HTPC Chassis Survey :) - Page 2

Zer0 · 24th May 2011, 4:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzo_450

Answered.

I remember when I had dreams of being cashed up sooner than later, I really wanted to get my hands on an Omaura case.

Next to impossible, turns out they got taken over by a group called Karma because the designers couldn't get along and get their shit sorted.

Omaura range now sold by Karma

The TF11 with a small front screen, larger size rear fans and some filters would be PIMP and I would love to get my hands on one.

They are great looking cases but you can't buy them anywhere. I tried to buy some off them last year and they only way they would sell them is if I sent them a wire of full payment to some guy in China's personal account and THEN they would ship them. Fuck that for a joke...

proffesso · 24th May 2011, 4:40 PM

from a general design perspective -

hide all usb under a small panel, stick with a flush power button, touch sensitive even better. single small light for power on (even better if its a nice strip or something along those lines)

some designs I like -

http://www.ecoustics.com/electronics...new/627929.jpg

http://www.gspr.com/parasound/images..._angle_300.jpg

http://www.audio-cinema.co.uk/ekmps/...20w-3183-p.jpg - love it

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gryphon/hero_big.jpg - well..if your gonna go nuts, might do it properly

http://admintell.napco.com/ee/images...k_pr_front.jpg

http://www.avrev.com/images/stories/...ell-KAV250.jpg

hdd bays...dont need more than 1 or 2, better off with a slimline hdd unit, ie, 4 more drives in a svelt package you can sit ontop of the main unit etc

CardboardTenant · 24th May 2011, 4:54 PM

Survey completed.

Not too sure I like the first design either. The layout seems fairly prohibtive internally due to the BR drive set in the middle. It doesn't leave much room for HDD's (only 2 from what I can see) and all those holes (while probably good to dissapate heat) just scream dust issues for my mind.

I would consider the BR drive on the left/right leaving room for 4 HDD's in the middle and opposite side.

Ridox · 29th May 2011, 7:33 AM

Here are the results for anybody interested -View my report!

Also for anybody who didn't get to fill it out yet the link is in my signature.

Update on the case:

Front USB2.0 will likely become USB3.0
Front OLED display will likely become a non-standard option.
Dust filters are likely to be included and we are hoping to increase the fan size to reduce noise.

Here is a higher res render of the front panel to show the different materials, and how well the BD drive integrates with the case, this is not a cover or stick on face plate. (I personally hate flapping drive doors)

stevo4 · 29th May 2011, 2:03 PM

Filled out the survey.

A couple of things I failed to mention in the comments section was, will the case be supplied without a PSU, and could space be made to fit an ATX sized PSU?

vicelore · 30th May 2011, 11:02 AM

Nothing worse than burning out a supplier made PSU that came with the case then trying to replace it a year later when the case is no longer aviliable..

Non standard PSU puts me off instantly.

Make the case fatter.

The pros for fan size , PSU and more HDD space make it worth it.

Cheers Vice

Im running a Lian Li PC-V352B Black atm.. And i thinks its the perfect HTPC case..

TheWedgie · 30th May 2011, 11:21 AM

Current case is an Antec 2480B. Best I could get at the time, although have had to mount a HDD in the space above the PSU myself, and one in one of the 5.25 bays (although that's in one of these so I can remove it when needed).

As stated in the comments section of your survey, my ideal HTPC case would be ITX motherboard based, and fit 5-6 HDD's. Optical drive is optional, but our HTPC is the DVD player in the setup also.

I'm a bit different as our HTPC is also the file/download/encoding machine for the house - TheWife and I both use small laptops for general internet/officey stuff - the HTPC has the grunt.

iNeLuKi · 30th May 2011, 11:32 AM

Using a Silverstone LC16B no complaints really, it's a fantastic case.

What I'd really like is a passive case with external heatsinks in a similar design to Rotel gear but without a busy front panel. Not much to ask :P

Cadbury · 30th May 2011, 3:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junglist

I'm using an Silverstone LC17 at the moment

I love the LC17 - simple and clean.

don256us · 1st June 2011, 9:00 PM

Filled out the survey.

Reaper · 1st June 2011, 9:39 PM

My biggest peeve is that they all look like computers. Especially with top/side vents.

So I just plug my laptop into the hdmi whenever I want to watch a blu-ray. I can take it away later so there is no "computer" in my lounge room.

Opti · 1st June 2011, 9:50 PM

Survey done...
Good luck in your case designs. Reading through the posts here I agree with all of them in a way. As it all depends on what you want at the time.
My first htpc build was in a LC14 with inbuilt IR and VFD, quad core Q6600, pci-e card and multiple hard drives all in the one case. I found it bulky, heavy and hot.
Now I have gone M-ATX, lil' i3-2100T, a SSD for the O/s and all my storage is in a NAS down the other end of the house behind a cupboard. Now my htpc is smaller, quicker, quieter and cooler.
I used to love those Origin ca$e$, only because of the touch screen, really for e-peen, but I got over them quickly.
But it all depends on what theuser want in their case.

Hyram · 1st June 2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper

My biggest peeve is that they all look like computers. Especially with top/side vents.

Agree 110%, although if you're wanting to slide the thing into a typical entertainment cabinet thing, the vents aren't going to be that obtrusive ... but then, if you do it right you don't need vents beyond a few discrete slits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opti

... first htpc build was in a LC14 with inbuilt IR and VFD, quad core Q6600, pci-e card and multiple hard drives all in the one case. I found it bulky, heavy and hot. Now I have gone M-ATX, lil' i3-2100T, a SSD for the O/s and all my storage is in a NAS down the other end of the house behind a cupboard. Now my htpc is smaller, quicker, quieter and cooler.

The former just doesn't make any sense to me, having a tank under the telly whining away detracts from the idea of watching big-screen telly in the first place, to be able to immerse yourself in the art. Trying to watch Blade Runner in HD 7.1 while six hard drives are going "eeeee!!!" is akin to viewing the Mona Lisa whilst wearing SCUBA gear

Thin is the in thing -- thin and silent. My ideal HTPC case is about 40 cm across the front and stands no more than 6 cm high, have one 2.5" bay for an OS drive (SSD preferably), one slimline 5.25" for an optional BD reader, space for a mATX board with gig-E, 7.1 and S/PDIF outs, Bluetooth dongle stuck on an internal USB header, and a right-angle adaptor to hold a half-length fanless PCIe display adaptor. Front panel to have an IR window, low-intensity white LED or wheatgrain tungsten power indicator integrated into or around the power button, and a discrete flipdown or slide door that masks one USB 3.0 capable standard-A socket and a recessed reset button. Completely fanless, so the bottom plate can be almost all vent-grid, with the topcase sporting plenty of discrete canti-strut vent slits. To maintain sleek looks, the front panel should be relatively easy to replace, and come in three colours (black enamel, white enamel or burnished steel) and three types to suit whether the user wants no optical drive (flat), a tray-load (hole) or slot-load (slit). Media goes into storage at the other end of the house.

Someone make me that and I'd pay $250 for that, easy.

oh_noes · 1st June 2011, 11:47 PM

I'm a huge fan of sleek and small. My Lian Li PC-C37 fits the bill almost perfectly, but again I think it's a bit big. I don't understand how people like the big chunky full PCI cases with that support 6 disks, etc. Heck, I don't even want one with CDROM.

Something like a PC-C37, but still minimalistic and stylish, no cdrom and as small as possible (Mini ITX with i3 is more than enough for most people). And if you shipped it with a brick style PSU - even better.

My dream HTPC would be the 'right' side of that case with just a IR sensor in the middle. Simple and no fuss.

Hyram · 1st June 2011, 11:57 PM

Oh, I wouldn't want a brick PSU, 6cm (of which 1.2cm is feet & chassis) is plenty of room to hold a stable SMPS with earthing.

And the case in that pic is still too tall. Bandsaw off the bottom at that white line and you're getting very close to the ideal height.

24th May 2011, 4:40 PM	#17
proffesso Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Watsonia, Melbourne Posts: 8,618	from a general design perspective - hide all usb under a small panel, stick with a flush power button, touch sensitive even better. single small light for power on (even better if its a nice strip or something along those lines) some designs I like - http://www.ecoustics.com/electronics...new/627929.jpg http://www.gspr.com/parasound/images..._angle_300.jpg http://www.audio-cinema.co.uk/ekmps/...20w-3183-p.jpg - love it http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gryphon/hero_big.jpg - well..if your gonna go nuts, might do it properly http://admintell.napco.com/ee/images...k_pr_front.jpg http://www.avrev.com/images/stories/...ell-KAV250.jpg hdd bays...dont need more than 1 or 2, better off with a slimline hdd unit, ie, 4 more drives in a svelt package you can sit ontop of the main unit etc __________________ If at first you don't succeed, remove all evidence you ever tried.

29th May 2011, 7:33 AM	#19
Ridox Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 298	Here are the results for anybody interested -View my report! Also for anybody who didn't get to fill it out yet the link is in my signature. Update on the case: Front USB2.0 will likely become USB3.0 Front OLED display will likely become a non-standard option. Dust filters are likely to be included and we are hoping to increase the fan size to reduce noise. Here is a higher res render of the front panel to show the different materials, and how well the BD drive integrates with the case, this is not a cover or stick on face plate. (I personally hate flapping drive doors) __________________ Mark's Engineering Last edited by Ridox; 29th May 2011 at 7:40 AM.

