Contribute
Register

So Many Ugly Cases Part II - HTPC Cases

Status
Not open for further replies.
Stork

Stork

Admin
Staff member
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
13,414
Motherboard
HP 17" 17-by3053cl
CPU
i5-1035G1
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics, 1920x1080
Mac
  1. MacBook Pro
  2. Mac mini
  3. Mac Pro
Classic Mac
  1. Power Mac
  2. PowerBook
Mobile Phone
  1. iOS
Forum member michaelisorange had a good idea for a Buying Advice thread on desktop cases that are worthy of sitting on the desktop, not hidden under your desk. A case more ascetically pleasing to your eyes, rather than the black box or a case so lit up that it looks like a Bohemian Beer Garden at Christmas. See his link here: So many ugly cases!

I'm in the market for an ascetically appropriate Home Theater PeeCee (HTPC) case. I have mid range ($USD wise) audio stand/rack that crys out for a case that matches the style of an Audio/Video Receiver (AVR). (My AVR is a Sony DN-1000.) And, boy-oh-boy, there are some cheap and ugly HTPC cases out there.

So, lets start the conversation.

For My GA-P55M-UD2 mATX System
I haven't see a case less than $100 USD worth considering. In the >$150 USD range, you seeing cases that are more appropriate for an audio rack. Here are my requirements:
  • - House my system below as I'm going to build another desktop system soon;
    - Color: Black;
    - Quite operation;
    - No bigger than my AVR (16.8w x 10.6h x 11.5d inches], but had enough height to accommodate a graphics card and a Blu-ray/DVD/CD optical drive
    - Don't necessary need a case with LCD display as Media Center s/w is Plex;
    - PSU included is optional.

Here's what I found that fits the above requirements. Notes: Each case name links to the manufacturer's web page for the case. The case in bold is the favored case:


For a Mini-ITX Motherboard
Tony & the crew are working real hard to get Intel's HD3000 on board/cpu graphics working in Snow Leopard.

I know I've just named a few. What do you have that fits my requirements? Oh...and tell me/us why you chose your case or the case you're recommending.
 
Stork said:
Here's what I'm seeing in no particular preference order:
Click to expand...


  • That case is definitely the winner to me. Very minimalist and clean looking. Do you have any pics of your setup to get a better idea of what the aesthetics are.

    Maybe we should do a thread [after I get my first build done] with pictures of our fancy looking setups. I think a lot of hackintosh fans are lovers of design by nature [hence OSX] so it would be a good fit.
 
michaelisorange said:
That case is definitely the winner to me. Very minimalist and clean looking.
Click to expand...
Opps, the links were reversed - the 37B & 33B now correct. Also added the 39B.

michaelisorange said:
...Do you have any pics of your setup to get a better idea of what the aesthetics are?
Click to expand...
I tried a couple of shots with my iPhone camera, but the components are glossy black so there's too much reflection for what it's worth.

michaelisorange said:
Maybe we should do a thread [after I get my first build done] with pictures of our fancy looking setups. I think a lot of hackintosh fans are lovers of design by nature [hence OSX] so it would be a good fit.
Click to expand...
We don't have a dedicated forum sub section for HTPC, which is where this type of activity would go. I'll ask Tony if can have a four sub section for HTPCs.
 
The Home Theater PeeCee forum section is now in business! :clap: :thumbup: :headbang:

It's located here: viewforum.php?f=87
 
I've updated the original post with the Silver stone cases and added more links.

But, now it's time to start to look at the components that go into the case. At this time, I'm going to put my first Hackintosh components into the case, which will run Plex as the media center software application. This system is build around the
  • - Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 motherboard
    - Intel i5-760 CPU
    - G.Skill Ripjaws 4x2GB memory (total 8GB)
    - Antec BP550 Plus 550W Modular Power Supply
    - OCZ 60GB SSD and a Seagate 500GB HHD (tentitive - I don't need much local drive storage since I have a 2TB NAS for my digital media - just enough storage for Apple's DRM music media)
The original Gigabyte 9800GT Silent Cell's HDMI doesn't work due to the lack of proper handshaking. So, after talking with Tony to see what graphics card has HDMI working with Snow Leopard, he recommended the
  • Zotac Fanless GT430 ZT-40601-20L (Amazon)
The card is fanless so it will be silent, but Tony said only the HDMI connection works in Snow Leopard which is OK by me. Finally, my CPU cooler will be too tall for case, so I'll use a
  • Scythe Big Shuriken SCBSK-1000 120mm CPU Cooler: Amazon || Newegg

Initially, I'll use a USB KB and mouse until I can get Bluetooth working. I already have a Logitech diNovo Edge Mac Edition bluetooth KB with a small build in tracking pad that is current being used with the Mac Mini HTPC. (Note: this is a great BT KB, but I bought it on eBay for less than 1/3 the street price which is ridiculously expensive.) An Apple IR module will be also be added as per some of the threads in the Customization forum section.

