BIG Case suggestions ?

[PS2SP]

Hi - long time lurker, first time poster, so hopefully you'll be gentle and offer your suggestions regarding a BIG case.

Presently I've got an Antec 1200 which is big but having recently built a PC for a friend using the Cooler Master Storm Sniper it made me realise the Antec 1200 is too narrow compared to the Sniper, unfortunately the Sniper's not big enough for my setup.

Presently running :

CPU : i7 950
Memory : 12GB DDR3 (Crucial CT25664BA1067.M16F = 6x 2GB)
MoBo : Asus Rampage III Extreme
GPU's : 3x Asus GTX 470 v2
HDD's : 2x Crucial RealSSD 64GB + 2x Maxtor 500GB Diamondmax 23
Opt. Drive : LG HL-DT-ST DVDRAM
PSU : Corsair AX1200

Also have ....

An Aquacomputer triple bay HDD cooler
2x Fan Controllers in 5.25 bays
An EK Dual Bay Spin Reservoir

Also running 2 water cooling loops, the 3x GPU's on one loop and the other loop cools the CPU, Memory, Chipset and HDD's.

I've got a Koolance external radiator enclosure, an EXOS I believe it's called.

In total there's 3x 120x2 radiators, 2 on the CPU, Memory, etc. loop, (1x thin & 1x thick), and 1 on the GPU loop, (1x thick).

So even with the external Koolance EXOS, the case is pretty full.

Plus I'm toying with adding a 4th GPU for handling the Physx side of games as the 3x GPU's are struggling a bit when running 3x 24" monitors in portrait @ 3299 x 1920 pixels, and also adding another radiator into the GPU loop as the GPU's are running at ~70*C running Crysis 2, Bulletstorm, Bioshock 2, etc. even with the water cooling.

So looking for something bigger than the Antec 1200, hopefully wider like the CM Sniper, maybe with more options for adding the 4th radiator, ideally another 120x2 or bigger.

I've looked at Mountain Mods, which really seems to be the only option, save for a custom job, but their U2UFO and Ascension cases are too wide to fit under my desk.

Though the Pinnacle 24 looks the part but at only 9 inches wide it's not much bigger than the Antec 1200, and only has 3x 5.25" bays when I need at least 8.

So thinking about asking Mountain Mod's to custom something, but if I can find an out of the box solution then I think I'd prefer that.

Also looking for black to go with the rest of my hardware ideally.

So any suggestions much appreciated !

Thanks in advance ! :up:

PS2SP

[slaveofconvention]

If you can find one, the Lian Li 343b is a pretty huge case off the shelf, but it's double the width of most cases so might have the same problems as with the mountain mods units :S

Silverstone has a huge replacement for the TJ07 they were showing off in Vegas at CES too, now I think about it

[blueonblack]

I got to get my grubby paws on a Silverstone TJ11 at CES in Vegas this year and I was *very* impressed. Huge case and very well built, like most of their cases.

[PS2SP]

Hi - thanks both for taking the time to reply, much appreciated !

Re: the Lian Li, yup unfortunately too big alike the MM 'boxes'

Re: Silverstone is it the TJ11 you're both referring too ? I've found this : http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2010/11/22/silverstone-tj11-preview/1 and it look promising, so just reading up it now.

But if there's another Silverstone case that fits the bill if you can let me know model no's or links that would be great, thanks !

[slaveofconvention]

That's the case we're both referring to - blueonblack and myself were two of the 5 staff members who were at CES this year - we were actually standing next to each other when we were oohing and aahing at this monster. It really IS huge compared to any case I own (and I own a fair few) - lots of cool features too which make you realise Silverstone really are looking at the details as well as the wow factor

[PS2SP]

Thanks for the speedy reply, and hmm pricey ~£475 from Scan or Specialtech, ouch, oh well, prolly roughly the same price as a custom MM case once shipping, taxes and customs are added, and prolly a more feature rich case too, right off to research :think:

[x88x]

You could also check out Danger Den's cases (http://www.dangerden.com/store/cases/). Similar design to come of Mountain Mods' stuff, but they have more in the 'tall and thin' bracket, and their double wide towers are a little thinner than MM (MM Ascension == 18" wide, DD 21 (http://www.dangerden.com/store/dd-double-wide-tower-21-black-series-edition.html#tabs) == 14.65" wide).

