Looking at New Computer Cases

Dyre Straits · Jan 24, 2006, 10:26 PM

For several months now, I've been looking at different computer cases and hoping to find one that's both affordable, and has some nice features. I won't spend a large wad of dough just on a case.

I'm not particuarly fond of cases with doors on the front. However, as long as it opens the right way, I think I could learn to live with it -- maybe even like it.

Another thing I've been looking for is one with a top exhaust fan. I've found a few but other things about the case turn me off. Most of the time it's the cost.

Anyway, today I found one that doesn't quite meet my 'wants' but it does have a nice overall appearance. It's also large enough to handle the quantity of HDDs and CD/DVD devices I want to use.

Take a look at this one and give me your thoughts:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...MP=OTC-INKTOMI

I can pick this unit up at my local MicroCenter for around $46 plus tax today.

Randomletters · Jan 24, 2006, 10:50 PM

Cases are definately personal preference but depending on which video card your planning on getting Id look into replacing the PSU it comes with, or finding that case w/o a PSU

Edit:

These are the voltage specs of the PSu that comes with that case, courtesy of this review So Id say ditch the PSU if you trying to put a 6800gt or higher in there.

Dyre Straits · Jan 24, 2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randomletters

Cases are definately personal preference but depending on which vidoe card your planning on getting Id look into replacing the PSU it comes with, and in that case, Look to find that case without the PSU

Actually, I already bought a 500W PSU last week that will go into this case. (I figure I can always keep the included one for emergencies.

) The PSU I bought has 28A on the +12V rail and is working fine.

The cost of this particular case is not even as much as I paid for the PSU last week.

Randomletters · Jan 24, 2006, 10:57 PM

ahh added before my post edit

Well then everything is good to go it seems

Honestly I dont like how it looks, But my opinion doesnt matter

Edit: lookin at more and more pictures and its growing on me

i like it now heh.

Dyre Straits · Jan 26, 2006, 02:34 AM

Well, I bit the bullet and went ahead and picked this one up -- The XION II. I did go around town today looking at other cases and prices. For some reason this one just kept my interest.

It's a LOT more fancy than anything I've gotten in the way of a case before. I think mainly, there are three reasons I opted for this one:

1. Price (Although I was mistaken on the way they were doing the 20% off deal. The 'sticker' price already reflects the Instant Rebate AND the 20% off. So, final sticker price was $59.99 + tax.)

2. Cooling: These large fans and the number of them should make for a really nicely cooled interior. Maybe I can even keep the side panel on now.

)

3. SPACE!!! : When I put my X800 XL into my current case, I had to re-arrange HDs because the length of the video card reached all the way to where I have my SATA drives installed. This new case is deeper and should allow for much easier handling of things inside.

So, I'll take a few pics and post them later.

Randomletters · Jan 26, 2006, 02:37 AM

Cool, Lets seem em.

Dyre Straits · Jan 26, 2006, 06:07 AM

The physical swap has been completed for quite some time now.

However, at first the system didn't want to start up. I rechecked all the connections and finally got a solid start up.

Then I connected everything and got into Windows but had no Keyboard or Mouse. (Connected via USB 2.0)

That was followed by a Shutdown due to RPC (Which is most commonly connected to a virus infection ((MSBLASTER and its variants)) .) BUT, my virus updated virus software has NEVER found a virus on my system.

So, I'm at the point of having to Repair/Reinstall Windows.

Dyre Straits · Jan 26, 2006, 10:59 AM

For the most part I have things working. Here are some pics from the time I brought in the box to the final setup....

That's it for now......

pr0digal jenius · Jan 26, 2006, 06:07 PM

not too shabby bud.

As for the USB....alot of times, if it's case USB connectors, you'll need to unground pin 9

SFOSOK · Jan 26, 2006, 07:32 PM

That case was my second choice to mine, then it suddenly went out of stock.

Dyre Straits · Jan 26, 2006, 08:05 PM

I reverted, for the time being, connecting my kb and mouse back to the PS/2 connectors. After spending the night reinstalling Windows and getting things working, I have another question about USB?

Do they make a connector that you can plug into the motherboard that doubles the USB connection to that one connector? As it is now, I have no extra connector where to plug in the built-in USB connections. I'm already using up all the motherboard connections.

I've got to leave right now for work. So, I'll have to check back later tonight.

