In the market for a new case

[msukc]

I have had the same tired case for a while. Here is what I have under the current hood (I know it is kind of weak but I am not really a gamer):

EPoX EP-9NPA7I 939 NVIDIA nForce4 4X ATX AMD Motherboard
ZALMAN ZM-NB47J Aluminum Heatsinks only
3D Fuzion 3DFR66256X GeForce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
G.SKILL Value 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Desktop Memory Model F1-3200PHU2-2GBNT (plus another .62 G of old memory)
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Single-Core Processor
Surepower 430W btx/atx 12v
40 G hard drive
200 G hard drive
Windows XP home service 3

I have run out of space in the current tower and would like to go to a new one. I dont want to spend a ton of cash but would like something I can grow with.

What do y'all recommend?

Many thanks in advance.

KC

[Nater]

Lian Li or Silverstone. Pretty much all of LL's stuff is great, most of Silverstone's is really nice too.

[LordVampyre]

so, whats your money limit for this case?

[OpStar]

Full Tower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160

Mid Tower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137

[stang10001]

full tower:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82e16811119160

+1

[Nater]

I'm sure the HAF is a nice case, but I think it's ugly as sin.

[OS-Wiz]

Full Tower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160

+2
Buddy of mine loves the case; says it dropped temps 3c, all else same. Very quiet too.

[msukc]

Thanks for the suggestions. No real price range. Always love a good deal though. I don't really care about looks as much as function (quiet, room to grow and the ability to keep the case as my computer evolves).

I have ran out of room to add another drive to my case and thought I would just get a full size tower since I don't care if it is big. But when you shop cases, it is a bit overwhelming.

[fluffmonster]

If you live anywhere near a big computer retailer like Microcenter or Fry's, it might be good to wander in and check on what they have on the floor. Cases are one of those things that benefit from a hands-on approach to shopping.

[msukc]

seems like I could throw 100 bucks or so at any case or I could grab this for 30 bucks. Has 11 bays with larger power supply than I have.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...&CJPID=1371119

Am I getting that much more with a Lian Li or Silverstone? Seems like an aesthetic deal entirely. I would rather start focusing on performance.

Steer me differently if I am wrong.

KC

[OS-Wiz]

seems like I could throw 100 bucks or so at any case or I could grab this for 30 bucks. Has 11 bays with larger power supply than I have.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...&CJPID=1371119

Am I getting that much more with a Lian Li or Silverstone? Seems like an aesthetic deal entirely. I would rather start focusing on performance.

Steer me differently if I am wrong.

KC

>>I would rather start focusing on performance.
We are in total agreement!
If you buy that case with its poor airflow and cheapazz PSU you are violating you focus -- performance.
First criteria for a case is correct airflow and the fan mountings required to achieve it. Then fit, form, and function; Cooler Master and Lian Li are best at it with Antec a distant 3rd. PSUs that come with cases (with the noteable exception of Antec) are usually a cheapazz POS as is the PSU in the case you are looking at.
The single most important purchase you will make is the PSU. Ask anyone that bought a cheapazz PSU to save a few bucks had had it take out half their components when the POS blew up! IMHO there are only three PSU choices, the Antec Signature series (actually made by Delta, the Server PSU builder, is the only PSU ever to receive a 10 rating from JohnnyGuru), Corsair, and PC Power and Cooling.

[Nater]

Lian Li and Silverstone cases do more than look good. They're exceptionally well built and can be extensively modified. I bought a LL mid-tower back in 2006 and I'm only now needing something bigger. That is only because I'm going to do a dual loop water cooling setup. If I was happy air cooling my GPU(s) I'd still be fine with my V1100.

Your case and your monitor are going to be around longer than any other parts of your system. Spend good money on them. That and avoid any power supply that comes with a case, especially a case as cheap as that. That power supply would probably croak at a 250W load, let alone 500W.

[msukc]

Thanks for all the good info. I will start keeping an eye on silverstone and li cases. Makes sense that the case will stick around the longest. it is the only thing that I have (other than a 3.5 drive that I never removed) left from my original computer.

My perception is most likely much different that most of you that have responded.

When I mean performance, I mean above average and enough to run office, burn movies, and create some home video stuff of my little girl. No hardcore gaming or graphics needs. You should be able to tell by my weak system specs.

I guess I am more interested in storage space and making sure I have a fairly recent processor (although mine is 3 years old now).

That said, I think I will target a Li or Silverstone. Better to be over equipped in the chasis. They appear to be easier for upgrading/accessing components during installation efforts.

Sounds like all of you are saying any silverstone or li are good and it really just is up to aesthetics, options and size needs?

Thanks again everyone.

[OS-Wiz]

Thanks for all the good info. I will start keeping an eye on silverstone and li cases. Makes sense that the case will stick around the longest. it is the only thing that I have (other than a 3.5 drive that I never removed) left from my original computer.

My perception is most likely much different that most of you that have responded.

When I mean performance, I mean above average and enough to run office, burn movies, and create some home video stuff of my little girl. No hardcore gaming or graphics needs. You should be able to tell by my weak system specs.

I guess I am more interested in storage space and making sure I have a fairly recent processor (although mine is 3 years old now).

That said, I think I will target a Li or Silverstone. Better to be over equipped in the chasis. They appear to be easier for upgrading/accessing components during installation efforts.

Sounds like all of you are saying any silverstone or li are good and it really just is up to aesthetics, options and size needs?

Thanks again everyone.

Based on your stated requirements, I'd think a mid-tower sized case will do fine. LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112040

[Robot]

Are Lian Li mid towers big enough for the new larger sized video cards?