Best of Breed HTPC Case

[edgley]

All my new parts are in.

First, my fanless PSU:



And the for the first time I have a PSU manual.
There are more than enough leads, and there is a special one for a fan.
If the PSU detects that it is too hot, it will switch it on as an fall-back. All I have to do is fit a fan, somewhere.


Now to my fanless 6800 card:






It fitted perfectly inside the case, although it nearly hits the motherboard memory lug. It seems to run, so far, at about 59C.


Now to the case, before the addition of the testing fans:





The idea was to add just one fan at the back. However I ordered the wrong size. This meant that I had to mount the smaller fan over the CPU and put back the noise Zilaman one on the back.
Even so, on first testing it was running at 60C on idle. So I swapped the fan above the CPU for the 120mm one i just got.

Man, is that one quiet fan. Even running at full speed, you can not hear a thing.
But its not good enough. I have had to turn on the back fan on to keep the temperature low enough, and i can hear that fan



So close, so close.

I now need to find a silent 90mm fan for the back, Its a shame that I can not get another one of these 120mm back there.

[RedCoat999]

Originally Posted by Jason

Just thought that some folks would want to know that the Cavalier is selling for $94 WITH NO TAX (WHERE APPLICABLE) + FREE SHIPPING! I just bought one...

http://www.c-source.com/ttechnote.asp?part_no=CAVT04UKA

-Jason

I just bought myself this for my Xmas present! They charged me tax (I'm in Ohio), but with the free shipping it is still the best deal around.
Thanks Jason

[stanger89]

FWIW, since this is sort of a quiet PC thread.

Some of you may want to check out the mCubed T-Balancer, it's a USB device that can control your fan speed based on temperature, anywhere from 0% (stopped) to 100%, all with custom defined speed curves and all. Unfortunately I haven't found a US distributor/seller and haven't been able to bring myself to order from Germany.

[broderp]

I'm partial toTHIS CASE. myself, full sized components are always a plus!

I modded mine LIKE THIS , looks and works great.

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I've got a D.Vine 4 and IMO it's the best of the Ahanix line since it take full size components (ATX motherboard, power supply). And it definitely blends into the rack (see pick). But the ATech Fab cases are definitely in a league of their own.

Ditto, have the same case for my Client and looks just like it belongs in AV cabinet stack. No problems fitting any components. (also do to Stanger's suggestion 8 or 9 months ago when I asked similar question) My only wish would be that it's two 60mm back fan ports would have been 80mm. In hindsight could/should have cut them out and made bigger. Still could of course but it's up and running so maybe someday. Two 80mm thermal controlled fans running slow would be better and quieter than two 60mm thermal controlled fans...

[zippy0502]

I just built a sage server with this cool athenatech case. It has an lcd temp display on the front and looks great! after some fan modifications and a zalman cpu fan the case is near silent.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...190-017&depa=0

[mightyt]

OK ... After being patient, searching all over and waiting until after CES, I think I have settled on the most flexible HTPC Case for me.

The SilverStone LC10M

It allows me to have lots of stuff;

7 Expansion Slots
5 Internal Bays (4 x 3.5's & 1 x 5.25)
1 External Bay (5.25)
4 x USB2
1 x 1394 Firewire
1 x Mic Jack
1 x Headset Jack
VFD and
IR Remote Control

The cheapest I have found it is for $229.95. I have an email in to SilverStone. As it turns out they have their US Head Office about 15 miles from me! I am hoping I can just show up and buy direct! But, if not and I have to buy online, pay shipping and wait some more ... my question is ... does anyone know of a reliable place that has this cheaper than $229.95? So far it looks like pcalchemy may be it ...

BTW, I plan on building this with my 3GHz P4/MoBo combo, the Antec Phantom fanless PSU, the Zalman 7000 or 7700 CPU quiet fan (if they will fit), a Gigabyte 6800 fanless graphics card, and my existing 250 Tuners, Sound Card, Wireless LAN and Hard Drives. I'll probably replace the stock 80mm and 2 x 60mm Case fans with some quiet fans if I can find some. This should make a cool box, hopefully ...

Oh ... another question or two ... anyone know if the VFD and IR Remote included will work with SageTV? And ... Where is a good place to get the fanless Gigabyte 6800??

Thanks to all for some great suggestions in this thread!!

And ... Thanks in advance for any further suggestions ... T.

[mdmint]

Nice looking case, I'm sure you'll love it. You'll very likely definitely want to replace the 2x60mm fans. Small fans really gotta spin to move any air which equals a bit of fan noise. I'm replacing my 2x60mm two speed Thermaltakes in D-Vine4 case with 2x Panaflo 80mm L1A to be totally thermal controlled from 0 to 100% voltage to fans as needed with mCubed T-Balancer, as will 120mm CPU fan and 120mm PS fan (and external 120mm fan for audio rack) ETA Wednesday! (from 3DCool) I also considered the fanless 6800GT to replace my ATI 9600 but need component out so went with a MSI 9600GT also on the way, reviews have it by far the quiestest of the 9600GTs. (it's ETA Thursday not Wednesday )

Congrats and have fun!

[g808]

Where is a good place to get the fanless Gigabyte 6800??

