Cheap case required - criteria within...

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

Caporegime
Joined
27 Sep 2004
Posts
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Location
Luton ;)
Hi guys,

Im after a cheap case (£35-£40 max. + delivery) to house a second system. Ive got a good idea of what I want, but Ive only got knowledge of the more high-end, expensive cases so hoping you guys can help me find something thats functional but nice.

Ive seen one that I think might be ok, but would love your ideas first...

Criteria:

ATX Midi Tower
4 external 5.25" bays
1-2 external 3.5" bays
4+ internal 3.5" bays - noise reduction features would be cool...
Door would be nice but not essential
Black - nothing garish like in my sig thread :p...
Cooling based on 120mm fans (dont have to be pre-installed, but a savings a saving if they are quiet) one at the front and one at the back (perhaps a side fan?!?) - filters needed to minimise dust.
Removable motherboard tray if possible
Front audio/firewire/USB 2.0 (esata would be cool but very unlikely)
Not that heavy, but can understand if its totally made of steel...

Ive got a 400w Antec TruePower PSU - its not ATX 2.0 but should be fine to power the system (anyone disagree?!?). If you think I need a PSU can you spec me a case that has a suitable PSU with it - obviously the pricing can change accordingly...

I also want esata access - what do I need to get that working correctly? Mobo is a DFI NF4 SLI-D...

If Ive forgotten to mention anything please just ask - will be doing me a big favour...

TIA

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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Yeah, the Zen is the only case that springs to mind which should fulfill at least most of your mentionned needs within the budget you have provided.
 
Cheers for the ideas - hadnt really considered the Zen as it looked small so Ill have a look at that - the Elite 330 looks like the old Centurion 5 which again based on the old Stacker (which is my present case) - looks good...

Anyway the case I had been thinking of - a bit random really is this:

Tagan CS-188AF

which can be had for around £30-£35...

Thoughts? It was reviewed by Custom PC who quite liked it: http://www.custompc.co.uk/reviews/129281/a-cs-188af.html

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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The Zen is a nice case, built a rig in one today. No real complaints apart from i really had to force the side panels off, its like they were superglued on
 
Im leaning more to the Zen now since it does seem more simple and a bit smaller than the other one I was looking at (I think a door will annoy me eventually) - anyone got some pics of the black one, since the stock photos dont really help...

Just want to see how good the front looks...

Also could anyone confirm what it ticks in my list and what it doesnt please :)

Thanks

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
ATX Midi Tower - YUP
4 external 5.25" bays - YUP
1-2 external 3.5" bays - YUP
4+ internal 3.5" bays - noise reduction features would be cool... - YUP to the 4 internal bays
Door would be nice but not essential - NO
Black - nothing garish like in my sig thread ... - YUP
Cooling based on 120mm fans (dont have to be pre-installed, but a savings a saving if they are quiet) one at the front and one at the back (perhaps a side fan?!?) - filters needed to minimise dust. - YUP on the fans but no filters
Removable motherboard tray if possible - NO
Front audio/firewire/USB 2.0 (esata would be cool but very unlikely) - AUDIO + 2 USB
Not that heavy, but can understand if its totally made of steel... Not that heavy

:)
 
Cheers Meatloaf you are a star - gonna see if I can pick up something from the MM at the same price - if not Ill pick up the Zen - just want to get a few pics to check out the front - sometimes plastic can look tacky (PC will be either downstairs or in my sisters room).

Not surprised regards the noise reduction features, or mobo tray though I would prefer the fan filters - might have to steal some stockings/tights again :p

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Theres a few reviews online if you google them, id link them but they have ads in them.

The plastic surround dosent look too bad to be honest, no real gripes with the case apart from i couldnt get the side panels off to begin with but now theyve been off a few times there fine. The optical drive steath can be a bit hit and miss, sometimes it opens, sometimes it dosent but that may be me not pushing the drive far enough forward. And i had a job fitting the PSU as the holes on the case for the screws didnt seem to match the holes on the PSU, got there in the end though :)
 
Coolermaster Centurion 5

Centurion5-1.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Well Ive picked up a Lian Li PC7+ off the MM for not much more - bargain :)

Thanks again though - might get a Zen if I do a third build (got the parts to :p)

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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