I'm in the market for a new case since my Lian Li PC-65 doesn't seem capable at keeping my AMD X2 4400+ and 7800 GTX SLI setup cool. My PWMIC and Chipset temps hit 70+C during load.

Now, I'm not a modder. I basically just want to throw enough money at a good case that will keep my temps respectable with basic air cooling. However, I don't mind adding fans where there is space on the case for them (i.e. like with the Coolermaster 830 being able to support 9x120 mm fans).

Here are the order of things I'm looking for in a new case:

1. Excellent airflow for a AMD X2 4400+ & 7800 GTX SLI setup
2. Noise (As quiet as possible without sacrificing required cooling)
3. Size (I don't want a monster case unless I need it)
5. Weight (Don't want a case I can move too easily)
6. Price (I'll pay what I have to for a good case, but I also want to be cost-effective)

I have ranked the following cases based on the BEST ones that fit the above my criteria. My knowledge of cases, however, is very limited and so I would prefer some feedback if there are any major errors in my ranking. Also, please let me know if I have not considered a case that should be on this list.

1. Lian Li V1200 Plus
2. Lian Li V2000 Plus (Con: Size)
3. Gigabyte 3D Aurora (Pro: Low Price)
4. Coolermaster Stacker 830
5. Thermaltake Armor
6. Thermaltake Kandalf
7. Antec P180
8. Coolermaster Stacker 810
9. Coolermaster Stacker STC-T01
10. Silverstone TJ07 (Con: High Price)
11. Silverstone TJ06 (Con: Weight and incompatibility of wind tunnel with nF4 boards)

Please comment on why you would and wouldn't make your suggestions. Thanks.

I used one for my wife's rig and it was way spacious and easy to install stuff in. It has great airflow. I also like how the front looks like a certain part of the female anatomy

And which one would that be?

Coolermaster Stacker 830 :
1. I chose this because I want one.

2. I am sick of heat and the more I get into overclocking, the more I hate heat. Small is nice but big just has to have better air flow options. With all the fan possibilities on this thing some configuration has to work.

3. If I have to water cool eventually I will need room.

4. I like the way it looks, even though I will have to park it in the garage and leave the car outside.

Newegg reviews are mixed. Some can't get their cards to fit and others love it, so who knows about that stuff. No one complained about cooling. I just hope I can still wear my toupee.

I am looking forward to hearing what others say about the cases they actually know something about because they own them (unlike me).

Hey, not knowing never kept me from having an opinion before. :confused:

Lian-Li V1200 Plus.

I've always wanted this case. Airflow, build quality, functionality, and looks all make this case worth it. I may be getting one someday.

My buddy has one and his temps are great!

After going through 3 Lian Li cases, PC-65, V1000, V1100, and one Antec, it seems the only case I have ever had that has actually resulted in lower temps is the CM-Stacker, the 810 I feel is better only because it offers 2 120mm rear exhaust fans, but it seems almost any CM-Stacker will do the trick, the only beef I have is the lower quality in terms of how they are built in comparison to Lian Li, but then again its not always worth the extra 50-100 bucks.

CM stacker 101. I just got one and it is nice! It is one of the sturdiest cases I have ever come accross. I just took the whole thing apart today and painted the inside black I've got a couple coats of clear coat to put on it tomorrow then it should be good to put back together.

this case has ample vents and 3 quiet fans (more can be added) and if you find temps are still an issue you can get the crossflow fan. it is 35db at max, but at medium it is quiet. (so I hear)

and it has more than enough room to fit any future cooling options. I got it and am cutting the top to fit a tripple rad

Wow, you owned all those Lian Li and the CM-Stacker stood out above the crowd in terms of cooling? I've been reading so many reviews on Lian Li cases and how great they are... but so many people seem to complain that the airflow isn't as good as expected. Its making me seriously reconsider buying another Lian Li. Don't get me wrong, in terms of quality and looks, Lian Li have no equal. As much as I'm frustrated with my temps, the Lian Li PC-65 I have is the best case I ever had the pleasure of working with. However, cooling is the main issue... and one thing I noticed about all the Stacker cases is that you can always improve airflow by easily installing more 120mm intakes in the front.

