Do computer cases really matter?

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track pusha

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I'm aboout to get my pc built, but i don't know what case to get. Does the case even matter. I don't really think it does, but i hear people say that there case sucked and there pc got fried. I want a case that has fire wire ports and can just keep my pc cold and safe. can anyone please suggest a case
 
Whoo boy, do cases matter! Once upon a time I thought, eh, a case is a case... get the cheapest.

... and then I started building computers.

Aluminum cases are FANTASTIC if you are going to be hauling the thing around to any degree at all. I am MUCH more willing to tear into an aluminum case than a steel case if there is a problem. I hate steel.

Some cases open up like a well juiced nymphomaniac, others are harder to pry open than Jimmy Hoffa's grave. The problem here is that you have to work with the damn things to get an idea which is which. Dell's, for example, are very easy to open up

You need to be sensitive to the case's form factor (the size of the motherboard that it will accept). Some cases are flexible and will let you slip in most anything, others only accept one size... usually small.

There are cases that work especially hard at keeping cool, cases that incorporate filters (if you work in notably dusty environment, a good thing to have), cases that are HUGE, cases that are tiny, cases that can be rackmounted, cases that can't.

Another place where I've been bit is in how many internal drives (i.e., HDD) you can mount. I've seen cases where I can slip in six, and cases that only hold one... which was a major pain-in-the-ass and required the case to be tossed when expansion was needed.

A lot of people get hot over power supplies, but I have used, mostly, plain jane whatever came with the box and very rarely had a problem. Power supplies do fail, but I have had worst luck with keyboards. Do NOT get one that is too small (i.e., >300) as you are just begging for trouble. The more peripherals you plan to cram into it (oh, yeah man! I've got six HDD, four DVD, and fifteen PCI cards running....) the more juice you are going to need. Generally speaking, unless you plan on running a server anything between 350 and 400 watt is not likely to disappoint.

Note that some power supplies specialize in being quiet, and you will pay for that.

Luck.
 
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Okay, because I am such a nice guy, and bored stiff babysitting the kids, I did some research for you. The bill is in the mail.

This is a CoolerMaster case for $70, and smart looking to boot. It supports only ATX motherboards, which shouldn't be a problem as ATX is the predominant form factor. Comes with a CoolerMaster 350 watt power supply. It's got 2 usb, 1 firewire, mic, and speaker ports up front (which is nice), and of course more in the back on the motherboard. It supports 4 HDD internally, so you won't run out of room. It has one 120mm (i.e., huge) fan in the back, but you can add more fans if you feel the need for speed.

Looks like a great case. I sure wouldn't go too much cheaper.

And, oh, it's aluminum!!
 
thank you very much, wheelema. I appreciate your time and help. that's a really nice looking case, i think i'm going to go with it. Now if i can just decide If i'm going to go amd 64 or p4 i'll be set. Btw what kind of music do you record and what type of computer do you use
 
track pusha said:
Now if i can just decide If i'm going to go amd 64 or p4 i'll be set.
Click to expand...

Honestly they are both just fine. I am an AMD guy but and there are plenty of peeps who will go only the Intel way. Either way you go I'm sure you'll be happy.

~R
 
Cases ... as long as your power supply's ok, the next most important thing is whether you want to be able to quieten it with acoustic treatment. I can't do mine because the noisiest thing in it is the fan built into the side panel. But if your case is closed in, you can line it with auralex or similar and make it almost silent.
 
i think everyone here has done a great job, but i felt i'd add my two cents as well - i've been building PCs for myself for five years, and there's only one brand of case i've found to rave about. there are plenty of cases that will do just fine - the Cooler Master the wheelema posted being a fine example - but none that, in my opinion, compare to lian li.

everything is thought of in a lian li case - everything is perfectly thought out - removable motherboard tray, thumbscrews and tool-less access. they're a little pricey, but i honestly think they're the best.

i'd check http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-112-021&depa=0

and

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-112-024&depa=0

good hunting!
 
Take a look at Thermaltake cases. Not the cheapest, but VERY well built, look great, and extremely functional. Not only that, the stock Thermaltake power supplies are reaaly nice. once again, they can be found on Newegg.
 
The Lian Li cases are awfully nice... just a wee little too pricey for me unless the customer want's make up the difference.

track pusha said:
...what kind of music do you record and what type of computer do you use.
Click to expand...

I just try to be a recording engineer for my daughters's efforts. No really good tracks to show off yet.

Currently running a 2.8Ghz P4 w/512MB and two 80GB HDD, dual monitors. I am looking to move up to a Athlon 64 in the new year.
 
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