Where can I get cool PC cases?

November 15, 2004 1:50 PM

Who makes sweet-ass PC cases? Note: I don't want anything neon green with gills and a tail, or an aquarium built-in. I am building a media center PC and can't find a slim, tasteful case that will look good in the living room. I prefer horizontally-oriented and absolutely require two 5.25" bays in front (behind a door is okay). Silent-running features are a plus. Any suggestions?
posted by scarabic to Computers & Internet (15 answers total)

Is this Ahanix may be what you are looking for.

The Mini-ITX store probably has more of what you're looking for.

I remember seeing those little mini-itx cubes when I built my PC several months ago. They were absolutely silent and the guy behind the counter claimed they were running the latest AMD. No matter how quiet it is, I've noticed the whirring of even the most silent fans annoy me when I'm trying to sleep.
posted by geoff. at 2:00 PM on November 15, 2004

Antec makes really good cases.
posted by riffola at 2:03 PM on November 15, 2004

The Antec Sonata is very quiet, and looks superb (though vertical). Beautifully designed inside, as well - upgrading is a cinch.
posted by humuhumu at 2:11 PM on November 15, 2004

Response by poster: Ooh, nice. Keep 'em comin'.

The biggest issue with most of the cases specifically made to be entertainment PCs (like the Ahanix) is that they have just one 5.25" bay in front. I want to be able to do 1-click DVD Shrink copying, so I'll need 2 bays in front.

That Antec Overture looks nice. It doesn't have a door covering the drive bays. Will that make it loud?
posted by scarabic at 2:44 PM on November 15, 2004

SilentPCReview.com's forum's take on the Antec Overture.
posted by riffola at 2:53 PM on November 15, 2004

How about this Cooler Master, in silver and black? Nice looking, two front 5.25" bays, horizontal.

Not covering the front drive bays won't do much for quietness. Picking quiet drives that don't spin up too much will help more. Getting quiet components will help more. Check out SilentPCReview for more information. With decent fans, a processor that isn't too hot, a good fluid bearing hard drive, and a quiet PSU, almost any case can be made silent.
posted by zsazsa at 3:07 PM on November 15, 2004

By "quiet drives that don't spin up too much" I mean the DVD drives. Fortunately, most drives these days aren't spin-up happy like CD-ROM drives were years ago.
posted by zsazsa at 3:08 PM on November 15, 2004

What I really want is a G3/G4 PowerMac case that will accept an ATX (or whatever AMD standard) motherboard. No screws, just that one latch and the motherboard's in your lap.

The G5 case could be sexy, but I wouldn't know.
posted by waldo at 3:31 PM on November 15, 2004

Response by poster: That Cooler Master ATC-620 looks like a good candidate. Now I just have to find a review of it...
posted by scarabic at 3:45 PM on November 15, 2004

Lian-Li. I picked up a very solidly built case from Lian-Li (by way of newegg.com, similar to this) recently, and have been very happy with it. Lots of nice construction details, like a removeable harddrive bay, easily swappable air-filters...it is made of very thick & stiff aluminum, and is solidly built. Very nice looking as well - subtle details, not flashy or gaudy at all. They make a quality product.
posted by skwm at 4:09 PM on November 15, 2004

Response by poster: This looks sweet as f***, if expensive. Anyone have an opinion on it (especially the iMon software)?

pre-emptive wisecrack: "iMon! Ees nah prah-blahm mon!"
posted by scarabic at 4:35 PM on November 15, 2004

The Ahanix D.Vine 4 (AnandTech review) has a 2-bay front panel, and looks like a stereo component. Not extremely slim, but sports a nice florescent panel that you can configure.
posted by Oops at 6:06 PM on November 15, 2004

scarabic, Dan's Data has a review. Those D.Vine and the Kanam cases really take it to the next level, but hey look gigantic, though.
posted by zsazsa at 7:46 PM on November 15, 2004

Response by poster: Yeah, 6.5" high for the Kanam is about as high as I can go with my furniture. I love the fact that they've integrated an IR remote control receiver into the front panel, though. What a sweet addition. The Anand article mentions that this is a key feature they look for, but it doesn't appear to be standard on the D.Vine, unless I'm missing it.

Ooooh I've got such a gadget-on now....
posted by scarabic at 10:17 PM on November 15, 2004

I'm building my first new box in almost 6 years soon (poverty sucks balls), and I'm going with the Antec Sonata, for quiet and construction as much as looks. It should be mentioned that Antec also makes some of the best power supplies going, a part that you will neglect at your own risk these days, with power-sucking parts a-plenty.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:39 AM on November 16, 2004