Let me ask you one thing about the 810 Stacker... because its made of steel, does it mean it would also be a more silent case than aluminum cases? And, how much do you think it would weigh with all my gear in it? 50lbs? I don't do the lan party thing, but I like to move my case without getting a hernia if possible.

Also, what are the differences between the Stacker 810 & STC-T01?

CM Stacker...I love them so much I have two now, and working on acquiring a third (the 101...the steel bastard lol)

just leave your current case open, maybe get a hosue fan and put it blowing air into there

Haha! My Chipset hit 74C playing Halo yesterday with THE SIDE PANEL REMOVED! It was a hot day, so that might have added to temps... but that is a little rediculous IMO. However, I am convinced that my Chipset temp readings are reading higher than they actually are because I think the sensor is right between my two 7800 GTX cards, so the heat from them increases the temp. I could be wrong, but regardless, I need more airflow. My CPU remained around 45C, and PWMIC about 65C.

Hey Angry, how heavy is the Stacker 810 when fully loaded? Can I pick it up easily? Or do I have to call a friend over to help me move it lol? I was thinking of getting the 830, but I'm afraid it would be significantly louder than the 810.

lol my Stackers weight a ton when fully loaded with watercooling, 3x80GB, full crossfire waterblocks, cpu waterblock, psu...everything...you'll understand why these things have WHEELS to roll them around on lol


the Stacker case is NOT, I repeat, NOT for anyone that wants to do the Lanparty thing unless the Lanparty is in your house, or you have a smooth and level sidewalk/street all the way to the Lanparty so you can roll your rig along lol

ROFL

Just like my friend with the Thermaltake Armor case... takes two of us to lift that sucker fully loaded...

Dang, my 830 is getting smoked.

Ever had girlfriend like that (takes two people to pick her up)?

LOL DarthBeavis... I'm starting to think your confusing your Thermaltake Armor Case with a "real woman."

I just need a case with good airflow


BTW, all of you with huge cases, where do you put them? Does everyone put them on the floor or does anyone keep them on their desk? I was looking at the dimensions of the Stacker and thinking where the heck I would put one if I got one. I'm a little afraid to put one on the floor because of people scratching it with the chair. But with this size case, I'm not sure I have a choice.

My setup:

My wife's (and my 5 year old son's next to it):

Got Dell Screens? :sweat:

Hmm I don't know about the paint scheme on your machine... But Loving the water on the missus computer...

My Dell screen pwns all other computer monitors. My water system is better then hers (I need to scrap all of hers but he VGA block).

How can u not love the paint?

Check out the case in my sig. Its made by a no name company. But I've recommended it to 2 of my friends already. Both are absolutely in love with it. Its completely aluminum and has three 120 mm fans. Awesome case by AMS at an awesome price.

Still moving in I see... mehh I still hate you and you're killer setup.

On topic, I keep my case on my desk... and my friend keeps his Armor on his GLASS DESK (my desk is glass, too.)

Not only can I stare at my beautiful wiring job all day... but if something goes haywire I'll know whatsup.

armor with 25cm fan in the side panel

Arrrgghh... I'm having a tough time making a decision. However, I did do something today... I cancelled my Lian Li V2000 order. Too expensive and not enough reviews actually measuring airflow and cooling to back it up. In fact, I've read that the upside down motherboard configuration is quite bad for SLI because the hot air from the Chipset moves right into your video cards.

The link below compares the cooling for the Coolermaster Stacker 830, Silverstone TJ07, and Lian Li V1000. You can see that the Lian Li has the WORST cooling of the three. Surprisingly, the crazy expensive TJ07 doesn't show better cooling than the Stacker 830!

http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/cases/coo.../st830/p3.shtml


Now here is what I'm REALLY confused about. As good as the Stacker 830 is, I think the Stacker 810 & STC-T01 will do the job for my setup at a signficiantly lower price. However, every review I've read about the Stacker 810 & STC-T01 complains that they are heavy cases... which I'm worried about. Both cases weigh apparently 14.7kg or 32.5lbs empty!

Now I thought the Stacker 830 would be much lighter as it boasts a complete aluminum alloy build. However, the Stacker 830 is 14.19kg or 31.28lbs empty! And only a few reviews comment on the Stacker 830 being a heavy case?!?! I don't get it.

I was also thinking that maybe the Stacker 810 & STC-T01 was heavy because it was big. But, the mid-tower Antec P180 is 14.1kg or 31lbs empty! And again, I haven't read one review that says this case is heavy.

For comparison my Lian Li PC-65 is only 8.62kg or 19lbs empty. So in theory, I'm adding just another 13 lbs or so with the Stackers... which I don't see as a particulary big deal.

And, I know some people like the TT Armor & Kandalf (which is basically an armor with an all seeing eye)... but I saw a video review at 3dGameMan here and although he gave it a great review, it looked way to flimsy for a $200 dollar case to me:

http://www.3dgameman.com/content/view/171/48/


So, I guess I need some confirmation from you Coolermaster 810 & STC-T01 owners with only air cooling. Is the case really heavy to lift or should I just stop worrying about it. Again, I'm not planning to move it much... its just I'd like to move it without much problem when I have to.

I also had a question in deciding between the 810 & STC-T01. I like the 810 because of the dual 120mm exhaust fans. However, the STC-T01 supports the motherboard crossover fan (which the 810 doesn't) and has a dual PSU build, each of which you could add two 80mm fans to if you don't put a PSU in. I guess the question comes down to is if ONE additional 120mm exhaust fan outdoes the POTENTIAL cooling of the motherboard crossover fan & 2x80mm fans (each of which you have to buy separately).

The other issue is that of BTX compatability. I don't know a lot about BTX... and I've heard comments from it being a "failed technology" to the "new standard of motherboard." Should the upgradability of the STC-T01 be a deciding factor over the 810, or should I just not worry about BTX?

Oh btw, I just took off the intake airflow filter for my Lian Li PC-65 and all my temps dropped 10C lol.

120's are almost always preferd over 80MM fans much more air moved for a certan amount of noise. Rotery fans are not all that effective at moving noise quietly though I guess you cold look for the reviews I wouldnot bother it is more money.

The stackers have wheels so unless oyu need to go outside it should not be a big problems unless you want to go watercooling then they are the case to have.

I dont have a stacer just modded my case to do the same thing.(soho server) can have 3 120's in the front and no cooling problems with that even on low speeds and dead quiet.

Next time I will just get the stacker and make life easer.



Note you could probibly get even better temps with a little case moding ie remove the grill over the rear fan at least that is far too restriive(it is very easy to do with aluminim)

For air cooling, is it better to have the PSU at the bottom or the top of the case? I was initially thinking the Stacker 810 > Stacker STC-T01 for straight air cooling because of the 2x120mm exhaust fans. However, the PSU is at the bottom... doesn't that mean hot air will rise from the PSU towards the motherboard and increase temps? Or would it help make a better airflow circuit with airflow moving faster along the motherboard and decrease temps with the excellent exhaust of 2x120mm fans?

Looks like you can VERY EASILY mod the STC-T01 to an 810 but putting the PSU at the bottom and installing 2x80mm where the top PSU goes. Or would that not be the same?

Just got my Coolermaster Stacker 810 today. I also ordered an extra 120mm intake fan + HD Cage. If anyone is interested, I'll let you know how it works out. In any case, I'd like to thank everyone for their input and advice. Much appreciated

The v2000 rules for space and ease of installation. It's damn expensive - but who cares?!?! I know I don't

I don't think the Coolermaster Stacker cases are much smaller than the v2000 in terms of space. And in terms of unmodded airflow, I've never read that a Lian Li case was superior to a Coolermaster Stacker... in fact, its been much the opposite. Many professional and personal reviews on the Internet suggest the airflow in the new Lian Li cases (the V1000, V1200 and V2000) is not great. Sure Lian Lis look amazing and their build quality is par none... but my major reason for investing into a case is for its cooling potential, not asthetics. The CM 810 is half the price of the v2000 and has better airflow... that is a no brainer for me.

Quite an impressive monitor Darth, that looks like a brand new house that you just moved into, is it? Is that case supposed to be star wars themed, cause it does quite a good job if it is, if its not then i dont know what....

By the way Salahuddin what are doing with your old case?

To each their own - enjoy that Stacker. I don't like their looks one bit, but they are an excellent box in their own right.

I'm actually planning on selling it. Are you interested in it? I'm really anal about my stuff so its essentially in brand new condition... no scratches or anything. Feel free to PM me if you are.



