Is this an impossible case request?

tsmithf · 18 Apr 2019 at 15:18

I'm hoping somebody on here will provide a quick response to make me go, doh! of course!

However I am having great difficulty in finding a case that meets my fairly short requirements...

Needs to fit a Supermicro H11DSi-NT motherboard, so SSI EEB EATX

2 x 140x280mm AIO Watercoolers (Enermax LiqTech TR4 280) had to get the RGB as the v2 doesn't come without, hoping the RGB can be disabled.

Front panel IO with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C, or whatever they're calling it this week

No Tempered glass and no RGB as they're for an office.

I mistakenly tried the Fractal Design R6, only to discover the EATX support doesn't extend to SSI EEB.

I've looked at the Lian Li V3000WX, but that only comes with tempered glass, same I think for anything that can fit the motherboard in the Phanteks range.

I previously built our workstations using Lian Li V2000, nice clean looks, great build quality and fits everything, however is seems even Lian Li have succumbed to the fad of tempered glass :mad:

Is this an impossible request?

ttaskmaster · 18 Apr 2019 at 15:28

tsmithf · 18 Apr 2019 at 15:32

Thanks, although ideally not windowed or tempered glass.

Both the Fractal Design and Lian Li options have USB Type C on the front panel, unfortunately one can't fit the motherboard and the other only comes with a glass side.

ttaskmaster · 18 Apr 2019 at 15:38

d_brennen · 18 Apr 2019 at 15:42

E: doesn't meed the AIO requirement, oops

ChugNorris · 18 Apr 2019 at 16:33

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-enthoo-pro-mid-tower-case-black-ca-003-pt.html is the closest I can think of. Should fit the motherboard, closed side panel, no RGB. Compromises would have to be on the watercoolers - can only fit a 240mm at the front. Also, you would need to add a 5.25" USB3.1 Type-C drive bay like the Akasa one - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/akas...-front-bay-for-usb-2.0-3.0-3.1-hd-059-ak.html . That's about as close as you'd get. Don't think any cases come with USB3.2 yet either, 3.1 Type-C is the best so far (afaik)

tsmithf · 18 Apr 2019 at 17:52

Thanks, although it doesn't look like the Entho pro has USB C

Also being plastic I'm not convinced it will stand up to an office environment, the lian li v2000 cases have lasted years, with rebuilds and upgrades along the way, and they are still as sturdy as they day they were bought.

Other plastic cases we have bought are falling apart despite being much younger, I don't mind spending a bit on the case, they will be around for quite a while, but I would like to future proof to an extent with USB C on the front IO

EsaT · 18 Apr 2019 at 18:04

tsmithf said:
I mistakenly tried the Fractal Design R6, only to discover the EATX support doesn't extend to SSI EEB.

I previously built our workstations using Lian Li V2000, nice clean looks, great build quality and fits everything, however is seems even Lian Li have succumbed to the fad of tempered glass

Define R6 isn't E-ATX case.
Few cm more room for motherboard doesn't qualify for that.
Define XL is Fractal design's only E-ATX case.

Yeah, Lian Li has shamefully done full U-turn and gone for bling bling fashion only designs.

ChugNorris said:
Don't think any cases come with USB3.2 yet either, 3.1 Type-C is the best so far (afaik)

Actually USB3(.0) is now officially USB 3.2 because no one hasn't yet taken crowbar and smashed some sense into marketroids of USB-IF:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...-to-make-the-current-usb-branding-even-worse/

Quartz · 18 Apr 2019 at 18:26

Would an add-in USB 3 type C faceplate for the front suffice? Something like the Icy Box 873?

tsmithf · 18 Apr 2019 at 19:34

Yes it definitely would if the other criteria are met, although I could change the watercoolers for another size if that makes it feasible.

Currently installing Dual EPYC 7451 for 3D rendering, possible upgrade when the next gen versions start shipping.

tsmithf · 18 Apr 2019 at 19:47

Although looking at the Icy Box 873 it only supports 5Gbs, I guess as it only offers a type C socket it's just using 3.0/3.1? (Damn this naming confusion), therefore also probably not the ampage, particularly as it comes off a standard USB 3 header.

I will be using these...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GZTXTWX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

as the motherboard doesn't have USB C

BongoHunter · 20 Apr 2019 at 14:59

The LianLi PC-V760 might do the job

If you were willing to use a font bay (3.5 or 5.25) to provide the USB ports your after it might open up a few more options as well

The non gaming In-Win stuff might be worth a look as well: https://www.in-win.com/en/ipc-server/list/64

tsmithf · 1 May 2019 at 14:08

Checked out the PC-V760, but can't tell if the drive bays are removable to fit a front radiator, otherwise it can only fit 1 radiator in the top.

Thanks for the in-win link, not sure they look watercooling aware though.

So given the willingness to compromise on front usb-c, and or maybe going for 2 x 240mm radiators, all in a non bling, non tempered glass, well built cases, are there other options?

tsmithf · 3 May 2019 at 09:40

OK, so I think my original question has proved to be a definitive yes, these fairly meager requirements are not being met by any case manufacturer, the tempered glass fad has taken over virtually every design, ruining the options for everyone who doesn't want to go this route, shame!

I may have a potential solution, I'm not sure, but would like some advice, looking at the Be Quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 rev 2.0, it meets the watercooling and USB type C requirements, only failing on the tempered glass, however although it's glass only on rev 2, the rev 1 did come with a solid side panel as standard, and looks almost identical to the rev 2, so does anybody know if the panels from a rev 1 would fit a rev 2.

I'd be happy to buy both, swap the panels and then sell on the tempered glass rev 1, which did come with that option anyway.

BongoHunter · 3 May 2019 at 09:48

Anyone suggested this yet?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-eclipse-p600s-silent-midi-tower-case-black-ca-08v-pt.html

tsmithf · 3 May 2019 at 10:52

Thanks for the suggestion, although that states EATX, it only supports up to 280mmm, not full SSI EEB EATX, same problem I faced with the 2 Fractal Design R6's I mistakenly bought

tsmithf · 4 May 2019 at 13:34

I think I might have a successful conclusion thanks to Be Quiet!

I asked Be Quiet! about the compatibility between rev 2 & 1 if the Dark Base Pro 900, and they confirmed that they are interchangeable, and even better would be happy to do a swap for me by sending the glass panels back to them, great customer service I must say.