I need a new case with very specific requirements...

[spikegifted]

I'm in the market for a new case... But due to space requirement, I've some very specific requirements for the case:

- must not be taller than 15.5"
- must take full size ATX motherboard
- must have good airflow

Looking at these requirements, I have yet to find an unit that fulfill all of them. The closest I've come across is the Antec Sontana... It can take full size ATX and has excellent airflow (120mm for intake and exhaust!!), but it's just a little too tall (16.75")...

If anyone has any alternatives, please let me know... Thanks!

[spikegifted]

Just been looking around... Looks like the Lian Li PC6070 can fit the bill...

Does anyone has this case?

[BUFF]

But that is 18" high

[spikegifted]

Originally posted by BUFF
But that is 18" high

Well spotted!! Darn... Look it's late and my math has gone to pot... Time to stop looking.

[Theo]

Lian Li PC-50? 2 intakes at the front, don't know about anything else. Although I'm sure your psu will have an intake/exaust, and you could easily put a topside blowhole on it.

15inches by the way

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=6702

Bit of a snatch at just under £60 exc p&p

[XTR]

i bet a Lian Li PC37 would fit ya bill... 14.3 inch tall i believe..

[spikegifted]

Thanks folks... The PC-50 looks quite promising - 80mm front intake and a 80mm top exhaust... The PC-37 is just too limited in terms of cooling - only one 80mm fan. The reason that the Antec Sontana catches my eye is because of the 120mm front intake and rear exhaust.

[spikegifted]

Ok... I think I've a couple of cases to consider. I've had a good look at some pictures for both the CoolerMaster ATC-500 and Lian Li PC-50 and I'm still not 100% convince about them... They're very similar in construction and layout, so I'll address the issues together:

1) Airflow: Both have 80mm intake... But the PC-50 has a 80mm top exhaust which may be a good thing, but has no rear exhaust which means it is relying on the PSU to the job. The PC-50 also has some space for 40mm fans next to the expansion slots, which are noisy and next to useless. The ATC-500 has a 80mm exhaust & a 60mm top exhaust, which can be a better choice, but it means that it may be noisy.

2) Layout: Due to the size requirement, I recognize that both cases have to have the PSU mounted vertically - 90 degrees to the normal mount orientation - right next to the CPUs! This may be a problem since I'm considering a pair of Swiftech MCX603 with 80mm fans... I'll have to take some measurements to make sure that there're enough clearance between the top of the fans and the side of the PSU.

At the moment, my heart is leaning towards the Lian Li (I already as a Lian Li PC-6083A which houses my gaming rig), but my head is saying CoolerMaster (it looks like it has better airflow). The Lian Li is about 1cm wider than the CoolerMaster which may prove critical in terms of clearance, but I don't know how high the motherboard platforms are raised off the side panels... Finally, the Lian Li has more drive space.

It is a tough choice... I'll have to give each of them a good think about. If you guys have hands-on working experience with either of the cases (preferably SMP setups), I'd love to hear about your experience. Thanks!!