Cheap, Classy and quiet mATX case

[robkewley]

Bit of a subjective one this. I have scrounged together a free PC for a mate using all my old bits of hardware. PC runs great but I don't have a case for her. Can I have your recommendations on what is the classiest looking case I can get for the least about of cash (this is the only thing I need to pay for)? It needs to look good as there is nowhere to hide the tower/cube

This will be a strictly an internet and open office machine. No gaming or overclocking. MB is mATX, standard PSU and it just needs to house a HDD and CD.

I'm looking at the Fractal Design Core 1100 which is under £30 on scan. I could stop being a tightwad and stretch to Aerocool Dead Silence at £55, but this then starts to look less like a favour.

[shaithis]

It's going to be extremely hard to find something better looking or cheaper than the Core.

[aidanjt]

If you really want classy, the Fractal Design Define Mini is the ticket, but at £60 from Amazon that might be more than you want to pay. But I still consider it cheap for a case of its sheer quality. Unfortunately cases appear to have a correlation between price and tackiness in its appearance, whether that's intentional or not I don't know.

[scaryjim]

As you say, "classy" is somewhat subjective. Have had a quick browse of both ebuyer and Scan, and Scan seems to be the better option for cases at the minute. I'd consider:

Zalman T5 £17.94
Cheap and sleek black front, although it sports funny power-bulge sides that I'm not personally so keen on. Good internal layout with bottom mounting PSU, plenty of fan mounts and front USB 2 and 3.

Antec VSK3000 £21.98
Very traditional plain black tower case, with top mounted PSU and USB 2 ports only. It's like someone took a mid 90's beige box and painted it black

Sharkoon CA-M £43.80 £32.00 at amazon
Possibly the most marmite selection looks-wise, but I think it looks great. I also like the layout, which mounts the PSU next to the motherboard, over the CPU socket. It does mean you get reduced clearance for your cooler, but if this is a "free" build I'm guessing there's a fairly stock CPU cooler in there which will be fine. Another case with front USB3 as well as USB 2, the only potential issue is the lack of an optical drive bay.
EDIT: just found the Sharkoon in both BLACK and SILVER for £32 on amazon - I think I like it in black even more

[Biscuit]

As you say, "classy" is somewhat subjective. Have had a quick browse of both ebuyer and Scan, and Scan seems to be the better option for cases at the minute. I'd consider:

Zalman T5 £17.94
Cheap and sleek black front, although it sports funny power-bulge sides that I'm not personally so keen on. Good internal layout with bottom mounting PSU, plenty of fan mounts and front USB 2 and 3.

Antec VSK3000 £21.98
Very traditional plain black tower case, with top mounted PSU and USB 2 ports only. It's like someone took a mid 90's beige box and painted it black

Sharkoon CA-M £43.80 £32.00 at amazon
Possibly the most marmite selection looks-wise, but I think it looks great. I also like the layout, which mounts the PSU next to the motherboard, over the CPU socket. It does mean you get reduced clearance for your cooler, but if this is a "free" build I'm guessing there's a fairly stock CPU cooler in there which will be fine. Another case with front USB3 as well as USB 2, the only potential issue is the lack of an optical drive bay.
EDIT: just found the Sharkoon in both BLACK and SILVER for £32 on amazon - I think I like it in black even more

That sharkoon is a really nice case for the Amazon pricetag!

Looks like HDD are mounted directly onto the chassis though, so you might want to pick up a cheap dampening kit otherwise it will rattle like hell.

[robkewley]

Picked the Zalman. Perfect for what I need. Thanks

[Spreadie]

Bah, too slow... was going to suggest the SG08-E or the PS07 - both are compact, cool and quiet. My main rig resides in the PS07 and the server live in the SG08-E

I have the Aerocool Dead Silence too, it has bags of potential for housing a watercooled rig - You can fit a 240 rad in the roof and even a 200mm rad behind the front panel, if you ditch the 3.5" drive bays. However, as soon as you swap the solid roof panel for the mesh panel, it gets noticeably louder.

[Biscuit]

Bah, too slow... was going to suggest the SG08-E or the PS07 - both are compact, cool and quiet. My main rig resides in the PS07 and the server live in the SG08-E

I have the Aerocool Dead Silence too, it has bags of potential for housing a watercooled rig - You can fit a 240 rad in the roof and even a 200mm rad behind the front panel, if you ditch the 3.5" drive bays. However, as soon as you swap the solid roof panel for the mesh panel, it gets noticeably louder.

I just picked this case up as well after Antec stated they won't be bringing the solid panel version of the P50 to europe. Don't have my motherboard yet but I have started putting bits in and my H100 fits nicely. Sounds like its down on fluid though which is a bit worrying.

Overall its a decent case though.

[Spreadie]

My old H100 used to gurgle a bit when first installed - it would eventually settle down and push any air bubbles into the radiator tank. After that is was pretty quiet.

Incidentally, you can fit a H100/H100i in the PS07 too, if you don't mind sacrificing the lower 5.25" bay...



The fitting is a bit funky - you can just about make out the screw going in the "wrong" hole, but it's secure, doesn't rattle and didn't require any modding.