Speccing up a build for a friend. Need a quality branded case (Thermaltake, Antec etc) that's not massive - 3 visible 5.25 bays maximum, to suit an ATX board.

Anyone seen anything suitable on the market recently?

Preferably in black, either with no PSU or one with enough quality/clout to run a possibly upto a 3.7 Athlon 64 San Diego, 400gb SATA2 drive and a GF 7600GT.

Answers on a postcard....

Thanks,

Steve

Have a look at Lian Li range, real quality!, have got the v1000 myself, can't fault it.

Yeah, I do like the Lian Li stuff and agree it's very well made. A bit out of his price range though.

Steve

B&Q Last water project was in a self made case for a while

Depends if you want to tinker or just make it and leave it alone.

Aluminium looks great; has a moderate thermal benefit, but a higher cost.

Steely's can look a bit pants, some are good, bit of wet n dry and the craft shop can get you a unique case

Consider maybe a coolermaster wave, bit quirky and some entertaining colours.

TBh anything over 90 quid will suffice, most over 50 will do...spend the savings on the power supply, cases come and go, power supplies should be for life

/Edit, assume tower format as 3x5.25 bays > desktop format typically, also budget....200 quid can be blown on a case...CM101

Just a standard user - he considers all this tinkering a bit too geeky

Wants a fast, stable system and nothing more, in a case that provides a reasonable path for future expansion, if needed, but not at the detriment of floorspace. So I'm thinking standard black steel, reasonable brand, three visible 5.25 bays and ATX platform.

I've budgeted £40-50 for the cause.

Steve.

If I were buying a new case now, and I dare not go and look these up, but think about an atx that can be modified/changed to btx. As btx may replace atx in time...perhaps not tomorrow, but maybe next tuesday.

Hmmm, yes - something to consider certainly. Although it's more than likely this guy will be more than happy on an ATX platform for quite some time to come

Remember my earlier comment about him not being bothered about the geeky stuff - he just wants something that works, works well, and has enough storage space. Some people are just too straightforward!

Steve

I have an Antec P180 and Antec PSU i'm tempted to sell.

Case is unmarked and only a couple of months old.

Whereabouts are you and how much do you want? What's the rating on the PSU?

Steve

I'm in warrington (not far from you?)

The case comes boxed with all packaging/instructions and every screw/piece that came with it.

The PSU is a Antec neopower 480W modular, it has no box but all the leads are with it.

It cost me about

Another vote for Lian-li

ive had it for near on 5 years now and its housed about 5 generations of machines

Supremely built.. very flexible and "nice" features like plastic covers over all the exposed edges so you dont cut yourself

Unfortunately I don't have Lian-Li money to spend in this case :thumbdwn:

Steve