- Mar 8, 2011
- 26
- 0
- 18,530
I've been slaving over server builds and general hardware mess for the past few months, and I think it's about time I did something fun for myself. I really like the aesthetics of my new SB mobo, I'm thinking about adding a swank new cooler to replace the stock one, and I'd like to put it all in a case where I can ogle the hardware whenever I feel like it.
So far I'm having a hard time finding something I like better than my old Chenming case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811125448
so part of me is saying, just pull that old case out from under the desk, clean it up, polish the scratches out of the acrylic window and throw a hotswap drive bay in that unnecessarily huge stack of 5.25" bays:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998146
I do really like the Chenming case but it's got way more space than I need, and it's not all that ogle-worthy. Not that I want the case to be the center of attention, what I'd really like is something that puts the visual focus on the components themselves. Since I'm using a microATX board and only a few drives the full tower kinda seems like overkill, I think a smaller PC might be more... "fun". I'm kind of bored of all the super-serious, super-masculine designs coming out. I'm actually kind of thinking that a more cute, even girly appeal might be a nice change. I'm not talking hello kitty or anything but it doesn't need to look like a big rectangular weapon that just marched out of Planet Dude. So far one of my favorite choices is the Apevia, due to its multiple windows and "fun" factor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144139
Functionally, well-placed front USB 3.0 would be nice but is not mandatory. At least 4 easily swappable 3.5" bays would be a huge plus for me, I'm always switching drives in and out. I only need one 5.25" bay.
Finally, heat dissipation is a prime concern because I don't want to have case fans running everywhere, I'd like this to be as close to silent as possible. I know that conflicts with small and windowed, but silence is an absolute must as this is in my bedroom. At most I want the CPU and PSU fans running, everything else should be able to take care of itself silently. Not so much of a problem in my huge tower case but in a smaller case there will be a need for well designed passive ventilation.
So far I'm having a hard time finding something I like better than my old Chenming case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811125448
so part of me is saying, just pull that old case out from under the desk, clean it up, polish the scratches out of the acrylic window and throw a hotswap drive bay in that unnecessarily huge stack of 5.25" bays:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998146
I do really like the Chenming case but it's got way more space than I need, and it's not all that ogle-worthy. Not that I want the case to be the center of attention, what I'd really like is something that puts the visual focus on the components themselves. Since I'm using a microATX board and only a few drives the full tower kinda seems like overkill, I think a smaller PC might be more... "fun". I'm kind of bored of all the super-serious, super-masculine designs coming out. I'm actually kind of thinking that a more cute, even girly appeal might be a nice change. I'm not talking hello kitty or anything but it doesn't need to look like a big rectangular weapon that just marched out of Planet Dude. So far one of my favorite choices is the Apevia, due to its multiple windows and "fun" factor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144139
Functionally, well-placed front USB 3.0 would be nice but is not mandatory. At least 4 easily swappable 3.5" bays would be a huge plus for me, I'm always switching drives in and out. I only need one 5.25" bay.
Finally, heat dissipation is a prime concern because I don't want to have case fans running everywhere, I'd like this to be as close to silent as possible. I know that conflicts with small and windowed, but silence is an absolute must as this is in my bedroom. At most I want the CPU and PSU fans running, everything else should be able to take care of itself silently. Not so much of a problem in my huge tower case but in a smaller case there will be a need for well designed passive ventilation.
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