Good (Big) cases for watercooling ?

[Risky]

I'm thinking of maybe moving on from my much abused 802 to something with a little more room at some point.

I'd like the option to maybe even go for a triple radiator so I'm lookign at server-type caseds where there's room above the PSU. The Lian Li PC7x series look viable, but are there other options. I'm not pushed it it is steel or aluminium (Al is nice but steel is heavier which can be an advantage in noise terms), but I don't like plastic bezels so it has to be able to work without.

Any suggestions?

[richman]

I have a lian li pc60 very small but nice, iam thinking of getting rid of it tho and going bigger.

Richman

[Fibbles]

I upgraded from my Coolermaster ATC 201 (all aluminum) to a black Lian Li PC 70. I happen to prefer Alu cases, mostly because they are lighter and look smoother. I really like the brushed Alu look of the Lian Li cases.

Some good cases for aluminum would be any of the full tower/server tower Lian Li's. They are all Alu, even the front panel. Silverstone (the group in Coolermaster that made the ATC cases) have a new all Alu case out, but it is expensive. Right now, Coolermaster has a couple of steel cases that are quite nice, such as the CM Stacker and the Centurion series. The Chieftec/Chenming series, which have steel or aluminum bodies with plastic fronts are also sort of nice. They do come in full tower sizes (only in steel though), but have plastic (you could use some metalic looking paint to cover it up).

When I get in my case staring mood, I tend to go to www.Newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/) and www.performance-pcs.com (http://www.performance-pcs.com/) and look at all the cases they have.

This is the latest case I bought for my primary system:
Lian Li PC7077 (http://www.cadox.es/lianlipc7077bg.jpg)
The big vented thing is a quad hard drive rack (fits in 3 5.25" bays and holds 4 3.5" drives), cooled with a 120mm fan. Only one comes with the case. The one on top contains the LED's and the power button (it came attached to the single HDD rack on mine). You can move those anywhere, because the whole case is nothing but 5.25" drives. They also ship it with one 3.5" conversion drive, so you can fit a floppy anywhere you like. Two CD/DVD drive covers are also included. It's very simple to mod the front to hold 120mm fans, so you can fit up to 3 if needed. Very beautiful indeed.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

The new Lian Li's, V2000 and V1000 look ideal for water cooling. The Antec 1080 is a quality case but its got the plastic bezels and is a bargain at £35! :eek:


http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/home.php?cat=248

Then theres the good old Yeong Yang server cube which as loads of space and 2 compartments, 1 for the mobo and 1 for the HDDs. Means you can have all your rads out the way. :)

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1211.html

[Fibbles]

I completely forgot about the Mountain Mods U2-UFO case. It's an 18" cube that can support 7 120mm and 4 80mm fans. It has a lot of space for anything, but it's a bit lacking with only 5 5.25" bays. It supports about 10 3.5" hard drives and they use 3 of the 80mm fans. The motherboard (revomable tray) is on one side, while the drives are on the other. You can get the case in solid aluminum or have it pre-modded with windows on the top and sides.

http://www.mountainmods.com/

[Darv]

I recomend a Lian Li PC70 as it's got plenty of room for everything and it is very easy to mod. Plus it looks damn nice aswell.

The new Lian Li's are lush too but they are very expensive at the moment.

[Risky]

Hmm, I wonder what the Antec1080 looks like with the Bezel removed? If it's faily clean like the GM802, it might be viable.

[Fibbles]

Hmm, I wonder what the Antec1080 looks like with the Bezel removed? If it's faily clean like the GM802, it might be viable.
I don't think it will be clean, I took the bezel off an older case with the same style (made in the same factory as nearly every caser of the same style) and it is fugly!

[J-Pepper]

try the YCC-61F1 made by YCC but sold by Gobalwin under the same name.

Google for 61F1 and you'll find many reviews of that particular case and the many 'perfect case' that pop up in each review.

It has amazing potential for modding and I reckon it's even better than the 802s!

[Fibbles]

You're telling me this isn't on the top of your list?

http://www.mountainmods.com/images/U2UFOPRW1FULL.JPG

Like they say, that is PUGMP!

[Risky]

I remember the reviews of that YCC-61F1 when it cam out. However if I buy again I want more room!