[diluzio91]

3rd for the silverstone. the thermaltake armor 10+ is huge too... Add the 800D to the list... The HAFx is a pretty big one.... but i would ditch the hdd cooling... its really not doing much besides heating up your loop. link to the silverstone

http://silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=TJ11&area=

[PS2SP]

You could also check out Danger Den's cases (http://www.dangerden.com/store/cases/). Similar design to come of Mountain Mods' stuff, but they have more in the 'tall and thin' bracket, and their double wide towers are a little thinner than MM (MM Ascension == 18" wide, DD 21 (http://www.dangerden.com/store/dd-double-wide-tower-21-black-series-edition.html#tabs) == 14.65" wide).

Hi - thanks for the suggestion, unfortunately the DD cases don't seem to have enough 5.25 bays and I don't think I'd be be careful enough with full acrylic :eek: to keep it dust free or undamaged :whistler:

Though somewhere between 12" to 15" is about the right width meaning space outside the bank of GPU's to mount a decent fan or set of fans to aid the w/cooling, and then space on the opposite side to route cabling and possibly a radiator or two


3rd for the silverstone. the thermaltake armor 10+ is huge too... Add the 800D to the list... The HAFx is a pretty big one.... but i would ditch the hdd cooling... its really not doing much besides heating up your loop. link to the silverstone

http://silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=TJ11&area=

Thanks, I'll take a look at the suggestions ..... unfortunately they all seem to have the same limitation of being only 9" wide :think:

I thought briefly about custom'ing my Antec 1200 myself, but that idea died quite quickly :facepalm: don't trust myself too much, building PC's not a problem, working on cars not a problem, anything diy'ey that requires patience and precision counts me out.

Re: the HDD cooler, it has occurred to me to drop it, tho' it does drop the temp' of the 2 Maxtors by around a minimum of 10*C roughly when the PC's under load compared to air/fan cooled.

That loop is setup >

HDD cooler > Reservoir > Pump > 1st Rad' (thin) > CPU > 2nd Rad' (thick) > mem' cooler > chipset cooler (EK all-in-one) > back to HDD cooler

The only thing that get's toasty in that whole loop is the memory, the CPU and HDD's hover around ~35-40*C between idle and under load, pretty much the same for the chipset's NB+SB.

The memory idles at 35*C but I've seen it go upto 65*C under prolonged load, i.e. 8 hours of gaming.

Mind you the temp sensor is affixed to the outside of MIPS mem' cooler assy. nearest the CPU socket midway down, so it's probably picking up heat from the CPU or more probably the 3 GPU's below the memory slots.

But W/C loops wise beyond adding another rad to the gpu loop and rearranging the order of the other loop I'm pretty happy, but if I add a 4th GPU to the case I know those temp's will increase even more.

So ................. might have to drop MM a query :think:

Thanks everyone for your help tho' :up:

PS2SP

[x88x]

Another option would be to get more efficient or bigger radiators. For example, the TFC Monsta I have is only a 3x140 (ok, it's also 4.1" thick :P ), but I'm confident in saying that with proper push-pull fans it by itself would cool your entire system at least as well as your current rads. Or just replace that thin rad with a better one; that would give you a nice boost in radiator surface area.

[Snowman]

Here is the dragon rider I just got :D and my new mobo

http://knoxware.org/snowman/Pictures/2011-04-06%2019.09.14.jpeg

This one is blurry but gives you an idea of the size

http://knoxware.org/snowman/Pictures/2011-04-06%2019.09.07.jpeg

[PS2SP]

Thanks, yeah, I've been thinking about radiators as well, (the one good thing about the MM cases is bucket loads of radiator/fan mounting options and keeps the PC all in one as opposed to my current setup).

