A small, cheap case

[Salazaar]

I've come to the realisation that at around 17Kg my case is really too big for LANs and the like so I'm looking for a small, cheap case with good build quality and preferably good airflow features.

My system is on the left and I'd like to leave it as unchanged as possible. Please note the TRUE, I'd rather not have to get rid of it

I've been looking at cases like the Xigimatek Asguard and the Asus TA-D31, but does anyone else have any particular recommendations?

[Rob_B]

I'd seen that Asus too, thought it looked nice. Will monitor this thread as I'm after basically the same thing although not for LAN-ing

[Pob255]

CaseCom 6788 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172779

Could look at the new NZXT Vulcan however that's mATX so you'd have to get a new motherboard.

[Salazaar]

That looks quite suitable actually. I've never heard of Casecom though, are they any good, quality wise?

I was considering dropping to mATX but things start getting expensive when I have to buy a new mobo as well. I'd rather keep things simple.

[jim]

Pob likes it

http://forums.hexus.net/chassis-syst...eview-pob.html

[scaryjim]

That looks quite suitable actually. I've never heard of Casecom though, are they any good, quality wise?

Usually they are bog standard cheap cases: basic but adequate. That one is a bit different: very well designed, pleasure to build into, very solid, very good quality. Toolless drive bays, bottom mounted PSU, plenty of fan mounting spaces, good cable routing (apart from the lack of a hole for the EPS 12v cable ), and obviously the price makes it very desirable

[arthurleung]

If you want a lightweight case you are pretty much limited to Aluminium cases. Thermaltake, Lian-Li and some of the Akasa cases.

Weight wise you can't beat a Shuttle, which is roughly 5-6kg with everything included.

[Salazaar]

If you want a lightweight case you are pretty much limited to Aluminium cases. Thermaltake, Lian-Li and some of the Akasa cases.

Weight wise you can't beat a Shuttle, which is roughly 5-6kg with everything included.

I want lightweight compared to 17Kg of Coolermaster Cosmos, cost is one of the most significant factors though, which rules out the nicer cases.

[arthurleung]

http://forums.hexus.net/chassis-syst...eview-pob.html

Then perhaps this one?

[jim]

http://forums.hexus.net/chassis-syst...eview-pob.html

Then perhaps this one?

That's so 4:09pm

[Rob_B]

That's so 4:09pm

That comeback is so 15-06-2010 @ 09:52 PM

[jim]

Now that's just being pedantic

[Rob_B]

Now that's just being pedantic

totally....

Your mum

Haha where did that post go?

[jim]

What post? Nope, never seen that before

As if I would ever post such an immature retort.

[Pob255]

That's so 4:09pm

The Casecom 6788 is a cheap basic case, but with a very good layout, it's not perfect but for the cost it's hard to beat.
The quality will be simular to the Asus (they are not know for quality cases) or Xigmatek asguard

The Antec 300 would also be worth looking at, it's a bit heavier but that's down to the thicker steel used in it's construction.

You could also consider the NZXT Panzerbox http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/alu...ssis/panzerbox the layout is a little odd but I Like it for that.
Also the EVO beta http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/cla...eries/beta_evo as an alternative to the casecom, basically the same with a few of the flaws fixed (hole for eps cable, better fan grills, slots for 2 top fans, psu vent filter, better/easier to filter side panel) Although I'm not so keen on the look of the front bezel.

The Lian-li PC-7FNWX or ARMORSUIT PC-P50 would also be worth looking at, but not cheap.

If you like the black monolith look then the New Sharkoon rebel 9 aluminium fronted case would be a good one to look at http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Shark...r-Case-w-o-PSU
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cas...-case-review/1
Same OEM as the NZXT, casecom and others, but an aluminium front bezel and no hard drive bays, like the original rebel 9, just 9x 5.25" bays and rubber adaptors so you can fit hard drives into the 5.25" bays or get a seperate cage for them (like the ones used in the antec 900)
personally I prefur the 90degree railed hard drive cage of the nzxt and casecom but I know some people don't.

I'd not discount swapping motherboard, if you don't mind 2nd hand, you should be able to get something good.
Even new you should be able to get something decent for under £60 (G43) http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...-Micro-ATX-VGA I seem to remember that the g43 had better overclocking options than the g41, however it be more dependent on the board.
Be warned mainy of the newer socket775 boards are ddr3 not ddr2 now, also if you use 4x1gb memory make sure you get one with 4 slots not two.
Or go all out on a G45 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149280 or keep an eye out for a DFI Lanparty JR P45-T2RS

[Rob_B]

What post? Nope, never seen that before

As if I would ever post such an immature retort.

...and it's actually 'Yo mamma' or up here in scotch-land 'yer maw'

<snip>
If you like the black monolith look then the New Sharkoon rebel 9 aluminium fronted case would be a good one to look at http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Shark...r-Case-w-o-PSU
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cas...-case-review/1
Same OEM as the NZXT, casecom and others, but an aluminium front bezel and no hard drive bays, like the original rebel 9, just 9x 5.25" bays and rubber adaptors so you can fit hard drives into the 5.25" bays or get a seperate cage for them (like the ones used in the antec 900)
personally I prefur the 90degree railed hard drive cage of the nzxt and casecom but I know some people don't.<snip>

Ooh I like that, bit too expensive for me to class as a budget case though