Looking for a new case

gazfocus · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:25

I'm going to be building a new PC soon and I am looking for a new good quality case.

I am quite fussy I guess... I previously had a Lian-Li PC-A07 Case but am less than impressed with it for the money I paid. I have also previously had an Antec P182 which I loved apart from the fact it had a door. I also love the look of the Mac Pro cases.

Anyway, can anyone recommend a good/high quality case with no door similar to the Mac Pro case or something?

Raikiri · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:37

Silverstone TJ-07 or the Lian li V series.

gazfocus · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:42

That Silverstone TJ-07 looks nice. Any idea what the quality is like?

Raikiri · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:43

Very good, but then so are the V Series, much better than the PC7 etc. (althoough, they really aren't bad).

gazfocus · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:47

Thanks. As I said, regarding the PC7 I'm just really fussy. When the DVDRW was spinning, the case rattled and the Lian-Li covers I'd paid extra for didn't properly fit the case...was just dissappointed from day one and I guess that set me off lol. Will look at the V series too.

Raikiri · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:54

One more I forgot, the new CM ATCS 840.

gazfocus · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:57

Not keen on that one

gazfocus · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:59

Hmmm I like the look of the Antec Sonata Plus

TJM · 13 Apr 2009 at 18:04

gazfocus said:
Hmmm I like the look of the Antec Sonata Plus

On the topic of Sonata, any opinions on the new Elite version? Looks quite neat and has got good reviews on hardware sites, but I want to make sure that the modern super-long graphics cards can fit in it.

gazfocus · 13 Apr 2009 at 18:12

TJM said:
On the topic of Sonata, any opinions on the new Elite version? Looks quite neat and has got good reviews on hardware sites, but I want to make sure that the modern super-long graphics cards can fit in it.

Looks quite nice apart from the door. The old version wasn't very deep so not convinced this one would be either.

EsaT · 13 Apr 2009 at 20:57

What size case you're looking for and for what components?

Mass loading (bitumen mat) helps notably to vibrations. Optical drives can cause very strong vibration so probably nothing less than Antec P-serie multilayer panels can resist those.

gazfocus said:
That Silverstone TJ-07 looks nice. Any idea what the quality is like?

Sturdy frame but hard HDD mounting and SPCR found some rattling caused by side panel vibrating.

TJM said:
On the topic of Sonata, any opinions on the new Elite version? Looks quite neat and has got good reviews on hardware sites, but I want to make sure that the modern super-long graphics cards can fit in it.

Because of internal design/layout variation knowing for sure without exact test is impossible unless case supports E-ATX motherboads which guarantees enough reserved space.
Might fit but in any case it will be very cramped.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/antec_sonata_elite/images/installed.htm
(I think there has been longer cards)

gazfocus · 13 Apr 2009 at 22:31

erm...not sure to be honest. It will be a fairly high spec system (Core i7, 12GB Ram, etc) but nothing major GPU wise - just something capable of dual displays.

freddie64 · 14 Apr 2009 at 10:07

Silverstone Fortress looks ok.

gazfocus · 14 Apr 2009 at 12:07

Yeah I saw a thread with some pics of that and it does look good. Might stick with the antec though.

TJM · 14 Apr 2009 at 20:54

EsaT said:
Because of internal design/layout variation knowing for sure without exact test is impossible unless case supports E-ATX motherboads which guarantees enough reserved space.
Might fit but in any case it will be very cramped.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/antec_sonata_elite/images/installed.htm
(I think there has been longer cards)

For anyone who is curious about the Elite, I asked Antec and they said the maximum length of card it can take with the power connectors on the end is 9.5", so a few recent cards won't fit (the 4870 is 10.5").