New
#21
That's very true, and exactly why I went with UV. Almost imperceptible except that my monthly design lights up.
What Size Case???
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New #22
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New #23
Same here. One less gadget cluttering up the desk. :)
Nice! I'm going to have to look into one of those for myself.
One thing I'd add in regards to the case itself is that enormous cases aren't always the easiest ones to cool. Unless you are dead set on a certain "look" (like the acrylic cases, which I really like), it might be best to pick out your parts and then look for a suitable case to house them. The case is partly for show. It's functionality is determined by how well it holds the innards and how easy it is to keep cool - you'll actually be using the computer. :)
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New #24
UV is short for Ultra Violet, a light spectrum we cannot see with the naked eye. It is commonly known as "blacklight", as that is what the bulbs are called. Things that are UV reactive glow under this light, like wearing a white shirt in the club, certain colors and dyes, etc.
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New #26
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New #27
I don't have one (yet), I just like them. :)
A true full tower is huge. I have one (non-acrylic) and it has six 5.25" drive bays on top and room for six hard drives beneath that. (With two 2.5" bays in between.) It's almost three feet tall.Is yours a full tower and is it as functional as a normal metal case?
(And very hard to keep cool.)
As for acrylic cases, a few thoughts.
PRO:
Looks cool (admittedly a matter of taste - some people hate them).
If you like lights and shiny stuff, you get to see it all.
You never have to guess how dusty it is inside.
Everyone who visits your home is going to comment on it.
CON:
It takes a neat wiring job or your computer will look like the storage box you keep your spare cables in.
Cooling purists will tell you that acrylic doesn't dissipate heat like steel or aluminum.
If you keep it in your bedroom or use the computer for a home theater setup, all those pretty lights will give you a definite Las Vegas sensation while you're trying to sleep or watch TV.
You never have to guess how dusty it is inside, and soon realize how quickly a computer gets dusty.
Modifications are tough or impossible. It's fairly easy to add a fan somewhere in a metal case; all you need is a hole saw. Cutting through acrylic is risky.
You might find that when you pick out components you consider form over function. For instance, the neat CPU cooler that looks so cool in the store is actually not so cool when when it comes down to actually being...cool.
I wouldn't have one in my bedroom, but it would be fun for a LAN party computer or anywhere you might want a conversation piece that doubles as a computer. The computer itself can be as good as you want to make it. (And can afford...)
Then there are the really interesting cases. Do a search for "Case Mods" and you'll see that the only limit is in your imagination.
This one is actually a commercial "case" - the Antec Skeleton:
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New #28
It really depends. It's good to go for a larger case because then you have room for expasion, but then you're also stretching your ribbon cables out all over the place. My neighbor has an Dell XPS 8800 tower, it's a stainless steel case (1/8" thick too, it's a beast to carry) with powerful fans in front and back to ventilate it. What are you going for as a cooling system? fans, gel, or liquid? If you're going for a liquid cooling system then you don't have to worry about a well-ventilated tower. If you're going for fans, I'd recommend a Coolermaster tower, as they are very wide open for fan-based cooling systems.
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New #29
I won't tell you what brand to buy. Things to look for. Lots of room for today and tomorrow. Cooling fans and options to improve cooling, adding more or bigger fans and if down the road water cooling is your new desire you can do that also. The ability to replace cpu or cpu cooler and fans without taking the whole thing apart. More bays than you think you need because later on you just might need them. The room for a huge power supply that you don't need now but most likely will need later. The ability to rout wires/cables in a neat fashion for looks and improved air flow. Because there is lots of room you can add all the little pretty lights and the like you want to.I changed my mind. I will tell you the brand my next build will be. The Obsidian Series™ 800D or 700D by Corsair. They are a tad pricey but you won't have to buy another case again unless you want more than one PC. They are strong, made of steel and a bit heavy but weight less than a case of beer so if you plan to LAN you can get the job done. Very good news the price has been going down.
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New #30
I think a case with top vents and optional fans are a must. Good air flow is the key, draw it in cool across the hard drives then exhaust it out top and back. Simple but most cases get it wrong or just lack good fans to get it done.
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