New case? Maybe a PC-A71.

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How can I justify buying a new case, I mean it's just a box isn't it? I have a Wolfdale based system which does everything I ask of it and as far as newer tech goes I don't see any reason to upgrade anything else just yet.
 
I mean it's just a box isn't it?
Don't go to read SilentPCReview's case faq... "What's in a case? Components, heat, and noise."

Case is component which can be changed separately from "entrails"... but also can be retained over many changes of entrails unless it's running out of space or has other problem. (fashion isn't valid reason or even excuse)

So is your current case too small to hold components like maybe additional HDDs (conflicts with long graphics cards common) or cramped to work inside?
Or is it maybe leaking too much noise?
Those would be valid reasons.
 
My current case has vents and side fan which let dust in and noise out, the cable management is non-existent and the lack of a door doesn't stop little fingers. The reason I find PC-A71 attractive is aesthetic, but also because it has a lockable door, looks easy to work inside, has no useless vents, is potentially quieter and has the potential for decent cable management (with a little light modding).
 
My current case has vents and side fan which let dust in and noise out, the cable management is non-existent and the lack of a door doesn't stop little fingers. The reason I find PC-A71 attractive is aesthetic, but also because it has a lockable door, looks easy to work inside, has no useless vents, is potentially quieter and has the potential for decent cable management (with a little light modding).

this is the case i'm getting, it's main attraction to me is its huge interior volume/ quality...... i'm going to mod mine and basically gut the interior to improve cooling even more.

i dont want anything blocking the air flow from intake to exhaust.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2215847450105369285kvFGIb

the SATA hard disc will go in the cage above with a cooler underneath ( hidden from view) and the HDD cages that were blocking the intake fans totally removed, i therefore dont need the extra 2 front intake fans.

the cabling from the PSU will run through the ducting on the rear face, so the case should be relatively empty inside, plus i'm removing the PSU cage from the rear top and all it's framework. so the air flow will be straight in and straight out.........i'm not too sure about the fan colours, either Akasa smart blue...with a clear housing or the Scythe kaze jyuni ...... but painted white.....................i'm not keen on black fans, it's too dark contrasted to the Aluminium

the Scythe will give me greater airflow, but i might not need it, especially with nothing blocking the front 2 intakes...... but i might put a Scythe on the Prolimatech CPU cooler....but the Scythe is a quid cheaper, so these are probably best ............... and sprayed white...or even gloss gray.

i want this case to be neat and tidy/ understated, but i've got a couple of ideas to sex it up a bit.

other than this, i have a slight fancy in building a wooden pc ....wood would be cheaper too.
 
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That's valid reason for changing case and not waiting until change of other components. Also that problem of little fingers is probably getting worser all the time... even if it gets limited to just eject button of optical drive instead of power/reset buttons drive's tray probably won't survive further attention.

Not much cases with everything important behind door.
Antec's P-serie is noise containing with buttons behind door but P18x is plain small and all those holes in (rather ugly) door of also smaller P193 are probably good "finger magnets" calling for trying to pull door open which is kinda counterproductive.

Depending on amount of cables already plain zip ties go long way:
http://www.hardwarelogic.com/articl...i_PC-A70B/Lian-Li_PC_A70B_Case_Built_Side.jpg

For silencing design itself is second to Antec's P-series with lack of direct noise escape paths, soft HDD mounting and good internal control of airflow. For ordinary user it's probably well quiet enough at default but if that's not enough acoustics can be improved lot by mass damping. (or combination mat with both mass damping layer and foam)
A71-kesken_s.jpg



i'm not too sure about the fan colours, either Akasa smart blue...with a clear housing
Wouldn't trust those clear bling bling Akasas to be anything else than noisy.
Current (at least since May 2008) HDD cage is less restrictive than that in Lian Li's product pics or many pics in here but if you don't need many HDDs screwdriver is enough for removing it.
 
Wouldn't trust those clear bling bling Akasas to be anything else than noisy.
Current (at least since May 2008) HDD cage is less restrictive than that in Lian Li's product pics or many pics in here but if you don't need many HDDs screwdriver is enough for removing it.

yea, maybe the standard fans are ok and i'm definitely removing the HDD trays...but i wont know for sure till i buy it

the case looks quiet though, but i'm definitely going to use rubber gaskets to dampen down any noise from fans
 
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but i'm definitely going to use rubber gaskets to dampen down any noise from fans
Not much benefit from that gasket, screws conduct vibration so rubber fan mounting pins are more useful investment...
(or bitumen mat)
 
Not much benefit from that gasket, screws conduct vibration so rubber fan mounting pins are more useful investment...
(or bitumen mat)

hi
are the standard fans powerful enough?............. because they'll probably be ok with nothing blocking them
thanks
 
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i'm a bit concerned that the A71A is a bit too big, it might look silly with hardly anything inside it, it's also a bit too expensive......but i cant find another case.

this is starting to worry me
 
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I have an PC-A70A and its a very good case, I use it as a file server as it takes 10 3.5" hdd's out of the box.
 
Just a couple of things I could do with knowing:-

1.) Do you have to use L shape SATA connectors or is there enough room for the straight type?

2.) On my mobo the SATA connectors are at the bottom, so would a 60cm SATA cable be okay for connecting an optical drive which is situated in the top bay, or would it be safer getting a 100cm cable?
 
Just a couple of things I could do with knowing:-

1.) Do you have to use L shape SATA connectors or is there enough room for the straight type?


2.) On my mobo the SATA connectors are at the bottom, so would a 60cm SATA cable be okay for connecting an optical drive which is situated in the top bay, or would it be safer getting a 100cm cable?

1, Straight SATA cables will be fine.

2, You will need a longer SATA cable to reach the top of the 5.25" bays, although if the sata ports are on the bottom facing the drive bays you may just about get away with it.
 
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