I've thought about changing the thin rad which sits in the Koolance EXOS and cools the CPU, mainly, for something fatter, and relocating the memory in the loop to get cooler water to it, I honestly didn't realise memory gets that hot :facepalm:

For the GPU's I then also though about jury rigging another rad into the GPU loop suspended below the Big Boy fan plus 2x120 fans in push/pull, but I initially wanted to keep the Big Boy fan unobstructed to aid in venting the heat from within the case.

Ah well best go speak to the bank manager aka the significant other :lick:

[PS2SP]

Re: Snowman - how wide is the case ? and thanks for the pic's 8)

[slaveofconvention]

There's a full review of the Dragon Rider here on TBCS if that helps any....

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/frontpage/?q=in-win-dragon-rider-review

[PS2SP]

There's a full review of the Dragon Rider here on TBCS if that helps any....

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/frontpage/?q=in-win-dragon-rider-review

Thanks a lot !, I've looked at that one and a few more of the case reviews, great reviews, unfortunately in a world obsessed with thin low fat things, women, pc cases, mayonaise (sp?), etc. I want a FAT 'UN :banana:

I've been casting a weary eye over my graveyard of old PC's and wondering if the self custom job might be a possibility :crossed:

[Oneslowz28]

Cooler Master HAF X (http://thebestcasescenario.com/?q=Cooler_Master+_HAF_X), or BitFenix Colossus (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/frontpage/?q=bitfenix-colossus-venom-review). Both are huge.

[Fuganater]

I'm looking at the HAF X as well an it seems to be the biggest, best case for the price. The Colossus is huge but uber ugly.

[Oneslowz28]

I can attest to the HAF X being one of, if not the best full towers on the market today.


http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/155291_1623957711847_1023629593_31737551_6804622_n .jpg

The Bitfenix colossus series are very nice as well but the door is off-putting to some. Thermaltake's closest in room is either the Armor A90 (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/?q=node/514) or the Level 10 GT.

[Fuganater]

I can attest to the HAF X being one of, if not the best full towers on the market today.


http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/155291_1623957711847_1023629593_31737551_6804622_n .jpg

The Bitfenix colossus series are very nice as well but the door is off-putting to some. Thermaltake's closest in room is either the Armor A90 (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/?q=node/514) or the Level 10 GT.

Thats some serious lighting! What is your WC setup?

[Oneslowz28]

Hardware list:

Case: Cooler Master HAF X
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5
Processor: AMD Phenom II 965 Black Edition
RAM: 2x2GB Blue Crucial Tracer Ballistix
GPUs: 2x Gigabyte GV-R1587UD - UD5 ATI Radion HD 5870 1GB GDDR 5
PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 800w
DVD: Plextor PX-880SA Multi Writer
HDD: 2x WD Caviar Green 500GB, WD Caviar Blue 1TB, 1x Seagate 1TB
Fan Controll: NZXT Sentry 2 Touch Screen
Front LCD: Matrix Orbital GX Typhoon with rare inverse RGB LCD
CPU Water Block: Danger Den MC-TDX AM3
Radiator: Hardware Labs Black Ice SR1 240 w/ 2 Low speed Yate Loon 120mm fans.
Water Pump: Danger Den CPX Pro
Reservoir: Danger Den single 5.25" bay.
Fill Port: Bits Power with black Bits Power stop.
Drain Port: Danger Den Derlin Fill Port w/ PEX 1/2" ball valve.
Fittings: Danger Den 1/2" Fatboys
Tubing: 3/8" Tygon
Fluid: Fesser 1 Blue
Case Fans: 3 Xigmatek XLF Blue 200mm, 1 Cooler Master 230 Blue, 1 Xigmatek XLF Blue 140mm
Expanded USB 2.0: NZXT IU01 Internal USB Expander
Case lighting: NZXT LED String kit 2 meters blue, 2x 12" UV CCFL.


I have a thread on it here (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=309589)

[Kayin]

Do what I did-make it into a piece of furniture.

That said, my board even dwarfs an SR-2. So I might have a little bit of an issue with regular cases anyway.

[PS2SP]

Good morning all - I'd like to thank you all very much for your suggestions and taking the time to post in my first thread, it's very much appreciated !

