Opinion needed on HTPC case for high end rig.

bigguns

bigguns

bigguns

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11 Jun 2007
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Hi there, im just looking for a case now for my new pc and i've narrowed the choice down to these cases:


Silverstone LC16 in black

(problem is that it can only support graphics cards which are shorter than 225mm)

Silverstone GD01MX

(picture doesnt really do the unit justice - http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_photo.php?pno=gd01&area=usa for more pictures. )

Thermaltake VF7001BNS

(more pictures click here - http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Chassis/desktop/dh101/vf7001bns.asp Seems like the case would let in a lot of dust - and not as much cooling as the other cases)


I really can't decide between them, so im leaving the choice in your hands!

Please do not hot link pictures, re-host or leave links instead - DaveMac
 
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Personally, I wouldn't go for the Thermaltake case. I know that beauty is subjective and all, but it's aesthetics simply don't appeal to me.

The Silverstone cases -however- look gorgeous, and are very functional in design. I'll probably be getting one when I finally settle down on a HTPC spec.
 
Personally I think thermaltake cases are tacky, but its your call on that one.

A few things to consider:

I built my htpc based on the Silverstone LC13 which had to meet certain criteria for building a gaming HTPC.

1, It has to support FULL ATX motherboards.

2, It has to be able to support 3 or more hard drives.

3, It has to have good cooling.

4, It has to have sufficent height to accomodate high end graphics card power plug configurations.

5, It has to be quiet!

My HTPC Gaming Config:

Silverstone LC13 Lascala (in black)
Intel Core2Duo E6420 (overclocked to 3ghz) Standard Intel heatsink
2GB Geil DDR2
Asus P5W DH Deluxe Full ATX
Sapphire HD2900XT 512MB HDMI
3x 120GB SATA hard drives (4th hdd slot empty)
500w X-power PSU 2x 80mm fan
2x 60mm Akasa Ambers
1x 92mm Akasa Amber
Windows Vista Ultimate

All fans are thermally controlled by the onboard Q-fan settings.

Things are fairly quiet, 20 - 30db apart from when the HD2900xt gets warm.. then its like a hairdryer! :eek:

Good luck! :)

DeadMan
 
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I have a LC16 and thought it was great, I got an external DVD drive to fit in a full length G/Card. I recently upgraded and needed to fit an internal Blu-ray drive and so got a Zalman HD160. The layout is better (although only 4 HDD vs 6), the VFD software is better (imon is a resource hog) and the fans are quieter.
 
yeah i really like the look of the zalman Hd160.

CA-005-ZA_400.jpg
 
i'd probably wait and see what the antec fusion max is like when that is released shortly as it looks pretty good from what i've seen and should not have any trouble with big video cards either fitting them or cooling them
 
silverstone lc17. best blend of price, looks, features and layout IMO

IMG_1119_small.jpg


IMG_1118_small.jpg


the lc17 is a newer layout than the lc13 and has much better cooling - 2x92mm's at the fron at 2x80mm's at the back. psu is flipped the other way drawing cool air from outside and blowing it out the back. its so much better thought out that the older cases - i had an lc03 and it was pretty poor.

Picture%2021.jpg


lc03 layout (same as the lc13). sorry for the poor pic:p
 
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looks nice. How many hdds does it hold and where ??

O.T nice to see some retro ps1 games there in the backgroud :)
 
thanks lol

the case has two hdd racks, each holds 3 drives and a 92mm fan. if you use a long arse card like the 8800, you can't fit any drives in the middle rack but you can still comfortable get the fan in there:) you can just see my two 500gb WD's in the left rack:)
 
james.miller said:
thanks lol

the case has two hdd racks, each holds 3 drives and a 92mm fan. if you use a long arse card like the 8800, you can't fit any drives in the middle rack but you can still comfortable get the fan in there:) you can just see my two 500gb WD's in the left rack:)
Click to expand...

great thanks :)
 
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