looking to get a new pc case

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coius's picture
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looking to get a new pc case

well, i think it's time to retire my old beige and gray ATEC computer tower case, and get a new one. Problem is, i really don't know what to get. But i don't have much money to spend, but I would like to get one without a PSU (or with, i got one already) and with shipping comes to ~$50USD.
This is where i turn to you. I need to know what you use, or recommend that i get, along with a link. I am looking for something semi-cool, but not too snazy. Anyway, this is what i need:

Mini to mid-sized Tower case

Without (or with, but it will be replaced) PSU if it cuts down on price
2x USB Ports on the front (I also am looking for audio in/out ports on the front, but not a necessity)
at LEAST 3x expansion slots on back (hoping for 4, one for an extra fan [i got 1x AGP, and 2x PCI)
It needs to be able to house an ATX board and a regular PSU

I would like AT LEAST 2x 5.25" external bays. Hopefully a 3.5" external bay.
Also, i would like at least 4 internal 3.5" bays (for 4 HDD's)

I would like (but not needed) to have cool looks, but then again, i can go without

I want something that would be easy to go into without coming out with need for bandages.

I now put my choice in your hands. This would help me a *lot*

Thanks guys

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You might be able to get a bo

You might be able to get a bottom of the range ANTEC case for that price. They are not the most flashy looking cases, but they are very well designed and built. They are also very quiet.

As far as I can tell, even the low end models have 2 usb ports on the front (mine does) and no tools are needed to get into them.

coius's picture
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oh! and a few more things:

i DON'T need a window side door, and i would like it to have (or have the ability make it) adequate cooling. Since the machine's CPU is overclocked (from 1.7Ghz to 2.0GHz) it will need some extra help. I got a few fans that can go in it, so if the case comes without fans, it will be fine, i will put my own in.

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This is a cheap case £30 in

This is a cheap case £30 in the uk, so should meet your budget.

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=93000

Be warned, a computer using that case is not light at all...

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oooh, thats a pretty snazzy c

oooh, thats a pretty snazzy case!

coius's picture
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yeah...

and overseas shipping will probably break the deal on that. I don't even see an option to purchase from the USA. And that's where i live :/
Anyone know of an equivelent in the USA?

EDIT: well, i found it, but even the Backstock of it will come to about $70, a bit more than i have to spend. That's why i was looking in the $50-$59 range.

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If you decide to settle for t

If you decide to settle for the $70 range, I would go for this one...

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=cat3&product_code=319347&Pn=Centurion_5_ATX_Mid_Tower_Case

I have one and I have to say I LOVE it, it is so easy to swap drives, pci cards, and anything else inside. It comes with thumb screws for the side panel so you don't need any tools to get into it. The only thing you need a screw driver for is screwing a motherboard down. Hard drives and CD drives have these levers that you push forward and it will release the drive. When the lever is locked, the drive is securly fastened and will not go anywhere. It does not come with a PS. It comes with a 120mm fan in the back, and a 80 in the front, and is very quiet. Has a cheese grater design on the front, wich gives excellent air flow. I like it at least. Good luck searching.

D2X
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A few suggestions

While looking for cases, I found this and this (in black)(for a buck more) that seem to fit your needs.

7x Expansion Slots, front USB,audio, etc, 5 External 5.25" bays, 2 ext. 3.5" bays, 3 internal 3.5" bays...and a cool-looking cold cathode front light.

coius's picture
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Re: A few suggestions

While looking for cases, I found this and this (in black)(for a buck more) that seem to fit your needs.

Hmm, that seems like a pretty nice case. Anyone ever heard of or used one of these? I don't want something that is going to break during shipping. Still, i am kinda reluctanct on some of these BECAUSE they don't have any reviews (by customers) and i don't know about their quality.

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news: reviews

hi there! take a look again at those pages for the kingwin enclosures. doesn't seem like they are worth a buck (or even two). customers stated that the cables for the front connectors are too short and the quality seems to be bad too.

did you already buy one by now?

coius's picture
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actually, no...

it's not even a thing on my list anymore. I need to replace my G3 tower (which is pretty much shot) i had to buy a new ibook power adapter (got a different one other than apple with 3 years warranty) and will get to it later. I will eventually get one, something better than the skin eater i have right now.

Everytime i go into the case, it kills my hands. I will save up for a really nice one.

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let me know...

...then what you are going to buy. as i'm a bit into the pc business, i would like know what others experiences are with their hardware.

ps: another avatar again. i was just getting used to your old one Smile looks nice, did you draw it yourself?

coius's picture
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I had a ton of other stuff come up

so right now, i still have it on the backburner. It just keeps snowballing. The one thing i need, i will be getting soon with the trade of the machine for machine.
I also have to get some accessories for my new laptop, which i will be using at school for class (operating Systems 2) and will have a triple boot system (Win98SE/XP/Ubuntu) so i need to get some network cards for it. Right now, it is a 233MHz MMX Dell Latitude CP with 800x600 Color screen. I got a dock for it, but it's not going to help me, as the only connector for the net i got, is IN the dock.
So i will be getting a wifi card for the campus (due to security reasons, the Wired network is a No-No for students as the rest of the campus computers run on the intranet. wifi is for the students)
Another thing i will be spending some money on, is getting a new Ram stick for my Business PC, and I am looking at a 1GB memory stick.
I have not been getting enough business to do much with, and am kinda running thin on money. So this is waaaaayyyy in the back of my "to-get" list for stuff.
I guess i can live with it, so i am going to have to.

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If there is a Micro Center ne

If there is a Micro Center near you, Pick up one of these...

http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=206078

With the rebate it will be free. Not a bad deal. At least I don't think so.

coius's picture
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alas

there are none around here Sad

coius's picture
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Re: let me know...


ps: another avatar again. i was just getting used to your old one Smile looks nice, did you draw it yourself?

Sorry, forgot to respond on that one. And no, i found it on the web. I have been a big fan of the books, and am on my 4th book of the series. I just wanted something kool to take place of the ninja (and I did draw the ninja myself. It's based off of the one in MegaTokyo WebComic)

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