New Case Time - Best Choice???

[Supershanks]

Not in any hurry to switch to AM2 so will upgrade my case. Currently using a centurian 532, which is excellent, but an upgrade to something larger will enable water cooling if i decide on that route + afew more hds.

I'm after a black case

1st choice is stacker:-
Shortlist :-
CM Stacker 830 £157.32 - black version is being launched but am not totally convinced that extra £ gives much better performance than old stacker. Great style.

CM Stacker (STC-T01) Silver trim Silver trim £101.63 Probably favourite atm though finding a silver trim black case is difficult in uk. Not even sure which model code is black i believe the STC-T01UW has the silver trim with black case but would appreciate confirmation rather than get wrong colour

Yeong Yang 0221XB ATX Black Cube Server £149.23 is a somewhat radical departure but looks an interesting choice that should be good cooling any experiences with this unit appreciated.

Thermaltake Armor £99.95 - Prefer the stacker but this is a good contender & seems to be more readily available in uk. There is a new 25CM fan model available, not sure about effectiveness.

Have also browsed browsed briefly @ the Lian-li range but i want predominantly 120mm solutions & the flexability for cooling/drive configuration of the stacker layout is attractive. The Lian-li compartment strategy + price have led me to the above shortlist.

Any 1st hand experience, advise, anecdotes, warnings appreciated.

thanks

[Whiternoise]

I haven't tried any of the above, but i'd whittle the list further based on what you want to do with it as well as cooling and space. The stacker is probably a good choice if you want to watercool - lots of space . Have you checked out the Antec P180?
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=396318
http://www.a1-electronics.net/Cases/...P180_Apr.shtml - review

[Noni]

Stacker original, the new one is craptacular .

Thanks.

[Supershanks]

Hi guys ,
@Whiternoise
have seen the antec but have some issues:-
1) Have heard PSU spoace can be very tight.
2) have seen mixed revies re compartments & cooling effectiveness.
3) Overall lack of space compared with stacker or armor.
4) May be limited in terms of hd space. Current case i have a 4in3 bay i have a hd at the top & bottom leaving a good space for the silverstone fan (switched from cm original) was planning of having 2 of these in stacker armor/config giving great airflow into case from front & cool hd (24~34C). an internal hd rack needs empty bays to help ventilation so may end up limiting no of hdrives

I do think the exterior style is excellent though.

@Noni
Yep was originally attracted to the 830 looks good & liked the fan gate, but have read about some issues re pci cards fitting & have more or less come back to the old school stacker.

[FatalSaviour]

have seen the antec but have some issues:-

1) Agreed
2) When airflow's thought out well, this isn't a problem at all. Can be a bit of a pain if you want to go the watercooling route though...
3) True I think
4) The Antec P180 has 6 HD bays. The reason it only has 6 is that there already is a reasonably large space between the drives, so there isn't a problem cooling them.

Not trying to recommend the P180 especially, but just thought I'd add my $0.02 about it.

Seems like you'd really like that Stacker though

[Supershanks]

The reason it only has 6 is that there already is a reasonably large space between the drives

that's good 2 know as normally you hear about specs & know you need to deduct a couple of drives to give some airflow.

I looked at the P180 when it 1st came out & it is a good case.

Seems like you'd really like that Stacker though

it's probably because i'm coming from here Centurian 530 - Poor Man's Stacker I like the front bays in the stacker/armor which facilitate good cooling & flexibilty.

Currently i use a 4in3 bay with a hd in the top & bottom this gives a good space for fresh air to go through the bay into the centre of the case. hd temps are around 24~34C If i go armor/stacker i'd add a 2nd 4in3 to cool the bottom half of the mobo. that's 4 Hd covered can put another 1 or 2 in 5" bays using the rail adapters. (currently run with 3 HD planning on trying raid again with 2x80gb hitachi sata2 drives.

may also go water cooling later on so any new case should have that potential.

thanks for help

[MantisCSS]

STC-T01 for the win, get a window aswell

[Supershanks]

I'm not sure re the window want cool. have seen in forums that window can add 1~1.5C but reduce noise.

have found a further case at 50% £ of the chaepest on my original list. Karl Pell @ overclockers suggested it he uses 1 New Case Time @ Overclockers.com (it also accepts the cm 4in3 bays. it's certainly worth considering.

[OV3RCLOCK3R]

My vote goes for the Stacker (not the 830).

[unrealhippie]

Have a look at lian li! V2000 or the G70 - fantastic pieces of high quality kit!

[Supershanks]

Just ordered today Lian-Li PC V2000 PLUS Black was going to go for old style stacker but there ain't many around. a few pps have suggested Lian-li & i had dismissed them as being to expensive, but if i compare the v2000 + with the 830 or the tt tai-chi - both inferior imo when you look at finish etc.,

Nearly went 4 the Lian-Li PC-G70B but the v2k looked so cool Am going to try it at stock & see how it compares with current rig :-

CM Centurion 530
Idle

Load


May add a Lian Li EX-34B HDD Bay Black

Andd/or
add more powerful case fans.

[360bhp]

Might be a bit cheap for you... But I got the Chenbro Xpider II from scan, for 30 summin quid and I love it! No screws whatsoever, I can change fans around inside with just sliding the case out in a matter of seconds.

[Supershanks]

Bought my cm 530 for something like that last year. About the best case i've had. But spending 30~50 a year on a case, thought i'd go for something substantial that will give me plenty of space & options if it lasts 3~4 years it's the same £.

[DeludedGuy]

Lian Li PC-7

[Supershanks]

Just got new case today Lian-Li PC V2000 PLUS Black Aluminium couldn't resist it after reading some reviews
cluboverclocker.com reviews - lian_li pcv2000

Case cost 162.15 which compared with the top CM & TT cases:-
CoolerMaster Stacker 830 £151
Thermaltake VB5000SNA Tai-Chi SuperMidi Tower £168.73
Is great value. The finish, design etc., is awesome.

If i go for water cooling i think a double radiator will be ok Which i could mount on either the top or the bottom (probably switch the psu to the top & mount radiator below it on case bottom.)

the Fan canopy thart covers the cpu & memory slots is excellent & has reduced my temps
by 6C, oinly thing that seems strange atm is that the gfx card temop is higher which suprises me as it now has the extractor fan over it. see Lian-Li V2000 PLUS Cooling PC-201B - Interior - Identical intrerior showing shroud


Lian-li Idle

Lian-Li Load


Overall imression is fantastic, only slight criticism is with the psu panel this could have had a 120mm fan rather than the twin 80mm but the panel is removable so nothing to stop you making up your own. Am very impressed with the drive bays, have got that used to leaving HD trays half full to ensure adequate cooling, there's no need with these racks there's about 1/2" clearance between drives.

Marks 10/10

Thanks everyone for input

[Noni]

Nice, glad your happy with it!

For watercooling and moddability and cooling performance not much can match a stacker 810.

But for looks not much can match a V2000/V1000.

Post up some pics!