adopted by overclockers for home use. They were great cases and any hobbyist (including myself) would love to own one (I wanted the Lite-On FS020). The drawback was they were very expensive and sometimes hard to locate.

When the Antec SX Performance Series appeared, they quickly became a favorite of reviewers and hobbyists alike. A big plus was they cost much less than the previous favorites (the average price tag for those was around $160).

I bought my SX830 last February and told my friends how much I liked it. Several of them quickly bought either the SX830 or the SX1030 to replace their current cases and I ended up with some of their old mid-tower cases (I love free stuff).

I'm certain you'll be very happy with that SX1030B, it's a great case.

Cricket

[Steegs]

well hmm.... i was looking for that antec 1030B case and found one just like it without the PS for 58$ unshipped at http://www.ocsystem.com/en10baytowca.html. is the only difference the ps? any difference in quality?

-steegs

[morriswindgate]

You ought to take a look at the Skyhawk cases at the link below. I am not kidding when I tell people that these people sell some of the best cases that I have seen for the price. Lots of features and the Skyhawk Power Supplys are approved. Very heavy materials, lots of room. Just don't buy any of the ones with the Deer Power Supplys unless you plan on changing them. (These are the two color cases and are marked as having Deers)
I have bought about 7 cases from them now, including an all aluminum as seen in the thread link below.(has Pictures)

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?threadid=27574

http://electroseller.com/Merchant2/m...=electroseller

[buildingit]

I checked Steegs link but it routes me to the index page. Anyway, I see no case for $58. I see one similar to the SX1030 but its $129 (perhaps it knows my ip address is from Canada, hehe)

Anyway, the site's marketing stuff brings up a good point?.....it says..

"Lower the System Internal Temperature

The Aluminum Alloy, which acts as a big heat sink, can conduct heat much faster than the steel. It keeps the system internal temperature 15-30 ºF lower than the traditional steel chassis. See the test report.."


I looked up the thermal conductivity of aluminum and steel in a handbook I have:
Aluminum: 130 BTU/(h.ft^^2.F.ft)
Steel: 26.2 BTU/(h.ft^^2.F.ft)

????????????????????
Wow, so the aluminum is 5 times more conductive.....
I wonder, should this be a consideration for me???


It also says...

"Nonmagnetic
Protecting electrical equipment from magnetic interference. "

I wonder??????????????

[WJWheels]

Here's some reviews on the SX1030 that are quite interesting. I don't know if you've gone through them or not. Some of them speak to the excellent cooling of this case. I think one (if I remember right) makes an interesting comparison to the Inwin Q500 full tower (which I have my primary system in). You can't go to wrong with the case Alienware and several others have built their businesses on.

[Steegs]

sorry about the link. search for "Enermax FS-710B Chieftec DX-01BD (Black) 10bay Tower Case" and it has it listed on the top for 98$ with a 350w PSU, but go down 3 from the top and its there for 58$ without a PSU.

-steegs

[buildingit]

Thanx for the feedback, I think I WILL go with the SX1030. I'm already spending so much, what's a few more bucks.... Also, my guess is that a case like this just can't be constructed in aluminum anyway, what with all the doors etc. I just wish it had a front USB- I don't own a digital camera or an MP3 player yet, but when I do, I wonder if it will get on my nerves that there is no front USB...

That Enermax looks to me to be the same- it even comes with 3 fans instead of the 2 that comes with the SX1030. I'll stick with the SX1030 though, since it's all that's available locally it's less of a risk

Thanks again!

[morriswindgate]

buildingit:
Before you order that one take a look at the Aluminum Case at the link below (Black, With Drive Bay door, Two internal fans, one internal ducted exhaust, PCI/AGP Card Holddowns, and NO POWER SUPPLY) and then for the front USB and other connections check out the 2nd link.
Again the case is a Skyhawk and is really excellant construction and finish.

http://www.electroseller.com/Merchan...egory_Code=017

http://www.directron.com/ace112d.html

[buildingit]

Thanx Morris! That front panel adaptor solves all- had no idea they existed, hehe. Can't say I'll get the case- like the look of the SX better and don't think this'll end up being cheaper, what with exchange rate, duty, shipping, power supply etc, but thanx! Maybe that's also another reason for steel.. they get the black color by some kind of chemical process rather than painting. Anyway, am not worried about heat anymore and I like the way the SX comes with PS and reputation (I am a tentative, cautious hardware newbie, after all!)

