HTPC Cases

[martinturner]

A couple of thoughts ...

Trying to get an idea what are the most popular HTPC cases?
I though't I'd ask in here as for me this is more related to my Video/Audio setup. I currently have an Antec NSK http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-092-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=160 although am wanting to upgrade to something more professional looking. I quite like the look of the Antec Fusion, although am not sure about the 2 HDD limitations? I have two in mine now and am nearing capacity. Are external drives the way forward?

Do you use a media center more like a dumb terminal to a hidden server/NAS device?

Are there any all in one solutions that are really recommended?

Kind of at a crossroads and would like some suggestions.

 

[antc]

I have a Silverstone LC17 media centre case arriving tomorrow. Have a look on the silverstone website, the quality of the cases is awesome and they arent that expensive unless you go for the one with the built in lcd screen on the front

 

[V4NT0M]

I would say it depends where you're putting it, if you need a small compact case then silverstone do some nice cases...

Cant really comment on how I use my 'HTPC' because it's rather unusual.

 

[james.miller]

I have a Silverstone LC17 media centre case arriving tomorrow. Have a look on the silverstone website, the quality of the cases is awesome and they arent that expensive unless you go for the one with the built in lcd screen on the front

 

[cokecan]

I've got an OrigenAE H7 in black

http://www.origenae.com/en/htpc_h7.htm

I wanted one that was very minimilstic and also didnt have any tacky plastic flap hiding USB's etc. it's all brushed aluminium, right down to the drive bay bezels and eject buttons

 

[Mr Latte]

Yes ive got two silverstone cases, they are indeed good quality, nice range and not over expensive.

 

[Butters]

IMO the silverstone cases compared to the Fusion V2 look ghastly. And yes, some say the VFD is a gimmick but I think its an awesome addition to an otherwise stunning case.

I have 2x500GB drives and an external SATA 250GB drive at the mo. The other benefit, using C2D the machine is so quiet you really do have to get down low to hear it and thats with one of the exhaust fans running on 'slow' speed.

 

[james.miller]

lol sure they do. this: http://www.links.co.jp/html/press2/image/fusion-b08.jpg

or mine up there ^^^. glad you like the vfd though. i have one in a imon ultrabay. its crap

I have 2x500GB drives and an external SATA 250GB drive at the mo. The other benefit, using C2D the machine is so quiet you really do have to get down low to hear it and thats with one of the exhaust fans running on 'slow' speed.

thats not a benefit of your antec lol. i bet my silverstone is just as quiet, except i have an 8800gtx in mine as well. 2 optical drives. 3ghz c2d ect. with a fusion, you're limited to atx and 1 optical drive. without a long graphics card like the gtx, you can get 6 hard drives in a silverstone. as well as two optical drives.and full atx, of course

 

[Butters]

True, but its massive and kind of defeats the point of being AV style I think.

 

[nikebee]

Same here, but I've got the silver version (since OcUK decided to ship the wrong colour ). But it looked so nice I kept the silver anyway.

I love my media centre, I really couldn't live without it.

I've got Vista Premium on it, running Media Centre constantly and set to autostart.

I've got all my music on there, record all my tv on there. I store a few DVDs on there as well.

I've got the Windows Media Centre remote; and use the XP Media Centre keyboard for when I need to browse the net etc...

Another bonus is that with a normal Freeview box - I pick up nothing, with the Media Centre and TV card I get Freeview

 

[Mr Latte]

james lets see a photo of it sitting with the Onkyo, should be a well looking setup.

Guys my sig (outgoing system) only ever had a 120mm cpu fan, i used ZERO intake fans. The only other fan was the PSU. Never repeat never had heat issues, then again im not running loads of internal hard-drives or a high end graphics solution.

 

[james.miller]

i got one but its not a very good picture. i got the pc out of the unit atm because ive just replaced the motherboard, but here it is anyway

let me see if i can find a better one.....

 

[Mr Latte]

Like it.....

Just had my new pc gear delivered to the shop!

 

[afraser2k]

Does no-one have the slimline HTPC cases? The ones above I doubt would fit in the shelves in my stand (cheap IKEA stuff) and I'm looking to replace my Shuttle with a desktop-style case.

 

[Bigpops]

I have a Lian Li PC-C35B. It's stunning, and a nice size. http://www.lian-li.com/product/product05.php?pr_index=80&cl_index=1&sc_index=1&ss_index=34

The major drawback with this case is you can't use any PCI cards, so i'm running onboard graphics through HDMI.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Does no-one have the slimline HTPC cases? The ones above I doubt would fit in the shelves in my stand (cheap IKEA stuff) and I'm looking to replace my Shuttle with a desktop-style case.

Silverstone do a full range of slimline HTPC cases in ATX, Micro-ATX, Micro-BTX, Mini-ITX and Nano-ITX. I've not seen any of them, but if the build is as good as my GD01 then I'd be very happy with anything from them.

My case is very basic, but that's because it's used as a desktop rather then an HTPC.

 

[Tony Williams]

Silverstone are very nice cases, TT did some nice ones.

It's down to what you want to do with the HTPC, if it's being used to host huge movie files then a slim one isn't going to cut it you'll need a bulky one that can store plenty of hdd's.

Also sound is important, some people hate hearing fans whirling inside of thier case while watching a movie, however they can be easily fixed/replaced.

If it's being hidden somewhere you could get a big ugly one and hide it. I wouldn't buy a huge bulky case if you host movies on a server or play from a removable disc.