Re: Need opinions on a few cases...
I did say it wouldn't just be a file server, several times a day it'll be going flat out encoding video for 30 minutes at a time, maybe more. I expect it to be going full pelt for 2 or 3 hours of every day, and practically idle for the rest. I don't mind a little more noise when this happens, and I don't mind turning fans up for this short period of time, but the cooling solution has to be able to handle it.
The Fractal is lovely, but way out of my budget, and to be honest looks don't matter. A decent amount of room, and cooling is all that matters really. It can be ugly as sin as long as it's big and keeps my kit cool, quietly and without
The Silverstone looks ok too, but it's a little low on 3.5" bays. Only 3, which blocks 3 5.25" bays. There are 9 5.25" bays, so I'd have to use my 4in3 straight away. That'd use up 6 of the 9 5.25" bays, leaving only 2 free after an optical drive, and i'd still only have 7 3.5" drives in it. The Asgard, for example, has 6 before I use the 4in3, and 10 after, with the room for one ODD.
I know i'm being a fussy bugger, but I need room for 6 hard drives right now, with room for future expansion, and I need it to be quiet, and I need it on budget.
I'm leaning towards the Xigmatek Asgard right now. Cable management, cooling, space. And cheap as chips.
Re: Need opinions on a few cases...
I would go for the Antec - 300 for a tight budget or 900 if u can afford it (better cooling and more room)
Re: Need opinions on a few cases...
Im about to get an Antec 900 2. Think it's around£85 on Scan.
Re: Need opinions on a few cases...
A really quiet case is the Antec P180 mini, superb airflow and great build quality. One issue that might stop you looking at it can only take a mATX motherboard. Has 3 x 5 1/4" external bays and 5 x 3.5" internal bays. All internal bays are on damped mounts.
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=MTExNA==
It is frequently available from Scan for around £55-£60 on today only.