What's the best PC chassis/case & manufacturer?

[Fa1c0n]

Anyone have a favorite case with maximum features/durability/room/cool looking etc...?

Or have heard of a really well made one?
Doesn't have to be an overclockers case, just a really well made one. Or even better yet, a good manufacturer of cases.

I'm looking for:

-. easy to open (like the Dell Optiplex type where everything swings neatly out of the way without screws)

-. Lots of room

-. ATX, full tower

-. Built like a tank.

-. quality. (can fit the ports/cards without problems)

-. Cool looking (least important, but I like it to look good. Not a big deal though)

-. Price is not an object. I don't care how expensive it is.


OK people, tell me what you know!

Links to good chassis reviews are welcome also.

Thanks!



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[yoda271828]

IMHO, <A HREF="http://www.addtronics.com" target="_new">Addtronics</A> makes the best cases, but they are expensive. There are tons of reviews of them just do a search.

 

[Guest]

I like the LiteOn FS-020. It has a number of quirks, but it's still my favorite.

Here's a link to a site that has a ton of case review links:

<A HREF="http://www.speedy3d.com/case_mod/" target="_new">http://www.speedy3d.com/case_mod/</A>

Mike

 

[Fa1c0n]

Thank you!

Keep the suggestions coming!


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[Guest]

I've got an Antex SX1030 and it is by far the best case I've owned.

 

[jclw]

I like the enlight 723x series, they are nothing fancy but they are roomy, easy to work in, and appear to be well made. Cheap too.

- JW

 

[Guest]

In my opinion, <A HREF="http://www.coolermaster.com" target="_new">Coolermaster</A> makes the best cases. Their all-aluminum cases are absolutely gorgeous, they are easy to work with, and do a job job of cooling. Lian-li makes a more affordable version of Coolermaster cases and cool as well or better (and has a nifty filter over the intake fans to control dust.)

Antec makes excellant power supplies that they add to their great cases. Addtronics makes cases as good or better than Antec but without Antec's great PSUs. Chenbro makes a very well designed "Genie" line of cases. Fonk Kai has some innovative case designs. And Enlight cases are probably the easiest to work with.

<A HREF="http://www.3dcool.com" target="_new">3dcool.com</A> and <A HREF="http://www.thecardcooler.com" target="_new">thecardcooler.com</A> has good cases that they made great by adding fans to them to keep your system cool. For the average builder that doesn't push their pc to the limits this may be a little overboard though as they are a little noisy.

And <A HREF="http://www.pcmods.com" target="_new">pcmods.com</A> sells cases that they have modified to have a clear acrylic window with a neon light in them, very cool looking.

Any and all of these cases will do and everybody who buys them are happy with them for the most part. I haven't seen a single justified complaint by someone who bought any of them. Which one is best for you? You tell me.

 

[Guest]

Oh, and if you want chasis reviews go to <A HREF="http://www.neoseeker.com" target="_new">http://www.neoseeker.com</A> for most chasis reviews (along with just about all other computer hardware) listed and ranked.

p.s. don't buy the Explorer III, it is cheaply made and terribly performing. People from hansansystems.com seem to spam just about every computer hardware message board and the people who use them. You can see their resellerratings.com reviews here:
<A HREF="http://www.resellerratings.com/vendone.cgi?HansanSystems" target="_new">http://www.resellerratings.com/vendone.cgi?HansanSystems</A>

That is about my only warning. Hope this helps.

 

[Crashman]

Check out the cases at www.spower.com

Suicide is painless...........

 

[Guest]

i love yeong yang mini server cases.

pill128

Take your pill, and get some sleep.

 

[Fa1c0n]

Thanks everyone for the great responses! I'm sure this thread will help more than just myself.

It's also nice to get some non-spam advice going in this forum! The hansansystems spam was about to drive me !


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[yoda271828]

Antec makes excellant power supplies that they add to their great cases. Addtronics makes cases as good or better than Antec but without Antec's great PSUs.

I read somewhere that Addtronics actually uses re-branded Antec power supplies. That's one of the reasons I'm getting an Addtronics case. I'll try to find the link and post it.

 

[Fa1c0n]

Update,

I have been reviewing all the cases you guys recommended and I have narrowed it down to:

PC Power and Cooling (steel case or crome case)
CoolerMaster (all aluminum case)
Addtronics

I am leaning toward the Addtronics or the All-steel case of PC Power because it is roomy enough to work in, even without a motherboard drawer, and they offer really amazing power supplies.

The All-aluminum case of CoolerMaster is really pretty, but it would get a nasty dent if I were to put it on the floor and someone were to kick it.

Addtronics cases seem to have the most features.

Anyone have anything more to add?
Thanks in advance.


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[Guest]

I also have an Addtronics 6890A for my kid's PC. The main thing I don't like about it is its dearth of input/output fans. This particular model has only an 8 cm. input fan in front and a 6 cm. exhaust fan. If I remember correctly (I haven't touched it in ages), I wasn't crazy about it's motherboard tray, either.

If you get an Addtronics, you can order parts directly from them at their web site if you ever need them: <A HREF="http://www.addtronics.com" target="_new">http://www.addtronics.com</A>. The also used to have some cool looking wheels for some of their cases. Not sure whether they still do.

Mike

 

[Fa1c0n]

Another update...

I was reading a review on <A HREF="http://www.speedy3d.com/reviews/addtronics_case6890a" target="_new">Speedy3d</A> and it talks about the Addtronics power supply having the Antec-type variable speed feature. This almost certainly means that the Addtronics power supplies are the same as Antec's.

