raymac46 Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) If you've built your own desktop system how much planning went into choosing your case? In my "case" not so much. With my first build I intended to re-use a case that came with my late parents' system. When that turned out to be impracticable I had to scramble at the last minute to get a case and power supply. I got lucky in that the Cooler Master K280 case was on sale at my local Canada Computers store. http://www.coolermas...tower/k280.html Although this is a budget minded case it turned out to be an excellent buy. It has USB 3.0 support, accommodates an SSD conveniently and has limited tool free drive installation. The best thing about it is that it doesn't have excessive length and fits nicely in its spot on my compact computer desk. Too long means that either cables get snagged at the back or it sticks out too far and bumps my knees. I discovered that a lot of mid tower ATX cases are longish in design to accommodate big graphics cards which I don't have. They won't fit on my desk. The K280 looks a bit rugged for my tastes but otherwise it is great. What I also really like about it is that the side panels are convex so there's lots of room for packing in the cables behind the motherboard. Even all the stuff from a non-modular power supply would fit but I did go modular to keep things clean. The power supply is a bottom install and its airflow is isolated from the case- just sucks it in at the bottom and blows it out the back. The case only came with one front-mounted 120 mm fan but I added a second one at the back of the case. As mentioned in a previous post I had to get a fan extension cable so the front panel fan would plug into the header on the motherboard. All in all a fine case but I was more lucky than skillful in choosing it. Going to the store to see it in person, rather than buying online was a good thing here. Edited November 7, 2013 by raymac46 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Well I have built many machines over the years and I do some planning but nothing crazy. Basically I start by figuring out what I am going to use the machine for (does it need to be a high-end machine or a lightweight web portal/server). With that in mind, I pick out the best motherboard and processor within the budget and max out the ram. Next I pick out a case which also depends on the use (mini ATX to full ATX for a gaming rig and usually micro ATX for lightweight machines). Then its a matter of just ordering the parts and assembling the rig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
securitybreach Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I never buy anything in actual stores since I can get most things for a lot less online. I mainly look at specs, order from reputable sites and read all reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymac46 Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Well, I don't plan on building another machine for some time. I did put quite some thought into the parts for inside the case but unfortunately not a lot for the case itself. Since I did choose an mATX motherboard I could likely have fit things into a smaller case but working inside a larger one was probably a better idea since this was the first time I actually put one together. I really do need the shorter length though, and not all that many ATX midsize cases have that feature. I watched a video on building with a Silverstone TJ-O8E case (much smaller) and it was tricky. I could probably do OK with it now having the experience under my belt. http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=303 Canada Computers is an excellent store, has online sales as well and their prices are good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 My case rules: big, lots of slots (5.25" and 3.5"), ease of installation of components (I like slide in/out hdds), lots of fans. My main system's case: Nvidia NV334 Mine is branded "Nvidia", but it's the exact same case. It comes with a front and rear fan slot, but I'm running 8 fans total. Also, I don't run with case sides installed. It's cooler and more convenient to tinker when I have to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymac46 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Eric's case is a bit longer than mine - same brand. Looks like a good choice. It is a bit more refined looking I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymac46 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 One other point to ponder. There is a "case" to be made for buying a little better quality enclosure if your budget allows it. A good case can be reused for upgrades and will be a pleasure to build in - no cut fingers, convenient drive placement, good opportunities for cable management, even the possibility of improved cooling or more quiet operation. Also you may have found the ideal footprint to fit under your desk and want to continue with that particular tower. There are some lovely Silverstone and Lian Li cases out there. The disadvantage of investing in an expensive case is that you may have to cut corners elsewhere - never a pleasant tradeoff to skimp on say a processor or speed of RAM. Also technology moves along and an older case may not give you USB 3.0 support, or a convenient place to stash an SSD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 On bit of advice I can give based on experience... I once had a case for my main system that I really liked. It was called an Antec SuperLanboy. The problem with it was that it was an all aluminum case, which made it very light and easy to maneuver around on the desk when I needed to work in it. However, it was also the downfall of the case. The aluminum construction was flimsy by nature and ended up warping, which caused stress to my mobo which resulted in a vid card socket going bad on me. I also had further issues with broken/stressed solder joints on the mobo. I fixed the solder joints, but could no longer use the AGP vid slot, so that board is now being used with the onboard video inside an old steel case and is my ericsshop02 system out in my workshop. Moral to the story... stay away from aluminum cases. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abarbarian Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 You could always remodel old cases ! Cheaper , greener and you can customise to suit. As in this example i made sometime ago. You can read the story and view better pics here http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/cooling-cheap-t3144780.html I am quite proud of my modification as it won me a very prestigious award. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Congrats abarbarian! Could also consider using a homemade wooden case...we had a friend that did that and named it Lopez. And here are some links to ones other folks have made: Click on the image to go to the article about the case. And here's a slew of them! 10 Amazing Wood PC Cases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymac46 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) The more I read up on it, the more I'm convinced I was incredibly lucky to buy this Cooler Master K280 case. Most ATX midtowers have more depth and wouldn't sit well on the lower shelf of my IKEA desk. You can get smaller mATX cases but the good ones are expensive and have some weird innovations like mounting the motherboard upside down. Also the mATX cases don't give as good cable management. The Corsair Obsidian 350D looks like a great solution for a mATX as long as you don't want or need an optical drive installed. If you do the drive doesn't sit flush with the front of the bezel and looks ugly. The K280 fits on my shelf, has lots of room to build inside, gives great cable management possibilities and isn't really expensive. And the optical drive fits. Edited November 8, 2013 by raymac46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abarbarian Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 And here's a slew of them! 10 Amazing Wood PC Cases I like the wooden keyboard that guy from the picture made. An from your excellent link my favourites are the Radio and the Russian cases. raymac46 your Cooler Master K280 case looks pretty neat. Sounds like it has a easy to wwork with layout inside too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Man! Frankenstein would be proud. Abarbarian robs computer graves for body parts to create "the monster". Impressive. Does Igor do the actual digging, I wonder? By the way, saw a few familiar usernames over at that PCReview forum. Not much activity in the Linux section since January, though. I thought maybe I'd finally found Urmas' hideaway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abarbarian Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 By the way, saw a few familiar usernames over at that PCReview forum. Not much activity in the Linux section since January, though. I thought maybe I'd finally found Urmas' hideaway. Frankenstein the first of the recyclers. My hero. Yup there are a few lurkers over at PCR. Urmie is as elusive over there as he is here. As to the linux section I seem to be the major poster over the last few years. I had a lot of negativity when I first started posting. Not for my posts themselves, more about how linux was not really easy and stable enough for everyday folk as a main os. To be fair most of the negativity was from folk much more geekyer than me who had played with linux in the past, and in the main their views had a great deal of merit. Changes have occurred lately with several of those detractors now happily running and playing with linux again. Not that my evangelism has produced change alone, it may have played a small part, it is more the actions of Microsoft etc that have pushed folk to looking for an alternative. Along with the fact that there are linux distros that are now pretty easy to install which are stable and very useable for non geeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Linux is for stupid people too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunrat Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Building PCs is easy. If a cute model in a bikini can do it, anyone can. I only watched this video for the story, honest! How to build a MSI Z87-GD65 GAMING PC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 They're not feeding those poor skinny Chinese girls enough rice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abarbarian Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Building PCs is easy. If a cute model in a bikini can do it, anyone can. I only watched this video for the story, honest! How to build a MSI Z87-GD65 GAMING PC Great video. Apart from the fact that no anti static precautions were shown and fingers were touching the golden contacts of parts. Do you really have to wear a bikini when building pc's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Anti-static. Pfffffffft! I've been working on electronics for 40 years. I've never used any anti-static precaution other than Florida's natural high humidity environment. I've never zapped a CPU yet. Oh, and I wear my t-back to build systems all the time. Fortunately for you, I do NOT have any pics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunrat Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Apart from the fact that no anti static precautions were shown and fingers were touching the golden contacts of parts. I usually ground my hands on a tap or something before building. I don't wear synthetic clothes which I think are an extra static hazard. Do you really have to wear a bikini when building pc's Yes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross549 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Anti-static. Pfffffffft! I've been working on electronics for 40 years. I've never used any anti-static precaution other than Florida's natural high humidity environment. I've never zapped a CPU yet. The only thing I do is hold the new part by a metal component and then touch the PC with my other hand, equalizing the charge. Simple stuff. Adam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymac46 Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share Posted November 11, 2013 I grounded myself on the case, and built my machine in my basement workshop where I have a concrete floor and no carpets. No problems I can see so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Same here. Am particularly careful in dry winter weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcos9999 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 (edited) Have you looked at Antec 1200, you can fit a truck and all the stuff in your basement inside, beatiful blue lights and fans, very easy to use...very happy with it. http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Twelve-Hundred-V3-Gaming/dp/B004INH0FS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385581898&sr=8-1&keywords=antec+1200+case Edited November 27, 2013 by marcos9999 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Boy! If I had the $$$, I could build a monster in that case, Marco! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abarbarian Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/index.php?showtopic=66685&st=25&do=findComment&comment=385075 See post 28 +30 for some essential extras for the case. Neat case by the way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.