Case aesthetics & function poll, opinions welcome

[ssddx]

I've been in mental debate over cases for the last several days. After a bit more research I now have both the internal components (brands subject to change) and watercooling system completely thought out. My dilema is that I have found a few solutions that work yet I cannot seem to settle on just one. With this being the cases & mods section, and with most posters being tech fanatics like myself, I decided to let you guys & gals a chance to have your say. With that being said i'll list the specs and proceed to the individual poll choices.

Hardware
Processor: I7-920
Motherboard: Performance model, LGA 1366, triple channel memory, SLI supported
Video Cards: 1x GTX-470 or 480 for now, SLI in the future - Either silver or black watercooling block
Memory: 6gb (3x2gb sticks) for now, +6gb (12gb, 6x2gb total) in the future - color to match theme
Storage: 2tb (2x1tb) 7200 rpm or 2tb (4x500gb) 10,000 rpm - type and quantity dependant upon budget
Power Supply: 850-950 range (charts suggest 650w, single card or 870w, SLI)

On the two Lian-Li options I will be installing a full or 3/4 window kit. All styles will receive matching cold cathodes, anti-kink coils and case hardware. I will also be attempting to completely rewire the system with color coordinated wiring (red, black or blue - or wire loom at the very least.) UV dye is still up in the air at this point; Anti corrosion fluid additive is most likely a requirement.

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Poll Selection 1
Silver and blue theme

Lian-Li A77F-S case
http://alturl.com/ffi7
Black Ice GT Stealth 2x140 - Black (preferably blue/silver if any exist yet)
http://alturl.com/mvsr
Black Ice GT Stealth 3x120 - Blue or silver/chrome if I can find one
http://alturl.com/3ixo
Either reservoir choice number 1 external, or choice number 2 internal. two needed.
http://alturl.com/okiu
http://alturl.com/bin3

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Poll Selection 2
Black and silver theme

Lian-Li A77F-B
http://alturl.com/fwzc
Black Ice GT Stealth 2x140 - Black
http://alturl.com/mvsr
Black Ice GT Stealth 3x120 - Black
http://alturl.com/5evq
Either reservoir choice number 1 external, choice number 2 internal or choice number 3 internal. two needed.
http://alturl.com/vout
http://alturl.com/bin3
http://alturl.com/o7t2

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Poll Selection 3
Black and red theme

Antec 1200 Black
http://alturl.com/fwzc
Sample Motherboard
http://alturl.com/oz55
Sample DDRAM
http://alturl.com/he99
Antec 200mm Radiator - Black
http://alturl.com/4yhj
Black Ice GT stealth 3x120 - Red
http://alturl.com/594w
Either reservoir choice number 1 external, or choice number 2 external. two needed.
http://alturl.com/vout
http://alturl.com/o7t2

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Sorry for the huge post; If you guys are anything like me then you enjoy a good concept. I've been planning on a rebuild for a good long time and this is a culmination of a great number of the ideas that i've had along the way. I'll be ordering the parts once I finalize my decision which will most likely be in 1-2 weeks. I'll have to post some early photos with everything working. The case window and wire-replacement mods if I go that route will take me a few weeks to get around to it. As always, dates and ideas are subject to change.

-ssddx

 

[Computerrock1]

Personally If I could buy any gaming chasis I would choose between these 2:
HAF 932
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119221&cm_re=Cooler_Master_HAF-_-11-119-221-_-Product
or
Cooler Master Sniper Storm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194&cm_re=sniper_storm-_-11-119-194-_-Product
Both feature great airflow while sporting great looks. I personally think Lian Li is simpy to danm expensive, even though it is well constructed.
But of those you have up there, I would definetly choose the Antec 1200.

 

[Eithelwulf]

The Antec 1200 but cool blue no angry red, i have A Antec 1200 and a 900 both have been exellent cases and are high quality. The 1200 is a bit overbuilt weighing in @ over 25 kilos with all my components in it this would be a bad thing but as im disabled ill never have to lift it someone else will. Well we have to make you able bodyed ppl do something usefull for us after all

 

[ssddx]

[UPDATE: SORRY ABOUT THE LINKS, BBCODE MUST NOT HAVE LIKED THEM, FIXED NOW!]

@Computerrock1
I was reading about the HAF, 230mm is an odd fan size though. The sniper is a midtower; i have a lian-li v1000b midtower that i'm replacing with whatever new full tower I buy. Yes lian-li's are expensive but they are built rock solid. the $350 price tag is one of the reasons i'm still in debate! I wouldnt exactly call that HAF cheap either btw, not that $250 is odd for a brandname case.

@Eithelwulf
I suppose I chose red for its striking contrast to the black. Now that you mention it blue would definitely be easier to match when I buy my fan controller. The only thing i'm not sure about is that new radiator of antecs. the 200mm would seem to be a great additon however I haven't been able to find one single test showing how well it performs.

