Dyre Straits

I've been looking at cases for a few months now at my local MicroCenter, CompUSA, Fry's, and elsewhere. I'm having a very hard time finding exactly what I want. I DO have a few unique 'wants' and definitely some 'don't wants'.

Here's what I WANT:

1. Exhaust ports (2) on top of the case for heat release. These could have fans installed or not. I'm quite surprised this hasn't been a feature of cases all along as it's the most logical location for heat extraction;

2. Swivel out PSU unit. One small case I have here has that feature and it's really super. Just unscrew a thumbscrew and the whole unit swivels out and you can remove it completely from the case. Allows unencumbered access to the area around the CPU and memory slots;

3. Minimum of 400W quality PSU. (Although I have a brand new SOYO Raptor 400W I can use.)

4. Plenty of room for CD drives that won't bump the back of the mobo when inserted all the way. (This is the main reason I'm looking for a new case at the moment. My 2nd rig has a Floppy Drive bay at the very top of the front. This forces my 2 CD drives lower and, in turn, causes problems with the mobo when inserted fully. I have to leave them protruding at the front about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch to keep the mobo and drives from touching.)

What I DON'T WANT:

1. No glowing/flourescent-like lights on either the sides or the front. (I don't even like to have my dashboard lights on bright when driving at night. I much prefer indirect lighting.)

2. No DOORS that swivel out on the front of the case. (I honestly can't understand the attraction of this. Yet, a LOT of newer fancy cases have this so that the case can be locked.)


So far, I haven't seen much of anything that meets my list of wants/don't wants. Hopefully, someone will have some nice units at the next computer show in about a month.

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noland1985

this may be obvious, but if you haven't been yet, check newegg.com. you can specify things like power suppy and such, and they have the cheapest prices. i just ordered a case from newegg, it came in 2 days, and was exactly what i wanted. good luck

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My Specs:

The_Neon_Cowboy

Why not buy a case and mod it your self? blow wholes are ubber easy a dremal/drill/cstipmolding/fan, is grill all you need. I sure worst case you can pay someone else to do it wink.. wink... or we can tell you what to do...

I have no iudea about the power suplly swiveling never herd of it... PSU stays where it is out of the way anyways...

Most PSU's that come with cases are ubber crap, low quailty, you better off buying it knowing you must buy another or buy one with out a PSU. I get one with and sell the Cheap PSU.

as for bays there are some with 5' bays from the bottom to the top in the frount! just shop around... look on www.newegg.com or www.pricewatch.com

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Dyre Straits

Neon, I'm actually coming near the conclusion that I'll likely have to do just that. I have the tools and the skill. My biggest problem has been a lack of time to actually devote to it. I'm one of those that would much rather use my computer than have to work on it. (But, I DO still spend a lot of time working on it anyway.....like most users who spend much time at all with their system.)

I'm kind of surprised that no one else (so far) has heard of or seen the swivel out PSU I described. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I took some photos to post to show exactly what this is like. This case actually came with my mom's original PC that she bought while living in FL. I have it now after doing so many upgrades to her system and last summer she bought a brand new one for herself. The main problem with this case is that it's just too small for me to consider using it for a main system.

Here are the photos:

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e v o

Not sure about finding that easily, but....here are some sweet cases you might wanna check out
Tried to find simple ones, but high quality

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...119-068&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...119-035&depa=1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...112-022&depa=1

As for PSUs id buy it seperately.
OCZ
Enermax
Fortron
Sparkle
Antec (True Power)
X-Connect

Are good brands

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Dyre Straits

Thanks for the links.

I'm probably just going to wait about a month and see what they have at the computer show. We have this show in the area about 8-9 times per year. It's a really, really cool place to get a good deal on new and used computers, parts, software, etc. It's held at the local civic center and draws a huge number of people every time.

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The_Neon_Cowboy

Why in the sam hell would you want you PSU located over everything like that? insted of the "normal" postion? at the top of the case and completly out of the way at all times.... you can't even properly bind cables etc with a setup like that...


AS for blow holes only takes a @ max a 1/2 hour if you know what your doing... you'll want to pick up some c-strip molding from www.bestbyteinc.net

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Dyre Straits

Neon,

If you actually could see how easily and quickly this PSU can be taken out and place out of the way, you might understand why I'd like something like this. It's less than 15 seconds to move it out of the way. Then, every single bit of the insides of the case are easily accessible. You can change the CPU, memory, and make changes re: cable connections so easy with this.

Anyway, this isn't the 'make or break' item on my wish list. I'll likely not find a case with this feature as I have never seen another one with it. But, it would be nice.

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