looking for an affordable _COMPACT_ ATX case with 120mm fans

krick · Post by **krick** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:07 am

The computer I built for my girlfriend a few years ago is using the case pictured on this site...

http://www.brian1.net/computers/917j/

Despite the complaints from the reviewer, it has been a great case for my needs.

The problem is that I recently added a 80GB raid mirror (2 drives) to her computer and it's now getting way too hot because of the heat the new drives are throwing off.

So I'm in the market for a reasonably priced case that has a 120mm fan in the back (and possibly one in the front too) that is reasonably compact. I want to avoid monster tower cases. Think mini/mid tower. I only really need 2 5.25 bays for optical drives and a single 3.5 bay for the floppy, but I need a decent amount of 3.5 internal bays so that I can space apart the 3 hard drives for adequate cooling.

Any suggestions?

autoboy · Post by **autoboy** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:33 pm

Antec Solo or P150. Not really that small but reasonably compact. Does not have the space saving but terrible power supply placement your case has. Has room for 4 harddrives softmounted. Comes with reasonably quiet tricool 120mm fan and space for 2 92mm in front. Best case i have ever owned. Easy to work with and take apart.

krick · Post by **krick** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:41 pm

autoboy wrote:Antec Solo or P150

Are they the same case? They look very similar.

Sohjen · Post by **Sohjen** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:44 pm

They are basically the same case, except that the Solo doesn't come with a power supply or stealth drive bays.

krick · Post by **krick** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:48 pm

Sohjen wrote:They are basically the same case, except that the Solo doesn't come with a power supply or stealth drive bays.

Sweet. I hate the stealth drive bays anyway and the NEO power supply on the P150 is a piece of excrement.

nici · Post by **nici** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:55 pm

A very good, quiet, piece of excrement i might add

If you have an early sample and an amd ASUS board its malfunctioning excrement though.

But just get the SOLO anyway, itÂ´s black so its obviously much better and faster.

frankgehry · Post by **frankgehry** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:41 pm

The silverstone tj-08 may qualify - http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewto ... light=tj08

In this post, there is also a link to an Athenatech case that is supposed to be very similar.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:10 pm

Hello,

You may want to take a look at the Evercase 4252: very compact for a ATX, with four 5.25", two 3.5" external, two 3.5" internal, with an addional two internal 3.5" available optionally -- and no door. A 120mm rear fan, and the front intake is quite good. It fits an 80mm fron standard, or ith some creative fasteners, a 92mm is easy, or with a little more tweaking a 120mm would fit in front.

The only downside is not way to hide wires on the right side, unless you cut your own holes. It is quite inexpensive, too. For me, it this or the Solo...