PC Cases

[Will Nave]

I was just curious as to what cases everyone is currently using and if you prefer any one manufacturer over the others and why. I myself am currently using this antec:

http://www.antec.com/images/160/SX1000II_front.jpg

(got it for $60 on a Bestbuy clearance table of all places, and it came with a 500watt Antec PS too! :twisted: )

[Rob Williams]

Can't show mine yet, as I'm reviewing it for the site :P

[brettmar]

Antec SuperLanboy. Nice case with dual 120mms. Very lightweight.

[Baloh]

I'm still using my old-school pre alien-ice alienware space black case....rofl

[Nosebiter]

That is Mine, minus the goofy dragon fan grills.
http://www.frozencpu.com/images/products/detail_hires/cas-42.jpg

[Will Nave]

Antec Super Lanboy:
http://www.meanmachine.com/Cases/SUPERLANBOY.jpg


:wink:

[Serry]

But the goofy dragon is mortal combat!!!! its not goofy!!!! :) hehehe and you ppl think I'm a girl HA! HA I say :) hehe




btw I really am a girl I swear :)

[Nosebiter]

If I wanted something mortal Kombat, I'd want sektors face or perhaps Raidens, being as they are my two favorites. Btw Doesn't matter if you are a girl or a guy here, i'm here to talk with my fellow tech geeks, not hit on them. :wink:

[Serry]

lol I know that, I was just going thru a geeky girl selfconfidence issue ^_^ hehehehe I need to be more girly sometimes :)

[Rob Williams]

Just a really excited girl ;)

[brettmar]

I am using the same case as Will. Super lanboy is the quietest case besides the Zalman Fanless, and the sonata. Other than the Stash tray (pen tray) it is flawless. Many mods to come with pics.

[Will Nave]

I am using the same case as Will. Super lanboy is the quietest case besides the Zalman Fanless, and the sonata. Other than the Stash tray (pen tray) it is flawless. Many mods to come with pics.

Actually I'm not using that case, I posted a pic I came across so we all would know what your case looks like. Although I am considering getting one in the future for my 2nd PC, I'm a big fan of Antec as far as "bang for the buck."

[Muddy]

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-144-026-36.JPG

[Rob Williams]

Bah! What happened to SIMPLE cases people? :D

[madstork91]

If you ppl can remember the cool sony cases that came out 4 years ago with the blue glowing power button... U guys can remember exactly what my case looks like...

Why you ask am I proud of it? Its small, relatively quite, and easy to crack open.

[ultragooey]

I still use my Unreal Case (http://www.slcentral.com/articles/01/12/casemodding/page2.php) and Q3 case (both old-school Enlights), but I also have a Lian-Li PC60 & PC30.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/ubergrendel/UTfrag4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/ubergrendel/Q3nice.jpg

[sp1k3]

I use a X-Dreamer 2. Great case for the price. Comes with a 375 power supply as well. http://www.eprom.com/home/images_of_cases/Turbo/x-dreamer_2.jpg

[Tech-Daddy]

Start off with something simple:

http://home.comcast.net/~tech-daddy/mods/blingGreen/begin1a.jpg

and the mod it into *your* rig:

http://home.comcast.net/~tech-daddy/mods/blingGreen/bling_front.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~tech-daddy/mods/blingGreen/Max1.jpg

Make the computer a statement of who you are!
Me, I've always loved hot rod/harloquin flames. So, I took that extension and ran with it!
:D

[Will Nave]

Nice man, very clean!

I dig it...

[Rob Williams]

Man, that IS cool.

[Will Nave]

What did you use to get such precise cuts on the flames? (if you don't mind telling ;P )

[Tech-Daddy]

I dont mind at all!
First thing would be for me to forward my work log:
Click here for my work log... (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=56651)

That will show you a lot of the "how"

Main thing to remember when you are using a dremel or a jigsaw is to be patient. My rule whil I was cutting was "I can still take off, but I cant put back on."

I burned through a ton of reinforced cutting disks, and used some of the smaller disks that I'd worn down, to work in the smaller areas.

When I wanted a good, hard point, I tried to use lighter, more narrow cutting wheels. Worked to some extent.