Regarding the Antec, what I really need is just a flattish front to work with. My GW802 looks like this now (work in progress as ever). If I ever finish I may well make a new bezel, but its ok as it stands.
http://veryrisky.co.uk/webimages/front01.jpg


http://veryrisky.co.uk/webimages/stripped02.jpg

[mnpctech]

It's an 18" cube that can support 7 120mm and 4 80mm fans. Are you sure thats enuf? :rolleyes:

Risky,

Maxpoint's FS-980/981 (http://www.maxpoint.com/products/ser_cha/spec_pg/fs980_1/index.htm) fits your criteria.

Addtronics 7896 (http://www.coolcases.com/cases/7896_120090_s_ol_2x.jpg) looks alright w/o bezel.

Chenbro SR104 (http://www.coolcases.com/cases/sr104_s_p1.html) has space beside PSU, looks fugly w/o bezel, but has ample room for modifying (http://www.coolcases.com/cases/sr104_m_p1.html)

[Starbuck3733T]

http://www.polywell.com/Servers/sc5000-Tower.gif

SC5000 (http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/chassis/sc5000/sb/CS-006535.htm)

:-D it has a special place in my heart ;)

[Blackeagle]

One of the Lain Li cases I didn't see mentioned that would suit the described needs is the PC76 server case. Aluminum, including the front panel & it is 2" wider than the more often seen PC70, but just as tall & deep. Has 6 5.25" bays 2 exterior 3.5" bays & 12 internal 3.5" bays. The internal 3.5" bays can be taken out with ease, they are in two removable cages, also of aluminum.

This case also offers 120mm exhaust fans on the top and rear of the cae.

Only down side I see is it's cost, it's expensive.

[toby]

id say the coolermaster stacker is the best case for watercooling out atm have a look at http://wwww.coolermaster.com

[Risky]

I was keen on somethingthat would take a 3x120 rad. At the moment I'm leaning towards the Yeong Yang Cube as its available at <GBP100.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Where did you see that Risky as i have been interested in modding one for ages? I'm also tempted in my new house to build the PC into my desk and therefore have enough room to experiment with the 'rusty heatercore' route lol. :)


:rant: Must spend money on house, not pc! :rant: :/rant:

[toby]

http://www.coolermaster.com/index.php?LT=english&Language_s=2&url_place=product&p_serial=STC-T01&other_title=%2BSTC-T01%2BCM%20Stacker is the correct link to the stacker and you can have a 3*120 rad in there

[Fibbles]

Are you sure thats enuf? :rolleyes:


Actually, no. The holes are too far apart to fit a radiator in there, and only a heatercore will fit allright. They seem to have put the fans in some odd places. In spots perfect for 120mm fans they slap in an 80mm hole, the placement of 3 more 80mm holes behind the hard drive rack is another screwy thing, as I'd prefer air comming in to blow over the hard drives. The case is OK in itself, but it's too expensive and is a pain in the @$$ getting open, as you have to take the shell off every time you want to get in. I suppose that could be modded, but in a $350 "modded yet stock" case, it's a bit iffy.

I really like the idea of being able to stuff a lot of 120's in a case, but that ones features lack a bit. I originally bought one, used, for water cooling, but it sat in the closet because I had problems with nearly every part of the case. The guy I sold it to is happy with it though, he went out and bought 7 blue LED 120's and 4 blue led 80's, not to mention 2 UV cathodes and 2 fan controllers.

If I ever want a seriously customized case, I know where to go. ^_^
Would you happen to have any experience welding or making a case out of aluminum? Mountain Mods sells the interior case parts seperately, so if I had the basic design, I'd be able to put my own twist onto a case.

[Risky]

Where did you see that Risky as i have been interested in modding one for ages? I'm also tempted in my new house to build the PC into my desk and therefore have enough room to experiment with the 'rusty heatercore' route lol. :)

http://www.pcnextday.co.uk/product_detail.asp?stype=5&productcode=2514-1007&group=SVRCAS&pgroup=CAS

:rant: Must spend money on house, not pc! :rant: :/rant:

True, very true

[Firelord]

I have an MM cube and yes its fantastic and has just absolute tons of space but I think i'm gonna move back to a PC6077 with a prommie box on top for my WC gear :)

I just won't be able to get it in my uni room next year :p

Soooo it may be up for sale soon :p

Ohhh and you can fit a Vapo LS in a MM case with a tiny bit of modding!

[Darv]

I just won't be able to get it in my uni room next year :p


Make space for it! Take out unessential things, bed, desk etc :lol:

[Firelord]

Make space for it! Take out unessential things, bed, desk etc :lol:
LOL :D

Anyway getting that modding itchy feeling :D