On one computer I had it came with an Alien ATX case. If memory serves that one had a top fan. The only thing I didn't like about that case was not enough slots for two drive sleds in addition to the dvd burner. Only one sled could be accommodated.
-- Jude <jdashiel at panix dot com> "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." Ed Howdershelt 1940. On Thu, 9 Nov 2023, Dale wrote: > Dale wrote: > > Howdy, > > > > This is a work in progress and may take some time, financially if > > nothing else. With hindsight, I wish I had done this before the price > > of everything went up but some things are getting more reasonable. My > > first task, a case. At this point, I may build a new system in the new > > case, or, I might build the new system in my current case. It depends > > on which case I buy. A cube shape wouldn't work for my main system. It > > would take up to much space, it would however make a great NAS box. My > > current case is a Cooler Master HAF-932 with those huge 200mm fans. It > > has a top fan and that thing removes a lot of warm air. A top fan > > really improves heat removal. After all, heat naturally rises. So any > > case that has a top fan gets extra points with me. > > > > <<<SNIP>>> > > > > So, anyone think they know of a case that might beat those, especially > > the Define 7, and still have a price that is reasonable? I also look at > > cooling fans. I really like how cool my current case stays. Also, I'm > > in the USA so needs to be available here. I mostly use Ebay but > > sometimes use Amazon. I've also used Newegg, Tigerdirect and a couple > > other sites as well. If you live outside the USA, brand and model will > > do and I can look it up to see if it is available here or not. > > <<<SNIP>>> > > Dale > > > > :-) :-) > > > A little update. I got the Fractal Design Define 7 XL in earlier > today. It is huge. Size wise, it is about like my Cooler Master > HAF-932. It's just more boxy where the Cooler Master has some angled > edges. Anyway, it is very different than any case I've ever seen on the > inside. All the panels has these little ball things that snap them in > and it feels like there may be a magnet in places but could just be the > ball things. Hard to tell. I think it will hold a lot of drives > eventually. It can be made into a super nice NAS box tho. I mean super > nice. > > The one thing I don't like. Reading the description, it makes it sound > like it comes with all the cages needed for all hard drives to be > mounted. It does not come with those. They are extra and don't always > come in a set. One part can be the cage part of it. Another part can > be the little tray that the drive actually mounts on and slides into the > cage. The cage part is about $20. Both pieces are about $35 bought > together. I'm looking on ebay at the moment. I may can get a better > deal from Fractal tho. Still, be prepared for not getting it really > complete if you plan to install lots of drives right away. > > If you don't like top mounted fans, that is a option. It has a solid > panel for the top. Me, I like top mounted fans. Heat rises, why fight > it. For that, it comes with a really nice mesh thing for the top that > looks OK. I haven't put it on yet tho. Given the number of fans, I may > try it without out the top fans. Just to see. I do kinda wish it had a > side fan but the side is all glass. > > It is pricey. Given I still have to buy the cage kits, about 4 or 5 I > think, that drives the cost up even more. Still, it is a nice case. I > just wish it came with a complete set of drive cages. > > There are quite a few pics and videos of the thing already so I'm not > going to pollute the mailing list with those. If someone wants a pic of > something, I could send it off list. Honestly tho, there are a lot > already around to search for and find. > > Oh, it is heavy. Packed up it weighs in at 42 lbs. The box might weigh > a few pounds. I'd guess, about 38 maybe 39 lbs. > > Since my water heater decided to die, that took my puter money. Gotta > build up again to buy mobo, CPU and memory. Maybe prices will drop a > little. :/ > > On video cards. I bought a 4 pack of PCIe version 2 cards. I'm pretty > sure my new mobo will be PCIe V3. I think I got that right. Will that > slower card work in there? If so, will it slow anything else down? Or > do I need to get a matched set? > > Thanks to all. This may take a little longer than planned after the > water heater failure. Dang near $600. > > Dale > > :-) :-) > >