So! Another decision, methinks, SX1030 & front I/o panel adaptor.

Thanx again Morris

[morriswindgate]

Got it backwards, buildingit, Aluminum is normally anodized to get the color whereas steel is normally painted, althought both can be color coated (Powder coated then baked)

[jdport]

I'm a semi-power user and try to use nothing but the best. My choice of case came down to the PC Power and Cooling full tower solid steel chrome case with casters (it's heavy!). At $500 it isn't cheap but I'll never need to buy another case. And of course I had to get their 400 watt power supply, also not cheap, and several of their very fine fans to keep everything cool. With this setup I can throw any motherboard and PCU at it without fear of hiccups. It has dual power switches for dual power supplies. I use the second one as a reset since I'm running Windows XP. When I get more adept with Linux I'll trash the Windows and do things right. And of course It's an all Ultra 160 SCSI setup with a 30 gig Cheetah hard drive, Creative Labs Platinum sound card and Klipsch 4.1 speakers. Other tricks but I don't want to bore you folks more than I already have.

[buildingit]

Ah, Morris , you got me going, hehe. I just tried to find the finish on the SX1030- but couldn't find it- black paint or powder coated. Looks like stereo equipment-come to think of it, don't know how that's done either- looked but couldn't find it either. Did notice that its more charcoal grey than black though. The other, at electroseller.com said "BLACK ANODIZED PAINTED ALUMINUM" & I thought paint. Looks kindof glossy.. Also say front panel is black painted ABS plastic..Anyway, haha, I'm splitting hairs (quite the education though)


And castors, I wonder could I replace the feet with castors?.. looks like I could!

(gonna try to paste a pic

Thanx Again

ps jdport that case is a beaut!

[jdport]

My choice of CDRW is the Plextor 24x. I just wish they had a SCSI version of that drive. And now they have one even faster. I've been using Plextors for years with great satisfaction. I use an LS120 for an A drive. The only thing plain jane on my system is my 16x DVD. I'll upgrade to a DVD writer at some point. And I HIGHLY recommend the Logitech line of cordless mice. Very cool.

[WJWheels]

That sounds like some kind of system pal... we want inside and out pictures, please!!

[jdport]

Here's a pic of my system. The keen observer will note that the Plextor in the pic is not the 24X but the 12X. I have the 24X currently on my slower but internet connected system. And I haven't installed the casters yet. And why the cheesy computer cart setup? Again, my slower internet connected system is in my giant computer hutch setup. And yes, that's a flat panel display. And the rig sitting between the computer and desk is my Canon scanner, designed to sit as pictured or flat on a desk. I liked the space saving feature.

[jdport]

Here's a closer pic of the PC Power and Cooling rig. And in the previous pic I forgot to mention the type of printer. It's an HP Photosmart 1215. I took these pics with my Canon D30 camera and then shrunk them to the sizes you see. If you want the full blown pics I'll have to e-mail them to you because of the size restrictions here.

[WJWheels]

I'm impressed.. *** wants to scan faster than 12x anyway? Pics are great. The best way to get bigger (if needed) is to upload to a webpage and then link to... such as my picture HERE.

[jdport]

WJWheels, no refrigerator? Looks like you have everything else you need. Great setup! I could spend many happy hours in there.

[morriswindgate]

Took me a while to get back to you. Aluminum is anodized to get a color and surface that will hold paint. What they do is black anodize it and then the paint is a clear gloss coat to protect the anodize.

[buildingit]

Thanx Morris! Also thank you Cricket & WJwheels and jdport and everyone else!

Am definitely gonna go with the SX1030.

[paganboy]

Originally posted by buildingit I have my eye on a beauty of a case: the Antec 1030B. It has a side door with handle and is entirely screwless access! Quick release drive bays, snap in fans! A front door to cover all the drive bays- so I can buy beige drives. I know it's only a case, but geesh, I am almost more excited over this case than any other component!!! It's overkill for me but its black and its steel, so , if I can just somehow justify the higher price tag.....

I know!!! I bought my 1240SX, which is a nice case itself, and discovered the 1030 afterwards. Grrrrr..... What I wouldn't do for wheels and quick release drive bays right now. Ah well. I know what case I'll putting my next build in