Turning my PC into an HTPC... any cases you recommend? [Archive]

mrt2

2009-01-16, 19:15

Ok I've been tossing back and forth the idea of using my current PC as my HTPC or just getting a Mac Mini... In efforts to save a little money and the fact that my current PC doesn't do anything but just sit there any way (I use Mac Pro) I decided to use the PC for it... so now I need to find a good case to put it in as I don't want this fugly tower sitting beside my TV... Any good HTPC type cases you guys recommend? NOTE: This is not a mini motherboard or computer so the case would have fit a full sized motherboard/processor/heatsink etc....
What do you guys think?

mrt2

2009-01-16, 21:44

No one else is using there PC inside of an HTPC case? I can't be the only one wanting to do this...

midgetspy

2009-01-16, 21:54

I'd look into putting the tower in a closet or something and buying a long video cable from monoprice.com. I have all my components in the other room and it works great, and that way you don't need to worry about what it looks like!

timdog82001

2009-01-16, 22:26

I just ordered this one. http://directron.com/htpc3701.html#caption It hasn't arrived yet but it looks pretty sexy and its full size. I still can't figure out if it actually comes with a PSU or not, though. It says the psu is up front and shows one in the case in the picture but no where can i find info saying how many watts it is

mcowher

2009-01-16, 22:32

My motherboard is microATX, but you can check out NewEgg for some full size ATX cases:

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=690&Tpk=htps%20cases

Most of the products on this site have plenty of reviews.

This case even has a spot to put an MCE IR receiver inside the case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811128022

ashlar

2009-01-16, 23:16

What do you guys think?Personally I use this: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=lc17&area=usa

minimalko

2009-01-17, 02:16

I can recommend this one:
Silverstone LC16 (http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=lc16m&area=usa)

anyo

2009-01-17, 03:25

I also like Silverstone cases... This is the one I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163065&Tpk=LC20-B

slekvak

2009-01-17, 17:29

I can (somewhat) recommend the Logitech HIFI series, especially HM-03 if you want something to integrate in your hifi-system. The problem is the VFD (SoundGraph iMON), which currently seems to be not supported by XBMC =(

sockenelk

2009-01-17, 18:13

Got myself a Zalman HD160 Plus, works fine, enough space, can be turned off and on via remote. Looks like a hifi-component. more info http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=281

crni

2009-01-17, 18:40

I'm using Ahanix D4 (http://www.ahanix.com/products/mce/mce_d4.php) for main HTPC and Silverstone LC17 (http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=lc17) for NAS. Both cases are full ATX so you can use full ATX mbo and PSU and full size GFX cards (I use to have gaming SLI system in Ahanix 2x7800GT). Both cases are top notch and I highly recommend them...

http://pce.hostili.com/images/tinelxw2k.jpg
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3541/lc9kb9.jpg
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4346/ahanix1nh9.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/120/install4di9.jpg

ashlar

2009-01-17, 21:23

mrt2

2009-01-22, 00:08

Great suggestions here guys... I'm leaning towards either a Zalman I think... whatever I choose I just hope it doesn't get too hot in there... I have my pc overclocked quite a bit. I also hope my massive video card fits in there LOL...

halson

2009-01-22, 01:40

Take a look this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Ru96Si0OI

Discaciate

2009-01-22, 14:01

I have a HT-3000 from 3RSystem.
If you are on a budget than this is by far the best choice (here in Brazil, that's the only affordable case I could find).

http://www.3rsys.com/english/products/view.asp?navi=case&idx_num=81

It has a good space. The space is good enough (I'm using it in a full size ATX board and with a 8800GT), a little on the tight side but still mountable.

The air flow is quite good (I'm running on a mild overclock and the temps are very good).

Build quality, design and functionality are fine for me. Also the remote is a big plus.

And if you have more money, you could go for the HT-5000. This one is, IMO, the sexiest HTPC case you can have.

http://www.3rsys.com/english/products/view.asp?navi=case&idx_num=88

mindweaver

2009-01-22, 14:05

I am using Antec Fusion v2 Black 430.

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/antec_veris_fusion_htpc_case_review/img/1.jpg

And I really like it. Fits everything and is cool and quiet.

dbone1026

2009-01-22, 15:04

I am using Antec Fusion v2 Black 430.

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/antec_veris_fusion_htpc_case_review/img/1.jpg

And I really like it. Fits everything and is cool and quiet.

Same here, been using this case, looks great and runs cool

o_dog

2009-01-22, 15:54

second the antec case, one can make i quiet with 2 noctuna 120mm fans, a passiv cpu cooler and a Seasonic S12.
I use a intel c2d e8400 with a Silverstone nt06 lite.

The bad things with it is the display and maybe the size.
The person that decided that i it was a good idea to use a blue vfd should get shoot.

mindweaver

2009-01-22, 16:11

Swwethip1

2009-01-22, 16:47

I am using Antec Fusion v2 Black 430.

