Which HTPC Case to buy?

[matt_h1]

Hi folks, Im at a bit of a loss on which HTPC case to buy, Im after something the resembles an audio amplifier found in most Home theatres, Extra points for a volume knob. Id like to spend around $100US or $150AUD, Id like mATX, and very good sound dampening for the hard drives.

Ive looked at the Mini p180, but I dont really want a tower, the Fusion 430 is great, but way to expensive at $250(AU) with the VFD less version still around the $150 mark and missing the volume control knob. The Zalman HD160 is also nice, but at $350 its way out of my price range.

[dgaust]

I think your price range is going to knock you out of most cases.... especially if it comes with a VFD & Power supply.

I have the Antec Fusion and I think at $250 it's actually very well priced, it's well built and looks great.

[scott_mckenzie]

Yeah the Antec Fusion does look fantastic!
I've be extremely keen to buy it but my only gripe is there's no 3 1/2" slot to fit a card reader

Are there are similar cases with a slot or integrated card reader?

Cheers - Scott

[Bormin]

May i ask what you need a volume knob for?

Is your HTPC being hooked up to an AMP? If so, the Amp would control the volume anyway.

I like the Fusion too but i wish it come without a knob.

B

[tackster]

silverstone (i got an17)100%
cost me 130 bucks, and 45 for power. worth every cent. real aluminium front, as wide as any dvd/stereo,fits 6 HDD, 2 dvd,has inbuilt 4 80mm fans,8 usb,4 front,4back. awsome...

[matt_h1]

I ended up buying the NSK2480, Its basically the Fusion 430, but it dosent have the VFD/IR/Volume knob. Its disapointing that they use a plastic panel instead of brushed aluminium on the front like they do on the 430, aparently in Japan they released a mode (2530?) that came with the brushed aluminium but at $130 including delivery Im pretty happy with it, I really like the internal layout and how small the whole system is.

[fido666]

The Silverstone GD02 has a 3.5" bay for a floppy or card reader and looks great. I just recently bought the non touch screen model for ~$150 without PSU. Cable Management is a must and my non-stock cooler had to go but the case fits so much better into my cabinet and it's solid so doesn't rattle.

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by fido666

The Silverstone GD02 has a 3.5" bay for a floppy or card reader and looks great. I just recently bought the non touch screen model for ~$150 without PSU. Cable Management is a must and my non-stock cooler had to go but the case fits so much better into my cabinet and it's solid so doesn't rattle.

What PSU did you use and how quiet is the case with the stock fans? I'm interested in this case for my next build.

[The Brad]

Hmm I'm in the case searching boat too.

Story is I was going to use a Fusion 430 but they are now discontiued and my supplier has no more.

I am upgrading my desktop rig and plan to use the parts for the HTPC build, which rules the Fusion out because of motherboard size anyway.

Parts are: E6600, Gigabyte 965P-DS3P board, 2GB RAM, 8600GT, which I will fit into a new case with my Vista HP licence and a new 1Tb drive or perhaps 2 750's or something.

Am now considering the following:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/produc...=cw01&area=usa

Anybody got feedback?

[dgaust]

Something wrong with your link Brad.... case is here

[logifuse]

Originally Posted by fido666

The Silverstone GD02 has a 3.5" bay for a floppy or card reader and looks great. I just recently bought the non touch screen model for ~$150 without PSU. Cable Management is a must and my non-stock cooler had to go but the case fits so much better into my cabinet and it's solid so doesn't rattle.

Originally Posted by TheRob

What PSU did you use and how quiet is the case with the stock fans? I'm interested in this case for my next build.

I'd like to know that too & an iside photo or two would be good.

I think it looks a bit like a Wadia CD player/transport (was in love with those back when I worked in HiFi).





Justin

[fido666]

Originally Posted by TheRob

What PSU did you use and how quiet is the case with the stock fans? I'm interested in this case for my next build.

I'm using an Antec NeoHE 430w modular for the moment, pulled it out of my old cheap and nasty cube case. The GD02 has a grille on the bottom so if you have a PSU with bottom mounted 120mm fan you can have the PSU drawing air from outside the case, the NeoHE only has a rear fan however.

I'm using an Intel e4400 CPU in mine, the stock fan is quiet but not as efficiently designed as the Nexus PHT-7750 I had to ditch. With a shorter DVD burner it might work, I haven't tried this out yet though.

Originally Posted by logifuse

I'd like to know that too & an iside photo or two would be good.

Will try and get some up for you.

[matt_h1]

If you want a Full ATX version of the Antec 430, Antec is about to release this, http://www.silentpcreview.com/article744-page3.html
A full ATX version of the fusion 430 ^^.

Anyway I got the NSK2480 today and put my system in it, I need to change my heatsink though since my current one makes an annoying noise with the turbulence of the fan blowing on it.

I have a passively cooled PSU, 120W, Powers my G33 mobo, 1 12cm fan, 3 3.5" drives, a 2.5" and a E2160, The PSU is about the side of a credit card.

I decoupled one of the 3.5" and the 2.5" drives in the 5.25" bay by mounting them with rubber bands. (Sounds weird, looks great and there is almost zero noise).

The one thing that does annoy me about this case is the light for the power button, it dosent wire to the motherboard header and instead uses a molex plug, its not even a piggyback molex connector, seems completely pointless and weird. especially since I put my PC to sleep alot and my old light used to pulse slowly when in sleep mode.

[MrCoyote]

I built an HTPC for a friend using the Antec Fusion V2 case and frankly I think the VFW on the new model is awful. It's hard to read and in my opinion it just tries too hard.

The built IR receiver is a bonus, but I would take the V1 VFD anytime.

If you do go down the Antec route, try and compare the two.