Quite a Case Conundrum!

shmef · 10-27-2009, 07:53 PM

So, as comes the age of technology, so does my age for having to move away from the awesome shelter of the 'rents to the "scary" dorm life of college. Yay at new beginnings, blah blah blah lets get down to brass tax!

I have a lovely little computer, with these specs
ASRock Ptwin Mobo
4 gigs o G.SKILL Ramolam
EVGA nVidia GTX 260
Intel Quad Core 2.44GHz
A Samsung somethingwriterdeal combo drive (kind of irrelevant)
and a significant size issue of a Tuniq Tower 120 Heatsink/Fan combo for the Proc.
and a Corsair 750watt PSU

This is all inside an Antec 1200, which as most of you guys know is not a small case. A full tower, this thing is 45lbs all together due to the steel construction and insane amount (7) of fans on the case alone.

I need to move the guts to a smaller case, so I'd like to find something that's maybe shorter, though width is better to fit the heatsink (it's a tall bugger!), so if you guys/gals have any suggestions, you've always helped in the past! My budget is under 100 buckaroos, but all suggestions are welcome. Just need some help consolidating space ;)

Thanks in advance!
~Shmef

Phædrus2401 · 10-27-2009, 07:55 PM

The Antec 900 is very similar to the 1200, but smaller, and can be had for $95-105. The Antec 900 Two is essentially a cut down 1200, and is $100-120.

The Antec 200 and 300 are good as well. Also look at the CoolerMaster Centurion 5 cases.

shmef · 10-27-2009, 07:57 PM

Thanks! I'm trying to move a bit away from the Antecs, I don't really like their reliance on thumbscrews over removeable bays... Coolermaster seems a bit more builder friendly...

**Tyree** · 10-28-2009, 07:21 AM

I primarily use CoolerMaster cases. They are well constructed w/good cooling. My best seller-Centurion 534 $50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119106

**linderman** · 10-28-2009, 07:39 AM

hiow much you want for the 1200 ?

shmef · 10-28-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

hiow much you want for the 1200 ?

Not sure if you're kidding or not! xD
It would be a nightmare to ship, but certainly not out of the question.

Beware though, this thing is all screw everything. To get one hard drive out takes about 16 screws, and to clean all the case fans requires 28...it never ends... everything stays in place really well though, but to be honest at this weight I don't really move it a whole lot, sans LAN parties...

Also, I checked out those Coolermasters, I'm really digging the tooless everything, though my guess is that they're thinner than the 1200?

**linderman** · 10-28-2009, 02:33 PM

not kididng; I am interested in the 1200

yes the coolermasters are somewhat thinner, but then again IMHO, a case is a case as long as it hold everything in place, has fans; the job is done.

the Xclio wind tunnel is another good choice but slightly more money. I am not so into blue leds myself; but ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...o%20windtunnel

**linderman** · 10-28-2009, 02:39 PM

another great choice at mwave.com / click on the refurbished button / click on cases & power supplies

here is a Lian Li mid tower for $70.00 / normally that case is $135.00

Lian Li is the king of cases without equal but....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...iteria=CB24894

**linderman** · 10-28-2009, 02:40 PM

here is the retail on the Lian Li

http://www.eworldsale.com/lian-li-pc...611_30180.html

shmef · 10-28-2009, 04:10 PM

Thanks, I'm looking for smaller though ;) weight isn't really an issue, it's more the width since I need it to fit the monstrous CPU cooler, but the shorter in height the better.

If your not into Blue LED's, well, the 1200 is full of them. There's 6 fans that came with it, and all are lit Blue LED's, even the "big boy" 300mm on top. Though a simple cut could put the ixnay on those ;)

**linderman** · 10-28-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmef

Thanks, I'm looking for smaller though ;) weight isn't really an issue, it's more the width since I need it to fit the monstrous CPU cooler, but the shorter in height the better.

If your not into Blue LED's, well, the 1200 is full of them. There's 6 fans that came with it, and all are lit Blue LED's, even the "big boy" 300mm on top. Though a simple cut could put the ixnay on those ;)

LOL I dont mind the blue LED's I just dont go out of my way lookign for them and they are not a requirement to my personal case selection

in reality, I havent had a single customer complain about the quality of the coolermaster centurion, its my personal fav unless a buyer is willing to throw the cash around

**greenbrucelee** · 10-29-2009, 02:48 AM

I have a 1200 I think its one of the best cases I have ever had.

8 screws for each hard drive bay so you remove the filters to clean the,

once you have the bays pushed out you can use compressed air to get the dust of the fans and blow it out of the case.

