If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
On 01 Dec 2017, Paul wrote in
alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt: I think I'd just return the case, and get a case I really want. You're right, that's the best solution. This is not the case for me and I would regret keeping it. It was just such a shock that, not only did the case not have any front-accesible bays, but that they don't find that fact important enough to mention it in the ad. And I see many others like it. I guess I had an inkling that optical and other removable drives are so populare any more but I didn't realize that they had dropped that far off the radar. You can "make" your own optical drive, by buying a 5.25" enclosure and putting a 5.25" full tray drive in it. That was my thought yesterday, but it seems like too much trouble. And I use an optical drive daily and I'd rather not have that extra box cluttering up the place. If you buy pre-packaged "slim" drives, there's a good chance you'll be throwing out the thing if it fails. WHEN it fails! Plus the slim drives are significantly slower. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
On 12/01/2017 12:46 PM, Nil wrote:
On 01 Dec 2017, Paul wrote in alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt: I think I'd just return the case, and get a case I really want. You're right, that's the best solution. This is not the case for me and I would regret keeping it. It was just such a shock that, not only did the case not have any front-accesible bays, but that they don't find that fact important enough to mention it in the ad. And I see many others like it. I guess I had an inkling that optical and other removable drives are so populare any more but I didn't realize that they had dropped that far off the radar. You can "make" your own optical drive, by buying a 5.25" enclosure and putting a 5.25" full tray drive in it. That was my thought yesterday, but it seems like too much trouble. And I use an optical drive daily and I'd rather not have that extra box cluttering up the place. If you buy pre-packaged "slim" drives, there's a good chance you'll be throwing out the thing if it fails. WHEN it fails! Plus the slim drives are significantly slower. Right, send it back, A case is something you live and work with for a long time, Choose wisely I have a Cooler Master CM 690 ll advanced for about 7 years now and I still love it, solid sides, Thick rubber feet, 6 sidewise drive bays, 4x 5 1/4 bays (I use one) 5x 140 mm fans, front ports and a really useful 2 1/2 inch hotplug bay on top. All in all a great case. Rene |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
On Fri, 01 Dec 2017 13:04:59 -0500, Nil wrote:
| On 01 Dec 2017, Larc wrote in | alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt: | | I got this case and am happy with it. 2 external bays that will | accommodate CD/DVD drives. No side window. I did buy an extra | fan for the front. | | https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16811129199 | | That looks pretty good. It's on my list of possibilities. Thank you. | | The window isn't something I want, either. The case I got is available | with or without the window, and I originally had the windowless one in | my on-line shopping cart. I really don't need to see blinking lights | and whirling fans. But *JUST* as I was checking out, the price suddenly | jumped up more than $20! Bad timing! So I went back and bought the one | with the window, thinking I could cover it up if the light inside | became annoying. YW! I notice the case description makes it sound as if it comes with a 120mm fan in the back and another at the top. That may be an error. Mine came with a front and rear fan, with options for another in the front (which I added) and a 120 or 140mm at the top (I kept that closed). There's a readily removable fan screen in front and another in the bottom for the PSU fan. I clean the front screen every couple of months, but have never needed to clean the bottom one. If my PSU fan has ever run or needed to, I wasn't aware of it. Larc |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
On 01 Dec 2017, Larc wrote in
alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt: I got this case and am happy with it. 2 external bays that will accommodate CD/DVD drives. No side window. I did buy an extra fan for the front. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16811129199 This one's looking better and better. I've been through a couple of Antec cases and I've been impressed by their quality. My current main computer, the decade-old one I'm replacing, is in an Antec P100: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16811129154 Very good case, but I'm downsizing from a full tower to a mid-size tower. I guess I'm sticking to what's worked for me best in the past: Intel CPU, ASUS motherboard, Windows 7, Antec case. I know there are plenty of new choices these days, and if I had this in mind for a shorter lifespan, or if I were more budget-minded, I might go with them. I probably won't get 11+ years out of this new one, but I'm proceding as if I could. |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
