I like the build quality of the haf. Then again, I'm still using a lian li v2000 I've had for almost 5 years now.
That's good advice: a good case will last you though many builds Sent via BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: GPL <hardwarelistrea...@gmail.com> Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:29:26 To: <hardware@hardwaregroup.com> Subject: Re: [H] My 2010 Gamer PC Build At the moment, I seem to be leaning towards the COOLER MASTER HAF 922. On Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 2:20 PM, maccrawj <maccr...@gmail.com> wrote: > Cooling wise from TT I still recommend the Armor+ VH6000BWS despite the > price. Unlke the MX variant there is tray HDD modules at the bottom that can > be replaced with 12/14cm fans, better than the Element there is a side 24cm > fan *installed*. IMHO the side 24cm fan is not enough alone to keep the > video cards card cage area cool enough, nor do the font 12cm's do a whole > lot either. > > The one thing I regret about the generation Armor I bought: lack of the > bottom HDD/fan modules. Have considered many times dremeling my case to add > them, just too much work ATM. > > A con for Armor+ is they a design change from open 11 bays exposed to "7+5" > system where the bottom 5 bays are rotated sideways into a hdd cage. > > Yes it's expensive, has no PSU, etc... but you grab one when they're on sale > only because they are well worth it over <$100 cases! Surely similar great > models exist from Cooler Master and the TT Element does look v-good IMHO > also. > > Don't skimp on PSU rating or brand, go large & reputable rather than > listening chants of "you don't need a >700W PSU". > > > On 4/16/2010 8:21 AM, GPL wrote: >> >> Thanks for the help in the past here. Most recent build was 2007 where >> I started a similar post. You folks were helpful in building a PC that >> I am still gaming on today, with only a video card upgrade between now >> and then and that was due to failure after 2.5 years. >> >> This time around I need to start right from the chassis. Previous >> build I just re-used a metal Chieftec tower. This time around I need a >> whole new case because the PC in the Chieftec is going to get wiped >> and used for my wife. >> >> Here's a general idea of where the plan stands. A gaming/simulation PC >> that also does some video editing, mainly family HD recordings or >> gaming videos. It will do flight and racing simulations and I plan on >> doing 3 screens down the line. I've usually done Nvidia cards but this >> time around I plan on going ATI. I have no allegiance to either card >> company but very much want the option to run 3 screens and the ATI >> performance will be more than enough for me. >> >> I'm thinking ATI 5870 right now. I'm also thinking Intel i7 930 to 950 >> range depending on cost per performance. >> >> FIRST STEP, I need a case! >> >> I don't want anything too fancy. Spending big money on the case itself >> hurts. However I want something that gives me the room to build, and >> if need be later easily crossfire the ATI cards, and have adequate >> cooling. I've looked at a few. >> >> MY DILEMNA, I have a small open desk setup to the right of my main >> gaming office desk. I fit my Chieftec tower in there with clearance >> enough to keep the little keyboard tray to that desk. It fits 3 towers >> with ease. I use it to have my gaming PC, my kids PC, and a LAB/DUMMY >> PC. That way my legs are free of wires and heat while at the gaming PC >> desk. Width is no issue but height may be. It seems my Chieftec tower >> (WITH OUT FEET INSTALLED) stands at 20.5 inches. >> >> I can always remove that desk's keyboard tray, but I like it for >> neatness and my little kids have it at a good height but would prefer >> to keep it. >> >> Few full tower cases I've looked at: >> >> Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower Black Case HEIGHT: 21.5 inches >> Thermaltake Element V VL20001W2Z HEIGHT 21 inches >> >> Few mid tower cases I've looked at: >> Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case HEIGHT: >> 19.5 inches (It fits!) >> COOLER MASTER CM690 II Advanced Black Steel body HEIGHT: 20.10 (It fits!) >> >> SO, the mid towers fit, the full towers are a tad too tall. Can anyone >> recommend another good gaming tower I can look at? Or any suggestions >> regarding the search itself. >> >> I have not bought a new tower by itself since 2003. >> >> Appreciate any and all of your suggestions as I start putting together >> the parts of the next machine. >> >