Need tower case recommendation

[Outsider]

All this talking about Raid levels, and keeping my drives nice and cool got me thinking about getting a new more capable case. I just checked the two 250 gig drives in the current server case, and they both feel pretty hot to the touch... there's barely any air movement in that case...

Can you recommend a reasonably priced case (and a place to get it) that provides options for lots of case fans to keep the flow of air especially over HDs?
I'd be putting 3 drives in the case to start with. And would like a little room to grow (so capabililty for 1 or 2 more drives)
But Like I said, reasonably prices is key. I don't really want to spemd $300 on just a case. I don't need flashing LED and color plastic holes... This PC sits in closet behind closed doors. It just has to do what a case needs to do, and nothing more.

[Bskll]

well, if you have a mid tower and a case fan pulling in air, you can get some of these babies,

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=005270&cid=FN.505

Vantec HDC-502A HDD Coolers 24 CFM 5000 RPM

Aluminum alloy material 100% heat dissipation
Twin fans / high airflow / high performance
Extended HDD's life - make PC system stable
Easy installation
UL/CSA/CE approval DC fans

Since the introduction of 7200 RPM hard drives, passive cooling for HDDs were no longer sufficient. As with any computer component, a hard drive can only perform reliably if it is kept within their specified operating temperatures - the cooler the hard drive, the more efficiently it can perform. As the spindle motors inside the drive spin, the temperature of the hard drive rises considerably, often leading to read errors, reduced life cycles, and even loss of data should the temperature surpass the heat threshold.
Vantec HDD coolers help keep your hard drive well within their specified temperature range, often resulting in more than 100% heat dissipation. By keeping your hard drive cool, you not only increase stability, but the efficiency of your hard drive. Available in 5.25" and 3.5" solutions, with a Vantec hard drive cooler, you can ensure the reliability of your important data.


$12.99

but if you really do want a nice case, then antec superlanboy is what i recommend, that or a p180 which is both available at Canadacomputers.

[importpsycho]

Silverstone TJ06

[fakishan]

the bigger, the better (full tower)

the heavier, the better (aluminium/steel)

the more support for fans, the better (2 very good intakes at least)


don't buy into the overheating/un-upgradeable small form factor hype.

[Outsider]

well, if you have a mid tower and a case fan pulling in air, you can get some of these babies,

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=005270&cid=FN.505
Good call Bskll,
And at only $13 a pop, it seems silly NOT to grab a couple!
Thanx!

And keep those case suggestions coming.

[Amourek]

Those Vantec heatsinks are a cheap solution, but make sure your hard drive cages don't have those little guides that keep the hard drive from falling. The heatsink adds a couple of mm to the height of the drive - if it has to rest on guides, the screw holes won't line up and you might have to drill some new ones.

[Bskll]

Those Vantec heatsinks are a cheap solution, but make sure your hard drive cages don't have those little guides that keep the hard drive from falling. The heatsink adds a couple of mm to the height of the drive - if it has to rest on guides, the screw holes won't line up and you might have to drill some new ones.

thats a good idea.

and just to give you an idea, my pc has no front intake and only a 90 millimeter fan on the back, it runs a seagate 7200 IDE drive (not barracuda).

after i installed these heat sinks, my hdd temp went from 42oC max to 36oC, granted its a bit loud, but they are fine for me.

[Silver Bullet]

I would go with the Antec P180 ..

I built a system for a client couple weeks ago and it's work very very well. He as 6 HDs in his system. 3 X 200GB Maxtor 10 in RAID 5, also a 120, 200 and 250GB HDs. They are all cooled by fans and the case is pretty quiet.

I would say the only problem with the P180 is there is just enough space for the PS, if you get an OCZ Powerstream 520W, its very tight fit, but it does work out nicely. I do also believe this is the only case that has 6 3.5" bays that are cooled.

[Bskll]

and CC just has them in :)