I'm thinking of getting this case from newegg for $110 w/ship. Is there a better case I should know about, for around the same or less money? Suggestions on what to buy?

i'll be getting the evercase 4252 -

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 028&depa=0

Yes, there is. calam63 just listed one.

I personally think the slk3700amb is much better, and I'm trying to decide between a variation of that case, the LX-6A19, or the Evercase 4252 that calam63 points to at Newegg for my next build.

Try looking right here, the first thread at the top of this section...

Cases: Basics & Recommendations

My vote would also be for the Evercase 4252, Antec SLK3700xxx/Compucase 6A19 series waay before I'd consider the Sonata. The aforementioned cases have better cooling, are easier to work on and are cheaper than the Sonata.

If it's the right case depends very much on what you appriciate in a case.

If you care about the looks and the size I would definately recommed the Sonata. Of course the airflow is superior in the SLK3700, but if you do not care too much about the last few degrees the Sonata is a good choice.

The PSU in the Sonata is good too, and a quick fan swap will make it even quieter.

So if looks and size are your thing get the Sonata, if not there are better options for less money.

Have a look at the Antec SLK1600 if you want a mini-tower.

Edit: It doesn't have the 120mm fan holes, just 80mm. Stick with one of the other cases mentioned above.

I, too, will heartily recommend the Evercase 4252 or Compucase LX-6A19 over the Sonata, any day. The LX-6A19 is designed similarly to the Antec SLK3700 cases, but its bezel and airflow is much better. Also, you can get one from www.directron.com, without a PSU for around $52, shipped, or you can pick one up from www.axiontech.com for around $70, shipped, with a decent 300 watt PSU.

*EDITED* to fix Directron link.

cmcquistion, your directron link is bad amigo.

Thanks.

I had a comma at the end of the link [slaps-forhead].

Recently had a bad experience with the 4252 case from Newegg. Opened up the box, the styrofoam packaging was cracked..no big deal I thought, it's a steel case afterall. Then I go to put in the atx port cover...the whole backside of the case is..skewed. Like it got stamped poorly, or what I think happened, was stepped on or placed under something very heavy during shipping.

I probably should have sent it back, but shipping would have been have been nearly the cost of the case, so oh well.

I'm currently eyeing the SLK3700AMB by Antec. Stylish design, front case door...don't need to buy matching colored cd drives, air filter, 120mm fan openings front and back, generous drive storage. Acousti kit and I'm gtg!

Kind of hard to beat it with nice PSU and case combo. Without PSU.... well... different story

just got my 4252 today - great case !

I like the looks of the black/silver Compucase LX-6A19 from Directron, is it as quiet or more quiet than an Evercase 4252? Or would I be better off with the Evercase?

I would mod the LX-6A19 similar to the coolcases models, replacing stock grill with wire grill, decouple mounting evercool 120mm fans with Bluefronts method, and possibly upgrading hard drive grommets to the EAR ones from McMasters.

The main things I like about LX model is the front air filter, front cosmetics, and the front audio in/out jacks. Plus, the shipping is about 15, but I can bundle in a bunch of extras (i.e. evercool fans, Zalman 7000 alcu) from directron for only about 3 more bucks shipping.

I will be using samsung hard drives, so decouple mounting them for silence is important.

Which case is better for silence though? Evercase 4252 or LX-6A19? I wanna make sure I get the best.

For silence, they are about equal. For features, the LX-6A19 gets my vote.
I've used over twenty 4252's over the years and about 10 LX-6A19's. The LX-6A19 is my preferred case for most applications.

