Passionate Amateur - Help me choose a case

[Larnica]

Hi Everyone

As the Title says, I'm a "Passionate Amateur" about Computers and Hardware, although I've worked with them for numbers of years. I've replaced components, added to barebone systems but have never built my own, or handled a motherboard / processor. I do believe I know the basics of inside a computer and when I'm shopping for components.

I already use a Pre-Built system for gaming and also use an old computer, mainly for work and to test applications. Over the last few months I've been wanting to expand my knowledge by hopefully building my own machine (in the near future) and I thought the best first step is to be comfortable handling components, by this I mean purchasing a new case for my old computer that will then be used for a "Budget Computer" for work, just like my old computer. I'd like your opinions on this idea and if possible, recommended cases, although I have an Atop X-Blade case already in mind and the Thermaltake "Shark" but thats quite exspensive for a case.

Just a little note. The "Old Computer" was formerly a Media computer and it has a front panel that consists of audio controls, USB controls and various card readers and has the Floppy Drive built into the unit. Ive had a look inside and its attached to the graphics card and the motherboard, although I would like to keep this im not sure how its fitted and how I will fit it. I'm thinking I can place it where two bays are for drives. Again, your opinions on this would be great!

Update: I dont have a specific budget but I was hoping £100 or under!

Many Thanks

Shane

 

[Larnica]

This man speaks the truth, I've got a PC7+ in black and it really is such a great case. The pics you see on the net don't do them justice, but when you actually see it in the flesh it really is a great case.

There's no nasty bits inside the case so you won't cut yourself on it when working in it, have done that many a time on my older PC's with really cheap cases, but not with this one

Perhaps some pics of the insides of your old PC you want to put in the new case would be really helpful so we can tell if what you've got currently will fit into a new case or not (you did say it was a pre built system, which brand is it ?)

Oh and welcome to the forums, may you have a long and fruitful stay.

Hiya Again

Thanks for all the replies, I'm sure to pick the right case. The "Old System" was brand new, bought from the highstreet. Im most concerned about the panel on the front which consists of the various controls that I mentioned in my first post, I'm sure it will just fit, just getting worried.