wish list - antec NSK-3480 made by lian-li

[AlpineCarver]

i really like lian-li's build quality and styling, but they don't have any micro-ATX mini-towers.

i really like the antec NSK-3300 size and layout.

for me, the ultimate case would be the lian-li PC-V1100B styling, with the same dimensions and layout as the antec NSK-3480, with the 2 front fan positions upsized to 120mm.

the new silverstone sg03 is close, but it looks like its power supply placement precludes the use of huge passive cpu coolers, which are my preferred method of cpu cooling. also, i think the huge open side panel may reduce your ability to direct airflow where you want it.

what do you think? maybe we could put togther a write-in campaign.

[Moogles]

You can always use the SG03 with the NT06 lite CPU cooler. The whole case is designed around using the PSU's fan to cool the NT06. There's also Silverstone's TJ08 but it has some issues.

Lian-Li does have the PC-V350: http://www.lian-li.com/product/product0 ... =35&type=a which might be worth a look.

The kind of case you want does exist, it is unfortunately not available outside of Japan. It's Soldam Windy's FC300. Soldam makes the absolute highest quality cases in the world, they make Lian-Li look like cheap Taiwanese knockoffs (which they are). Lian-Li's are made out of the thinnest, cheapest aluminimum available while Soldam's cases are of MUCH higher quality. There really is no comparison.

Here's a picture of one in white: http://webshop.powercube.jp/shopping/it ... WPM00a.jpg

And one of its interior: http://www3.soldam.co.jp/outlet/sp/2007 ... 01_300.jpg

If you want to start a write-in campaign, you're better off spending your efforts trying to convince Soldam to sell their cases outside of Japan!

[christopher3393]

Moogles: Nice post. It's always a pleasure to look at a Soldam. From what I've read on other forums, there is a fair amount of anticipation around the LL PC-V350. It's a nice size and the layout looks pretty good. But I agree with you about thin panels and returned an LL case for that very reason. The SG03 certainly is a popular case and enough people use it so that you can get helpful advice on builds.

I recently bought the new Qmicra v2, this year's followup to the first version which was reviewed by SPCR. It is expensive. But it is very solid and can fit a high-end system more easily than the Sugo ( it can actually fit a water-cooled system!).


http://www.pcdesignlab.com/

[Moogles]

I really like the industrial look of the Qmicra V2, but it seems awfully large. The fact that it takes 120mm fans is a huge plus though. "Pound for pound" the Qmicra probably offers the best cooling capabilities for uATX.

Knowing Soldam exists though, makes it harder to be content with less.

[fresh]

Qmicra V2 looks really efficient at cooling, but I'm not really in a cube looking cases. I prefer them thin, built on a classical design. I can't wait fot Antec mini P182 to come out in october.

Here is its picture: http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=804904

Only thing that bothers me is restrictive fan opening at the top of 200mm fan

[christopher3393]

Moogles: Lian Li PC-V 350 is 14.6"D x 10.9"W x 10.3"H
Qmicra v2 is 14.4"D x 11.6"W x 11" H

Size estimate for mini-P182: 18.5"D x 8.1"W x 17"H
I would place the mini-P182 in a different size category than the matx cases the OP is considering. And while the top fan grill may be a little restrictive for the demands of SPCR, the bigger difficulty will be if you want to remove it. It will be fuglier with the grill off for sure.

[AlpineCarver]

thanks for the suggestions. the soldam doesn't do much for me aesthetically, and the wider lian-li and qmicra boxes have too big a footprint for me, but i might try the sg03/nt06 for my next build (don't have any immediate plans). it appears to be the closest to what i proposed in my original post.

[Chris Chan]

Deleted. I forgot that the original P180 is a lot larger than a normal miditower.