If you can find the 2 x 120mm version of the 4252 it might be a little quieter than the 6A19 due to it's better front bezel design, but the 6A19's are constructed better, FWIW.

i have been debating the same thing for the last couple days. I was looking at the fong kai, but then i'd want to get a quiet PSU to go with it. either that or the sonata and possibly do a fan swap on the PSU if i'm feeling adventurous.

the problem for me, is that the fong kai + PSU would cost much more than the sonata w/PSU. something like ($139+$100) vs. ($99). I like both of the stylings on those cases, and the toollessness of the fk, but i think i'll probably end up choosing the sonata, unless there is a really good alternative (with good looks, and good price)

If you want really quiet, don't go with the Sonata. You will end up swapping out the PSU -- and spending a hundred bucks or whatever to do so... Plus that thing needs modding to provide decent airflow. It is definitely not at the top of the "quiet" cases. You are much better off with a case only + quiet PSU. There are no PSU + case combos I'd recommend for real quiet (<25dBA/1m) -- except maybe the ARMSystem foundation kit.

I'm planning to mod my LX-6A19 case to match coolcases models. I think it'll be about as quiet as can be then

I originally purcahased a Sonata cuz it looked so sexy in the pictures.

When i got it i was disapointed it. It is ugly and the gloss leaves fingerprints and handmarks taht can only be wiped off with a moist cloth. And the plain front looks rather dull. And also the chrome door i heard is cheap and deteriorates. Plus i did not want a Firewire nor audio jacks in the front cuz i would not use them and they would just end up being dummy jacks.

I RMA'd this case at a loss in shipping costs and 15% restocking. I then ordered the BQE from directron w/o the PSU for only ~55 bucks.

Even though this case has a lower MSRP, i found it to be higher quality and a great improvement over the Sonata. It has two USB ports in the front, exactly what i wanted and nothing i didnt want. The matte paint is much better than the gloss. And in my opinion, i think the BQE looks sexier than the Sonata.

Oh and hte Sonata has those super ugly "finger gap thingys" in the front drive mounting areas. The BQE does not so it has a much cleaner look.

OH and might I add that i think the Evercase is really ugly although probably much better than the BQE in terms of cooling. So i went with the BQE cuz i want to have a nice looking case and my GF liked the BQE better.

I also think the Acousticase looks very nice as well!! I somethings think if i should have gotten that instead. Maybe someone here can tell me something really bad about the Acousticase to make me feel better....

OK, here's an admission: I just don't understand people's comments about how "ugly" the Evercase is. Like who cares what it looks like? You're not gonna kiss it are you? It's not a stylish case, I grant that, but it is functionally wonderful at such a modest price. I guess my PoV is that once you've had it for a couple of days, you will never look at it under your desk. I don't. For me, if it works well and it is silent, then it's beautiful.

Well.. at a lanparty it.. erm... represents you sorta? Guess that could effect a lot of buyers. I personally just want it (true) black. Cosmetics beyond that don't matter.

yup like what the poster below you said. your case is sort of an extension of yoru personality just like the vehicle you drive is.

my case is right on top of the desk right next to the monitor. and when i was deciding what case to get i showed my gf the pictures of my choices. she liked the BQE the best. SO GUYS, if you get the BQE you might score when a girl comes to your room because she may find the BQE attractive.

ROFL!!!!

But if she's already in your room...

I just noticed the staggering number of views of this topic....... must be a hot question! 1200+ views at time of writing.

At the LAN party I last attended, the guy who impressed the most was somebody who carried the guts inside a small suitcase (mobo, PSU, gfx card, etc) The reason he impressed us all was because he was using a Zalman PSU (stock, no mods) and IT WAS QUIET !!!!

If you build it, they will be impressed.

I got the BQE for $81 AUD w/o PSU (Already got TruePower 380w),

Looks nice and fits my black and silver furniture... hehhe

Luckily I can wait whilst I mod the BQE to have better airflow and some nicer LEDs (Green and Orange is not something I am gunna look at all day/night)...

Another thing, the BQE feels nice and solid, I have completely taken mine apart to begin the cutting etc


The evercase and the 6A don't appeal to me on their looks, but what can I say? I currently have one of these beasts... Codegen ATX-9001 unfortunately I have the uglier beige one...

Talk about functional... probably could be quiet with some more mods. My 7200.7 runs at 26 degrees with the two back fans on full... CPU idles at 32 with an ambient of 25. Stock cooler.

So look at the BQE as an alternative...