Also, I have heard a LOT of good things about the <A HREF="http://www.antec-inc.com" target="_new">Antec</A> Performance series <A HREF="http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/antecsx830/index.html" target="_new">sx830</A> or sx840 (sx840 has 400W power supply). I would say that these are probably the best cases from Antec (and possibly the best period).

I am also really liking the Addtronics W8500 Tower. It seems to have everything the Antec cases do plus even better design and great support.

If anyone has bought a case from Addtronics <b><i>lately</i></b> and has something/anything to say about it, I would <i>very</i> much appriciate it if you would post here!


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[Guest]

Good info, but an <A HREF="http://neoseeker.com/Hardware/Products/EG351PVE/index.html" target="_new">Enermax Whisper series PSU</A> is generally considered better than Antec's. Many people believe Enermax Power Supplies are currently the best you can get. Imagine and extra 30 watts, 2 fans that have ball bearings for reliability and have low RPMs making them quieter than Antec's PSU (some people say Enermax whisper series is the quietest there is) and you can have them monitored by you motherboard if it has that function, and Gold-coated terminals for high performance and faint resistance.

Probably the best case you could by IMO is a Coolermaster ATC-201 (which generally comes w/o a PSU) and add an Enermax Whisper series PSU. This would be great looking, as easy to work with if not even more so, be all aluminum for better heat transfer, and great performing. But much more expensive. The Lian-Li PC-60 or PC-30 with Enermax PSUs are more affordable options.

If you like Addtronics design, another case you might want to take a look at is Thecardcooler.com's moddified Addtronics case they sell called the <A HREF="http://neoseeker.com/Hardware/Products/CardCooler_MaxCool/index.html" target="_new">Max Cool case</A>. This thing is pretty mindblowing.

 

[Guest]

I'll put another vote in for the Antec SX830. I just bought that one myself though I'm still waiting for it to be delivered. I'm not an overclocker (locked PIII 600 EB)so I didn't need all the mods that you can get from the specialty places, but it seems to have the right balance of features: Very easy to work with, not too big, not too small, decent looks, plus one of the better power supplies, and all at a reasonable price (I got mine for $93 including shipping, selling price was $74). The case I have now is huge with 5 spaces for CD drives, but unless you are running SCSI or raid the most drives your are ever going to be able stick in a case is 3 drives plus a hard drive thanks to the limit of the onboard IDE controller on the MB. The newer MBs now have ATA100 so you get some extra space there, but with my setup, I won't go beyond the 3 spaces that the Antec gives me.

Reading some of the case reviews around the net, critics seem to favor the SX830 also.


- Every private citizen has a public responsibility

 

[spglFCBWBUSTER]

http://www.axiontech.com/cgi-local/prdtinfo.asp?prdt=CSAXEXPIIIB3

 

[Fa1c0n]

OK, after 2 weeks of meticulous -and I mean <i>meticulous</i>- research I have now come to a final decision on what PC chassis to purchase.

I have chosen the <A HREF="http://www.addtronics.com" target="_new">Addtronics</A> W8500 as the absolute best case that money can buy (I may also get an Addtronics 7896A).

My reasons are as follows:

1. It is <i>very</i> roomy
2. It is extremely high quality.
3. It has tons of great features (motherboard tray, air filter, variable speed power supply etc. etc).
4. It is built around a WTX form factor
5. Addtronics provides every imaginable option for purchase online, and good support.
6. It cools <i>great</i> with 9 quiet Sunon ballbearing fans!
7. provides the P4 heatsink motherboard backplate mounting option.
8. comes with luxury casters.
9. Is built like a tank.
10. Looks really cool (in my opinion) and is available with an optional different faceplate (that has a door on it).
11. Has tons of drive bays (5x 5 1/4, 1x 3 1/2 are external).
12. You can get a 400w intel p4/AMD approved power supply with it. Or a redundant 300w (and they are as good as Antec's power supplies as far as I can tell. They may even <i>be</i> Antec power supplies).

It is <i>very</i> expensive though (not a issue for me, I'll save up for it) It has got a ton of great reviews across dozens of review sites (Maximum PC, Target PC, Anandtech, Boomgames, SysReview etc).

The Antec sx840 is a good one too, if you want one that is almost as good and not as expensive.

The CoolerMaster is pretty and is comparable in features but is really expensive and fragil (as far as getting dents in it's pretty aluminum shell).

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!
Feel free to keep adding your suggestions if you want. As a lot of people are viewing this thread.


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[yoda271828]

Good Choice! I'm about to order a 7896A, the W8500 is just a bit too expensive for me.

 

[Fa1c0n]

Another update,

I found out that the power supplies that Addtronics uses are from CWT and HiPro. These may be the same ones used by Antec. Does anyone know?

Also, Addtronics manufactures some of Supermicro's cases (although they aren't even close to as good).

I found this info on Addtronics site <A HREF="http://www.addtronics.com/faq.htm" target="_new">here</A>.


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[wysecracker]

how about the palo alto's?

 

[Guest]

Here is another great site with lots of great cases.

<A HREF="http:// www.colorcases.com " target="_new">http:// www.colorcases.com </A> If you need a unique case these are the guys

 

[Guest]

Try these out for size:

thecardcooler.com: http://www.thecardcooler.com/shopcart/Cases/max_cool_case.

OverclockersUk: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Coolercase_Range_34.html#a135

thecoolerguys.com:
http://www.coolerguys.com/CPUCOOL/cases.htm

the blizzard 360ATX afrozencpu.com:
http://www.frozencpu.com/

 

[Guest]

looking for something 2 store my dual processor 800s got any good ideas?