How cheap can you go?

[IL2SturmovikPilot]

Whats the dead minimum one should go for a case? Not just Mid-Tower Cases,also Mini-Tower/Cube,Full Tower,Desktop,any kind of case in general.

 

[Tullphan]

I think that's totally up to the individual.
Some (most) of us prefer decent-quality cases & usually those end up costing slightly more than lower-quality cases.

 

[jdkick]

IMO, there's no rule of thumb. You can find poorly designed cases that cost of a bundle and outstanding cases at bargain prices. It largely depends on the requirements of the components you've selected (dimensions, cooling performance, etc), personal preference (design, features, etc) and your budget.

 

[Zepper]

The smaller the market for a particular case, the more you are likely to have to pay for it. Midtower is the sweet spot so you can get the most for your money like the Rosewill R5600 or R6A series. Or like the ARK server cases. But right now, depending on where you live, you can get a huge case for low bucks. IAC, it's not wise to dwell on price. Define your needs tightly and get what you need, you won't be happy with anything less. Get a good one and it can last thru several cycles of internal components so the cost is amortized.

.bh.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: IL2SturmovikPilot
Whats the dead minimum one should go for a case? Not just Mid-Tower Cases,also Mini-Tower/Cube,Full Tower,Desktop,any kind of case in general.

to each his own my friend.

its like picking a car. Some people like SUV's some people like compacts.

Some people can afford ferrari's while others drive camry/accords.


The case is the same way. You need to determin what role you need/like. Then determine how much your willing to spend for its design. And on the expensive ones, which options you would like.

 

[IL2SturmovikPilot]

Alright then,whats the cheapest one can go for say,a case for a Portable Gaming box?

 

[hnzw rui]

Yep. To each his own.

I recently bought a tiny case - a slim micro-atx. It was surprisingly well-built considering I got it for $49 inclusive of a 275W SFF PSU. That just goes to show that price isn't always indicative of build quality.

I love my case but odds are, almost no one else on this board would. It won't fit a decent graphics card (not that the 275W PSU would've been able to handle it if it did fit), there's only one 80mm fan to cool the entire case, and it won't even fit an anemic Arctic Cooling Alpine for the CPU.

Still, following aigo's analogy, I'm extremely happy with my scooter. It doesn't guzzle up a ton of gas, I don't have to worry about parking, and it still gets me from point A to B.

For your portable gaming box, decide on the parts first and then look for a case that will fit all your parts.

 

[manimal]

portable gaming box? Look at the silverstone Sgo1 or the SG03. The thermalktake lanbox isnt bad, makes a nice sff. I own both a SGo1 and a ultra mircofly and both do a great job. Now if you want something smaller that fits a full size atx then an antec 900 or a p180 arent so big you cant move em around. I bought my microfly for 19 bucks after rebate a while back.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: hnzw rui
Still, following aigo's analogy, I'm extremely happy with my scooter. It doesn't guzzle up a ton of gas, I don't have to worry about parking, and it still gets me from point A to B.

For your portable gaming box, decide on the parts first and then look for a case that will fit all your parts.

ROFL... BEEP BEEP my turbo charged 18wheeler is chasing after you!

But yes the microfly is a fairly good pick if you like it tiny. So is the QPACK2, but i would get a different PSU if you get that unit. i however personally dont like small cases. Sorry if its not at least a full tower, i hate working in it.

The CM Centurion is also a fairly decient mid sized case. The rocketfish made by lian li, is also an excellent case if you can find it on clearane. It can be bought for as cheap as 49.99 @ bestbuys.

CM690 is also a great case, P180's P182's

So is some of the roswells.

I would look to see what rear fan it has. Usually you want something with 120mm as a rear exhaust, and avoid 80/90mm.

tell us what shape you want it first how about square mini tower mid tower or full tower? And also small medium large or wierd.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: IL2SturmovikPilot
Whats the dead minimum one should go for a case?

They have some good deals at Goodwill...

I was over there last night, and you can get a whole desktop computer for 20 bucks - Apple laptop for $99!

19" CRTs were $12.99 - LCDs $39.99

I wouldn't go any cheaper than that!

 

[nevbie]

Cheapest way to get a case is to build it yourself from junk (or any material that doesn't cost). I'm going to build my next PC to a cardboard box. The biggest challenge is to find a front panel piece where you can steal the power button and it's wires. I ended up buying the cheapest junk case I could find and just took the front panel connectors&buttons out of it. There are probably cheaper ways to get them though. As a bonus I got the reset button and some activity LEDs with their wires.

More practical people would probably build their own wires and buttons too.

As a result I don't have to worry if HSF fits the case or if the motherboard fits the case etc. And I can decide freely where to put the fans, where to take air in and out.. easy to separate PSU from the case to give it some fresh air.. probably easier to put the motherboard to the case and route the wires also.

 

[Zepper]

I doubt the Rocketfish fits the definition of a "portable gaming case" - maybe if you put it on WHEELZ and put some handles on the top... The aerocool M40 may be of interest. And Antec still has some Super LanBoy in their B-Stock store at only $40. (their shipping is often outrageous though), also apparently some new ones out there per Froogle, but may just be sucker bait listings - nice aluminum case, relatively compact for a full ATX case and under 10 pounds net weight and comes with carrying strap. Link: http://www.antec.com/Detail.bok?no=444 and here are the specs: http://www.antec.com/us/suppor...tails.php?ProdID=15001

.bh.

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I doubt the Rocketfish fits the definition of a "portable gaming case" - maybe if you put it on WHEELZ and put some handles on the top... The aerocool M40 may be of interest. And Antec still has some Super LanBoy in their B-Stock store at only $40. (their shipping is oftwn outrageous though), also apparently some new ones out there per Froogle, but may just be sucker bait listings - nice aluminum case, relatively compact for a full ATX case and under 10 pounds net weight and comes with carrying strap. Link: http://www.antec.com/Detail.bok?no=444 and here are the specs: http://www.antec.com/us/suppor...tails.php?ProdID=15001

.bh.

I have that case (The Super LAN boy), and it is the best case I have ever owned! I just keep the strap on it, because I move it around a lot. The brackets on the side window break off pretty easily though, but there are enough of them that a few broken ones hasn't affected me at all.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Ultra microfly with 600w PSU at tigerdirect for $80... I've heard good things about the microfly.

 

[RallyMaster]

22 bucks for an Antec SLK1650B B-stock.

 

[LukeMan]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I doubt the Rocketfish fits the definition of a "portable gaming case" - maybe if you put it on WHEELZ and put some handles on the top...
.bh.

the rocketfish is extremely light (20 lbs) compared to my smaller Antec P182 (about 40 lbs). Maybe I'm just use to the heavy weight of my previous cases. It is very large, and may be tough to handle in that respect, at least for some girly men but I see no problem w/ it's portability.