PC Cases – Forumite.site

This topic has 35 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 7 months ago by Bob Williams.

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July 27, 2018 at 8:20 pm #23612
D-Dan
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@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
Has a bottom PSU become the standard? I’ve never built a PSU at the bottom system, but it seems to be all I can find.

Advantages/disadvantages and ease of build would be helpful before I commit. At the moment, I’m considering just re-using my existing case (top PSU), but I feel like I need a chassis that looks new to match the internals.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 27, 2018 at 9:11 pm #23620
Tippon
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@tippon
Forumite Points: 0
I bought my first case with the PSU at the bottom, and cable management behind the motherboard, and it wasn’t the easiest build I’ve ever done. I had to forget half of what I know, but it was worth it in the end.

https://forumite.co.uk/forums/topic/well-that-was-fun/
July 27, 2018 at 9:51 pm #23622
keith with the teef
Participant
@thinktank
Forumite Points: 0
PSU at the bottom is best imo. Obviously the case must be fitted with excellent dust filters.

This is my current case. Cheap and jolly good.

http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/focus-series/focus-g-white
July 27, 2018 at 10:04 pm #23623
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
Tippon wrote:

I bought my first case with the PSU at the bottom, and cable management behind the motherboard, and it wasn’t the easiest build I’ve ever done. I had to forget half of what I know, but it was worth it in the end. https://forumite.co.uk/forums/topic/well-that-was-fun/

It looks like you had a journey. I’m giving myself 1 hour max for the rebuild 🙂

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 27, 2018 at 10:06 pm #23624
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
keith with the teef wrote:

PSU at the bottom is best imo. Obviously the case must be fitted with excellent dust filters. This is my current case. Cheap and jolly good. http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/focus-series/focus-g-white

Whilst Fractal design are quite well respected, I don’t need the see through side panels (and, in fact, prefer not to have them)

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 27, 2018 at 10:21 pm #23628
Tippon
Participant
@tippon
Forumite Points: 0
D-Dan wrote:

Tippon wrote:

I bought my first case with the PSU at the bottom, and cable management behind the motherboard, and it wasn’t the easiest build I’ve ever done. I had to forget half of what I know, but it was worth it in the end. https://forumite.co.uk/forums/topic/well-that-was-fun/

It looks like you had a journey. I’m giving myself 1 hour max for the rebuild

That’s what I did 😀

Before you start, have a good look at where everything goes, as there’ll probably be a few things that are different. That’s what tripped me up
July 27, 2018 at 10:30 pm #23629
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
Well, once I fix my PayPal issue, I may just go ahead and order one. Priorities, right?

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 27, 2018 at 11:06 pm #23630
Wheels-Of-Fire
Participant
@grahamdearsley
Forumite Points: 4
I am using a cooler master CM690 Mk2 that I got in 2010. They are end of life now but I believe Scan has a few for £11.50 !
July 28, 2018 at 2:00 am #23637
Wheels-Of-Fire
Participant
@grahamdearsley
Forumite Points: 4
Oops my mistake. Thats the delivery charge and they havent got any anyway ?
July 28, 2018 at 9:32 am #23655
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
As for the chassis – considering this. Opinions?

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 28, 2018 at 9:54 am #23656
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
Scratch that. Gone off it. No drive bays included – they cost extra. I need all the drive bays, so it would add maybe £30 – £40.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 28, 2018 at 10:10 am #23658
tadka
Participant
@tadka
Forumite Points: 0
My PSU is at the bottom but the air flow was too restricted so I flipped it up side down and it sucks air from inside the case.
July 28, 2018 at 5:48 pm #23699
Dave Rice
Participant
@ricedg
Forumite Points: 7
Bottom mounted is the best place for a PSU IMO. I can’t stand top mounted ones any more.

The mega build used a Corsair Carbide 270R http://tinyurl.com/y7rdj6jo All the spare cables easily fitted in the PSU chamber and those that are needed easily route up through the back with plenty of mounts for cable ties.

No good for D-Dan though as not enough drive bays, but 6 bay cases are rare beasts these days.
July 28, 2018 at 10:27 pm #23717
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
I found a case that may fit the bill, and ordered. Cooler Master which is understated enough for my needs. If there are only 4 HD bays, I can work around that. Could even get a docking station and add to my RPi NAS setup.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 28, 2018 at 11:24 pm #23725
Bob Williams
Participant
@bullstuff2
Forumite Points: 0
That’s my case Dan and I love it, had it almost 4 years now. Bags of room and good cable management. I just wish, now that I have less storage requirements, (1x 1TB spinner and a 32GB Express Cache SSD) that I had chosen the MATX version, as I have a MATX board.

However, with all that empty space, I need only 2x front fans, 1x top fan, and 1x rear fan, to keep things cool: all temp’s below 30ºC, most around 26 to 27.

My advice is to assemble all components and try various fits, with an eye on cable management. I didn’t at first fit and stripped to refit twice, before I had a good ponder and removed everything, then trial-fitted everything.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.
July 29, 2018 at 7:52 am #23747
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
Thanks, Bob. It’s good to read something from someone I (kinda) know who has first hand experience of it. I expect it to arrive today, but of course, after my initial fawning over it, it will sit empty an unused in the corner for a week until the MB etc. arrive, and I have the time to assemble it all.

I really hate all the waiting now. I’m excited to get my new rig up and running. At 54YO, I’m like a kid waiting for Christmas.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 29, 2018 at 9:47 am #23754
Ed P
Participant
@edps
Forumite Points: 39
More for light reading than anything else, but you may be interested in this post answering a question with respect to handling 10-20 hard drives! link

As I posted earlier my Apple-using son went for the NAS solution to avoid the Apple-tax on hardware.
July 29, 2018 at 2:16 pm #23777
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
I have a NAS setup with an RPi hosting two drives, one 500Gb and one 1TB. These hold the rootfs systems for 3 RPis and most of my media.

If I’m honest, I could probably dispense with a drive or two in the main rig, with some re-organisation, and possibly get a dock to add them to the NAS, but y’know, I’ve already spent £1,000 on this build, re-using a lot of stuff. I have no desire at the moment to spend more.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
July 29, 2018 at 2:57 pm #23781
Bob Williams
Participant
@bullstuff2
Forumite Points: 0
You’re welcome Dan, but even at 73 I still get the same tingle if I have a new piece of hardware or a new gadget on its way.

The basic Anglo-Saxon comes later, when I’m fitting, building or trying to make it all work! ? ? ?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.
July 29, 2018 at 3:12 pm #23782
D-Dan
Participant
@d-dan
Forumite Points: 6
It’s arrived 🙂

Out of the box, but haven’t even taken the side panel off yet. It lives in the corner, unused until the rest arrives, now. It’s a nice looking case, though.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.
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