Also, get a good set of metal files and watch those edges! I cant count the number of times I jabbed a sharp flame tip into (and in one case through) my finger.

My next bit of precision equipment will be a drill press. Hopefully in a few weeks after I clear a spot in the garage for it.

Get a good dremel (not battery powered), and watch the sales at Lowes or Home Depot for the multi bit rotary tool set sales. You can get some killer deals when you buy those kits of bits! ;)

Hope this helps!

[dukeman]

i am using a antec p160. the thing is light, flashy, and moves alot of air.

[Will Nave]

I dont mind at all!
First thing would be for me to forward my work log:
Click here for my work log... (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=56651)

That will show you a lot of the "how"

Main thing to remember when you are using a dremel or a jigsaw is to be patient. My rule whil I was cutting was "I can still take off, but I cant put back on."

I burned through a ton of reinforced cutting disks, and used some of the smaller disks that I'd worn down, to work in the smaller areas.

When I wanted a good, hard point, I tried to use lighter, more narrow cutting wheels. Worked to some extent.

Also, get a good set of metal files and watch those edges! I cant count the number of times I jabbed a sharp flame tip into (and in one case through) my finger.

My next bit of precision equipment will be a drill press. Hopefully in a few weeks after I clear a spot in the garage for it.

Get a good dremel (not battery powered), and watch the sales at Lowes or Home Depot for the multi bit rotary tool set sales. You can get some killer deals when you buy those kits of bits! ;)

Hope this helps!


Awesome man... great info!

[Kilamon]

My next bit of precision equipment will be a drill press. Hopefully in a few weeks after I clear a spot in the garage for it.

Check out the Skil XShop. It has a drill press and a few other options that are all contained in a small footprint.

[Kilamon]

So, my case USED to be a shell. An old case I had bought at the beginning of the pre-mod era, when beige cases still eigned supreme. I think I got it from coolcases.com and the steel frame of it was all that I really kept. I screwed the pooch on trying to customize it and the cooling was never very efficient so it sat as an open shell for 2-3 years. Now, however, that I have a job, I bought a case. :D Did lots of research and found one that I liked and got good reviews. It's an MGE Quantum XG (Black) (http://www.mgecompany.com/xgbox/quantummain.html). Much love for this case. I only have one gripe and that's the same one all the reviews had; the power button is inside the door. Taking some inspiration from Vin's XXX, I plan to do a hidden power button just under the front bezel. I have the button and some parts from the old case so it should just be a matter of planning and proper cutting once I have some time.

[Rob Williams]

That is a great looking case. It looks clean and beasty at the same time.

[Tech-Daddy]

Check out the Skil XShop. It has a drill press and a few other options that are all contained in a small footprint.

THAT.... is an Excellent bit of engineering!!!
Wow!
I might just have to save up for that instead of just the press only!!! I've alreay got several of the tools that the XShop would need!

W00T!!

One other thing... any of you homies get a subscription to MaximumPC... go check the new June issue's Rig of the Month...
go ahead... I'll wait!
;)
:D

[DarkSynergy]

Will Nave:


I am using the same Antec SOHO case as you except I am sporting the black version. I absolutly love that case and it's sturdy as hell and just as heavy! It can be a bit loud when filled up with the 4 80mm's but its well worth it. I am about to mod mine with a window install and then I am going to start in on a water cooling project but thats down the road a bit. Its a great case with ample room in it to spare. 60 bucks is a great price, I paid 120 for mine at Best Buy last year and I thought that I got a deal!

[Kilamon]

Update:
Pics of my case: -1- (http://www.greyrose.net/X2dayInside.jpg) -2- (http://www.greyrose.net/X2frontCase.jpg) -3- (http://www.greyrose.net/X2fullrigNoFlash.jpg)

I'm looking in to replacing the side mesh with acrylic, possibly keeping the mesh and just adding the acrylic layer (to reduce dust) and then painting it. I'm still considering how I want to paint it. I definately want to add a black light ccfl to make the dfi board's slots jump out more and I'm considering the replacement of the stock chipset cooler for one that's quieter, but maybe the acrylic will cut that noise factor down.