@All
Of all the cases I think the most striking is the silver v77f, however, finding anything to actually match that color scheme (psu, 2x140 rad, pump, etc) was producing dead ends. I suppose they could always be covered up if it ends up going that route....one of the reaons its only one of three.. /rant

 

[Computerrock1]

If you want a sleek full tower, with a solid build and no plastic side case:
My personal favorite, The Thermaltake Sword.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133049&Tpk=Thermaltake%20Sword
Thats just my opinion.

 

[ssddx]

I saw that particular case yesterday; definitely different than most others I can certainly say. There seems to be enough room for radiators.. although they would have to be split up into banks of 2x120s. However, man did they make that thing butt ugly on the outside (in my opinion.)

 

[Computerrock1]

Well its your choice and your opinion, in the end its your decesion.

 

[ssddx]

wow, you must be reading this exactly when I am. Yeah, we do all have opinions but sometimes we just cannot make up our own minds. To be honest, if it came down to pure function there would have been a chance of me jumping on that idea of yours. In the end though I'm sure this will look & perform badass

 

[Eithelwulf]

[UPDATE: SORRY ABOUT THE LINKS, BBCODE MUST NOT HAVE LIKED THEM, FIXED NOW!]
@Eithelwulf
I suppose I chose red for its striking contrast to the black. Now that you mention it blue would definitely be easier to match when I buy my fan controller. The only thing i'm not sure about is that new radiator of antecs. the 200mm would seem to be a great additon however I haven't been able to find one single test showing how well it performs.

What what no angry comment about me abuseing ablebodyed ppl as lifting machines
I’m just a blue fan cus it matches ma eyes, radiator that’s water cooling or do you mean the top fan if so, don’t forget heat rises with a hole that big in the top of the case it don’t need to be a umber fan just help the air rise a little faster, also has 2x 120mm fans on the rear that’s where most of the heat from my cpu escapes the top fan pulls air across the front of the cpu cooler helping yes but it’s still them 2 rear fans that do most the work IMO

 

[ssddx]

No, i'm not a prick like some forum members that I won't list! I rather liked your comment about lugging around these cases since its the godawful truth. I swear they are packed with bricks. I'm a big fan of blue myself (black&blue is my current case theme) but red just makes it look mean. Since no equipment is bought yet... color suggestions are still welcome 😀

I really did mean radiator. I have a link posted for it, or you can click on it here, http://alturl.com/4yhj . It is specifically meant for the 900/1200 series of case.

I realize that the best airflow pattern would be to travel from the front of the case to the top & rear of the case. However in both case options there is enough real estate for a cpu radiator on the top panel. I was thinking that I would have them as inlet fans, and exit the air out of the case in another way.

The only ways I can think of to have propper airflow would be to install a 3x120 rad in extreme front of the case or to mount a second 3x120 rad along the side panel on standoffs similar to how I am planning to place the gpu rad. In the first case the temperature of the case will raise a few degrees, but everything is watercooled anyways. In the second, well.. I really do not want to mount two 3x120 radiators on the side of my case.

on a side note, it seems that people must not like the lian-li... I wonder why.

 

[Eithelwulf]

No, i'm not a prick like some forum members that I won't list! I rather liked your comment about lugging around these cases since its the godawful truth. I swear they are packed with bricks. I'm a big fan of blue myself (black&blue is my current case theme) but red just makes it look mean. Since no equipment is bought yet... color suggestions are still welcome 😀

I really did mean radiator. I have a link posted for it, or you can click on it here, http://alturl.com/4yhj . It is specifically meant for the 900/1200 series of case.

No please I find it helps me to joke and laugh about my disability no point in being miserable about it (sh*t happens) so let’s make a joke of it now and again as long as its light hearted no harm done. Also please note I never mention my disability seeking sympathy no ma style.
And yeeeeesssss bbbbllluuuue I love it I find blue calming and relaxing which is important in my case as it’s on display in the livening room.
Sorry I can’t really comment on water cooling I just don’t like the idear of water anywhere near ma baby. I do find it interesting for a little light reading but that’s as far as my interest goes.

 

[ssddx]

@Eithelwulf
I figured as much. Life is no fun without a good sense of humor I believe.

To be perfectly honest I prefer having no exterior lights most of the time. I'll be running the cathodes (or other lighting) off of a toggle switch.

 

[Eithelwulf]

@Eithelwulf
I figured as much. Life is no fun without a good sense of humor I believe.

To be perfectly honest I prefer having no exterior lights most of the time. I'll be running the cathodes (or other lighting) off of a toggle switch.

you can only turn the lights off on the top fan. the led's on all 120mm fans are perm on

 

[ssddx]

No matter what case I get the stock fans are getting ripped out. I'm buying 120mm or 140mm fans for the radiators and i'm not sure what for the others. Each fan will be solid black and hooked up to a fan controller.

I've had bad luck with those fancy LED fans in the past so I think i'll be avoiding them this time around.

I mean to do this build good and propper, that is why I started this thread looking for comments after all.