I currently have an Antec P160W and love it. I could probably use it for my new build, but I'd rather get a replacement.

So I need a case that's large enough to fit the following:

Dual 8800 GTS's
4 hard drives (though room for expansion would be nice)
1-2 optical drives

I'll be air cooling this time around, so good airflow/cooling is important, however I want a quiet case, so any sound-dampening features are good, and I'd obviously prefer 120mm or greater fans.

Front or Top USB and Firewire ports would be preferred as well.

I'd prefer a window, but it's not a requirement.

The little things are a bonus as well, like a removable mobo tray, hard drive trays with vibration dampeners, toolless design, etc etc.

Lastly, I don't like plain-jane cases. I don't need something super flashy, but it has to at least look sleek. Click the link above to see the current case I have and get a feel for my taste.

Thanks

i suggest a cool master stacker 830 or just a cool master stacker i own the stacker and love it i could kill a midget and stuff him in the case and still have enough room for a computer lol.

The stacker is way more than I'm looking to spend. I should have stated that I'd want to keep it less than $150, preferrably around $100.

1. TT Armor Jr Silver/Black ~$120
2. TT Tsunami ~$115 ( May have some clearance issues)
3. SilverStone Temjin ~$120
4. SilverStone TJ-06 ~$130

All of which vary in color.

I also like the look of the TT Shark ~$160, I think you will too, but its a tad expensive and doesn't fit your preferences as well as the first two.

But I vote the Armor Jr, it's rather appealing, fits your budget, has top I/O ports, windowed, fair amount of room and expansion.

The only thing that I'd advise you is to avoid/watch cases with the HDD cages mounted with the HDDs facing the mobo. The GTS comes about 3/4" away from the end, so if you start mounting drives right next to it, you'll run into some clearance problems.

For instance, see my Cheiftec based full tower. As you can see, I can't mount drives right next to it. The armor should have no problems with it, as well as 3 and 4.

I'd definitely recommend the TT Armor. That thing can hold 2 8800GTX's with enough room to mount drives right next to it so you will have no trouble getting two 8800GTS' in there. But be warned, that case is built like a mountain. I'm pretty sure the Armor could withstand an armor piercing round from a tank at point blank range...So it's great to use as a shield if a fight breaks out at the local lan

You may want to take a can of compressed air to the inside of your computer, Unforgivin. It's looking pretty nasty in there...

The one linked above is the "Junior" mid-sized version, so it isn't as long. (It's about 3 inches shorter). I don't think it'll fit without having to remove the HDD cage next to it. The GTS will be fine though. The vanilla armor is probably way to big, along with the fact its $50 more.

More like $20. I was also talking about the regular armor to begin with. But hey, both cases are amazing and will hold your 8800GTS' but I prefer the vanilla armor. Slightly more expensive but there's just so much room in it allowing you to do pretty much whatever you want when it comes to cooling. I'm gonna grab one this coming march for my birthday.

Ah, thanks. I looked at the Extreme Edition price by accident, which was ~$190.

So I guess you have two choices now, the Junior or the monstrosity of a case, the armor.

I know the Lian li memorial case might be outa of your price range but it is an awesome case, very good cooling and plenty big enough to hold your equipment.

Is it just me, or does that case look like a snail shell to anyone else?
It's definitely different, and I guess if it works it works. I would have to see it in real life before I could pass any sort of judgment on it though.

If your getting the Ultra 120 Extreme be careful what case you get, make sure it will fit. With this NZXT I won from OCC I had to remove two of the four 120mm fans on the side panel in order to put it on because they hit the Ultra.

The Armor Jr is nice, but the more that I think about it, I'd probably be best just using my P160. I keep looking at other cases, including the ones you've linked to, and I just keep thinking to myself "okay, but what's better about it than what I currently have?" It'll be a little more work to have to take out all the current stuff and clean it up, but I guess the little extra labor is worth saving $150 over, right? I've measured, and I should be able to fit the Ultra 120 Extreme (16cm), and the 8800GTS's should fit as well (not much longer than my 6800gt).

I do appreciate the help though. I just don't know if I can justify a new case. I'm already approaching $2k for the build, which is more than I originally intended

Nothing wrong with using the same case again, save a little money.

Gigabyte Aurora3D?




No removable mobo tray, but it is almost completely tool-free (everything except the power supply). USB/Firewire ports are on the right side of the front bezel. I'm pretty sure you can fit 4 hard drives in there (maybe 5?) and it comes with three 120mm fans. If i set my CPU and video card fans to auto adjust, the computer is pretty darned quiet.

lol, the megatron case. That's also another good option IF you do decide to grab a new case. Your old one is still good plus you feel all tingly inside booting up and old looking computer only to have it turn out to be a complete monster.

I really like my Tuniq 2:
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/Tuniq_2/index2.shtml
http://www.bigbruin.com/2006/tuniq2_1

Judging by the fact that you have a case with a side window, lights and whatnot, you're probably not that much into the "sleeper"-look cases, like this Chenming. You can however also get that same case with a Window. The only drawback is that the american version has 2x80mm fans in the back, whereas mine (the european version) has a 120mm slot there -->


Otherwise, the Lian Li PC-7A or PC60 still are at the top of my wish list

i have the LIAN LI PC-60A PLUS case, and i love it.
that fan that mounts opposite the video cards works very nicely at removing the heat from an SLI rig.
pushing fresh air directly into the fans on the cards keeps them quite cool at full load.
i do not think an Ultra 120 Extreme would fit in the PC-60A though.
i just put one in a Stacker 832, and i still had to remove one of the side panel fans to make room for the cooler.

I know this is about double your price range, but I can't get over how good this case is for me. It also pings most of your requirements.

Cooler Master COSMOS


This case has room for both video cards plus able to handle a sound card and other such. Can hold 6 drives just in the hd bay area. Optical drives are not a problem...even has room for that pesky littly 3.5".


Huge fans all over (120mm variety). Even spots to add more 120mm fans. On the sound-dampening, the case has material on each panel to handle this. I can barely barely barely hear my case with everything going full blast.


Has this plus an ESATA port.


Due to the material on the panels, this is a no go, but I'd rather have the sound proof than look inside...for now anyway.


No removable tray, but full access to the front and back. With the size of this tower, there was no hand cramping as I was putting stuff in. The hd trays have the dampeners and the only thing you need a tool for is putting in the mobo and the psu.


The case is plain in that there aren't any designs and such. However, it's extremely sleek looking and the rails are 100% functional... (I know because I just moved and I was in a hurry...well...let's just say they work real well).

So I know it's outside the budget, but I've been nothing but impressed with the case since I received it. This case can handle WC if that ever is a move for you, and it has tons in the area of cable management.

wow, that thing is super hot...but yeah, that's well out of what I was considering spending .

But now that I think I'll get one single GTX instead of the dual GTS's, I may wind up needing a bigger case. I'm gonna try and cram the sucker in my P160, but I'm not sure if it'll fit. It's hard to tell, with the power connector that has to connect.

the power connectors on an EVGA 8800GTX are on the side of the card instead of the end.
i think they may have realized they were straining cases for room.
two of them fit nicely in the stacker 830 i just built for a friend.
a shame UPS destroyed it...

Oh, you're right, I just checked the pics! Okay, then I should be able to fit it in my P160. It'll be tight, but as long as I can route the cables around the back I'll be good I think.

Thanks for the info