[Tech-Daddy]

My most recient rig completed, is my wife's. It was a Coolermaster Centurion CAC-T05:

http://home.comcast.net/~craig.tate/lupine/lupine_1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~craig.tate/lupine/lupine_3.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~craig.tate/lupine/lupine_6.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~craig.tate/lupine/final_internal4.jpg

Working on my next Coolermaster case now.

[Rob Williams]

Geez man, that looks kick ass! I love the engravings and wolf theme. I never thought I'd like purple on a case mod, but I was definitely wrong.

Are those custom made molex coverings? They look freaking sweet :cool:

[Tech-Daddy]

The cabling is a custom 4 black wire setup, using black 90 degree molexes. I then wrapped all of hte cabling in purple springs from www.lizard-tree.com .

:D

I hear ya on the purple. One of the best compliments I got was a person who PM'd me saying that he did not know that CM made a purple case... I Had to tell him that they didn't, and it was a full repaint/mod...

Never heard from them again...
;)

[Rob Williams]

Ahh, sweet.

How long would you say that mod took you to do?

[Bobbythecat]

Yeah I have a Centurion from Coolermaster without the side window. It looked cool when I just had an XP-90 inside, since I had the side panel actually on the case. Ever since I switched to an oversized radiator for my watercooled system, though, I had to take it off, since I didn't feel like ripping up this case....and I might get Thermaltake's Tai-Chi case towards the end of the year, if not middle of January, and use all the spare parts (including this Centurion) to set up my old computer for sale. Soon enough, I'll have a stealthy computer.:cool:

[leecho7]

Impressive case man.
Do you do this as a profession or something? Cause I'm sure people would pay good money for a customized rig.

[Tech-Daddy]

Ahh, sweet.

How long would you say that mod took you to do?

Tip to tail, just over 2 months. :D
Working out of my garage on evenings and weekends.
Likely a total of about 40 hours of lovin...

[Tech-Daddy]

Impressive case man.
Do you do this as a profession or something? Cause I'm sure people would pay good money for a customized rig.

I'm hoping to go pro after I get a few more cases under my belt. We'll see how this pans out... but right now, my real life career is going well, so I have to be careful and balance my fun modding activities with family and "make sure it does not interfere with the career" time! ;)
:D

Thanks for the reply!

[Rob Williams]

Because Tech-Daddy won't say it...

Those who read CPU magazine know that each month, they pick a killer mod to feature on the cover, and then have a two page write-up inside. Well, TD's above mod will be in the December issue!

Even if you don't usually buy CPU, pick one up to show your support, hehe. I can't wait until mine arrives in the mail.

[Tech-Daddy]

Aw man... now I'm blushing....
;)

No, I'm REALLY excited about that issue, as I had 2 pro photographers here @ my house with lights, a drool worthy digital SLR (12MP?) that was pumping images via Firewire straight to the dude's Powerbook...

I think some really cool shots came out of it! I can't wait to see what they did, as I have not seen the final layout myself!!!!
:)

[Rob Williams]

Haha, that's amazing. Do they give you high-rez photos to keep that they took?

Can't wait man, hope the article turns out awesome.

[Tech-Daddy]

I Was told that they would let me have access to the images... but as of yet, I've not seen any....
;)

Think I'll drop an email while I am thinking about it....
:)

[madmat]

Currently I'm using a Lian Li PC6070 case that I've lightly massaged to accept dual 80mm radiators on the rear of the mobo tray and put a small window in along with a 120mm blowhole.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/madmat_2001/minicase.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/madmat_2001/RES1.jpg

Although I'm really considering going back to my old case and putting a top window where the radiator was. The old case is a Kingwin KT424-WMB and will accept the Lian Li mobo tray so it would be a simple swap as to the W/C gear.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/madmat_2001/Mattpcpic101-2.jpg

I'd like to keep using the Lian Li but the metal at the top of the case really makes working on the top two 5.25" drive bays a pain in the rear.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/madmat_2001/InnerView-Filled.jpg

[Tech-Daddy]

cramped case!

Good use of space!
Mmmmmm.... water cooling!
:D

[Rob Williams]

Still waiting to see that issue online.. they have their nerve for being slow. Hell, it's almost November :)

[Blumen]

http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/cases/raidmax_scorpio_668/

^That's what i have, but sometime's i wonder if they reviewed the same case...

Mine has room for 7x80mm fans, not five as they say.
4 in front,
2 in back
1 in side

It's also no fun whatsoever to work on. There's plenty of space, but every right angle is sharp as hell. It cools extremely well though, as they say. But, in my old age, it's getting a little too flashy for me, so, i guess on to a brushed aluminum case. :p

[Tech-Daddy]

Still waiting to see that issue online.. they have their nerve for being slow. Hell, it's almost November :)

Shhhh!!!
I just got my Max PC for December... I'm thinking that CPU should not be too much farther behind! Pretty stoaked right now!

:D

(edit:

IT'S UP!!!!

Lupine on CPU!!! (http://www.computerpoweruser.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/c0512/24c12/24c12.asp&guid=D34FD1B48042481E8074116618DF4A48)

Lupine article in PDF on CPU!!! (http://www.computerpoweruser.com/articles/archive/c0512/24c12/24c12spread.pdf?guid=6D28877E1B3C46E68E171E048E0B4 BC9)

[Rob Williams]

Man, GRATS! That article turned out awesome :D

I can't wait until my paper issue get's here, although they are usually late so it won't be until January, haha.

Deadly man :cool:

[Blumen]

I put my rig back in a case today.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5213/img03011xx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^Before the project... this is left over from the last rig that was in there... that's the old AN7

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/912/img03026ys.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^The one redeeming quality of this case: That's 168cfm of intake there...

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5024/img03053wq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^Asus v9999 with slight mod

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/7056/img03087hb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^My room during the operation... How many mobos/mobo boxes can you spy?

[Blumen]

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9991/img03095sg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^30 minute in... the psu did not want to fit in there... so i had to take off the fan grill again

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/742/img03108ll.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^Every molex you see there goes to a fan... Wiring is a pain in the ass on this case if you want it to look decent.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5162/img03119rn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^Everything is in....

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/80/img03158fj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^Final result... i'll get some better pics up in the dark when i figure out how to change the shutter time on my camera.

So that's what i did, starting at about 1am... sorry to bore you, but i'm bored as well, obviously.

[DarkSynergy]

Killer Bro, very nice job.


Shhhh!!!
I just got my Max PC for December... I'm thinking that CPU should not be too much farther behind! Pretty stoaked right now!

:D

(edit:

IT'S UP!!!!

Lupine on CPU!!! (http://www.computerpoweruser.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/c0512/24c12/24c12.asp&guid=D34FD1B48042481E8074116618DF4A48)

Lupine article in PDF on CPU!!! (http://www.computerpoweruser.com/articles/archive/c0512/24c12/24c12spread.pdf?guid=6D28877E1B3C46E68E171E048E0B4 BC9)

[madstork91]

Tech daddy... That maching looks ****in pimp! SERIOUSLY!

Um... how much you charge for a stork? :D

[Tech-Daddy]

Hehehe... you guys ROCK!
A stork.... hrmmm, dunno.... You just want a stork on a window? or are you wanting a laser etched sunset (side lit with re/orange/yellow LED's) behind it?
All depends on what you want to do? ;)

Would not be too difficult I dont think, but a storks spindly legs are giving me nightmares just thinking about it right now!

[Rob Williams]

ciento, you need to grab some canned air. Other than that, your rig is kick ass :D

Tech, I still haven't gotten my issue. Call CPU up for me and tell them to hurry up. Hehe kidding! I hate getting all my issues a month late, but I guess that's what you get when you are a canuck :(

[Tech-Daddy]

Ciento... wiremanagement is that biggest bitch of any good case.
You will be doing yourself a favor, when you do a little bit of research and start experimenting with basic soldering. Learn to consolidate all of those fan leads into 1 or 2, instead of the smattering that you are dealing with right now.

As you get further into case modding, and start dealing with lighting, and active accessories, the molex problem only gets worse.

Custom cabling has been the answer for my last 2 rigs, and it will be incorporated into the next rig that I'm working on currently. Look around a few of hte modding sites, and just nose around. See how some of the others have done it, there are a lot of tricks out there that can save you a buttload of clutter, and take your case "over that hurdle" and put it on the next level.

