Loads of requirements, no answers!

Eye seven · 19 Feb 2009 at 22:06

Hi,

I have come here in need of some help. I am in the process of putting together a new system and need some guidance on the case.

The system will be based around the i7. I need it to run cool (on air but I would like a case that can go water when I want to upgrade), quiet and has as much room inside as possible (I will have a few hard drives going in initially with more going in over time no doubt, dual graphics etc.) This will be a work machine so LED, looks etc are not an issue - it just has to do the job stated above well. Performance is more important than budget (within reason!). I don't upgrade often but when I do I try and make sure it lasts a few years by getting it right from the start and this is where I need your help and expertise.

If I have left anything out that you need more details on just let me know and many thanks for your help.

esK` · 19 Feb 2009 at 22:36

Antec 1200 would be a good chassis as it has really good cooling

GeezerButler · 19 Feb 2009 at 22:40

CoolerMaster ATCS 840?

Eye seven · 19 Feb 2009 at 22:53

I was looking at that one as I have the original stacker which is ok. However, the one down point on that one seems to be the stock cooling isn't as good as the HAF - but the HAF does not have the features I want. Is the 840 easy to upgrade with additional fans?

Magic Man · 19 Feb 2009 at 23:04

What features do you want that the HAF doesn't have...?

Eye seven · 19 Feb 2009 at 23:19

I pretty much ruled that out as it does not have any dust protection - I kinda stopped reading after that.

D D Danneh · 20 Feb 2009 at 00:35

Eye seven said:
I pretty much ruled that out as it does not have any dust protection - I kinda stopped reading after that.

The Antec 1200 seems to fit your bill. It's got flashy lights and stuff but that doesn't mean it's a bad case. It has a lot of space, great cooling, dust filters, room for upgrades, etc.

Darg · 20 Feb 2009 at 01:17

Apart from the watercooling part the Antec 300 with some extra Yate Loons would be fine. Fits 6 or 8 hdds, can't remember which one. Unless you're going to need more space then that then it should be fine. Tbh if you're not worried about looks then the 300 would do you fine. It's got great cooling with all the fans installed and is much cheaper then the 1200 without much drawbacks apart from maybe less space for watercooling if you really want that.

ceego · 20 Feb 2009 at 01:18

Lian LiArmoursuit P80B

jammir · 20 Feb 2009 at 01:28

TJ07 and just put some dust filters on, I find the 1200 bit messing inside when you have loads of hdd's

also you can check out

SilverStone FT01
Lian Li PC-A7010
Lian Li PC-A77

beercrew · 20 Feb 2009 at 06:56

i have the antec 900, i thought it would get a bit messy but to be honest i am amazed, although the front panel gets messy inside is very clean compared to other cases i have had. and of course it looks and works great.

Just wish i could buy a cable to connect my xfi extreme gamer to the case audio..

Nick1881 · 20 Feb 2009 at 08:38

Lian Li PC-A71 fits all your requirements.

ThundyCat · 20 Feb 2009 at 09:23

Cosmos?

orderoftheflame · 20 Feb 2009 at 10:05

Another TJ07 vote, provided your budget can stretch that far.

Smart case. and it's massive!

Tefal · 20 Feb 2009 at 10:38

Antec 1200. if you like you can just cut the little wires to the led's on the fans (i have) and they're fine.

OneTime · 20 Feb 2009 at 12:59

Antec 1200 for all your requirements. Would buy some Yate loons or other quiet fans and replace the LED ones.

Eye seven · 20 Feb 2009 at 14:15

Thanks for all the responses. I will take a look at all the recommendations and try to come to a decision! I seem to be having a dilemma over every component so by the time I have made all the decisions the technology will probably be out of date

mythrandyr · 20 Feb 2009 at 21:37

personally i preferre the antec skeleton, absolutely outstanding chassis i have one and would not change it for anything else and it actually cools better than some water cooling setups.

OneTime · 20 Feb 2009 at 22:09

mythrandyr said:
personally i preferre the antec skeleton, absolutely outstanding chassis i have one and would not change it for anything else and it actually cools better than some water cooling setups.

Have they fixed it so you can fit a large CPU cooler in it now? Remember pics of a TRUE or Noctua hitting the bar as the mobo tray slid in...couldn't go in all the way because of it.

mythrandyr · 20 Feb 2009 at 22:25

no, the case is still the same old case but keep in mind that the case fan is actually larger than any other fan on any other case out there and is designed intentionally to cool not only the cpu but all of the components on the main board, and that antec say that you dont even need a cpu fan because of the size of the main system fan. With that being the case a zalman fan or similar should be all that you should really need, something like a Zalman CNPS9500A-LED, just be careful of what PSU you go for if you do buy this case, the thermaltake toughpower units can be a bit of a squeeze and try to go for a modular one if you can.