Beautiful case with 120mm intake/exhaust and lotsa room?

halcyon · Post by **halcyon** » Tue May 06, 2003 4:12 am

I need the help of all you case junkies.

I need tips/images/model numbers for non-beige cases that fulfill the following criteria:

- ready or easy-to-made 120mm intake/exhaust fan holes
- lots of room (sorry, no mid-towers)
- must be made out of metal (for at least partial RFI shielding)
- sturdy (i.e. not the tinniest aluminum cases that bend when you look at them)
- drive bay door (preferably with space in the doors inner surface for damping material)
- aesthetic appeal (yes, this is personal, so you be the judge when you post)

Any takers?

regards,
Halcyon

acidradio · Post by **acidradio** » Tue May 06, 2003 4:25 am

Compucase LX-6A21, should be have lots of room although a midicase, 120mm fans, black and nice looking, cheap! (only 52 euros in finland.)

Will35 · Post by **Will35** » Tue May 06, 2003 1:13 pm

While this Ahanix case only has a 120 fan on the rear, the double 80's on the front would allow you plenty of airflow. Besides... this is one fine looking box in my opinion

obiwan · Post by **obiwan** » Tue May 06, 2003 1:16 pm

Try the Yeong Yang YY-5601. Good steel construction and a unique design. Plus then you can help me find one

!

http://www.yeongyang.com/

marc999 · Post by **marc999** » Tue May 06, 2003 2:31 pm

Tom's Hardware just did a review of cases:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20030428/index.html
My favorite one was the Compucase CI-6619:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/2003 ... ew-23.html
It's fairly similar to the D8000/Compucase LX-6A19 featured here under the recommended section but:
1. Only the back has a 120mm fan. The front features 2 x 80mm.
2. 1mm thick (as opposed to .80mm) steel construction.
3. It has a "Thermally Advantaged Air Guide"
4. The PCB at the front of the case has Firewire/USB 2.0/Audio In/Out.
(the D8000 I just got from Coolcases.com does not have the Firewire on the front PCB).

Now I know you were looking at both a 120 mm front and rear fan, but this may be a superior setup. Right now there isn't a "definitive" or "reference" quiet 120mm fan, so up at front, where the noise is most obtrusive, it may be better/safer to have two 80mm Panaflow L1As (and this may provide more airflow than a undervolted 120mm fan anyway). I don't know what this "Thermally Advantaged Air Guide" is, but it could be a good thing. If it's a hole in the side of the case then probably that would be a bad thing for a Quiet PC though, so that potentiall could be the cases downfall. Still, it looks like it has potential that's for sure !!

BadReligionPR · Post by **BadReligionPR** » Tue May 06, 2003 7:22 pm

obiwan wrote:Try the Yeong Yang YY-5601.

Damn that's an ugly bezel. BTW the insides look suspiciously similiar to the Antec Sonata (another mid-tower, another PC designed for acoustics) shown here

For example:
YY 5601

Antec Sonata

@Marc999 - I like the case that you said was your favorite. It looks nice (though bit small)

halcyon · Post by **halcyon** » Tue May 06, 2003 11:35 pm

Thanks for the tips so far!

I looked at the Tom's round up now too and personally found ATCS-Tek MRO-18 (aka Cooler Master TAC-T01) interesting, except that it's impossible to fit 120mm fan in the back (and probably in the front too). The inside form factor looks almost identical to my Antec 1038, which can theoretically fit a 120mm in the rear panel for exhaust, but then the side panel won't close anymore (I've tried):

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/2003 ... g_1752.jpg

What I really want is the front door that is dampable. This can significantly reduce optical drive noise, if properly done. I've done this on my Antec 1038 and while optical drives are far from silent, they are very much subdued with the use of a closed front door (+ damping there). This pretty much rules out the Compucase LX-6A21 for me personally.

