The great case quest?

[stubie_doo]

I currently have an Antec SLK3000b containing what most people here would call ageing components.

Planning to build myself a new rig but have decided I would like to keep the old pc running and so need a new case however I’m struggling to find one that I like.

This is what I’m looking for:

Power button not behind a door
Reasonably quiet (most larger cases seem to have loads of fans)
Large enough to easily accommodate the Nvidia 8000 series cards, but not stupidly big.
Removable hard drive bay.
Doesnt come with a psu
Preferably metallic, not too keen on the plastic front of my current case.


Cost isnt too much of an issue if it meets all my requirements though dont particularly want to go above £100.

 

[Jonny L]

Lian li PC 7 + II is all you need

edit: yes first in

 

[weringo]

PC-7 is the only option Although it does rattle a little sometimes and make a bit of a racket, happens rarely though.

 

[stubie_doo]

That’s one of the ones that I’ve had my eyes on but I’m unsure of how the cd bezels work and where you get them from?

 

[weringo]

That’s one of the ones that I’ve had my eyes on but I’m unsure of how the cd bezels work and where you get them from?

I think you unscrew the original bezels on the drive and just replace them with the PC-7 ones, OcUK sell them I believe.

 

[Massive Attack]

PC7B with window

 

[Jonny L]

I think you unscrew the original bezels on the drive and just replace them with the PC-7 ones, OcUK sell them I believe.

I read somewhere that you just put them in front.

 

[jaykay]

Here how u put them in with pics. scroll down to middle for the 5.25" bezels.
http://www.dansdata.com/llc01f01.htm

 

[stubie_doo]

Thanks for the info on the bezels, id quite like to see some pics of a pc7 with them installed if anybody has any, as most pics don’t show them fitted

Also what’s the difference between the pc60 and pc7

 

[topgun06]

Looks like quest over

 

[Jonny L]

Thanks for the info on the bezels, id quite like to see some pics of a pc7 with them installed if anybody has any, as most pics don’t show them fitted

Also what’s the difference between the pc60 and pc7

PC7 has a 120 mm fan at the front whereas the pc60 has 2 80mm fans.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Thanks for the info on the bezels, id quite like to see some pics of a pc7 with them installed if anybody has any, as most pics don’t show them fitted

Here's a photo of an optical drive bezel fitted on my case. Though it's not a PC-7 you get the idea.

EDIT: You don't have to take off the plastic stock bezel to use these either. The drive simply mounts behind the bezel and when it opens the door flaps open. I haven't changed my optical drive at all and it works perfectly.

 

[stubie_doo]

I really do like the look of your Lian Li but dont know if i can justify paying that much for a case, its almost double that of the pc-7!

Just a few questions though do the square panel obscuring the bottom three drives and the wheels come with the case?

Lian Li's site lists the wheels as an extra, for that price i assumed they were included!

 

[Mansize_tissue]

Just a few questions though do the square panel obscuring the bottom three drives and the wheels come with the case?

The wheels are included, but the square panel (looks like a HDD bay converter) has to be purchased seperately.

 

[Smithy]

What's so special about the PC 7 Plus? Surely it's just plain and boring?

 

[Mansize_tissue]

What's so special about the PC 7 Plus? Surely it's just plain and boring?

It's cheap, the quality is excellent and i'm guessing the cooling isn't too bad, either.

 

[Jaffa_Cake]

What's so special about the PC 7 Plus? Surely it's just plain and boring?

Plain and beautiful. Gaming cases are somewhat distasteful.

 

[Smithy]

Plain and beautiful. Gaming cases are somewhat distasteful.

Makes sense I suppose. I once built a PC for my brother, the case was a PC 7, i bought it because of recommendations from this forum but was left somewhat dissappointed. The case wasn't any easier to work with (in terms of installing components) and it didn't seem to prevent noise as much as my "gaming case". Which by the way is a Jeantech Fusion.

I do respect the simplicity of its design, but am left bemused as it why it is the number 1 choice for some/most people. Just my opinion.

 

[Massive Attack]

What's so special about the PC 7 Plus? Surely it's just plain and boring?

cheap, looks cool with a window and some cathodes, the case is the best ive had for cooling, imo it looks great

 

[Mansize_tissue]

cheap, looks cool with a window and some cathodes, the case is the best ive had for cooling, imo it looks great

Would you say the V1000 would be better for cooling?