A proper cleaning job takes 15 minutes.

The optional center fan is a pain to get in or out but nothing too major.

chowder_pants · 10-29-2009, 09:48 AM

This is the case I have
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&Tpk=panzerbox
Shorter than a 1200, and extra wide. Cable management is a little tricky, but can be done. Plenty of airflow too.

Sell your 1200 to linderman, and spend the extra $20 on this one!

edit: Just noticed the $20 mail in rebate. If you can front the extra $20, it comes in at your budget

**linderman** · 10-29-2009, 09:00 PM

will pay $90 and i cover shipping

10-27-2009, 07:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
shmef Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 88 OS: Vista SP2 My System	Quite a Case Conundrum! So, as comes the age of technology, so does my age for having to move away from the awesome shelter of the 'rents to the "scary" dorm life of college. Yay at new beginnings, blah blah blah lets get down to brass tax! I have a lovely little computer, with these specs ASRock Ptwin Mobo 4 gigs o G.SKILL Ramolam EVGA nVidia GTX 260 Intel Quad Core 2.44GHz A Samsung somethingwriterdeal combo drive (kind of irrelevant) and a significant size issue of a Tuniq Tower 120 Heatsink/Fan combo for the Proc. and a Corsair 750watt PSU This is all inside an Antec 1200, which as most of you guys know is not a small case. A full tower, this thing is 45lbs all together due to the steel construction and insane amount (7) of fans on the case alone. I need to move the guts to a smaller case, so I'd like to find something that's maybe shorter, though width is better to fit the heatsink (it's a tall bugger!), so if you guys/gals have any suggestions, you've always helped in the past! My budget is under 100 buckaroos, but all suggestions are welcome. Just need some help consolidating space ;) Thanks in advance! ~Shmef

10-27-2009, 07:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,730 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! The Antec 900 is very similar to the 1200, but smaller, and can be had for $95-105. The Antec 900 Two is essentially a cut down 1200, and is $100-120. The Antec 200 and 300 are good as well. Also look at the CoolerMaster Centurion 5 cases. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-27-2009, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
shmef Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 88 OS: Vista SP2 My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! Thanks! I'm trying to move a bit away from the Antecs, I don't really like their reliance on thumbscrews over removeable bays... Coolermaster seems a bit more builder friendly...

10-28-2009, 07:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,416 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! I primarily use CoolerMaster cases. They are well constructed w/good cooling. My best seller-Centurion 534 $50. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119106 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-28-2009, 07:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,431 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! hiow much you want for the 1200 ? __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

10-28-2009, 02:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,431 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! not kididng; I am interested in the 1200 yes the coolermasters are somewhat thinner, but then again IMHO, a case is a case as long as it hold everything in place, has fans; the job is done. the Xclio wind tunnel is another good choice but slightly more money. I am not so into blue leds myself; but ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...o%20windtunnel __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

10-28-2009, 02:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,431 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! another great choice at mwave.com / click on the refurbished button / click on cases & power supplies here is a Lian Li mid tower for $70.00 / normally that case is $135.00 Lian Li is the king of cases without equal but....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...iteria=CB24894 __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

10-28-2009, 02:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,431 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! here is the retail on the Lian Li http://www.eworldsale.com/lian-li-pc...611_30180.html __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

10-28-2009, 04:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
shmef Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 88 OS: Vista SP2 My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! Thanks, I'm looking for smaller though ;) weight isn't really an issue, it's more the width since I need it to fit the monstrous CPU cooler, but the shorter in height the better. If your not into Blue LED's, well, the 1200 is full of them. There's 6 fans that came with it, and all are lit Blue LED's, even the "big boy" 300mm on top. Though a simple cut could put the ixnay on those ;)

10-29-2009, 02:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,782 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! I have a 1200 I think its one of the best cases I have ever had. 8 screws for each hard drive bay so you remove the filters to clean the, once you have the bays pushed out you can use compressed air to get the dust of the fans and blow it out of the case. A proper cleaning job takes 15 minutes. The optional center fan is a pain to get in or out but nothing too major. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-29-2009, 09:48 AM	#13 (permalink)
chowder_pants Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 171 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! This is the case I have http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&Tpk=panzerbox Shorter than a 1200, and extra wide. Cable management is a little tricky, but can be done. Plenty of airflow too. Sell your 1200 to linderman, and spend the extra $20 on this one! edit: Just noticed the $20 mail in rebate. If you can front the extra $20, it comes in at your budget

10-29-2009, 09:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,431 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Quite a Case Conundrum! will pay $90 and i cover shipping __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial