I am trying to find an HTPC case that looks like a standard piece of stereo equipment; 17" or so wide, black, not too deep, height 5"-7". I want to use a mATX MB, a standard ATX power supply, a standard half-height optical drive, and full height/length PCI cards (4 would be fine for possible future uses). These give me the widest variety of component choices and all the flexibility I need. I only need one 3.5" HDD.
I'd like to make this as quiet as possible, and plan to use all fanless components (including PS and CPU sink) and an SSD. Convection is going to be key to making this work, so a very well-ventilated case is essential, though a single (preferably larger) case fan will probably be a good thing to have as a backup.
Nice to haves: Some type of LCD module and hide-able I/O ports, maybe the optical drive can hide too. I don't want any front controls besides power switch (definitely not volume).
The closest thing I can find is are some nMedia cases, but they feel a little dated and less than stellar quality. Most of the cases I can find have lots of fans and very little ventilation holes on the top or sides, the opposite of what I need. Or rely on heat pipes (making future flexibility a challenge), use ITX motherboards, don't look like stereo equipment, or have numerous front controls.
Anyone have some suggestions?
I'd like to make this as quiet as possible, and plan to use all fanless components (including PS and CPU sink) and an SSD. Convection is going to be key to making this work, so a very well-ventilated case is essential, though a single (preferably larger) case fan will probably be a good thing to have as a backup.
Nice to haves: Some type of LCD module and hide-able I/O ports, maybe the optical drive can hide too. I don't want any front controls besides power switch (definitely not volume).
The closest thing I can find is are some nMedia cases, but they feel a little dated and less than stellar quality. Most of the cases I can find have lots of fans and very little ventilation holes on the top or sides, the opposite of what I need. Or rely on heat pipes (making future flexibility a challenge), use ITX motherboards, don't look like stereo equipment, or have numerous front controls.
Anyone have some suggestions?
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