However, if I was to build one from scratch, I'd substitute the P55M MB, memory and PSU with a first generation i3/i5/i7 (LGA 1156) system:
  • - Asus P7H55-M Pro: Amazon || Newegg
    - Intel i3-550 CPU (why not - for just delivering digital media to a HDTV, no games) Amazon || Newegg
    - 4GB RAM 1330 DDR3 (whatever is on sale that's got a good reputation)
    - Zotac Fanless GT430 ZT-40601-20L graphics card
    - 1TB Samsung SpinPoint: Amazon || Newegg
    - Antec EarthWatts EA-430D Green PC Power Supply: Amazon || Newegg
Of course, the above become mute if Apple produces a desktop using Sandy Bridge on-board graphics, and Tony & MacMan can get it working via iBoot & MultiBeast. Then, scratch the graphics card :clap: and replace the H55M MB with a H67M MB.

Whatcha think?
 
Hi,
Interesting thread. Be aware that Grandia 05 has plastic parts in its front bezel, so it may not look has nice as it does on pimped up pictures.
I intend to build an HTPC soon, and the GD04 would be my choice so far, but just because I can't afford a OrigenAE S16…
If you care for style and can throw a few hundred bucks, OrigenAE is by far the best brand to consider. Maybe I'll wait until I can buy my dream case, though… :beachball:
 
Lilith 2
GA-Z170X-UD5 TH |  i5 6600K |  GeForce GTX 670
It is the problem of when do you reach the point of diminishing returns. My Sony AVR has a smooth reflective front panel. So, is plastic going to make a difference? Maybe. But, that's why I want to see it in person first, if possible.

Unless you're running Windoze media center, which I won't, the expensive cases with the LCD display and remote won't work with Snow Leopard. Actually, I don't need any front panel ports - just a DVD/CD optical drive access. So, a good case w/o a remote and display is what I need. So, it's either the Silverstone GD04 or the Lian Li PC-37/38B, if they meet the look I want for my audio rack.
 
I already have a Silverstone case (an old Kublai KL01) with an aluminum door and a steel body. Sadly, the difference of finish is clearly visible, as it is on the more high end Fortresses, for instance. Silverstone often make that kind of compromises to save a few bucks. It doesn't care if you a fit the case in a video rack, but if you leave it in open air it could look bad in you living room…
 
Lilith 2
GA-Z170X-UD5 TH |  i5 6600K |  GeForce GTX 670
I wanted to share the case I just bought for my HTPC:
Silverstone Milo ML03

It's an extremely inexpensive Micro ATX case, with USB 3.0 ports on the front, and has the ability to mount 4x 80MM fans for ventilation on the side (I bought 4x ENERMAX UC-8EB 80mm Case Fans which come down to $4.99/ea when you buy in that quantity. VERY quiet!).

The build went well, except I did not spec out the internals very well. I purchased an 530Watt ATX PSU with 135MM fan - the issue here is the depth. While the case allows for ATX cases, you are restricted by depth of the PSU and depth of your optical drive (they sit next to each other). In my case, I purchased a LiteOn bLuRay drive which is extremely deep! So, I cut the back of the case out with my DeWalt cutter/grinder, folded the back piece back to make a stand/bracket, and that allowed me to slide the PSU back enough to make room. I will update this post once I get home with the max specs allowed for both PSU and Optical drive per the manual (if memory serves, the optical was 170mm).

Also note: NewEgg's description for drive bays is incorrect. There is space for 2x 3.5" internal HDD's and 1x 5.25 optical drive (this is my current setup) AND 1x 2.5" HDD. So, lots of options for HDDs!

My modifications shouldn't deter anyone away from purchasing this case if you are on a budget. Just check the depths of your optical drive (if you're to use one) and your PSU to make sure you've got room. Easy as that!

$60 for a decent looking low height case with USB 3.0 ports is pretty good! I highly recommend it for the budget build!

Side note: Unfortunately, my GA-H67MA-UD2H-B3 does not have headers for the USB 3.0 front ports; but the case comes with an adapter to convert the USB 3.0 front ports so you can use them with USB 2.0 headers).

Cheers! :wave:

Edit: I've attached a few shots of my modifications to the back of the case to make room for my huge PSU, as well as some shots of inside the case and the finished look!
 

Attachments

  • Photo Jun 05, 12 06 00 PM.jpg
    Photo Jun 05, 12 06 00 PM.jpg
    682.9 KB · Views: 645
  • Photo Jun 05, 12 06 17 PM.jpg
    Photo Jun 05, 12 06 17 PM.jpg
    714.7 KB · Views: 645
  • Photo Jun 03, 6 45 55 AM.jpg
    Photo Jun 03, 6 45 55 AM.jpg
    1,003.1 KB · Views: 697
Updated the OP with the Thermaltake DH-101 series case. MacMan pointed it out to me. Closest thing to a AVR case that you can get. @ Amazon for $128 USD with free shipping within the USA.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Copyright © 2010 - 2024 tonymacx86 LLC
Back
Top