miK. Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Hi all, I am finishing speccing out a P55 rig build of the following: Motherboard: Gigabyte P55A-UD4P Processor: Intel i7 860 Memory: 4GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 Video: XFX Radeon 4890 1GB Hard Drives: WD Caviar Black 1TB SATA (2) Optical Drive: Lite-On 24X SATA DVD Writer PSU: Corsair 550 VX I have considered several cases so far including the CM690 and the Antec 300 and Sonata III. What I am looking for is 'smaller' scale, quiet, and cool. I will not need 5 or 6 hard drives, so a large tower is not necessary, neither are flashy cases with window panels and LEDs. I have checked out a couple Lian Li cases as well, and I like those, but it is hard to decipher which is best as they are kind of similar (K7B, E8L, etc.) I am curious about what you have used for your builds or would recommend? I welcome your comments... thanks! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaaseyRacer Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I just bought this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811112218 It is {censored}, overly complicated, everything requires a carrier to be "modular", but in the end makes it much slower to swap parts, and longer to build. Slowest PC build ever! What I do like about it is the size. Antec makes the easiest to work with cases on the market. I like the drive configuration on this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811129057 I still do not like how the hard drives require a tray, but at least they are facing the right direction, and it is easy to hide cables. I still think all PC cases on the market are ugly. However, some independent builders do amazing work: http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2008/12/16...-nick-falzone/1 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1392389 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noNix Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Best looking case on the market at the moment is probably the Silverstone Fortress FT02 available in black or silver. However it is not small, and is quite expensive at around $220 - $250. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1392446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I am curious about what you have used for your builds or would recommend?I welcome your comments... thanks! If you're one of those people who really thinks there's *ANYONE ELSE* on the entire planet who really gives a rats ass what the case that holds your computer parts looks like or what sort of silly 'fashion statement' it makes, then sure, spend $150, $200+ on what is really little more than a metal box that holds parts. (And no one else will really care anyway). Otherwise, I would recommend get a decent computer case that is *functional*, *practical*, *affordable* with decent features. Your board is ATX, so that kind of limits the form factor to a mid-tower. There is a such thing as an ATX mini-tower, but personally I've never found one that was really worth it. First off, due to the realities of the size and layout of an ATX board, vs the components- there's only so much space that can be shaved off the case. So usually the smaller ATX cases just trade height for added length. Also, they can be really cramped and difficult to work in, with limited airflow. So basically, I'd recommend sticking with ATX mid towers. Personally, I do like the Antec 300, it's a great case, and it won't break the bank. If you want to send it strutting down a fashion runway, it may not be the case for that , but to actually be used to hold computer parts effectively and offer good airflow, expansion, and options (I know, who needs a case just for that stuff, right?) it's great. I also like the Gigabyte Trition 180- used these for a couple of builds. The photos don't quite do it justice, the details of this case are very nice- all brushed metal, no plastic, good airflow, roomy, 120mm fans, side facing hard drive bays, wiring tracks, etc. The Cooler Master Centurion is pretty decent too if you're not looking to spend over $50 and want a sturdy case with decent features. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1392466 Share on other sites More sharing options...
waylonflinn Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 This is the case that I choose for my i7 860 build. COOLER MASTER RC-690 It doesn't have a fancy name but I really like it. My favorite feature is the set of ports on the top of the case. This includes Audio (mic and headphone), two USB, Firewire and an eSATA port. I never have to bend over to plug in a cable. It really is a nice feature. It was $10 cheaper when I bought it a month ago but it's still worth the price. My only complaint is the size. I went with the P55M-UD2 (a micro-ATX board) and it would be awesome to have a smaller case with the same quality and feature set. I also considered the Antec Three Hundred, along with a couple of other cases. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1393002 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Unless you truly think you need another 50watts from the psu you have picked, you could go with the Sonata iii, which is what I have. Quiet and looks good. The psu that comes with it is excellent! Best psu to ever come with a case imho. Antec earthwatts 500w. Only thing to do is buy another 120mm fan for the front so you have a nice breeze. ...or if you really don't think you can live w/o another 50w, then opt for the Antec 300. The 300 was my 2nd choice for a case. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1393196 Share on other sites More sharing options...