On Fri, 01 Dec 2017 13:42:20 -0500, Paul
wrote: The window would make it more noisy. A couple of things help computer cases: 1) Mass. A heavy case (with maybe some rubber feet on the bottom), can damp out vibration a bit. One of the marks I have against the Lian Li cases I used to look at in the computer store, is the cases were all shaky lightweight aluminum cans. And they'd magnify any noise sources inside. 2) Stiffness. You don't want loose fitting multi-piece-part designs. Rivets or screws, strategically placed crossbars, can give a case more strength. Even the drive bays could be contributing to strength (as the drive bay is a kind of scaffold in the front of the case). The window would be an example of a loose-fitting piece of material. A solid side would be a better purchase. I like computer case sides with the pull-out latch handle, rather than those ones with the knurled screws that are a bitch to unscrew. The latch handle seems to hold securely enough that it doesn't rattle. The screw-based ones fit pretty tight (and sometimes have EMI spring fingers in the gap, that ensures a tight mechanical connection). There is a third thing for reducing noise, which is to add absorbent materials inside the case. But this also has a tendency to drive up the case air temperature inside a bit. So that idea isn't all that popular. If I wanted a silent PC, I'd buy the Intel 2W SDP processor for $17, plus an SSD. Then I'd have a fanless, vibrationless PC. But then, I'd have bought a tablet (as that's what they use). The downside, is the processor is gutless. And once that is realized, then "we're headed to noise city" to cool off a better CPU. Paul I bought a bag of 50 case thumb-screws ages ago, large ends, big enough for handling and tightening between thumb and forefinger. Works good for a three-plane, outside case enclosure that slides over the and rests over the inside construction, and a useful godsends for general intents. My Antec Lanboy, all aluminum, is a 10+/-yr.-old design. The design implements a decorative window enclosed within one side;- I removed that whole side, leaving a PS and CPU fan revealed. Original intent was a cross flow intent, with two fans enclosed, but case fans I've since engaged for a Scottish coup, of sundry makes and speeds to select from;- all fans are subsequently largest, practically available for computer fans, as largess holds some advantage for either direct speed control modules, if not their physical mass, at an efficacy to run more cooler at lower RPM. Figure near enough, $200/US for LIAN LI, across a present discrepancy accorded pricing for ANTEC flagship cases. A presentment, I dare say, never having owned much else, but this Antec, where Antec design engineering is sufficient to sturdy enough;- being entirely aluminum, of course, it would be better where not the sides of packaging roughed and kicked-in upon receipt of delivery. Beyond aluminum properties, would nonetheless does require a certain respect, hands-upon-steel undeniably will forgive, the adaptation is one which then will quickly become an apparent advantage, for mass-to-force manual engagements aluminum offers, especially for those to whom ready access and sustained upgrade maintenance is further a presiding factor. The Mylar base stand-offs, for standing the whole of the case upon, I dispensed with for a folded towel;- a better pivotal functionary placement, off which to slide the entire assembly, from a desktop surface, opposite to the removed side, while running or not, for fast access into inner components and connections. Near noiseless, despite a bulk of three large, slow-RPM fans, notably the largest of all, one case fan directly in front of for dedicating to the HDD array, (dispensing with a backplane fan and cross-flow, at modest sum total component heat displacement);- there follows an widely popular "large" OEM CPU cooler;- last, however might that effect, a range of PS units of perceived quality measured by fan decibels. The LanBoy build is very modest by standards and monstrosities taken from yesteryear's noisy, and hot, builds. My optic drive, the motor is likely disconnected;- I don't offhand hear it engaging at power-up, or perhaps, if not, for very occasional usage, being it is rather on the quiet side. Overall the Ante LanBoy provides a high degree of functionality for some slight upon appearances;. . .outright safety considerations, no doubt, for anyone but myself, offhand to consider physically to engage;- In, of course, a latter manner of personal "shortcuts" already mentioned, a rote indulgence extensively to exert over a likes of "dangling" SSDs and such. |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
