Let's talk PC cases. Who makes the best computer case? Is it still Lian Li?

[Exile Machine]

Considering upgrading from a laptop to a full sized computer, building my own system from the ground up. I used to have a nice brushed aluminum Lian Li case, thought it was pretty good but that was 7 years ago, I'm sure case technology has improved. Who's making the best cases these days? I'm not 17 living in mom's basement so I'm not looking for a lot of flashy red and blue lights and garish plastic alien/zombie trim. The thing will probably never be seen by anyone as I'll keep it under my desk.

Let's restrict to ATX form factor, mid-tower size. Looking at ease of running cables and working inside the box. Tool-less hard drive carriers a plus, thumbscrews a must. Probably be running a Core i7 Sandy or Ivy Bridge or a low-end Xeon and a midrange Nvidia graphics card. Something nice and quiet so big diameter fans are probably a given.

Pointers to resources on the web for case technology appreciated as well...

UPDATE: thanks for all the input! I just bought the Corsair 600T.

-Mark

[the86d]

Rack-mount Black 19" is a really small footprint, AND you can stack-'em HIGH!

$110 for the 28U rack http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ohm-Relay-Ne...item1e69feee78

About $80 for a 4u case, same site.

Thermaltake is a good brand for flashy full towers, AND not-so-flashy but cool-running cases too.

[FastFinger]

Rack-mount Black 19" is a really small footprint, AND you can stack-'em HIGH!

$110 for the 28U rack http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ohm-Relay-Ne...item1e69feee78

About $80 for a 4u case, same site.

Thermaltake is a good brand for flashy full towers, AND not-so-flashy but cool-running cases too.

I'm a bit skeptical that that rack will fit under a standard size desk.

[Exile Machine]

I'm a bit skeptical that that rack will fit under a standard size desk.

And I've used one of the 4U cases as a desktop unit before, in a previous lifetime, when the processor inside was a whopping '286. Back then at least they were noisy as hell.

I'm looking at a Corsair Graphite 600T and an Antec P280 on Newegg right now...

-Mark

[Jel]

You are already familiar with Lian Li and so anything else might not meet your expectations. Check out their website and find out which one you like. One feature to look for is the hard drive bays with the backplanes. Some are even hot swappable.

Other decent case manufacturers are Antec, Cooler Master, and Corsair.

Go to Newegg.com and search for Computer Cases and you can narrow down your choices first by how the case looks, then the features you are looking for.

The popular Antec's are the 300 and the 900 series. I have built 3 rigs based on the Cooler Master HAF 932 and love the space but those are full size towers.

If you happen to have a Fry's Electronics in your area, then you can go to their store and see many cases on display.

If you have the space, I would go with a full tower. That way you can put whatever you want in there and have the space to route cables, etc. You won't have to worry about double wide full length video cards fitting as well.

You'll also have to decide if you want water cooling or just regular heatsink/fan.

Good luck!

[Merc1138]

Don't forget Silverstone.

[Peter.Steele]

Hard as hell to find, but also hard as hell to beat:

[pc_load_letter]

Lian Li were nice. They really haven't progressed feature wise. And they're heavy as f---

My choice of cases for myself, friends and business has been the Corsair line. True progression in case design.

The new 600 series has been a grand slam in features, performance and bang for buck...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139007&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+(Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form)-_-Corsair-_-11139007

They also have it in a cool white design...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139005&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+(Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form)-_-Corsair-_-11139005

Good luck with your build!

[JDay]

Corsair and Thermaltake make some pretty good computer cases these days. I especially like the Level10 GT, just wish they weren't so expensive.

[Exile Machine]

I've got this Corsair Graphite 600T in my cart on Newegg, right now it's the front runner... Still got my ears to the ground though while I work out the motherboard / processor choices.
-Mark

[the86d]

And I've used one of the 4U cases as a desktop unit before, in a previous lifetime, when the processor inside was a whopping '286. Back then at least they were noisy as hell.

I'm looking at a Corsair Graphite 600T and an Antec P280 on Newegg right now...

-Mark

Hahahaa

I have my Win 2k8 Server, Slackware 13.37, and my Win7 all in a rack footprint. I did drop a "" up there...

The 2u Slack-box is the loud one... I never did an XT or an AT rackmount, only after ATX came around did I start racking. At least I gave up on full towers...now.

Funny is... what I don't, apparently.

I've got this Corsair Graphite 600T in my cart on Newegg, right now it's the front runner... Still got my ears to the ground though while I work out the motherboard / processor choices.
-Mark

Looks good, w/ mucho air-flow! Is that a 120mm fan on top?

[ptoguy2002]

This guy:

.
Slightly OT, sorry, but you've got to admit that is pretty cool.
If it were me, I'd probably go for a IDY one along these lines:



.
If you DIY, you need to consider air flow, and depending, shielding.
More ideas from a quick case mod search: http://www.neatorama.com/case-mod/

[hdvss]

Hard as hell to find, but also hard as hell to beat:

+1 on the Coolermaster Stacker 810 and T01. I bought 5 before they discontinued this model.

[Wildhawk66]

This one. I love mine

I've got this Corsair Graphite 600T in my cart on Newegg, right now it's the front runner... Still got my ears to the ground though while I work out the motherboard / processor choices.
-Mark

[Hoop]

I have one of those cooler master stackers around somewhere. Parted out most of the stuff and built up a mini-atx using a little cube case because I was tired of having this refrigerator sized thing next to my desk.

Several good cases at fry's in the mid size for about 50$. If you want hot swappable drive bays I am 100% sure there was at least one and possibly two for a hundred even.

Modular power supplies make running cables a snap.

All of this is from memory last time I went to fry's maybe a month ago.