What Size Case???

[bigmck]

I have on my "Bucket List" to build a computer. It will not be anytime soon, but I am picking up info as I go. What is the best size case to use. I had read that a mini or mid-tower might be too small for today's systems. Those of you who have built one recently, what size did you use? Thanks,

 

[Dwarf]

Go for the largest case that you can afford, and for which you have the space for.

 

[pparks1]

I used an Antec P182 for my latest build. This is technically listed as a mid-tower case. It measures 21.3 x 8.1 x 19.9. It's way more than enough space for my needs. In fact, i would go smaller if given the chance to do it again right now.

I think that full tower case usually has more whiz bang features and thus have a bigger following among the performance crowd. However, the new Corsair 600T case is a mid-tower design on the outside with full tower features on the inside. It's very, very roomy and would be a strongly considered contender if I had to build another machine right now.

Newegg.com - Corsair Graphite Series 600T Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

[Kirsch]

This is the case that I use

Love, love love it!!! It has room for everything you would need.

BUT, as with most things, it all depends on what type of hardware you are looking to put into your machine. If you are going to have a gigantic video card for gaming, get a larger case like the one I linked to you. If that isn't too important, you can look into a smaller one.

 

[patio]

Have a look at the Raidmax Smilodon....

Feature packed with a nice price tag...

 

[johnwillyums]

Yep. I agree that you should get the largest case you can. I went for the Cooler Master ATCS 840.
It is huge and made of solid aluminium. All the construction is tool less and the motherboard tray slides out on roller bearings. It can be taken out completely so you can build your pc, mount the mobo, chip etc. outside of the case, on a horizontal surface, and then slide it in. Similarly there is an access from the other side of the mobo tray so large HSFs can be easily mounted.
With this case I can upgrade in any way I want to. Large GPUs are no problem, plenty of space for water cooling if I want it, plenty of room for more drives etc.
Having worked on other cases and spent ages bent over trying to fix things I can barely see or reach this was a dream. Likewise cable management behind the mobo tray makes for better air flow.
Admittedly this case and others like it (Corsair Obsidian?) carry a high price and it's up to you if you want to spend that much on a case but the general principle of having plenty of room can also be applied to the more budget cases.
Basically it's worth doing quite a bit of research on this. I managed to find video reviews of the case and a video tutorial of an actual bulid with it!

Good luck, John

 

[bigmck]

I was looking in the local store yesterday and saw an acrylic case. That would be nice to give liven up the room with all kind of lights in the case. Do any of you have any experience with an arcrylic case?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Please see the Corsair 800D and then get a nice 1000+ watt PSU and you'll never need to ever upgrade from there.
Stick with classic lines in my mind, the clear cases seem cool but really there are lots of times when you just don't want to have a light show so at least be able to turn them off.

 

[johnwillyums]

I think the 800D is the the one I was thinking of in the mention in my post Linnemayer. Was it originally called the Obsidian or have I imagined that?
Anyway I agree with the point. My tower sits on a table in my lounge so I want it to look cool. My last rig wasn't perspex but it hads lots of LED fans and pulsing lights etc.
Basically a bit distracting and the look gets old really quick. My current case looks more like a monolith or a piece of hi fi equipment. I've had it over 9 months and I still like it's looks.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Johnwillyums,
You are correct sir. The Corsair case is in fact the Obsidian 800D and I still kick my self for not waiting to save up for it. Don't get me wrong the Thermaltake Element V I'm running is another sweet case, hell there are tons of sweet cases but every time I see a 800D in the "show us your rig" thread I get a little jealous. I love clean lines and your right the lights are cool and have there place but after the show and your friends leave elegance wins out hands down.

 

[bigmck]

Johnwillyums,
You are correct sir. The Corsair case is in fact the Obsidian 800D and I still kick my self for not waiting to save up for it. Don't get me wrong the Thermaltake Element V I'm running is another sweet case, hell there are tons of sweet cases but every time I see a 800D in the "show us your rig" thread I get a little jealous. I love clean lines and your right the lights are cool and have there place but after the show and your friends leave elegance wins out hands down.

I noticed on the Thermaltake it has some 3.5" bays. What can those be used for since floppys are a thing of the past?

 

[LiquidSnak]

I have a card reader in mine.

I went for the mid-tower case size, as it supports the full size ATX board, but I don't have a superfluous amount of extra room for a larger case. I also really like the design, as that's important to me too. I got the:

Newegg.com - SIGMA LAVIE LAVIE-LBYWB Leather Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

[bigmck]

I have a card reader in mine.

I went for the mid-tower case size, as it supports the full size ATX board, but I don't have a superfluous amount of extra room for a larger case. I also really like the design, as that's important to me too. I got the:

Newegg.com - SIGMA LAVIE LAVIE-LBYWB Leather Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Yours is nice. I definately want a clear side on it and a full tower. Some others have said that the full acrylic cases would grow old pretty quick and I have decided they are right. I do want a lot of lights on it. Fans lit and that type of thing.

 

[LiquidSnak]

I haven't grown old of the plexi window, but I have changed what I have on it several times. I have UV lights running into the plexi side so it treats it as a large fiber optic path, and use UV reactive paint to do different designs, as its easily removable with your fingernail. A plexi window, however, will also let all the light out of the window, and make it very bright around your computer.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I've been accused of having everything but the kitchen sink. The 3.5 houses a great hot swap twin 2.5" sata drive unit.

 

[LiquidSnak]

The other computer has the baby version of this, and it looks very nice. Classy and elegant IMO.

Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

 

[pparks1]

Yours is nice. I definately want a clear side on it and a full tower. Some others have said that the acrylic would grow old pretty quick and I have decided they are right. I do want a lot of lights on it. Fans lit and that type of thing.

Are you certain that you want the lights? They can light up an entire room and be pretty darn distracting. Considering they add no functional value, I simply don't see the point in adding bling. Why not save money and put it towards components to increase your system performance? Just sayin.

 

[LiquidSnak]

LED lit fan price range:

$4.49-$26.99

standard fan price range:

$3.99-$42.99

Not saving too much @ $0.50 more a fan at the lowest price range.

 

[pparks1]

I was referring more to the neon tubes and such. Although I often feel that many enthusiasts use WAY TOO MANY fans in their cases. While I understand air flow is important...you don't need 5 case fans when you aren't substantially overclocking a machine.

I just wanted to encourage the OP to think about the lights. To me, I just find them gaudy and cheesy. Takes away from a sophisticated look...and that is what I prefer.

 

[bigmck]

Yours is nice. I definately want a clear side on it and a full tower. Some others have said that the acrylic would grow old pretty quick and I have decided they are right. I do want a lot of lights on it. Fans lit and that type of thing.

Are you certain that you want the lights? They can light up an entire room and be pretty darn distracting. Considering they add no functional value, I simply don't see the point in adding bling. Why not save money and put it towards components to increase your system performance? Just sayin.

I know the lights are all for show, but the case I have now is just black with silver bay covers, pretty bland. Recently I got a new power supply and it has a blue light on it. It looks pretty nice. Directron.Com (computer sales) has its warehouse just a few miles from me. I saw a computer there with the lights and just really liked it. This will probably be the only system I will ever build, so I just want to make it special.