The Ahanix Landrover mentioned looks interesting (although perhaps not to my taste, but not bad):

http://www.amdzone.com/articleview.cfm?ArticleID=1262

It is missing front intake fan slots and the HD 2x80mm fans are mounted sideways blowing case air onto the hd spots:

http://www.ahanix.com/photo.asp?photo=landrover06

I'm not sure how much padding the front door can accomodate, but it badly needs it as it's merely a see through plastic mesh and won't block any sound in default form at all:

http://www.ahanix.com/photo.asp?photo=landrover07

I'm beginning to think I have too big demands on the case. It seems that a beautiful and sturdily constructed case with a front door and 120mm intake/exhaust is not yet on the market (?).

There is of course the Antec SLK3700 (and many variations of that), but I'm not yet sold on it's looks :)

So, the search continues...

cheers,
Halcyon

regards,
Halcyon

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Wed May 07, 2003 3:23 am

Dude!

You need a Chenbro Genie! This is a great case that fits your requirements to a "T". It's a well-proven server case that has great ventalation and lots of room, it's built like a tank AND it has a door. I was about ready to buy one when the SLK3700 came out. I went with the 3700 because I didn't need all the room of the Genie.

Check it out, homes!

halcyon · Post by **halcyon** » Wed May 07, 2003 6:11 am

Chenbro Genie, where's the front door covering drive bays?

I need one

regards,
Halcyon

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Wed May 07, 2003 6:52 am

Newegg.com has a killer sale on the Genies right now:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.a ... henbro+104
$68 and $69 with only $10 shipping.

You can contact Chenbro and try to get a hold of the A9971(SR10405) front bezel for it. It has a door.
http://www.chenbro.com.tw/product/product.jsp?p=2&s=204

In my opinion, the only downfall to the Genie is the negative air pressure. Negative air pressure will fight the quiet PSU's. I've seen how negative air pressure can almost completely stop the airflow from the Fortron PSU w/ 120mm fan. I can only imagine what negative pressure would do to a PSU like the SilenX.

If you get it, I would add two 120mm's in front and possibly block up the rear 92mm hole (which kind of bites because it's so high). Or as minimum, I'd run the 2 front fans faster, and the rear fans slow. Otherwise the PSU will starve.

rpc180 · Post by **rpc180** » Wed May 07, 2003 11:22 am

Do they have the front bezel door in black too? That's a hot case, love the rear HD cage setup.

Tullphan · Post by **Tullphan** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 5:35 am

marc999 wrote:Tom's Hardware just did a review of cases:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20030428/index.html
My favorite one was the Compucase CI-6619:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/2003 ... ew-23.html

I can't seem to find this case anywhere, even on Compucase's USA website...can you enlighten me?

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 6:35 am

Tullphan wrote:
marc999 wrote:Tom's Hardware just did a review of cases:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20030428/index.html
My favorite one was the Compucase CI-6619:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/2003 ... ew-23.html
I can't seem to find this case anywhere, even on Compucase's USA website...can you enlighten me?

Dang, that's wierd...Newegg used to carry Compucase but they dropped the entire line.

Well, Directron has this Compucase 6919 which is basically identical to the 6619 except that it uses the Antec SX10x0/Chieftec Dragon style of detachable 3.5" drive bays instead of the Antec SLK3700 style of drive bays found in the 6619. Otherwise it looks the same.

Tullphan · Post by **Tullphan** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 1:13 pm

I assume the power supply that comes with that case isn't of the highest quality?
I also like the Chenbro Spyder, though a smaller case, it's already somewhat modded, if that's a selling point for anyone. It got good reviews as well.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 4:23 pm

Tullphan wrote:I assume the power supply that comes with that case isn't of the highest quality?

If you're refering to that Directron case I linked above, the site claims that the PSU is a "HEC". If so, that's actually a very high quality PSU. They were (and possibly still are) the OEM supplier for Antec's PSUs.

Gooserider · Post by **Gooserider** » Sat Oct 04, 2003 9:12 pm

I need tips/images/model numbers for non-beige cases that fulfill the following criteria:

I have and reccomend a server cube case, the AMS CK1100B available at servercase.com.