Nil wrote:
I'm into my computer build (first since 2006!) that I mentioned in a previous thread. Parts are on their way, and the first to arrive was a case I bought from Newegg: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16811352070 I guess I'm behind the times, because I never even consided the possibility: there are no front-accessible bays to accommodate an optical disc reader/writer, which I require. I was looking for a case that was very insulated and quiet and this looked like a good choice, so now I'm very surprised and disappointed. I have to decide whether to return it (probably on my dime) or keep it. So... - I guess I'd be willing to spring for an external USB drive *IF*... [a] they burn reliable (I guess I still remember the days when the computer/OS could barely keep up with a burn and you'd get frequent crap-outs during a write operation). and [b] are the drives within the caddys replaceable? In my experience, optical (CD/DVD) burners have a short lifespan and must be replaced every few years. But internal drives are cheap, so it was no big deal - I consider them to be consumable items. So, if I can replace the drives in the USB caddys for $10 - $15, that's acceptible. If I have to replace the whole caddy for $20 - $40, that's not so acceptible. The images at Newegg don't even show a drive cage, so how are you going to mount the HDDs or SSDs? Are you going with an M.2 SSD drive in a slot on the mobo? Without any moving drives, yeah, much easier to rate a case as "quiet". The case might be quiet but where is that big block of triple-fan cooled radiator going to reside for the water cooling? Ah, one of the pics show where the SSDs mount. Its a recess in the backside/rightside panel and in front of the PSU at the bottom. That explains the lack of a drive cage. Oh oh, better make sure the PSU you get has bearing types that allow its intake fan to run upside down. Well, with no drive cage then just how are you going to mount any drives where there would normally be internal drives with an external access (in the front of the case)? There's no hardware there to which you can attach any drives (or any devices with an external front-side, like for memory card slots, fan controllers, and other non-drive gizmos requiring front-panel access where would be a drive cage behind). The case is quiet because it doesn't provide for installation of optical drives - a noisy device. There's no drive cage! Well, you could go with an external USB3-attached optical disc drive; see http://tinyurl.com/y8t3gjp3. Attach it when you need it. Stow in a desk drawer or leave on the desk or atop the computer case when you're not using it. Lucky for you, it is a compact ATX case. The PSU mounts at the bottom. There could be problems with the PSU's cables reaching all the mobo's connectors (or drives if this case can house any) with a mid-size case. Maybe a compact case ensures the PSU cables will be long enough. |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
On 01 Dec 2017, VanguardLH wrote in
alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt: The images at Newegg don't even show a drive cage, so how are you going to mount the HDDs or SSDs? Scroll down farther - you'll see that hard disks go downstairs, next to the PSU. SSDs mount on the back wall. Any way, I'm not going to mount anything. I'm returning it and getting a different case. |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
Nil wrote:
VanguardLH wrote: The images at Newegg don't even show a drive cage, so how are you going to mount the HDDs or SSDs? Scroll down farther - you'll see that hard disks go downstairs, next to the PSU. SSDs mount on the back wall. Already noted that in my first reply and why those spots are not usable for an optical disc drive but you could use a USB-attached one. With the theoretical limits of 6 Gbps for SATA3 and 5 Gbps for USB3, you would probably no real difference in performance of an external USB3 optical drive over an internal SATA3 optical drive. Although I put one into my build, I rarely use the optical drive. Was used to install the OS (burned from an ISO image) and to rip my music CDs to USB flash drives. Don't recall using it for anything else since disc capacity is too small compared to alternatives. |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Case issue
