Case suggestions..

[Wyldinstinct]

Hey folks, first time posting to TechIMO, and I need some suggestions on a new case.

I currently have:
xp 2500+
a7n8x delux mb
512 mg's of 3200 kingston ddr ram.

I have 1 case fan exaust in the back under the power supply and 1 intake fan "rigged" in a couple drive bays that i'm not using (no, it's not pretty)

I set the fsb to 400mz at a 10x multi, and i'm running about 49C idle. i'm pretty sure that with a better case I could cool much more efficiently (a new heatsink is in the works also)

I've never installed a MB before, so tips or links on how to do this would be greatly appreciated also. Thanks for the help in advance

[dunbar]

Welcome to TechIMO, Wyldinstinct.

http://www.techimo.com/forum/f16/index.html Is where I just posted an 11 bay ATX...

[beppodmime]

As far as good cases go, any of the Antec/Chieftec entry server towers (the older Alienware-style cases) are pretty good. They are spacious, and depending on the configuration you get, have plenty of spots for fans. Really no need to rig one up in those cases, although that's a hobby in and of itself .

As far as cooling in these beastly cases is concerned, they perform well. You can get them with or without side windows, with or without top blowholes, side fans, in aluminum or steel, with or without power supplies. Antec, Chenming, Chieftec, and Thermaltake (Their Xaser series) all make different versions of the same case. Durability is usually good, as well. You can get an idea of what they look like here:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=11-129-120

I, personally, don't like them, but that's not because of their performance or anything, it's just because I happen to know about 4 people who have the same case.

As far as installing a motherboard, you're going to want to make sure that everything you take out or remove goes back in the way it came out. Use the stand-offs that will probably be included with the new case, and remove the I/O shield from the back of the old case, and install it into the back of the new one (I/O shield is the metal plate on the back where the motherboards connectors stick out of. Be careful, it's sharp). Check Asus' website for installation and setup instructions for your specific motherboard, and don't worry too much about it. Make sure you're not rubbing your feet on the carpet when you're doing the swap, and ground yourself to the case by touching it often. This way you won't fry anything. When you re-install the HSF, make sure you thoroughly clean the old thermal material off with Naptha (Zippo fluid) followed by Alchohol, and re-apply a thin layer of grease, using a credit card edge, or razor blade to evenly spread it across the core. Also, a power supply with 2 fans may be better for you, as the second fan would be helping to exhaust the hot air from over the CPU and from the top areas of the case. There's more, but it's time for work!

[Dooin' it]

Just run yerself on down ta that thar Home Depot & grab yourself a sheet a that thar 1/8" osb and grab yer skillsaw &..........juuuust kidding..............but I swear one day I'm gonna try it............I'll build the Gerstner toolchest of computer cases!!

[Wyldinstinct]

Thanks for the suggestions folks, that should really help me out

[Darthgary]

I have the Antec Performance Plus 660 AMG, its great but a little on the heavy side.

[RedFury]

If you don't plan on moving it often, The Antec Steel cases are SOLID. I mean HEAVY SOLID. Add in everything and it'll give you a hernia if you aren't careful! Seriously! Awesome case though. Easy to work in, lots of room for air movement, and if you want to cut in a hole for something, just grab your handy jigsaw and a new metal cutting blade and go to town...easy as cake. I just cut a 120mm blowhole in the top of mine, and I had it done in about 5 minutes.

Another great case if you want an aluminum case for a good price can be nabbed at newegg with all the nifty bells and whistles included premade. I bought this case for my wifes computer. They have a bunch of different designs. Not tool less like some, but it comes with front usb/sound/mic and I found it not all that hard to put together.

Motherboard installation is pretty straight forward, just intimidating because you've never done it before. Once you are done with it, you'll wonder why you worried about it in the first place. Just go slow, make sure everything is lined up properly, and off you go.

( one note about these Enermax Cases, they have slots for the PCI/AGP cards to slide in to help keep them lined up...don't force the cards to go in if they seem stubborn, just have to get the narrow end of the card output panel to get in that slot beneath the motherboard )

[squads]

forget the antec cases, they have no style. get a nice Lian-li or kingwin brushed aluminum case. they will have 3, 4 or 5 case fans, most have windows (my kingwin has 3 windows and 6 case fans, one i added myself) and the best part is you wont be another person with a generic antec case

[Gait_Keeper]

I'm looking at cases also here's 408 cases by dollar, lowest to highest


I like some of the maxtops with blowholes, I have a PSU already, as some cases don't come with them

[RedFury]

Antec's have style, you just have to put yours into them to make them different then the rest of the crowd