I know I've asked for a lot of advice here. There seem to be a lot of Lian-Li fans around and while I respect their views, I've got to say I can't find a decent looking case that OC has stock of.
The Lian-Li PC-V1000 looks a nice case, but I can't help feeling it would be a dust magnet. Not only that, but the perforated design makes it look a bit like a cheap set of Ikea drawers. (I'm gonna be flamed on that, I know it!). It's also overpriced. For that kind of money, things like a removable motherboard tray should be a given!
The Eclipse also gets good reviews, but again I've got to be frank, looks like a brick of charcoal. That thing is UGLY and has a wide backside. Great installation layout though. But again, I feel a bit like it looks like a 70's hi-fi.
I've been really tempted for a watercooling rig, and with OCUK having no stock of the Swiftechs (and no ETA as their French supplier is playing up) - that's out of the question.
Which brings me to the last case. The Thermaltake Tai-Chi 5001SNA.
I know there's a huge thermaltack hating crowd here, but every review I've found on this case is singing it's praises. Everyone who slags it off here doesn't seem to have owned one, and everyone defending it seems to have one or know someone that does.
Comments like it is worse than a Scythe Ninja aircooler? Well reviews
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermaltake-taichi.html
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Tt_Tai-Chi/index.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/TaiChi/
they all seem to be awarding it "Editors choice" etc.
For the price, (£184), I really can't find a better case/cooling combination.
I'd be happy to stand corrected, but if I'm not, I'll be ordering one at lunchtime.
The Lian-Li PC-V1000 looks a nice case, but I can't help feeling it would be a dust magnet. Not only that, but the perforated design makes it look a bit like a cheap set of Ikea drawers. (I'm gonna be flamed on that, I know it!). It's also overpriced. For that kind of money, things like a removable motherboard tray should be a given!
The Eclipse also gets good reviews, but again I've got to be frank, looks like a brick of charcoal. That thing is UGLY and has a wide backside. Great installation layout though. But again, I feel a bit like it looks like a 70's hi-fi.
I've been really tempted for a watercooling rig, and with OCUK having no stock of the Swiftechs (and no ETA as their French supplier is playing up) - that's out of the question.
Which brings me to the last case. The Thermaltake Tai-Chi 5001SNA.
I know there's a huge thermaltack hating crowd here, but every review I've found on this case is singing it's praises. Everyone who slags it off here doesn't seem to have owned one, and everyone defending it seems to have one or know someone that does.
Comments like it is worse than a Scythe Ninja aircooler? Well reviews
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermaltake-taichi.html
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Tt_Tai-Chi/index.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/TaiChi/
they all seem to be awarding it "Editors choice" etc.
For the price, (£184), I really can't find a better case/cooling combination.
I'd be happy to stand corrected, but if I'm not, I'll be ordering one at lunchtime.
(so id personally never buy a pre-made kit). The thermaltake cooling would be as good as top end air cooling, and if you need to buy from OCUK and you need to buy now, then id get a nice case with top end aircooling. Either that or wait and pray for the Swiffy kits to get back in stock.
)... LiLi PC-7 is still a low priced favourite of mine ... OR ditch WC altogether and settle for class and elegence with a OrigenAE case.