You have a great baseline case (I giggled when I saw that video card mod, borderline ghetttoooe, I love it! How's the performance?), now, wrangle thos remaining strays into a manageable bundle. Stop off at an auto parts store, and grab one of their bins of zip ties when they are on sale, and go nucking futz with them! You can zip tie cables to obscure and unseen portions of case framework, that will tuck them out of sight and make people wonder, "Daaaamn??!? How'd he do dat?!?!"

;)
Good luck, and keep it up!

[Tech-Daddy]

Tech, I still haven't gotten my issue. Call CPU up for me and tell them to hurry up. Hehe kidding! I hate getting all my issues a month late, but I guess that's what you get when you are a canuck :(

Got my copy in the mail the end of last week... I've only read 2 pages... how bad is that of me?!? ;)

Well, when your mail is delivered by dog sled... I'm *sure delivery times are going to sag a wee bit!!
...

I'm kidding! I kid! All in jest!

Hehehe, my mail is deeee-livered by a JEN-UU-WINE TAY-KSUS boyeeee!! (And dont you dare think for a minute that I dont worry about that guy sometimes!):eek:
;)

[Blumen]

Ciento... wiremanagement is that biggest bitch of any good case.
You will be doing yourself a favor, when you do a little bit of research and start experimenting with basic soldering. Learn to consolidate all of those fan leads into 1 or 2, instead of the smattering that you are dealing with right now.

As you get further into case modding, and start dealing with lighting, and active accessories, the molex problem only gets worse.

Custom cabling has been the answer for my last 2 rigs, and it will be incorporated into the next rig that I'm working on currently. Look around a few of hte modding sites, and just nose around. See how some of the others have done it, there are a lot of tricks out there that can save you a buttload of clutter, and take your case "over that hurdle" and put it on the next level.

You have a great baseline case (I giggled when I saw that video card mod, borderline ghetttoooe, I love it! How's the performance?), now, wrangle thos remaining strays into a manageable bundle. Stop off at an auto parts store, and grab one of their bins of zip ties when they are on sale, and go nucking futz with them! You can zip tie cables to obscure and unseen portions of case framework, that will tuck them out of sight and make people wonder, "Daaaamn??!? How'd he do dat?!?!"

;)
Good luck, and keep it up!

Thanks man, and actually i do go a little more hardcore on the wiring, such as not having those damn ribbon cables in the case, and i'll route the wiring around better, but i'm parting this rig out very shortly. The ram is already sold, i have someone that may want the mobo, the cpu will be extremely easy to get a good price on Ebay.

Yeah, the ghetto mod, that's what i call it anway. It seems to help... I've unlocked all the pipes and shaders on it, and i clock it at my 24/7 clock at 400/1000 from 350/1000 stock. This is the 6800Ultra clocks i believe. It will pass Coolbits at 435/1170, but i can go much higher in Powerstrip, around 460/1200, so we're starting to talk serious performance.

I may be voltmodding it in the future, so we'll see where that takes me, although i'll need different cooling at that point.

Thanks for the ideas on the soldering, i'll have to try that in my new rig.

[SgtSethiol]

Am using a slightly modified Enlight 7237 case from late 90s, spray painted a dark purple with a 92mm fan just over the CPU on the side and an 80mm fan lower and closer to the vid card. I am looking to getting the Soprano II from Antec shortly after christmas

[SgtSethiol]

very nice custom cases guys. I saw the one custom case by Tech daddy. Very cool case man. Do you guys remember the bright yellow hypersonic case on the cover of the September 2004 edition of CPU mag? Now thats a case I could drool over, simple lines, bright and eye catching...almost gives me a .....nvm you guys dont want to hear about that.

[Kilamon]

Currently I'm using a Lian Li PC6070 case that I've lightly massaged to accept dual 80mm radiators on the rear of the mobo tray and put a small window in along with a 120mm blowhole.

The water cooling kit on the back makes me think of a chemistry lab or something, like http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/rev25-34/83754.jpg. It's be pretty sweet if you modded that lian-li to look like some sort of mad scientist thing with the Green Liquid CCFL (http://www.crazypc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=8230G). Put some bio hazard stickers on there and you're set.