What Size Case???

[LiquidSnak]

That's very true, and exactly why I went with UV. Almost imperceptible except that my monthly design lights up.

 

[bigmck]

That's very true, and exactly why I went with UV. Almost imperceptible except that my monthly design lights up.

When you say UV, is that a reflective surface that makes the lights brighter?

 

[profdlp]

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?

I have a card reader in mine...

Same here. One less gadget cluttering up the desk.

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...

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.

 

[LiquidSnak]

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.

 

[bigmck]

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.

Tell me about your acrylic case. That stuck my eye also, but have only seen a couple in all the sites I have visited. Is yours a full tower and is it as functional as a normal metal case?

 

[armyslowrdr]

2 Christmases a go I built my son a computer. I used the Smilodon--nice case.
3 years ago I built mine in a Apevia Telstar. It is a good case too.

There are lots of very nice looking lan-li cases and the HAF looks nice too.

Have a look at the Raidmax Smilodon....

Feature packed with a nice price tag...

 

[profdlp]

Tell me about your acrylic case. That stuck my eye also, but have only seen a couple in all the sites I have visited.

I don't have one (yet), I just like them.

Is yours a full tower and is it as functional as a normal metal case?

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. (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:

 

[Benjamin Hall]

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.

 

[Layback Bear]

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.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

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.

 

[johnwillyums]

Agreed. Good fans are essential. I have 3 200mm and 6 120mm. If you include the GPU fan and the PSU fan thats 11 fans inside the case. These are all in my Cooler Master ATCS 840.
Yet the computer is very quiet in operation. It's audible but not intrusive at all. This is pretty much down to choice of fan. I have used Akasa Apache 120mm in this build.
In my previous pc (now in bedroom doing media centre duty) I had LED fans in a Cooler Master Cosmos S case and it looked like a space ship taking off and sounded like one.
I replaced the LED fans with Sharkoon Silent Eagle fans. They shift more air and are virtually inaudible. The pc now runs considerably cooler.
Sadly, for lovers of flashing lights, I haven't found an effective LED fan that is quiet.
Thing is good, effective, case fans cost around the same money as noisy ineffective ones. I would recommend Sharkoon Silent Eagles, Akasa Apache or those from Noctua.
Hope this helps.
Another thought I have is that you are building a dream pc. Don't scrimp on a crappy TN monitor. Look for IPS or PVA panels. This seems to be very good value- NEC Multisync EA231WM or the Dell 24" IPS screens

Cheers, John

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I've settled on Noctura fans they are really ugly but they are so quiet and can push through fins and drives very well. I've heard great things about Akasa fans and will hopefully check one out in time. Oh and a good fan controller can be a cool addition as well but they are not all created equal. I find in the summer I'm always at max and in the winter I can dial them back, the good news is with the Noctura's there always silent!