- ready or easy-to-made 120mm intake/exhaust fan holes

2 x 120mm exhaust, 3 x 80mm intakes (w/ provision for up to 6 more 80mm intakes if you are into fans...) it would be a fairly straight forward mod to replace the 80mm intakes with one or two 120mm's.

- lots of room (sorry, no mid-towers)

10 external 5.25's, one external 3.5", 4 internal 3.5" Extended ATX (12" x 13") mobo mounts on slideout mobo tray. PSU not included but has several optional ones available, including redundant units.

- must be made out of metal (for at least partial RFI shielding)

Yup, heavy duty steel, w/ spring fingers on the side panels to ensure good metal / metal contact. I would say RFI shielding would be good to excellent, about only way to improve would need a purpose built enclosure.

- sturdy (i.e. not the tinniest aluminum cases that bend when you look at them)

Yes, heavy duty steel case, feels very solid with little or no flex.

- drive bay door (preferably with space in the doors inner surface for damping material)

3 section locking door w/ pretty good space underneath. Entire front bezel is also easily removed, and has room under it to pack more insulation in spaces not used for air intake or drives.

- aesthetic appeal (yes, this is personal, so you be the judge when you post)

I like it

, however I'm not a bling-bling fan - this is a big black monolithic cube w/ minimal lights (other than 14 LED drive status panel), no windows, side blowholes, or other pimp-rig features. I feel this makes the case an excellent candidate for those wanting to build a silent box, or otherwise mod it their own way.

Gooserider

Tullphan · Post by **Tullphan** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 6:05 am

Ralf Hutter wrote:
Tullphan wrote:I assume the power supply that comes with that case isn't of the highest quality?
If you're refering to that Directron case I linked above, the site claims that the PSU is a "HEC". If so, that's actually a very high quality PSU. They were (and possibly still are) the OEM supplier for Antec's PSUs.

Ok...but is it quiet??
Also, getting ready to bite on this case & was looking for a couple of 80mm fans for the front. Since one fan is directly in front of the hdd cage, would one want to mount one hdd in the cage directly about the hdd cage & one in the hdd cage for more airflow from the front, or is front airflow (intake) really an issue?
I was thinking about getting the blue coolermaster tlf-r82 fan for the front for looks, but wasn't sure about how quiet it was. Then I read this:
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/noise.html
I really don't understand how they're getting their results after reading the manufacturer specs on the fans.
Comments? Suggestions?

silvervarg · Post by **silvervarg** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 10:02 am

Tullphan:
I really don't understand how they're getting their results after reading the manufacturer specs on the fans.
Comments? Suggestions?

I guess this question doesn't really belong to this thread. It should go under the fans section. I guess the answer can be found there as well.
They make a few conclusions. Fan noise in dBA for a specific fan is very close to proportional to the cfm rate.
What they don't mention is two important things.
1. Fan noise for good brand fans are lower than fan noise from bad brands at same cfm. (see fan section about what fans brands are good).
2. dB noise is a logarithmic scale, while cfm is a linear scale. This is why you get lower sound level when running two fans at half speed instead of one fan at full speed (total cfm value will be the same). This is why cases with lots of places for fans are considered "quieter". The case itself does not create any sound, but it might amplify or dampen sound to some degree.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:06 pm

Tullphan wrote:
Ralf Hutter wrote:
Tullphan wrote:I assume the power supply that comes with that case isn't of the highest quality?
If you're refering to that Directron case I linked above, the site claims that the PSU is a "HEC". If so, that's actually a very high quality PSU. They were (and possibly still are) the OEM supplier for Antec's PSUs.
Ok...but is it quiet??

No, but it doesn't have to be quiet to be high quality.

Tullphan wrote:Then I read this:
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/noise.html
I really don't understand how they're getting their results after reading the manufacturer specs on the fans.
Comments? Suggestions?

That's a bµll§h¡† article. It's full of holes. We've raked it over the coals a few times. Here's one, and here's another. There's more too, IIRC.

Beautiful case with 120mm intake/exhaust and lotsa room?

Beautiful case with 120mm intake/exhaust and lotsa room?

Re: Beautiful case with 120mm intake/exhaust and lotsa room?