buying a case

[Blitzkrieg]

OK so i want to buy a new case
i DONT need a new psu, so a case only, no psu
dont want to spend more than 200 really dont want to go above about 170-180
any suggestions?
and it has to be STRONG, nice thick steel

[whetu]

look at reputable brands: antec, inwin, aopen etc

if you can, go into a pc shop that has a variety of cases and give them a thorough look over.. you'll want to have a good peek under the hood and figure out things like layout - how your hardware is going to be laid out and how it affects cable layout, airflow and handspace (the space required by those meaty paws for when you're working in there)

also give the panels a tap and listen for resonance and echos, you'll want the sound to be as flat as poss (helps if the demo case is empty, or at least have the hardware turned off :rolleyes: )

then try and twist the case and see how much it resists you, and a side to side wobble as well. This test will of course show you quite glaringly the difference between a solid case and a cheap case. This is known as the tap and wobble test.. just for checking structural integrity, which helps a lot in noise control.

good luck in finding the case for your needs

[[H]arls]

Originally posted by whetu
...This is known as the tap and wobble test...

Thats quite good, you should get a trademark or something on that. ;)
You'll find most places sell cases with PSU's (unless theyre something like Lian Li), but im sure if you ask nicely they can take them out for you to save the $$$.
Aopen have some of the solidest cases I think ive ever seen. I have a full tower HQ08 sitting here and you could use it as armour plating, its that solid. Not the prettiest case out there but definetly the strongest.

[Sydog]

Southerly server from Styles, or Chieftec/Enermax/Antec anywhere else. They are very good build quality

[Robo]

The tests mentioned above are all good, if you can see if it passes the BTG (Butt to Ground) Adaptor test as well.

Basically sit on the case (carefully) and see if it holds.

[[H]arls]

Yeah somehow I dont think the shop owners are going to be too happy with that idea Robo. After all the cheap cases they have in stock have been bent and twisted by some g33k doing a BTG test i'd be surprised if they even let you back in the store. ;)

[whetu]

nah they'd prolly take the "you broke it you brought it" stance... BTG would be especially bad if it was a potato g33k :eek: (the type that would prolly fit in on a fat-burning drug ad)

blitzkrieg, what size are you after?

[TheChosen_1]

<pimpmode>
Ive got a Southerley server/enermax and I luv it, nice strong cases and so easy to swap drives and stuff. Got removable HDD bays, and metal things that u screw on the side of ROM drives to slide them in and out. Very nice case, If ya want to see the pics of my case go to the case gallery section.
</pimpmode> :D

[Solid Snake]

Yeah tell me about it, I was the only one with it in L3 #3. :D now they are as popular as ever.

[Blitzkrieg]

mid tower or full tower or desktop, any is fine
looking at some of the links to cases(when it does state case thickness , rare) the desktops normally use thicker metal :/
but whatever case is good i dont care that much
as long as it fits my mobo cd rom and hdd thats all

[dustyslapper]

I agree with Choosen One, the enermax/antec/cheiftec/southerly server case is very nice. It is a little heavy, but if you want a strong case then you need strong arms to lift it.

Also the door feels a little flimsy and my finger is to huuuuuuj to use the reset button. However I would still buy it tomorrow if put in the same situation.

:D

[Joshsti_NZ]

Originally posted by dustyslapper
I agree with Choosen One, the enermax/antec/cheiftec/southerly server case is very nice. It is a little heavy, but if you want a strong case then you need strong arms to lift it.

ie: No woosy geek arms :D

The Southerly Server is a niiiice case, lots of room/features etc .. pity no one in NZ stocks a full range of Chief Tec cases (but I 'spose thats why we have JB ;) ).