Randomletters · Jan 26, 2006, 09:36 PM

Theres a USB PCI card if thats what your talking about, if not then sorry i dont know. Nice comp BTW, At the moment im so friggin torn between a computer/360/putting money into my car.I dont have a very good tv in my room, In the parlor theres a 27" widescreen HDTv, but that doesnt really seem big enough.The 360 is cool but the lack of AA and expensive games tends to lead me away, And Im sure my car is currently a money pit so that 400-700 dollars probibly wont do much...

**dj_stick** · Jan 26, 2006, 11:08 PM

Dyre i'd also look into getting a USB2 hub, no need to mess around the back of the computer, but otherwise, as randomletters said, a PCI USB card might be the trick

Dyre Straits · Jan 27, 2006, 05:36 AM

Thanks for the replies.

What I'm needing to accomplish is to be able to connect that large 10 pin minus 1 rectangle female plug from the front panel connector onto the motherboard somehow. As it stands now, I have a Firewire/USB 2.0 mounted in one PCI space and it uses 2 of the onboard connectors out of 4 available. Then I have the Flash Memory Card Reader that also has a USB connection. This uses the other 2 of the 4 onboard male connections.

If I can't find a "Y" USB splitter, I may have to disable the one USB connection on the Flash Card Reader and connect the case's front USB connections (2) to the motherboard.

I'll have to do some searching sometime the first of next week. Also, there's a computer show coming to town next weekend if I don't find anything before then.

Dyre Straits · Jan 28, 2006, 10:02 AM

After getting things working very well in my new case, I did a check of the sytem using my ABIT EQ to check temperatures and such. What do you all think of these numbers? Remember, I'm using an Intel Pentium 4 478 PIN 3.2 GHz w/ Hyperthreading enabled.

Dyre Straits · Feb 6, 2006, 08:28 AM

I was able today (Sunday, actually) to find a PCI add-in card that provides 2 additional 9-pin connections for internal USB devices. It has Firewire and USB 2.0 support and I'm now able to have all the USB connections on the front as well as the back of the case active.

This particular device is distributed by Penguin Gear and I found it at the Computer Show. None of the local retailers had anything like this in stock. It's actually designed for systems that don't come with USB on the motherboard at all.

So far, it's working very well.

Jan 24, 2006, 10:50 PM	#2
Randomletters ))<>(( Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 54	Cases are definately personal preference but depending on which video card your planning on getting Id look into replacing the PSU it comes with, or finding that case w/o a PSU Edit: These are the voltage specs of the PSu that comes with that case, courtesy of this review So Id say ditch the PSU if you trying to put a 6800gt or higher in there. __________________ <----------- Sexy Budget Rig stats to the left. Last edited by Randomletters; Jan 24, 2006 at 10:55 PM.

Jan 24, 2006, 10:57 PM	#4
Randomletters ))<>(( Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 54	ahh added before my post edit Well then everything is good to go it seems Honestly I dont like how it looks, But my opinion doesnt matter Edit: lookin at more and more pictures and its growing on me i like it now heh. __________________ <----------- Sexy Budget Rig stats to the left.

Jan 26, 2006, 02:37 AM	#6
Randomletters ))<>(( Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 54	Cool, Lets seem em. __________________ <----------- Sexy Budget Rig stats to the left.

Jan 26, 2006, 07:32 PM	#10
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	That case was my second choice to mine, then it suddenly went out of stock. __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Jan 26, 2006, 09:36 PM	#12
Randomletters ))<>(( Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 54	Theres a USB PCI card if thats what your talking about, if not then sorry i dont know. Nice comp BTW, At the moment im so friggin torn between a computer/360/putting money into my car.I dont have a very good tv in my room, In the parlor theres a 27" widescreen HDTv, but that doesnt really seem big enough.The 360 is cool but the lack of AA and expensive games tends to lead me away, And Im sure my car is currently a money pit so that 400-700 dollars probibly wont do much... __________________ <----------- Sexy Budget Rig stats to the left.

Jan 26, 2006, 06:07 PM	#9
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	not too shabby bud. As for the USB....alot of times, if it's case USB connectors, you'll need to unground pin 9

Feb 6, 2006, 08:28 AM	Thread Starter #16
Dyre Straits HH Old Fuddy Duddy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 14,196 Rep Power: 216 System Specs	I was able today (Sunday, actually) to find a PCI add-in card that provides 2 additional 9-pin connections for internal USB devices. It has Firewire and USB 2.0 support and I'm now able to have all the USB connections on the front as well as the back of the case active. This particular device is distributed by Penguin Gear and I found it at the Computer Show. None of the local retailers had anything like this in stock. It's actually designed for systems that don't come with USB on the motherboard at all. So far, it's working very well.