WHat case for new build?

[mat-ster]

Hi , Please can you advise on suitable case for new build...in order of pref

1) Good build quality
2) Quiet
3) Good features
4) Easy install
5) Runs Cool

I have been looking at the Lian Li V1110, AKasa Omega, Antec P182 and the CM RC 1000 Cosmos...
Any other suggestions?
Cheers,
Matt

[staffsMike]

I'd get the antec P182 or save some money and get the coolermaster CM-690 both do all those things pretty well.

[strike-down]

If you're looking at that level of money, what about the thermaltake armour?
well ventilated and quiet (especially with the watercooling option)

Air Cooled (but has fittings for adding watercooling later on):
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...er%20-%20Black

Watercooled:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...er%20-%20Black

I got the watercooled version for use with my striker extreme/q6600 rig (sold ) and it was a fantastic case. Build quality was brilliant, and easy to put everything together. Plus of course, plenty of space

[Webby]

Hiper Anubis (£85) or Osiris (£80) very good for the money
Silverstone TJ07 (£211+), TJ09 (£188+), TJ10 (£222+), FT01 (£153) All quite pricey but excellent quality, only the TJ10 has a door though which from your list I guess is important, in which case the TJ05 may suit you a bit older but still excellent (£82+).

At the cheaper end of the market the Antec Solo (£60) is very good, as are the coolermaster Dominator CM690 (£67) and Centurion 590 (£60), Silverstone have a couple of offerings here as well in the shape of the Kublai KL01 and KL02 (£70+) and the TJ06 (£70).

I will end this little post by saying that all the prices were from Scan when I have given a price with a + next to it the are more models in the same series at higher price. Case choice is very personal so go for what you really like the look/feel of and all the cases you posted above are fine so when you think you have decided on one post back and if the are any known issues people here will give you a heads up.

Edit: Oh and just read Strike-down's post do not get a prebuilt watercooling system from Thermaltake, first they use aluminium never a good idea when using copper as well and secondly if you want to get the most out of watercooling to really make it worth its while you need top quality components the thermaltake stuff just is not that good. If you get it you will end up replacing everything in pretty short order or you wont in which case you may have just used decent air cooling as the performance is probably the same.

[staffsMike]

CM-690 is £57 on scan today only, good price

[moogle]

Edit: Oh and just read Strike-down's post do not get a prebuilt watercooling system from Thermaltake, first they use aluminium never a good idea when using copper as well and secondly if you want to get the most out of watercooling to really make it worth its while you need top quality components the thermaltake stuff just is not that good. If you get it you will end up replacing everything in pretty short order or you wont in which case you may have just used decent air cooling as the performance is probably the same.

Friends don't let friends use Thermaltake. Don't do it mat-ster! If you're gonna cheap on WC'ing best get a good air cooler instead. Or get that swiftech all in one CPU cooler as that is decent for the price.

[strike-down]

Friends don't let friends use Thermaltake. Don't do it mat-ster! If you're gonna cheap on WC'ing best get a good air cooler instead. Or get that swiftech all in one CPU cooler as that is decent for the price.

I didnt actually realise that they used allu/copper together. I never actually checked. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction still recommend the case though. (Minus the water cooled version obviously )

[mat-ster]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated, I will have a look at all your suggestions - do not want to bother with watercooling this time...Yes the P182 does look like a good case especially with the better cable management over the P180.

Strange, why do SCAN not stock many Lian Li?

I currently have the Antec P160 which I have grown to dislike, mainly becouse of the noise, dust, cable management and access for the DVI monitor socket at the back...

Is the build quality and finish of the Antec P182 an improvment over previous Antec cases?
Does anyone use the cases I have posted - any feedback on these would be great, thnx
Matt

[moogle]

I didnt actually realise that they used allu/copper together. I never actually checked. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction still recommend the case though. (Minus the water cooled version obviously )

Yeah it's a nice case no doubt
If you are going to use Alu use it with something other than copper and use alot of corrosion resistant fluids mixed with it to keep it under control.

[Webby]

Until very recently Scan didn't stock any Lian-Li cases, I guess they didn't have a supplier or didn't think they would shift enough to make it a worth while use of space in the warehouse. So the fact they have some now is an improvement.

Yeah the water cooling rant was more a don't buy Thermaltake rather than actually expecting you to buy water cooling, It is a great part of my computing hobby but it definitely is not for every one.

[Pob255]

Well the silverstone cases are right up there next to lian-li in terms of build quality and price.

EDIT: the new Silverstone Fortress FT01 looks very good but is £155ish

On the cheaper end
CM690 very easy install
CM590 basically the same as the CM690 with differnces (I'm being lasy, google it yourself )

However and this is a biggy, if you don't like the Antec P160 build quality you'll not like the CM690 or CM590

Also as to dust problems, the p160 only has the single front vent which is filtered, so clean that regulary, any case with more vents is going to build up far more dust inside.

[mat-ster]

Well the silverstone cases are right up there next to lian-li in terms of build quality and price.

EDIT: the new Silverstone Fortress FT01 looks very good but is £155ish
Update = http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...-ft01-review/5 some design oversights shame has some nice touches... :-(
OK I will hav a look at that now - thanks..(no thanks see review above, nice case but not what I am after)

However and this is a biggy, if you don't like the Antec P160 build quality you'll not like the CM690 or CM590

Ruled out thnx

Also as to dust problems, the p160 only has the single front vent which is filtered, so clean that regulary, any case with more vents is going to build up far more dust inside.

You are wrong - the plastic chrome front plate has slots all along the edge that are intended for venting this drags any dust in (and lets noise out) stupid design really...Also a git to take off always feel like you could snap the plastic pins..
Thanks all - any case owner feedback would be appreciated,
Matt

[format]

Take a look at the Lian Li PCB-25.
I really, really wanted this case but I just couldn't bring myself to pay £125 for it. It can be had about £120 now from KustomPCs.
It's one hell of a sexy case, quiet, made from Aluminium so very light too.

[Pob255]

Umm ok that's really weird, Why the heck did silverstone set up theat top 180mm fan as an intake?

Looks like the TJ07 or TJ10 would be a better choise.

[moogle]

Why the heck did silverstone set up theat top 180mm fan as an intake?

On the fortress?

[floppybootstomp]

Case Feedback:

Last case I bought was the Antec 900 which I'm very happy with, possibly the best case I've ever owned.

Also have an old Lian Li PC61 (black) which is superb build quality but being quite old sports 4 x 80mm fans so it's quite awkward to achieve decent case cooling and low noise.

My media machine uses a Thermaltake Silver Bach case which looks great imo, but is a little cramped inside. A Review

And finally I have quite an old Antec Sonata Mk II fitted with a Corsair 650W non-modular PSU and one 120mm fan. Design is a little old hat now but it runs quiet and cool and I like it.

Apart from the Thermaltake and a few cheapies I've used for builds for other people, I've only ever used Antec and Lian Li.

So there's some feedback but must admit I'm not really up on the current range, my Antec 900 is coming up to two years old now.