You can get one at Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...125-142&depa=0

[mightyt]

Originally Posted by mdmint

Nice looking case, I'm sure you'll love it. You'll very likely definitely want to replace the 2x60mm fans. Small fans really gotta spin to move any air which equals a bit of fan noise. I'm replacing my 2x60mm two speed Thermaltakes in D-Vine4 case with 2x Panaflo 80mm L1A to be totally thermal controlled from 0 to 100% voltage to fans as needed with mCubed T-Balancer, as will 120mm CPU fan and 120mm PS fan (and external 120mm fan for audio rack) ETA Wednesday! (from 3DCool) I also considered the fanless 6800GT to replace my ATI 9600 but need component out so went with a MSI 9600GT also on the way, reviews have it by far the quiestest of the 9600GTs. (it's ETA Thursday not Wednesday )

Congrats and have fun!

Thanks mdmint! I appreciate the recommendations on the fans ... so you are replacing your 2x60mm with 2x80mm ... Wonder if the case I want to get will accommodate the 80mm as well? Stanger89 also recommends that mCubed and I am thinking about it as well.

Got an email back from SilverStone ... they don't sell direct, but did recommend Sundial which is just as close ... Called them and they said I could "will call" and save the shipping. Guess I'll pay tax, but won't have to wait!! ... Anyone every purchase from Sundial? Wondering if the experience was positive.

Anyway, I am on my way ... Please, let me know how your fans work out ..

Thanks, T.

[mightyt]

Originally Posted by g808

You can get one at Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...125-142&depa=0

Thanks g808!

Not having seen this board up close, the photos make me wonder ... looks like it may take up 2 slots ... the AGP and adjacent PCI??

Hmmm ... T.

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by mightyt

Thanks mdmint! I appreciate the recommendations on the fans ... so you are replacing your 2x60mm with 2x80mm ... Wonder if the case I want to get will accommodate the 80mm as well? Stanger89 also recommends that mCubed and I am thinking about it as well.

Got an email back from SilverStone ... they don't sell direct, but did recommend Sundial which is just as close ... Called them and they said I could "will call" and save the shipping. Guess I'll pay tax, but won't have to wait!! ... Anyone every purchase from Sundial? Wondering if the experience was positive.

Anyway, I am on my way ... Please, let me know how your fans work out ..

Thanks, T.

Cool on finding a local source for your chosen case! I'd love to tell you NOW how the new Panaflo 80mm fans and T-Balancer are working out, but alas ETA tomorrow afternoon. Initially I'm going to use 80 to 60mm adapters but if I don't like how that works I'll hack the case. (Stanger has same case as me and already mod'd his for 2x80mm) Stanger has T-Balancer coming too, ordered a few hours before me, so likely we'll both have reviews for this weekend.

[g808]

Originally Posted by mightyt

Thanks g808!

Not having seen this board up close, the photos make me wonder ... looks like it may take up 2 slots ... the AGP and adjacent PCI??

Hmmm ... T.

Based on what people have said and by looking at the pics it DOES NOT take up the adjacent PCI slot. The bulk of the heatsink is on the bottom of the card instead on the top like other coolers.

[mightyt]

Originally Posted by mdmint

Cool on finding a local source for your chosen case! I'd love to tell you NOW how the new Panaflo 80mm fans and T-Balancer are working out, but alas ETA tomorrow afternoon. Initially I'm going to use 80 to 60mm adapters but if I don't like how that works I'll hack the case. (Stanger has same case as me and already mod'd his for 2x80mm) Stanger has T-Balancer coming too, ordered a few hours before me, so likely we'll both have reviews for this weekend.

I look forward to both of your reviews! on the fans, T-Balancer, adapters or mod went!

Waiting is always the hard part ...

[mightyt]

Originally Posted by g808

Based on what people have said and by looking at the pics it DOES NOT take up the adjacent PCI slot. The bulk of the heatsink is on the bottom of the card instead on the top like other coolers.

Excellent! That would be cool since I always want more ... PCI slots included ...

[stanger89]

Well, I already have a few Panaflos, and like them. My T-Balancer is expected to be here Wednesday as well, along with another Panaflo and some rubber fan mounts (also very nice):
http://www.3dcool.com/Details.asp?cid=288&id=651

I'll probably be busting into my HTPC tomorrow so maybe I'll post pictures

Oh, and yes, most of the 6800's heatsink is on the back of the card.

[mightyt]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Well, I already have a few Panaflos, and like them. My T-Balancer is expected to be here Wednesday as well, along with another Panaflo and some rubber fan mounts (also very nice):
http://www.3dcool.com/Details.asp?cid=288&id=651

I'll probably be busting into my HTPC tomorrow so maybe I'll post pictures

Oh, and yes, most of the 6800's heatsink is on the back of the card.

Thanks Stanger89!

Yea ... Let us know and for sure post some pix ... I need to motivation!!

Guess that confirms it for me on the 6800 ... on the form factor ... I suppose it's one of the best to use for SageTV as well ... Correct? I mean that's what get from the posts I read ...

Thanks, T.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by mightyt

Guess that confirms it for me on the 6800 ... on the form factor ... I suppose it's one of the best to use for SageTV as well ... Correct? I mean that's what get from the posts I read ...

If you don't need component out or WMV-HD accelleration, then yes, if you need either, the 6600 is likely a better choice.

[edbmdave]

Ok, I have a Dvine4. How do you replace the 60mm fans on the back with 80mm fans? Can someone send me a link for the adapters mentioned?

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by edbmdave

Ok, I have a Dvine4. How do you replace the 60mm fans on the back with 80mm fans? Can someone send me a link for the adapters mentioned?

http://www.3dcool.com/Products.asp?id=100