Big quiet case recommendation

[rpstewart]

OK, I'm thinking about an upgrade to the PC and I'm looking for some thoughts on the case front. The priorities are:

Space - looking at a big RAID 5 array for photos etc, need space for 8 HDDs
Quiet - it'll be sat in the lounge and likely on 24/7
Looks - see above, must have a door.
Cooling - not vital but with 8HDDs & a 4400+ X2 it needs thinking about.

Currently the PC is in a CM 110 which looks great but it's limited to 80mm fans and is getting a bit toasty at the moment with only 4 HDDs and a 3Ghz P4. There's enough space in that case to fit what I want but cooling/noise is going to be an issue.

I'm looking at four possible replacements

Antec P180 - space OK, cooling OK, noise OK, dodgy build quality and PSU compatability.

Lian Li V1100 - looks good, possibly a bit tight on space for HDDs, good build quality

Lian Li V2100 - good looks, enough space for a small Albanian family, good build quality but hooge - current favourite

CM Stacker 830 - plenty space but unsure of looks.


So, any other recommendations? Any other bad points for the V2100?

Oh, what's the going rate for a second hand virtually mint CM110 with a window panel?

 

[Noni]

ATC 110- Theres one thats mint thats going for £125 inc delivery. But I would pay around £60-70 for one (not mint) but thats just me.

OMG I HATE DOORS! lol, I would go for the P180 or the V1100.

P180- Bad build qaulity, but great cooling and quiet.

V1100- Great build quality, but worse cooling and not as silent (needs quieter fans).

 

[Yewen]

Speak to me on email about the case please; email in trust.

I would not consider the stacker due to the build quality being dire at the moment.

v2100 downsides, hmm, the size is about the only main one as it ticks all the boxes you want.

You should pack the hard drive cages with a wad of paper / rubber if your going to max them out with drives to prevent vibration.

About the only problem you will encounter with it.

Obviously you need low noise GPU and CPU gear.

 

[rpstewart]

Obviously you need low noise GPU and CPU gear.

Thanks for the advice - it's looking ever more like a V2100. Size isn't that much of an issue - a pair of 2405Ws tends to draw the eye away from anything else

CPU I think should be OK - looking at a Ninja, Big Tornado, SI-120 or the like, probably the Ninja so that it lines up with the back exhaust.

You got any recommendations for a quiet GPU? Needs to be ATI so that I can still run my extra PCI card for the third output I need.

 

[Yewen]

Well all stock make a racket but I use a VF700 on my 7800gt and its good, have a VF900 on my desk but have not got round to swapping them, but is meant to be good.



The CPU and the GPU, sometimes the northbridge aswell, will make the most noise in a case, it is well worth investing in a aftermarket GPU cooler or getting a passive GPU in the first place.