Need some suggestions on Casing

[lunloon]

Long time never build system, so for upgrading i've upgraded to C2D8500 from AMD Athlon XP (about 4-6 years)

 

so i didn't think twice and bought a 2nd hand icute midtower casing, thinking it's alright

 

yah it's alright, just that it's very packed.

 

and so recently i happen to topple it off about 50cm above the ground and piang.

 

CDRW went to IT heaven. casing got a major crack and the frame is not rectangular block anymore

 

but still can use

 

but in view of this, i am just thinking of getting a better casing to improve the airflow, as well as to allow for space between the mobo and drive bays.

 

Can anyone give me some suggestions for casings that i can consider?

 

and also, mid towers are they still the same size, or are there some that are longer and wider while retaining the midtower height?

 

high towers are pretty high, but may be considered too.

 

thanks in advanced.

[d0n]

mid sized casings tend to come w/ 3 or 4 cdrom bays, which should give u enough space for some decent airflow (assuming u dont have like 4 HDD, 2 CDROM/DVDROM drives, etc).

 

airflow also pretty much depends on the design/layout of the casing fans, some of which comes pre-fitted in the casing itself.

 

i have seen some casings w/ air input at the front, and air output from the rear, sides or even the top. i guess each have got pros and cons. u need to decide for yrself in terms of priority (e.g. noise, power consumption).

 

it been quite a while since i followed up with IT stuff. but recently when i did a power supply unit upgrade for my old humble pc, i realised that some of these power supply units are designed to channel air from inner cpu casing to the external rear (i.e. to partially work like cpu casing fan also).

 

 

if DIY shifting the mobo and respective components frm the old casing to the new casing isnt an issue, why not take a walk at SLS to have a look at some of those stylo milo casings for some inspiration?

[lunloon]

mid sized casings tend to come w/ 3 or 4 cdrom bays, which should give u enough space for some decent airflow (assuming u dont have like 4 HDD, 2 CDROM/DVDROM drives, etc).

 

airflow also pretty much depends on the design/layout of the casing fans, some of which comes pre-fitted in the casing itself.

 

i have seen some casings w/ air input at the front, and air output from the rear, sides or even the top. i guess each have got pros and cons. u need to decide for yrself in terms of priority (e.g. noise, power consumption).

 

it been quite a while since i followed up with IT stuff. but recently when i did a power supply unit upgrade for my old humble pc, i realised that some of these power supply units are designed to channel air from inner cpu casing to the external rear (i.e. to partially work like cpu casing fan also).

 

 

if DIY shifting the mobo and respective components frm the old casing to the new casing isnt an issue, why not take a walk at SLS to have a look at some of those stylo milo casings for some inspiration?

 

yups, that's what happened and gave me a big head.

[scoobydoo]

this is how i chose my casing:

 

1) set budget... how much i wanna spend? some simple ones costs 60+ but some better/brandier ones cost >300. set a budget, easier to choose from there onwards

my budget has to be higher coz needed true power psu

 

2) what size? micro, mid, server? need to upsize if more "hot stuffs" are going in, need sufficient breathing space for proper convective cooling

didn't like micro or small ones, tot its bad for ventilation & i needed space

 

3) psu type? most psu that comes along with case are not true power types, true power psu may be required if more hardwares are desired

i'm running raid, therefore need true power

 

4) how many fans & where?

some has big fan in front... http://www.videopro.com.sg/products/product_thumb.php?img=images/icute0408sl.gif&w=200&h=160

 

http://www.videopro.com.sg/products/images/products/tower-casing/casing/chakram.jpg ... some has big ones by the side

mine's got big fans by the side and behind for ventilation

 

5) design & colour? regardless how good the case may be, it has to look acceptably nice.

mine's gonna be on the desk, so it cannot be an eye sore and must be matching to the interior design of room

white is difficult to maintain but i like

 

 

hope this is useful