WHat case for new build?

[Viper81]

I just upgraded to a P182 from my old Antec 1080AMG and I'm pretty happy with it.
A few things to note, I had to by extensions for my 24-pin and 4-pin 12V motherboard power connectors in order to be able to route the cables up from the bottom mounted power supply.
I also had to remove one of the two hard drive trays to be able to fit my 9800GTX in but that's not really a problem because I'm using one of the 4 lower HD bays anyway
The externaly mounted case fan speed control switches are handy but it would have been nice if they had an 'off' position (fussy, I know )

[mat-ster]

Thanks for the feedback Floppy, Format and Viper......
What kind of PSU was that Viper ?
Anyone have a Cosmos what are they like, are they worth the money?
Cheers,
Matt

[moogle]

Anyone have a Cosmos what are they like, are they worth the money?
Cheers,
Matt

They're okay, quiet and they keep components cool, if you're gonna overclock or put lots of hardware in though add more or replace the fans as it'll start heating up inside.

[Viper81]

Thanks for the feedback Floppy, Format and Viper......
What kind of PSU was that Viper ? ...
Matt

A Seasonic 500W, I toyed with the idea of buying a corsair 650W to replace it (the non-modular one, I checked the cable lengths and they would have been adequate) but just bought the extensions instead.

[mat-ster]

Thanks,

So the CM Cosmos is good, how is it with dust? (mesh etc).
Moogle your sig says Antec 1200 how do you rate that?
Thanks, Matt

[moogle]

Thanks,

So the CM Cosmos is good, how is it with dust? (mesh etc).
Moogle your sig says Antec 1200 how do you rate that?
Thanks, Matt

It's real good for keeping my components cool and staying quiet at the same time. Also if I want to do some major overclocking for benching I can turn it all up and it's tolerable (to me though ) Dust filters on it work real good too, absolutely caked after 5 months of use (had it on full speed most of the time). A nice thing is that if you aren't using the hard drive cage you can remove it to get more room inside which is a good place to put my pump. The Cosmos does a good job of keeping dust out too, but the build up is slower as the airflow is much less than of the Antec, but this is the first Cosmos I'm talking about, the newer ones have fans in the front too so that might have changed. They use the same style filters that the Antec do, the fine mesh in a bracket. Cosmos is real quiet too with that soundproofing pad inside and I loved the ways the side panels come off
I never really did cable management when I had it but the Antec one is great so it should be the same on the Cosmos as it has alot of the same style holes for cables to route through. The Antec has alot of space behind the motherboard for cables to be put too.

Hope it helps in the decision of your case

[Zsev]

I just took delivery of my CM 590 and while everything is great, fitting hard drives is a real pain in the ass. Wished I went for the CM 690 instead.

For dust issues, get yourself some dust filters from ebay for 1 quid or so per piece. That'd keep the dust outta your fan holes.

[hybridE4t]

Aye, dust filters are essential although most decent cases tend to have them included now but definitely check before you buy.

My votes would echo thoughts above of:

First: Antec P182 - Great compartmentalised cooling, easy to work with and elegant looking in an understated kind of way. Also now a bargain for the price as it's been out a little while.

Second: Antec 1200 - Slightly more expensive at around £110 but good value considering the incredible cooling. Build quality also pretty good if you don't mind the plastic.

Some great Lian-Li and Silverstone cases out there but their decent ones are overpriced (in my opinion...). Similarly to you I used to have an Antec P160 which was great for its time but definitely behind the times now. I've just bought a NZXT Rogue but that's because I'm making the controversial move to mATX (DFI JR P45-T2RS)

[Pob255]

I just took delivery of my CM 590 and while everything is great, fitting hard drives is a real pain in the ass. Wished I went for the CM 690 instead.

Yes I think that's a major flaw, why they didn't keep the exellent tooless trays at 90degrees of the 690 is just crazy

[spiral out]

I can recommend the CM690, been using it for a year now and it's nice and quiet with the fans turned down.