Case Choice

[mrp21]

Hi,
I'm still pondering on what to buy for my new computer but how about this for a case:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144483

i was originally thinking of going for the antec sonata III

any thoughts welcomed..........

[TAKTAK]

TBH, cases are a personal preference...

i like Lian Li, silverstone, antec and coolermaster whereas others may hate them.

have a look at the antec 300/900/1200, the sonata is quite nice though (i think mike has one..)

you just want something with good airflow that is easy on the eye

[Pob255]

My advice on the case you listed is DON'T
it's an El-cheapo case with a psu that is basically a fire hazard

El-Cheapo cases can be ok sometimes.
Now this might come as a shock to some people here, but not everyone digs around inside there case every other week or month, infact they never open there case.
For this sort of person, a budget case can be fine, as long as your happy to suffer a little when you have to go inside it.
lots of sharp edges, thin metal and snap out plates means you will end up scarificeing some of your blood to the god of el-cheapo cases

[0iD]

Yeah, never buy a case with a PSU, as they are generally rubbish. Decide on the look you want & a budget price.

[Webby]

Yeah, never buy a case with a PSU, as they are generally rubbish. Decide on the look you want & a budget price.

Not always the Antec NSK and Sonata series come with perfectly good PSUs installed, if you like the look of the Sonata Designer or Plus 550 but do not want the PSU then look for the Antec Solo same case

[0iD]

Why i said 'generally' Chieftec used to supply servicable PSU's as well.

[Pob255]

Why i said 'generally' Chieftec used to supply servicable PSU's as well.

They still do
Cannot remember who makes them and don't have one close to hand atm.
I'll check later if you really want to know.

EDIT: We have cheiftec cases here at work, they are nice case, we mainly have the micro atx towers, but we have got some of there mid towers aswell.
Although they seem to be harder to find in the uk mainly sold to the oem system companies

[Maccer101]

How about the Antec NSK6580 from Ebuyer, only about £52 and you get a nice 430w Antec PSU included, lots of positive reviews for it on the Newegg site. I think the PSU only has a 4pin 12v Mobo connector so you may want to check that and whether the mobo you want is 4 or 8 pin.

[mat-ster]

Stick with the Antec Sonata III and buy a good quility PSU e.g. Corsair, Enermax, BeQueit!

In the long run you will be much happier...

[Webby]

The PSU in the Sonata III is of perfectly good quality you certainly should not be replacing it, in fact if your spending £80 on the case and then getting a PSU as well the are better or cheaper cases to be had.

[DaveVader]

I say this to everyone that cases are a personal preference, obviously you can ask about build quality and peoples' previous experience but at the end of the day, if you like the look, you are the one buying it.

[Pob255]

I double checked, our older chieftec cases have delta PSUs the latest have Seasonic PSUs
They were these ones http://www.chieftec.com/bs-02b-b-sl.html
quite nice cases, although shorter than a standard case so they need PSUs that are slightly shorter than standard ATX, the hard drive cages are nice but a right bugger to remove/instert with hard drives in them because the cpu cooler gets in the way.
The normal mid tower doesn't have this problem.

Looking at specialtech (one of the few places I fount that sells chieftec cases) they are a bit pricey for there basic nature.
I think you'd be better off looking at the Antec NX's or Akasa Zen for a basic, functional, well made, steel case as they are cheaper.

The chieftec Giga looks quite nice, but from the google translated german review I found looks like the door is thin plastic and held shut by plastic friction catches shame.

[Jay]

after years of using different cases I have to say that Lian-Li are THE best I have ever used.

[Zsev]

THE case at the moment seems to be the coolermaster CM690, everyone and their neighbor seems to be buying that case.

As I see it, for 60 quid there are only 4 safe options.

1) Coolermaster CM690 (crazy expensive in UK, ~100% more expensive than Asia/USA)
2) Coolermaster centurion 5
3) Antec 300
4) Coolermaster CM590

[PeterStoba]

THE case at the moment seems to be the coolermaster CM690, everyone and their neighbor seems to be buying that case.

As I see it, for 60 quid there are only 4 safe options.

1) Coolermaster CM690 (crazy expensive in UK, ~100% more expensive than Asia/USA)
2) Coolermaster centurion 5
3) Antec 300
4) Coolermaster CM590

It's only ~£45 in the USA, which with our price translations is about the same price tbh

[Pob255]

Actually I'd add a couple more to that List

Akasa Zen £30 at that cost is good, not super cooling but the 2x120mm still give a decent airflow for most pc's

Antec NSK6580 £65 but comes with the earthwatts 430w psu (made by seasonic) again cooling not as much as some but still reasonable and does look so elegant.

Oh and don't forget the Antec Mini P180 £60 Although this is restricted to mATX motherboards only.