Time for a bigger case, but what one?...

Diggsy

Diggsy

Diggsy

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Guys, I have finally decided that I can no longer keep cramming everything into my fairly small case and expect to get decent temps, and more importantly - low noise.

I now am at the cooling limits of my current case, having modded the side panel and added a further 2 120mm fans on it, I am acheiving decent temps acceptable for what I have, but they could and should be better really.

So, I think it's time to change to a larger case (which also means a new desk - Ikea's Jonas will be my choice) but I am completely stumped as to what to go for.

My budget is around £150. I don't want to go much over this (if at all).

I would prefer the case to be black, but that's not set in stone.

I NEED low noise, that is IMPERATIVE. Great cooling potential would be awesome, but not if it means high noise levels. I would prefer decent cooling performance with great noise reduction qualities.

PLEASE don't suggest water cooling, I have no desire to run water. I did think about it for a while, even was considering making my own external box, but it's not for me.

So far I have looked at the following cases, but have no real preference or nothing jumping out at me...

Lian-Li PC-P60 Armorsuit - not that keen on the looks, but it might grow on me.

Lian-Li PC-A10B - like the styling, but not too sure about it's cooling potential.

Antec 1200 - don't think it looks just as strange as the Armorsuit, but it's still not that nice really.

Antec P182 - pretty nice styling and good noise deadening properties, but I am worried about cooling potential.


Anyone recommend any of these and why, or do you have anything else in mind?
 
Diggsy said:
There is quite a lot of room there. What options are there for intake/exhaust?

Oh and where's the HDD bay? I have 3 HDD's to fit in there.
Click to expand...

In BFG's build he has removed the HDD bay and placed it in the drive bays.

The HDD bay sits just under the drive bays and there is room for another HDD in the top compartment.
 
Diggsy said:
There is quite a lot of room there. What options are there for intake/exhaust?

Oh and where's the HDD bay? I have 3 HDD's to fit in there.
Click to expand...

I took the removable lower HDD Bays out and the removable 2.5 bay housing out.. put my HDD in the upper bays. Just went for a cleaner look... :)

 
The HDD cage is removable (and most people do take it out for better air flow).

It holds 5-6 IIRC. one 120mm intake and one 120mm exhaust fan. Not as many by todays standards but that's all it needs.

If you do decide to get one, make sure you get the V.2.
 
2Thumbs said:
The HDD cage is removable (and most people do take it out for better air flow).

It holds 5-6 IIRC. one 120mm intake and one 120mm exhaust fan. Not as many by todays standards but that's all it needs.

If you do decide to get one, make sure you get the V.2.
Click to expand...

Exactly... You will find all Akasa Eclipses now ship V2's..:cool:
 
Eclipse62 is lovely no doubt but it sorta stopped right there, Lian li cases are what you want there mamoth and good cooling.

I wont ever go with a small case again, while there nice and sleek and easier to move about the temps can just rise too fast in them even if u have 2-3 120mm silent fans :( So noise becomes a concern.

However get a nice big Lian li case yeah it will look amazing big but u dont even give it a chance for heat to build up frankly ;)
 
Lian-Li PC-P60 Armorsuit - not that keen on the looks, but it might grow on me.
Leaky front, if it leaks air directly so it does for noise.
Antec 1200 - don't think it looks just as strange as the Armorsuit, but it's still not that nice really.
Ditto, open front is not for quietness. And small for long graphic cards, overrated like 900.

Antec P182 - pretty nice styling and good noise deadening properties, but I am worried about cooling potential.
Definitely good for quiet PC.
But also small for long graphic cards. (upper HD rack unusable)

Lian-Li PC-A10B - like the styling, but not too sure about it's cooling potential.
Should be easy to keep quiet. Exhaust fan next to expansion cards would be good for graphic cards which produce lot of heat but don't exhaust it directly out. Otherwise little curious airflow.


Things you definitely want are soft mounting for HDDs and indirect (door or baffle in front) noise escape paths, without those keeping PC really quiet is hard because normal components generate some noise always.
Also PSU is good to have on bottom so that its fan doesn't have to remove heat generated by PC's biggest heat sources.
Putting to dampening/sound absorbtion mats to noisy design case is rather useless because their effect is limited... and especially those thin and light mats like Akasa Paxmate can neither dampen vibration of absorb noise.
 
Thanks again guys for all the comments and advice.

I've been looking at all of the available cases again and I just *might* splash out and go to £2-250.

Reason for this is that the case will be something that I won't want to change for years, so I am better getting the best I can afford.

So, with this in mind, i've now set my eye to the Silverstone Temjin TJ07B, which really is a HUGE case, and from what I can see it has everything I could ever need in a case and then some. Even has room for internal watercooling, should I ever change my mind about that.

But, and it's a big BUT - the price, £250!!! :eek:

Question is, is it worth it?
 
You may also want to look out for the Lian-Li PC A20 case's
http://www.lian-li.com.tw/v2/en/pro...ex=223&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62&g=q
there larger than the PC-A10B but also include pre-installed sound proofing
I'm waiting on one being delivered (delayed due to problems in china)
i did order it from another company as they had them on pre order and i had the money available at that time
i do believe OCuk will be stocking these case's once they have stock available

if you like this case you will most likely have to increase your budget
i can confirm i did pay more than your curent budget of £150 however to stay within forum rules i cant advise of exact price i paid or where i bought the case from.
 
Spending that much money on a case is simply a waste of money unless you get a kick or kudos and impress ladies with how nice your case looks.

Seriously how much do you look at your case ? more than you look at your monitor ? I'd go with the Lian Li PC-A71B eclipse or the antec 1200.

I hazard a guess as i don't own one that a £250 case is no better performance wise than an ecplise antec p182 or Lian Li PC-A71B or antec 1200.

Personally I own an eclipse but if i were in the market now I'd get the Lian Li PC-A71B.
 
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C64 said:
Spending that much money on a case is simply a waste of money unless you get a kick or kudos and impress ladies with how nice your case looks.

Seriously how much do you look at your case ? more than you look at your monitor ? I'd go with the Lian Li PC-A71B eclipse or the antec 1200.

I hazard a guess as i don't own one that a £250 case is no better performance wise than an ecplise antec p182 or Lian Li PC-A71B or antec 1200.

Personally I own an eclipse but if i were in the market now I'd get the Lian Li PC-A71B.
Click to expand...

I see what you are saying, but it's not just about looks or pure performance, is it? It's all about the complete package.

I don't spend a lot of time looking at my case, nor do I try to impress any ladies with it:rolleyes: But I do want a case that I like the look of.

For me, the Lian-Li's and Antecs mentioned are very VERY close to what I want, but just not quite there. The TJ07 on the other hand is bang on the money.

If I were to be able to build a case, that would be my baseline. It's looks are fantastic, simple and classy. Build quality also seems to be superb, and internal design is perfect.

I know it's a lot of money, but if I keep it for 5 years, then it's worked out at what... £1 per week, which is nothing.;)
 
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