29th May 2011, 2:03 PM	#20
stevo4 Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 9,565	Filled out the survey. A couple of things I failed to mention in the comments section was, will the case be supplied without a PSU, and could space be made to fit an ATX sized PSU? __________________ "May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one." - Capt. Mal Reynolds, Firefly

30th May 2011, 11:02 AM	#21
vicelore Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 241	Nothing worse than burning out a supplier made PSU that came with the case then trying to replace it a year later when the case is no longer aviliable.. Non standard PSU puts me off instantly. Make the case fatter. The pros for fan size , PSU and more HDD space make it worth it. Cheers Vice Im running a Lian Li PC-V352B Black atm.. And i thinks its the perfect HTPC case.. __________________ EVGA 790i Ultra - Intel Q6600 @ 3.3 1.418v - 2x XFX 8800GT in SLI - WD 500gig SATA - Antec 900 - Corsair 750w PSU - Corsair TWIN3X2048-1600C7DHX 77720 @ 1600 1.8v- ST MCB-120 Rev2 Radbox - ST MCR320-QP Rad - ST MCRES-MICRO Hi-Flo Res - ST MCP655-B12V Pump - ST Apogee GTX WB - ST HydrX Coolant - ClearFLEX 60 - Logi G5 -Logi G15v2 - logi Z5500

30th May 2011, 11:21 AM	#22
TheWedgie Reputation: Over 9000 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Australia Posts: 2,618	Current case is an Antec 2480B. Best I could get at the time, although have had to mount a HDD in the space above the PSU myself, and one in one of the 5.25 bays (although that's in one of these so I can remove it when needed). As stated in the comments section of your survey, my ideal HTPC case would be ITX motherboard based, and fit 5-6 HDD's. Optical drive is optional, but our HTPC is the DVD player in the setup also. I'm a bit different as our HTPC is also the file/download/encoding machine for the house - TheWife and I both use small laptops for general internet/officey stuff - the HTPC has the grunt. __________________ ugbox.net \| OCAU Emergency Services Club This post is the personal opinion of the poster and may not necessarily state or reflect those of SA Ambulance Service, SA Department of Health, or First Care Medical. It does not constitute medical advice, and should not be taken three times a day with meals. May cause drowsiness - do not drive or operate heavy machinery after reading. Last edited by TheWedgie; 30th May 2011 at 11:26 AM.

24th May 2011, 4:54 PM	#18
CardboardTenant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 135	Survey completed. Not too sure I like the first design either. The layout seems fairly prohibtive internally due to the BR drive set in the middle. It doesn't leave much room for HDD's (only 2 from what I can see) and all those holes (while probably good to dissapate heat) just scream dust issues for my mind. I would consider the BR drive on the left/right leaving room for 4 HDD's in the middle and opposite side.

30th May 2011, 11:32 AM	#23
iNeLuKi Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 6,567	Using a Silverstone LC16B no complaints really, it's a fantastic case. What I'd really like is a passive case with external heatsinks in a similar design to Rotel gear but without a busy front panel. Not much to ask :P __________________ In a universe of infinite wonder humans have invented boredom \|i5 3570k\|Noctua NH-D14\|GA-Z77X-UD3H\|8GB Corsair\|SLI GTX460\|Sandisk Extreme 120\|

1st June 2011, 9:00 PM	#25
don256us Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 426	Filled out the survey. __________________ i7 920 @ 3.7 GHz \| 24 GB DDR3 \| 660 TI + 560 TI \| 2x Samsung 830 256 GB RAID 0 \| WD Green 500

1st June 2011, 9:39 PM	#26
Reaper Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia Posts: 9,101	My biggest peeve is that they all look like computers. Especially with top/side vents. So I just plug my laptop into the hdmi whenever I want to watch a blu-ray. I can take it away later so there is no "computer" in my lounge room. __________________ Code: ------ ------------------- / __ \ \|This space for rent\| _____\|__\|\|__\|_____ ---\|\|---------\|\|---

1st June 2011, 11:47 PM	#29
oh_noes Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 849	I'm a huge fan of sleek and small. My Lian Li PC-C37 fits the bill almost perfectly, but again I think it's a bit big. I don't understand how people like the big chunky full PCI cases with that support 6 disks, etc. Heck, I don't even want one with CDROM. Something like a PC-C37, but still minimalistic and stylish, no cdrom and as small as possible (Mini ITX with i3 is more than enough for most people). And if you shipped it with a brick style PSU - even better. My dream HTPC would be the 'right' side of that case with just a IR sensor in the middle. Simple and no fuss.

1st June 2011, 11:57 PM	#30
Hyram Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 717	Oh, I wouldn't want a brick PSU, 6cm (of which 1.2cm is feet & chassis) is plenty of room to hold a stable SMPS with earthing. And the case in that pic is still too tall. Bandsaw off the bottom at that white line and you're getting very close to the ideal height.