Just tossing in my two cents, I've had a
Cooler Master Elite 330 which has served me well for over ten years. Front bays, good cooling (though I did add a front fan), rather quiet, easy to work with, overall couldn't ask for better. That original model has been discontinued but apparently there's a newer 330U which relocates the power supply from the top to the bottom of the case and allows fans to be added to the side vents. Both models accommodate long cards. On 12/1/2017 1:14 PM, Paul wrote: Larc wrote: On Fri, 01 Dec 2017 10:45:48 -0500, Paul wrote: | Larc wrote: | On Thu, 30 Nov 2017 20:34:55 -0500, Nil wrote: | | | I'm into my computer build (first since 2006!) that I mentioned in a | | previous thread. Parts are on their way, and the first to arrive was a | | case I bought from Newegg: | | | | https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16811352070 | | | | I guess I'm behind the times, because I never even consided the | | possibility: there are no front-accessible bays to accommodate an | | optical disc reader/writer, which I require. I was looking for a case | | that was very insulated and quiet and this looked like a good choice, | | so now I'm very surprised and disappointed. I have to decide whether to | | return it (probably on my dime) or keep it. So... | | I got this case and am happy with it.Â* 2 external bays that will accommodate CD/DVD | drives.Â* No side window.Â* I did buy an extra fan for the front. | | https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16811129199 | | Larc | | I like the side-load trays on mine. | | https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9SIA6ZP3KT7120 | | https://images10.newegg.com/producti...129-086-15.jpg | | By pulling the trays out of two machines, I have | a total of eight trays to rotate through there. The P100 also has side-load trays that accommodate 3.5" and 2.5" drives. I like the Sonata Proto as well and have it for my bedroom PC.Â* 2 minor shortcomings (IMO) are having to open the door to access the start button and the bottom mount for a 2.5" drive.Â* But there's an excellent cheap option to overcome the latter item. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16817994162 I've tried costlier brackets that weren't nearly as good and easy. Larc Taking the door off mine, was the very first step :-) Just the hinge sits there flapping in the breeze. On an earlier Sonata, I removed the bottom front bezel for better cooling. I usually mod them a bit when I get them. I removed that stupid dust filter. If I didn't, I'd be cleaning that filter every three months. Still, it's a nice case, compared to some other things I could have bought at the time. Selecting computer cases is really time consuming. I don't wanna cut myself on some "soup tin" case. The reports of cases arriving with the side kicked in because they were too thin, doesn't impress me either. I think some of my earlier cases had 1mm thick sides on them, but the Sonata isn't quite as thick. My very best case, is a piece of junk :-) However, I'm attached to it, mainly because of my "after-the-fact" discoveries about it. One day I was working on it, when it occurred to me "is that a motherboard tray I'm looking at" ? And sure enough, the thing had a removable tray, so you could easily get the motherboard out from the "wrong" side of the case. The second thing that was super-cool about that case, is the drive bays are arranged in such a way, that a really long video card would fit. And when I originally got the thing, I really dumped on it, thinking it was crap. But in fact it had a pretty decent feature set. Since my very first PC was built up at the computer store, I didn't get all the promotional material I might collect when I build them myself. So I don't have the box the computer case came in, and there's no branding stamped on it either. But it's turned out to be pretty sweet to work on, even if it's really old looking. Â*Â* Paul |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Water cooling - how many case fans would still be necessary? Tower case recommendations? | Andrew Hamilton | Asus Motherboards | 15 | September 28th 09 03:58 AM |
Memory Issue or Test issue?? | bill | General | 5 | April 14th 08 01:28 PM |
Nexus Breeze 500 Watt Silent PC Case - How to open case | Stephen H. Fischer | Asus Motherboards | 3 | July 7th 07 12:29 AM |
ZFS vs RAID, was MyISAM engine: worst case scenario in case of crash (mysql, O/S, hardware, whatever) | toby | Storage & Hardrives | 1 | November 11th 06 08:22 PM |
MyISAM engine: worst case scenario in case of crash (mysql, O/S, hardware, whatever) | toby | Storage & Hardrives | 0 | November 11th 06 05:31 PM |