Removable mobo tray?

[tensim]

Hi Guys,

About to buy all the bits and bobs for my first ever PC build; I was going with the P182 case due to it's reputation (haven't seen it in the flesh!), but it's out of stock everywhere until around the 12th of June...

So I started looking into other case options and came across some that have a removable motherboard tray. This seems to be a very useful feature for a first time (and thick fingered!) builder... Should I go for one with this option instead of the P182?

I like the look of the Akasa Mirage 62, what are the opinions of this case compared to the P182? Any others you might recommend for around £100 or so?

Cheers
Simon

[kalniel]

I've never found I needed a removeable tray for a full sized case - even when I did my first build. They are useful for SFF PCs though.

[stevie lee]

if you do get one with a removable tray, then remember to remove all cables plugged in and don't forget the front panel connectors.. I learned from experience - I forgot to unplug the front panel leads, slid out the tray and the cables ripped out breaking quite a few mobo pins in the process, had to reattach the power lead and the ide light..

good job i was replacing the motherboard, I could have been upset otherwise...


interesting thought on subject - are the removable mobo trays interchangeable? as in leave the mobo and pci cards attached and swap it to another case?

[aidanjt]

Slide out motherboard trays are less than worthless, the power cables attached to the components nearly always snag something or generally aren't long enough. Although 'drop back' trays found on some Lian-Li cases are less of a headache, especially if they have holes on them for routing power cables through.

[staffsMike]

I've got the P182 and the Eclipse 62 (same as the mirage just a different front). Both are very good, the P182 is better for noise and genereally screwed together a bit better. The Eclipse is bloomin massive inside, it's actually an EATX case so you can put server boards etc.. in it but also there is lots of room for watercooling and all that junk if that interests you.

Cooling wise they are very much the same in my expereince as I'm running two fairly similar system in each.

I used the removable tray the first time but it's so big in there, there is little point in bothering.

[kalniel]

interesting thought on subject - are the removable mobo trays interchangeable? as in leave the mobo and pci cards attached and swap it to another case?

If the case is the same model, then yes.

[Lourdes]

Only useful with systems that are hard to get into really, with a big case there's no need.

[kmac]

I wouldn't choose my case based on this feature. I have it on mine but can't remember ever using it.

[Noxvayl]

Well basically as everyone else has said about the tray, its not of as much use as you might originally think. Definitely not something to base your purchase on.

Then for other cases which are good... here are a few:
Antec 900
Thermaltake Shark

Personally I was going to get the Antec 900 but money issues prevented me. Its and amazing case for cooling but to some might not be the prettiest. Thats why I put the Thermaltake shark in there because its pretty but still a very good case

[Thorsson]

The slide out tray is useful for the first build, but less useful than it used to be due to the size of modern HSFs. It can actually be a hinderance on an upgrade, and if the case is actually relying on that feature, with these large HSFs you might find difficulty in installation.

I'd say the Coolermaster CM-690 V2 Dominator was a good buy, but that also seems to be out of stock in most places. These say they have it: WaterCooling UK: Cooler Master CM-690 Dominator

BTW the BT Shop says the P182 will be in stock in 1-2 days. Might be worth waiting a coule of days and seeing who has it.

[staffsMike]

BT Shop/ DAB's has said that for about a week lol

[Thorsson]

Bastiches.

[Noxvayl]

The slide out tray is useful for the first build, but less useful than it used to be due to the size of modern HSFs. It can actually be a hinderance on an upgrade, and if the case is actually relying on that feature, with these large HSFs you might find difficulty in installation.

I'd say the Coolermaster CM-690 V2 Dominator was a good buy, but that also seems to be out of stock in most places. These say they have it: WaterCooling UK: Cooler Master CM-690 Dominator

BTW the BT Shop says the P182 will be in stock in 1-2 days. Might be worth waiting a coule of days and seeing who has it.

That's my case And I can say from using it that its a lovely case with plenty of ventilation options and space for an average-enthusiast system. Well worth the money, heck I'd pay £80 for a case like this

[k0nigen]

If it's your first build and you don't mind splashing out, the Akasa will be great - I thought the slide-out tray was great