Case with enclosed power/reset buttons?

[DCGMoo]

Hey all!

I'm looking for a case for my next build (E7200 on P5Q-E). Unfortunately, I have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old at home who like to push buttons, so picking "the right case" hasn't been easy.

Maybe y'all can help?

REQUIREMENTS:
- MUST HAVE DOOR THAT CLOSES OVER POWER & RESET BUTTONS~!!!
(Will CONSIDER top-mounted buttons, but prefer a lockable door)
- Mid-Tower at least... need space for a Tuniq Tower or Xigmatek HSF.
- Good airflow and cooling... will be overclocked, no H2O needed.
- Strong. Needs to be able to withstand the occasional bumps.
- $100-150 MAXIMUM price.

DOES NOT NEED:
- PSU. Will probably be replaced if low quality or under 500W.
- Window. In fact I'd probably prefer it didn't. Will consider all though.
- LED displays. All that will do is make the kids want to play with it.

CURRENTLY LOOKING AT:
- Antec P182
Has a lockable door, space for a good aftermarket HSF, and decent cord management. A little worried about fingerprints/scratches though... and the gun metal finish will attract the kids to it more than anything.

Does anyone have any possibilities that would at least compete with the P182 in fitting my needs?

I will listen to and research any reasonably-priced option with a locking/latching door on it myself... just looking for suggestions and/or alternatives.

Thanks all!

Moo.

 

[panicatak]

Gigabyte 3D Aurora series, door is lockable over the power and reset buttons.

 

[DCGMoo]

LOL... I didn't even know Gigabyte made cases now. Shows you how out of the loop I've become in the last 2-3 years.

The 3D Aurora is $170 at NewEgg plus $26.50 S&H... that's almost $200 delivered.

But the cooling on that thing looks awesome. Awesome enough that it's on the list to be considered.

Ideally... I'd like to get 3-5 options from this thread to consider, then I'll spend a couple days picking from between those options. I'm not sure if it's going to knock out the P182... but it's definitely on the list.

Thanks panic!

Moo.

 

[jerrysdean43]

Inwin Stealth Bomber case!

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/for [...] eview.html

 

[ifor]

P182 is a good case. No problems here and the finish is easy to maintain.

 

[DCGMoo]

My kids would have more fun with the "Door Open" button on the B2 Stealth than they would my power/reset buttons. That'd break next week, lol.

Still looking for ideas... if anyone has a case to share, I'm still checking the thread regularly throughout the day.

Thanks for the info on the finish, ifor... I'm still looking for options, but the P182 is definitely the choice unless I see something I specifically like more.

Moo.

 

[DCGMoo]

NEW CASE BEING CONSIDERED:

- Antec Sonata III
It has a locking door, decent airflow (though doesn't look as good as P182), fits my price range better and includes an EarthWatts 500W PSU, which is $70-80 alone and will fit my system's needs (P182 is same price with no PSU).

I'm still looking for non-Antec alternatives with locking doors for consideration, for those who may have one to share.

For everyone else... any issues with the Sonata III to share? I've come across the static issue already, but that seems to have been resolved (and I'll happily run an internal ground wire if required).

Moo.

 

[cyborg28]

Re: Sonata III

The earthwatts psu has a rear mounted 80mm fan that leavs your cpus pwm mosfets and caps with no air cooling if you use a tower style HSF (with no downward air flow). This sucks if your mobo does not have heatsinks (pref. heat pipes) for these components and you plan on running quad core. Other than that it's a great case.

 

[DCGMoo]

Thanks for the response, Cyborg.

I've decided to go with my initial instincts, spend the extra few bucks and stick with the P182. The cooling looks better, it's a bit bigger, and the concept of bottom-mounted PSUs is really very intelligent. Plus, gotta love those two fans sitting directly behind and above the heatsink.

Thanks for the input, those who offered their assistance!

Moo.