broken Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Hi all, I am finishing speccing out a P55 rig build of the following: Motherboard: Gigabyte P55A-UD4P Processor: Intel i7 860 Memory: 4GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 Video: XFX Radeon 4890 1GB Hard Drives: WD Caviar Black 1TB SATA (2) Optical Drive: Lite-On 24X SATA DVD Writer PSU: Corsair 550 VX I have considered several cases so far including the CM690 and the Antec 300 and Sonata III. What I am looking for is 'smaller' scale, quiet, and cool. I will not need 5 or 6 hard drives, so a large tower is not necessary, neither are flashy cases with window panels and LEDs. I have checked out a couple Lian Li cases as well, and I like those, but it is hard to decipher which is best as they are kind of similar (K7B, E8L, etc.) I am curious about what you have used for your builds or would recommend? I welcome your comments... thanks! I agree with EricM on getting the Sonata III with the Antec Earthwatts 500watt PSU. This is a great combo for $110. I am a huge Corsair PSU fan, but the Earthwatts PSU is a great unit especially since it and the case are only $110. I have owned both the Antec 300 and the original version of the Sonata. The 300 while being a super nice case for the $$, it is FAR from quiet. Its open mesh grill in front of the dual 120mm fan openings are very noisy. Plus the stock fans (including that 140mm fan in the top) are nowhere near quiet. Great case with excellent cooling, but unless you are willing to invest quite a bit more cash in slow speed fans, dampening or perhaps a fan controller, it isn't the best case for you. Its a crazy overclockers case on a budget. The CM690 is more or less the same. Lots of vents openings for lots of fans. Great, great case...but if noise is a concern you might have to skip over it. The Sonata series has been known for reasonably quiet operation. Just don't pack lots and lots of hot running equipment in it as its ventilation isn't up to handling it. Its sacrifices massive amounts of cooling for less noise. If you intend to overclock you CPU, this case might not be the best choice. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1393402 Share on other sites More sharing options...
miK. Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 @ all: Thanks for your recommendations and patience on something of a noob question. I really haven't seen too much case talk here and I have been lurking for quite a while. Anyway, this is my first build after being a 20-year mac buyer, so I am hoping things go smoothly... @ EricM & broken (and anyone else) Do you think the Sonata III would work with a Radeon 4890 as far as power is concerned? The specs on the card say a 500W PSU minimum. I would want to make sure I have plenty of power for this. I could always get the Sonata Elite that MaaseyRacer referenced, combo'd with a Corsair 650TX to be on the safe side. That would be almost double the price, of course. Your thoughts? Thanks again! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1393419 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 @ all:Thanks for your recommendations and patience on something of a noob question. I really haven't seen too much case talk here and I have been lurking for quite a while. Anyway, this is my first build after being a 20-year mac buyer, so I am hoping things go smoothly... @ EricM & broken (and anyone else) Do you think the Sonata III would work with a Radeon 4890 as far as power is concerned? The specs on the card say a 500W PSU minimum. I would want to make sure I have plenty of power for this. I could always get the Sonata Elite that MaaseyRacer referenced, combo'd with a Corsair 650TX to be on the safe side. That would be almost double the price, of course. Your thoughts? Thanks again! To be completely honest, I would get something over 500w if it was me, just because I like to future proof myself(but I'm cheap ) ... which is why I have to buy a new psu if I ever get another gfx card. But it should WORK. If you don't think that the noise will be an issue, I would get an antec 300 and a 650w psu so you could be ready for future upgrades. But remember: your spending ALOT more money this way than for the sonata combo. (I got mine for 99.99 on sale for both case and psu) As for cooling: the Sonata III will be fine, mine doesn't get hot at all with my setup, it stays under 30 (celsius) degrees in the case. Just be sure you have the optional 120mm fan. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/208455-case-recommendations/#findComment-1393420 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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