Well I've made a decision, kind of, so :think: ..... I'll 'put up' with my Antec 1200 for now and work on some sketches I've made and go from there, not in a major rush realising how much work could be involved in a scratch built case, so I'd want to make sure everything is planned out as best as possible before taking the plunge.

Unfortunately almost all of the full tower cases are all much of a muchness size-wise insofar as changing from the Antec 1200 to a.n.other retail full tower case will be trading something that works ok now to something that will require a fair bit of time and work to transplant my setup from and to due to all of the water loops and cable management, which unfortunately I've not got much time to do at the moment, and in turn I wouldn't achieve much extra space presently or for future upgrades.

Looking at the MM cases they're huge and roomy just like I would like, but too BIG unfortunately and custom'ing something and importing it to the UK would be expensive after shipping, taxes and customs and the cost of the custom job, so I've ruled MM out.

So I'm looking at a custom ali' and acrylic monolithic looking thing measuring about 14-17" wide by a minimum 24" high and 24" deep, and ensuring it's as future proof as possible, easy to maintain and clean and offers options for the best cooling possible, (no knowing how hot NVIDIA will make it's future offerings ;) )

Plus I generally upgrade after Xmas so this gives me 8 months to plan, collect materials and tools and check and re-check my plans and take into consideration anything I might buy.

Hopefully TBCS won't mind me hanging around and asking daft questions ? but I've been reading and re-reading many of the work logs on here and it's inspired me no end, so thank you for that also.

Cheers .... :bowdown:

PS2SP

[slaveofconvention]

It's nice to have someone else here on this side of the pond - it gets lonely when all those american types are taking over the joint :P

[PS2SP]

Long time no reply, oops :redface:

You'd think designing your own scratch build would be easy :think: but is it aesthetics over hardware requirements or hardware requirements over aesthetics :?

Trying to fit 4x 120.4 or 120.3 rad's into a case without making the case too wide when you're trying to get the the mobo tray in horizontally :alien:

Back to the drawing board :facepalm:

Thanks

PS2SP

[Beta-brain]

Build your own, get some ally profile cut to required lengths and assemble,

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%201/new%20case%20dimensions%20(Small).jpg

add internals of choice,

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%201/9%20Plexi%20cutouts%20+%20fan(Small).jpg

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%201/25%20DB%20fans2%20(Small).jpg

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/Dosbox%20for%20TBCS/case%20top%20view.JPG

and skin with plexi.

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/Dosbox%20for%20TBCS/chrome%20case%20side.JPG

Easy. ;) :rolleyes:

OK, so the Silverstone looks better :D

[PS2SP]

Yup looks easy ..... eek :eek:

Nah I'm gonna give scratch build a go, I've done some minor mod's to the Antec 1200, mainly a 220mm fan hole on the rh side and stuff for pumps and hoses, and I'm good with my hands, I think patience and precision is what I need to order in abundance :facepalm:

Just trying to get something designed that's not 3' wide :alien: so aethetics over function or vice versa :crossed:

[Beta-brain]

If you can take a PC to bits and reassemble it and it works then your more than half way there, you do the same just reassemble in a case of your making.
If you don't want to make everything yourself you can buy everything you need like drive bays, HHD cages and mobo mounting panels or of course use the parts from an old case.

I try and build things as simply as I can because it's easy to have lots of great ideas but if you then find that you can't easily make the parts it's easy to say "f**k it" and just scrap the project, keep things simple especially for a first build so you can make some progress which gives you the confidence and encouragement to keep going.

Example, A simple drive bay, plexi and some ally tube it's all you need :)

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%201/17%20HDD%20cage%20complete%20(Small)%20(Custom).jp g

http://www.fazerfetish.eclipse.co.uk/DOSBox%201/18%20HDD%20cage%20done%20(Small)%20(Custom).jpg

[PS2SP]

Cheers for the info' and advice :up:

I'm also looking to get some cut offs from a plastics shop so I can play with and test things, so hopefully give myself the best preparation before committing to a scratch build, been looking at some of the guides over at Bit Tech as well, very handy, plus lots of stuff on here :devcool: