I'm working on re-doing my media center, and I need a good reccommendation for a less expensive case. I'm looking for as little noise as possible because this thing is going to be running basically 24/7. I only have a few requests: - The case should be a lower-profile, non-tower rig. Looking for it look more like a media component than a computer.
- i don't want to break bank. so sub $150 would be nice. - 120mm case fans if needed. trying to keep the noise level down.
What I've got:
Intel Core 2 2.6Ghz
Intel Bad Axe - 2
4 Gigs DDR-2 667 2x2Gig
Seagate 160Gb Sata 2 Drive
Maxtor 500Gb Sata 2 Drive
eVGA 8600GT w/ 256Mb
All your help and expertise is greatly appreciated guys.
I have this case in black. It's easy to build, easy acces for upgrades, all alunimum and fits full ATX MBs. Only con is the HD cage is a little flimsy and being all aluminum you have to assemble with care. Over your budget, but you might check around and find a better price.
These type of cases are easy to work on (easy access) and right on the desk, many times no need to carry it around to your usual workplace. Four screws, pop the top off and you have full access looking up at you. I have an ASUS 965Q Micro board, E6600, Zalman 9500, dual boot VISTA 32/XP. I even stuck my 8800GTS 640 in there to take advantage of VISTA DX 10. Use it as my backup for now.
Silverstone made their name famous by making HTPC cases, and their HTPC cases are, probably, the best on the market. Even Silverstone's computer/server cases are great, though their not worth the price. If you want quality I would go with the Silverstone, they are much more experienced. That said the Zalman is nice, also the Antec HTPC case looks the best out of all HTPC cases I have seen. I will update since I have started doing some research on HTPC cases myself.