I agree with you there greatscott68... I'm not thrilled about how the Stacker looks, and there is really no competition vs a Lian Li in that regard.

Yep, it weights a ton!!!! Only way to go to a lan party would be in tow behind your car/truck

The T01 is IMHO the best model... the XFlow fan would keep chipset and the two video cards cooler than with any other unmodded case.

I read mixed reviews about the cross-flow fan... everything from it being amazing to actually increasing temps at full speed because the 1x120mm exhaust fan is unable to push the air out fast enough. My deciding factor of the 810>T01 was the noise level of the crossflow fan... I read many people saying that anything higher than "low speed" was a little too noisy for regular use. I figured having 2 intake and 2 exhaust 120mm fans would do as good a job and be quieter. I hope I was right. It was a difficult decision to say the least and the T01 had a lot of nice features that the 810 didn't have... including BTX form factor support & dual PSU placement.

Well I changed the 120 mm back panel fan for a Panaflo high speed, so I don't think the XFlow fan and the two TT Smart blue fans 120 mm on the two HDD cages can match it when running at low speeds (fan controller). The XFlow fan I have at 2000 rpm, and it is more than enough to do the trick.

Believe me you are missing something great, don't trust the reviews but the actual users... well good luck with the 810 which is a fine case, with out space for second psu or the XFlow fan

The only feature the T01 doesn't have is a side panel window, that you have to buy separately... and it isn't made of clear acrlylic but a blueish that is UV reactive. The two x two 120 mm fans are ok I guess, maybe you should get a fan controller and two Panaflo fans for the back side so the case has negative presure.

Good luck

I LOVE MY STACKER 810 lol
i just installed 3 panaflos and 1 thermaltake fan for the hdd caddie....
liek Sorrento said...ironically i just installed 2 panaflo's in the back and 1 in the front wired to a fan controller.....so its silent at night and a nice air tunnel in the daytiem
my case temps under load of hours of gaming is basically my room temp....(well i cant feel a diff)
i have a 120mm 80cfm rubber-banded to the bottom 120 that feeds my hdd's in the caddie...
the stacker is great to work in ..ive always wanted room to tinker and manage cablesd etc...
although it is a bit difficult to manage wires in teh stacker... until u get tape/and use ur 5.25 bays lol

Btw DArth I LOVE UR MONITORS! and that chair is awesome..! not to mention ur rig...I wish i had a camera to post a pic of my chair ahahaha

LOL - let's not make the mistake of thinking that my v2000 is a lightweight either. With waterblocks, 4 Raptors, and all of the other goodies, I mean hell - why do you think I put handles on it - LOL. It stays at home next to my desk. I have a MM Twice7 cube that I take as a traveler. It's got an opty 146 and a pair of 7800GTs, so it's no slouch + I busted the window out when I was trying to drill a side 120 for a TTBT I had in it for a while = instant carrying handle. Who woulda thought my crappy drilling skills + my laziness in replacing a window, would make my box the ideal LAN machine? How's that for white trash innovation - LOL.

Well, this isn't turning out to be the best weekend. I arranged to transfer my PC into my new CoolerMaster 810 case and when I took the case out of the box, it was dented in several places. Not only that, the drive bay covers had come loose and marked up the front panel pretty good. The box had arrived damaged and Purolator said they would make things right if the contents were damaged, so it looks like I have to contact the claims department on Monday. Talk about disappointment... I was going to install the Evercool heatsink over my chipset & install my new HDs in RAID at the as well

also i should add that if you are planning on only doing AIR cooling id go for the 810
but if you are going to do water...its always nice how u can store either a radiator in the top psu mount....or put the psu in the top and have plenty of floor space for you're pump etc...
i prob would get teh original stacker if i could do it again mainly because of what i just stated...however i will prob be fine with my water setup becasue i can mount the rad vertically in the 5.25bays and the pump should still fit on the bottom ..just a few more cables down there thats all./..

Great! I just got my replacement case last week at it too arrived all scratched up!!! So upsetting! I sent it back and got a refund. And now I'm trying to figure out what to do.

The Coolermaster 810 is is nice, and I would have loved to have a not scratched up one... but I was thinking it might be a little too big. Besides, no local stores carry it. However, the Antec P180 is available locally... I'm wondering if anyone thinks that would be sufficient to keep my setup cool?