Good cheap HTPC cases

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Psilan

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#29006 19-Dec-2008 08:27

What have people gone with? I'm considering getting another HTPC but would like to reenter the arena with a very budget system (hard at today's prices!).
Would be going with a m_ATX board, so the smaller the case the better. But it could be a 780g motherboard, and they run hot.

Had a look at the YY-a211 sirius, but it's not liked much, but under $50 is hard to beat.

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#185071 19-Dec-2008 08:48

Psilan: What have people gone with? I'm considering getting another HTPC but would like to reenter the arena with a very budget system (hard at today's prices!).
Would be going with a m_ATX board, so the smaller the case the better. But it could be a 780g motherboard, and they run hot.

Had a look at the YY-a211 sirius, but it's not liked much, but under $50 is hard to beat.

Those cases are a dog when it comes to cooling (or lack of it). If your idea of cooling is leaving the lid off then by all means it is a good compact case! Even with fans fitted airflow is very poor especially around the HDD area.

"Cheap" and "good" can't really be used in the same sentence when you talk about HTPC cases. You either want a good case or a cheap case, you're not going to get both simply because building a case with good cooling using decent fans and quiet PSU's as well as looking good doesn't come cheap. There is a reason good HTPC cases are $250+ minimum.

Psilan

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#185072 19-Dec-2008 08:51

I used to have the LC16M-R before I sold my htpc. Maybe I should just get a semi good looking mid tower and lay it on it's side.

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gehenna

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#185076 19-Dec-2008 09:08

Silverstone make some really affordable and stylish cases, designed specifically for HTPC's.

Asmodeus

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#185091 19-Dec-2008 10:35

Since you mention "very budget" you could always go with this:

http://www.sella.co.nz/general/computers/components/cases-power-supplies/cases/4mx9p4/

I got one (from a different store) for under $60 inc GST into which I put the guts of my old P4 desktop and a hvr-3000 and now have a nice little el-cheapo dvb-s freeview setup.

It's an odd case (although mains plug is in the back, the psu is in the front...) but it does the trick. It has 2 vents in the top (one of which you can attach a fan to), a large one in the side and one in the back. It also has 2x rear 60mm fan exhaust mounts which would have been nice to be bigger but I just use a fan mate to wind them down by about 30% so theyre not too loud. It says there is a side 80mm fan space but you'd have to drill the holes yourself for that...

It comes with a crappy psu which is so light it feels empty. The one I got with mine didnt even work, lol, but I just chucked my old one in and threw that one out

Anyway, for a "very budget" system its an option as the next step up will be an extra $100 minimum on top. Fits both mATX & ATX boards too. While it isnt as small as the dedicted mATX boxes its only 14cm high but does fit full height cards.

These guys have them in black or silver (get black...) for $65 http://www.madkiwi.com/product_info.php?products_id=145 but other places stock them too

model: EXCEL ve17m

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#185093 19-Dec-2008 10:39

Asmodeus: Since you mention "very budget" you could always go with this:

http://www.sella.co.nz/general/computers/components/cases-power-supplies/cases/4mx9p4/

That thing looks like a Betamax :)

Asmodeus

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#185094 19-Dec-2008 10:43

lol, it does a bit

It's actually not that bad in the flesh though, but what do you expect for under $60 new?!

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ajst2duk

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#185150 19-Dec-2008 14:57

well for a few more bucks you get a lot more choice... this one for example. You don't want an ugly HTPC.

I'm just a crazy newbie?
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Asmodeus

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#185174 19-Dec-2008 17:01

I agree, and the one in my lounge is an expensive, well-made case. Woudnt have it any other way in the lounge.

The cheapy one however sits in the rumpus room mostly out of sight and cost me less than $200 (plus an old pentium 4 desktop) to make and get fully running

Psilan

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#185177 19-Dec-2008 17:14

That looks pretty good Asmodeus, actually matches my Sony V-series :) Definitly considering that one once all the parts are purchased. Wonder what the PSU is like, but I guess I don't need much power.

I really do want to be budget on this build. My old 708g motherboard was cheaper about a 8 months ago ><

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richms

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#185283 20-Dec-2008 11:49

Asmodeus: Since you mention "very budget" you could always go with this:

http://www.sella.co.nz/general/computers/components/cases-power-supplies/cases/4mx9p4/

I have that case for my desktop, quite annoyed because I ordered it thinking it was a miniatx case which its not.

There is no airvent over the CPU cooler intake, just over the card area. The 2 rear fans do nothing to pulling out hot air. I thought because of the backwards powersupply I should try putting them inwards pointing - still graphics issues on the 780g. I then hot glued a shroud so that the left fan blew down onto the chipset and that stopped those issues.

I am not impressed with the HDD mounting, I cant see how the PSU is supposed to be cooled, and I think whatever rangi cooling they have will be no help when I change to a decent one when the supplied one craps out.

All up a terrible case, thin metal, lots of rattles from poorly fitting panels that hotglue will solve, and to add insult to it, the blue led on the power button has decided to kick the bucket.

And non HD audio front jacks to I have to switch them myself.

Richard rich.ms

mattie47

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#185301 20-Dec-2008 12:50

What about something like this on Trademe? http://tinyurl.com/3p5obr :-)

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richms

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#185308 20-Dec-2008 13:46

Same top panel makes me think its the same case.

I was going to try getting one of those flexi ducts to put between the off centered cpu cowling and the cpu fan but there was issues with screw sizing and I dont think there would have being enoug space to have it flex.

I really dont like the idea of top/bottom vents on cases, and this thing has 2.

Richard rich.ms

Asmodeus

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#185678 22-Dec-2008 13:21

Well I just wrote a big long post but once again, the forum disappeared it when I pressed the "post reply" button and Im not writing it out again.

Agree with most of your comments re that case, although there is a fan mount and vent over the cpu cooler on mine. My PSU does get quite warm in there but the rear fans are pushing out hot air and cold air is being sucked in all 5 vents as a result (2x top, 1x side, 1x rear and 1x bottom). Havnt had a problem with anything else yet and mine doesnt rattle

Id only recommend it to someone looking to spend next to no money which is what OP seems to be in for

ShaneT

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#185695 22-Dec-2008 15:28

Hi,

I got an Antec NSK2480, which I'm super happy with, because, its looks clean, is super quiet, and has excellent cooling due to its partitioned design.... which also is great for 'neat-freak' PC builders like me! ....may not be the cheapeast option at just over $200, but it's def not the priciest either!

So, if you are also looking for a case with good cooling, I can def recommend it...

Antzzz

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#185722 22-Dec-2008 18:32

I'll second the Antec NSK2480. Very nice case and easy to build with. Just check the dimensions of where you are putting it - it is quite deep. $149 + gst @ ETC computers (22/12/08):

http://www.etccomputers.co.nz/shop/main/product.asp?pid=1052

You might have to order from them as it looks like I grabbed the last one they had in stock... :)

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