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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: DrewKaree on February 11, 2005, 11:55:11 pm

Title: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: DrewKaree on February 11, 2005, 11:55:11 pm
I just ordered this case, am in the process of building a new PC, and will eventually (in about 4-5 months) be turning it into an HTPC.

(http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-119-043-01.JPG)

Has anyone bought this case or seen it in action - ANY comments?  I got the dial version instead of the plain front one because


Anyone have the plain version, as well?  I MAY return it for the plain faced version, if there's other compelling reasons.

And rampy, I came across reviews of CoolerMaster's mini-ATX case like this, but no reviews of this case re: HTPC purposes...anything you have to say about this is MUCH appreciated!
Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: Crazy Cooter on February 12, 2005, 12:15:30 am
That looks pretty sweet Drew.  I like the "classic" look it has.  Is that a volume indicator?
Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: GGKoul on February 12, 2005, 01:06:04 am
What's the noise rating on the case?  As if your making it into a HTPC later, you may want to get a quieter case.  As you don't want to hear the PC fans running when watching a movie.  I have a Antec Sonata and it's whisper quiet and it comes in a shiny piano black case.

But that is a sweet looking case.
Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: Ravant on February 12, 2005, 01:13:51 am
Sweet looking case. The dial shares a name with a fairly reliable, yet unsafe in a crash test car made by Chevy. (Cavalier.) All in all, it looks pretty darn good. Just make sure it's not too loud for what you're trying to do with it.
Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: MnMCaputo on February 12, 2005, 02:57:51 am
Drew, i'm working on my htpc right now, if your looking for nice cases, ahanix is comming out with some really nice ones in the very near future to replace or expand on their divine line http://www.ahanix.com/ahanix_product_list.asp?cid=6
on the htpc note, make sure you get your hdtv tuner card before july 1st, after that they will not be sold in the us. 
That coolermaster case is nice, best features being the vent over the cpu and of course the front gauge, but, i really do thing you would be pleased with ahanix or even this one http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/cases/ht400.asp
i just think they look more like stereo/av equipment
Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: SOAPboy on February 12, 2005, 04:00:53 am
Quote from: Ravant on February 12, 2005, 01:13:51 am
Sweet looking case. The dial shares a name with a fairly reliable, yet unsafe in a crash test car made by Chevy. (Cavalier.) All in all, it looks pretty darn good. Just make sure it's not too loud for what you're trying to do with it.

it wont be, unless he packs it with nosiy fans..


I personally hate those cases.. they scream "Prebuilt" to me..

a nice small shuttle cube or msi media box would be enough BANG for a pc, and be a great htpc..

Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: DrewKaree on February 12, 2005, 09:37:16 am
Quote from: MnMCaputo on February 12, 2005, 02:57:51 am

Drew, i'm working on my htpc right now, if your looking for nice cases, ahanix is comming out with some really nice ones in the very near future to replace or expand on their divine line http://www.ahanix.com/ahanix_product_list.asp?cid=6


Thanks for the link..I haven't checked it out yet, but will after this reply.  The only reason I haven't liked the Ahanix' are the OUTRAGEOUS prices just because they include that VFD, and the ONLY one I found from them that didn't have that was still in the just-a-few-bucks-away-from-$200 range. 

I also like the Silverstone cases, but something about them slapping their logo all over the dang things strikes me as NASCAR-ish, and at their price range, I shouldn't have to do a dang thing to remove their cheesy logo.  The drop-down doors on 'em also feels kinda rinky-dink, like it wouldn't hold up.

As far as noise issues go, no that really really shouldn't be an issue, and I've got a few sources for free dynamat scraps (yes, large enough for PC use) if it actually is, but the fans I'm planning on using are the nicer oh-so-quiet type.

Thanks, MnM, on the time-frame for the HDTV card, as I knew it was coming - just talked about it with my father-in-law - but couldn't remember when....that changes some purchasing priorities around too.

Cooter, yeah, the dial is supposed to move in time with the audio, from what I understand, but I dunno if it's possible to re-purpose it for something else....what I'd like to do is make it relate to case temperature.

And the SFF boxes (shuttle, FIC, MSI) aren't my cup of tea.  They strike me as a shoebox on steroids, and just don't fit in visually with the rest of my audio equipment, although I WILL be building one for each of my kids when I boot them out into college.  If the MSI box with the FM tuner would pick up AM, I'd be all over it....oh, but first they'd have to drop the price about $150, too....but that's the best design, I think, out of all the shoebox cases I've seen!  Do they have a newer version that fixes the "EITHER the FM, OR the PC, but not both at the same time" issue?

FWIW, anyone who wants to pick this case up, it's only $80 right now at NewEgg, and I'm sure it's sold cheaper elsewhere online (I just bought a pile of parts from them, so saving 5 bucks with some vendor I'm unfamiliar with doesn't trip my trigger).
Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: shmokes on February 12, 2005, 12:29:47 pm
My brother built an HTPC with that case.  One thing he dislikes is the vent right above the CPU.  He feels like he can't stack any components on top of it cos it would impede airflow.  Even with it on top, though, he's always worried that one of his kids will toss a DVD case on top of it after putting in a movie or something.

Cool case, though.  I like the silver one.


p.s.  Why are they going to stop selling HDTV tuner cards?
Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: DrewKaree on February 12, 2005, 03:15:19 pm
Shmokes, it looks like there are fan setups for the side of the case.  Is that the case, or am I mistaken? 

From what I remember, I think I saw on rampy's site (www.byopvr.com (http://www.byopvr.com)) that while they're not discontinuing HDTV cards, they'll have more limited functionality due to some legal ruling or the industry caving or some such thing, but they won't be stopping manufacturing, just re-tooling to conform.

Title: Re: Anyone have/use/want this computer case? Rampy, comments?
Post by: MnMCaputo on February 12, 2005, 04:07:39 pm
to answer the question on why they are doing away with the hd tuners   http://www.eff.org/endangered/list.php#hdtvcard
i would not recommend the ati one though because its software decoded which means your processor has do the work, this is the one i'm getting
http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/mdp120.asp because its all hardware decoding, for like $30 more than the ati one.   although it does stink that they make you buy another daughter card for the dvi output.  also drew, i would recommend getting the thermaltake pure silent 420W http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-006&depa=0
its cheap, silent and rock solid, i have it in all 5 pcs running in my house.