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/antec_veris_fusion_htpc_case_review/img/1.jpg

And I really like it. Fits everything and is cool and quiet.

I see this case comes with a built in IR receiver.. how is it? does it work with xbmc

manxam

2009-01-22, 17:05

Actually it isnt a blue vfd. it is a LCD with sucky contrast. I second that the display sucks.

Mindweaver, according to Antec the display is a VFD. I'm not certain that they changed the display between v1 and v2 as I thought it was just the addition of an imon IR, but perhaps the v1s used a different display?

M

mindweaver

2009-01-22, 17:18

Mindweaver, according to Antec the display is a VFD. I'm not certain that they changed the display between v1 and v2 as I thought it was just the addition of an imon IR, but perhaps the v1s used a different display?

M

The silver one uses VFD and the black v2 LCD. maybe v1 black used VFD, not sure.

mindweaver

2009-01-22, 17:19

I see this case comes with a built in IR receiver.. how is it? does it work with xbmc

IR Reciever works fine. I use a Logitech Harmony 525 with my setup.

mrt2

2009-01-22, 18:51

I am using Antec Fusion v2 Black 430.

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/antec_veris_fusion_htpc_case_review/img/1.jpg

And I really like it. Fits everything and is cool and quiet.

That case looks awesome but doesn't take a regular ATX motherboard does it?
It has to be a micro ATX board... right?

RickDeckard

2009-01-22, 18:57

If you're willing to spend the money, OrigenAE cases (http://www.origenae.com/) are very nice. Better than Silverstone, which are already quite good on their own merit.

Also, Omaura used to make very good looking cases, but it seems they went out of business.

dbone1026

2009-01-22, 19:28

That case looks awesome but doesn't take a regular ATX motherboard does it?
It has to be a micro ATX board... right?

Yes, only micro-atx

ashlar

2009-01-22, 19:34

Yes, only micro-atxAnd they have another disadvantage. They are wider than a regular hi-fi component. Wide enough not to fit in my custom made cabinet. Mind, it's a couple of inches, maybe less. But enough not to fit.

And usually, with HTPC, it's enough to have ventilation in the front and in the rear. Side ventilation shouldn't be needed.

dbone1026

2009-01-22, 19:49

And they have another disadvantage. They are wider than a regular hi-fi component. Wide enough not to fit in my custom made cabinet. Mind, it's a couple of inches, maybe less. But enough not to fit.

And usually, with HTPC, it's enough to have ventilation in the front and in the rear. Side ventilation shouldn't be needed.

Definitely any case make sure you measure. I have a custom built cabinet and the Antec case fits in perfectly with plenty of room, but as ashlar pointed out it depends on your setup.

Swwethip1

2009-01-23, 18:15

IR Reciever works fine. I use a Logitech Harmony 525 with my setup.

thanks - do you mind posting your specs and MB you used !

dbone1026

2009-01-23, 18:39

thanks - do you mind posting your specs and MB you used !

IR works fine for me as well:

Gigabyte GA-MA78GB-S2HP Mobo
Antec Fusion w/ PSU
AMD Athlon 4850e CPU
ASUS Radeon 4670
WD Caviar 500GB
GSkill 4GB (2x2GB) 240 DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Memory
Vista Ultimate x64
LG HD DVD/Blu Ray Drive

merphi

2009-01-23, 18:55

If you really dont want spend money for expensive case you can put it in some broken cd player. Im using harman kardon dvd10. It cost little work to put it all together but looks even more pro then media center cases.

http://bespin.pl/htpc/2.jpg

Admiral Michael

2009-02-11, 02:18

Got myself a Zalman HD160 Plus, works fine, enough space, can be turned off and on via remote. Looks like a hifi-component. more info http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=281

Does the screen work with XBMC? That's the big thing about me getting a case with a front screen, I want it to work with XBMC.

ZTOctavian

2009-02-11, 02:22

Try the following:

http://www.apextechusa.com/products.asp?pID=179
Its the MI-100BK by Apex.

Also useful link
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140118

Or if you want to go miniITX the Asus S-120a :cool:

Nick

nomaanc

2009-09-06, 20:31

Does the screen work with XBMC? That's the big thing about me getting a case with a front screen, I want it to work with XBMC.

I'm also in the process of building an HTPC and im still trying to figure out what case to buy. I'm running into the same problem as you. I can't find a case which will power on/off with the remote and have a fully XBMC compatible LCD that will work with XBMC with little to no tweaking that won't cost a fortune. Unfortunately. I think such a case doesn't exist. I might just stick with getting a Antec Fusion 430 so I can atleast power on the device witht the remote.

adriank99

2009-09-09, 02:02

i recommend this:

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=lc20&area=usa

There really great and you can also get rack ears for them :)

+ You can put up to 8 HD