Legendary computer cases: input needed! =)

[Fr3ak]

Hi guys,

I am slowly getting back to more nerdy subjects, which included posting at XS more often again ^^

However, why am I starting this thread? I used to work as an editor in Germany and one of my responsibilities were computer cases. I am writing an article about legenday computer cases for that magazine right now, which will be finished in a couple of hours, so chances are, this thread will be somewhat useless for it, but I noticed that there isnt really a list or something similar of legendary computer cases.

Legendary in the sense that those cases had something special, something why everybody had to get it - be it special features, a good bang for the buck ration, lots of space, you name it.

I started to get interested in computer cases at about 2002 ish, so I have next to no knowledge, what was hot before that time and it would be interested to see how different countries prefer different cases. I will publish the list I made once the article is done and printed.

Hopefully we will end up with a nice thread with pictures, specs and some reasons why that particular case was so special, so let's rock!

My all time favorite is the Chieftec Dragon CS-601. Feature-wise, it was so far ahead of its time. Fans hat toolless frames, HDD cage was removable, toolless mounting for opticals drives and HDDs (once the sliding bars have been screwed to the HDD using tools ^^), lots of space, easy side panel removing and lots of accessories.

Chieftec told me at Cebit that production was stopped this year, so it has been on the market for 11 years, which is impressive. Link to the case:
http://www.chieftecusa.com/dragon.htm

[[XC] Oj101]

That Chieftec looks like an Antec Performance II series clone with a window

[Fr3ak]

Ok, now guess again, which of those the clone is and who produced that Antec case ^^

[Bobsama]

There was also an Ultra version that looked very similar and was said to have quality construction. I remember that from '06 & TigerDirect.

There's also the CM Stacker series--the behemoths are of course ing huge. I remember walking through CompUSSR and seeing one and being amazed that it was like 3x as big as my old computer case.

[Kaldor]

I still have 2 of those full aluminum Chieftech cases. Well built, quiet with the right fans, and will take pretty much anything you can throw at them.

I finally retired my 3rd one when I bought my TJ07 last year. Had it for 8 years and about 4 different PCs in it.

[Swingline39]

That Rocketfish one that was made my Lian-Li. Never saw one in person, but that has to be legendary due to the sheer size of it, and build quality, at its price point.

[aerial]

Lian Li G70
Lian Li V series
Lian Li Cube (343)
Chieftec Dragon
Silverstone TJ07

[[XC] Oj101]

Ok, now guess again, which of those the clone is and who produced that Antec case ^^

Understood

[Klarko]

Lian Li G70
Lian Li V series
Lian Li Cube (343)
Chieftec Dragon
Silverstone TJ07

needs more pictures!

[aerial]

needs more pictures!

google images is your friend

[Darth_Penguin]

Ok, now guess again, which of those the clone is and who produced that Antec case ^^

I always thought Antec came out with it first. To this day mine is still being used by a friend Truly the most epic case. Didnt alienware start their company using that case?

[GrossmeisterB]

Chieftec CS-601/CS-901 "Dragon"
Shuttle XPC (various versions)
Coolermaster Cosmos
Apple G5

[G.Foyle]

Stacker 810 and Stacker 832:


I can't count how many builds I've seen using one of these cases.

[gatecrasherlok]

Tj07 - don't really have to add much to that name really.

[EzyRyder]

an old favourite

Lian Li PC7 - last time an alu case was affordable!

a modern classic

Silverstone FT02 - best air cooling case bar none!

[aerial]

FT02 is way too new to call it legendary imo.
As someone mentioned, first stacker is a good example, it was great case.
I would also some old classic Antec cases, Sonata, maybe a P180.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

The p180 was pretty revolutionary when it was first released.

otherwise, legendary designs have to be

Stacker
Lian-Li V series
Chieftec Dragon
Lian Li G70 - first modern iteration of the large lian-li tower, watercooling legend
SS TJ-07

[aythrea]

... remember walking through CompUSSR and seeing ...

Stealing my phrases now, eh? S'cool. I stole it from someone else.

[LinusTech]

Antec LANboy featuring SmartBlue 350W PSU!

OMG blue LEDs! Good for LANs!

[Bobsama]

Stealing my phrases now, eh? S'cool. I stole it from someone else.

My uncle called it that once or twice, if memory serves. You're not the only one who says it!

In other news, I am officially registering "United Scarelines" and "American Scarelines" as substitutions for the respective (but not respectable) airlines.

[shazza]

Interesting thread.

To add another specific Lian Li case, I'd say the V1000 and v1200 series. Have seen some beautiful builds in them, and, people still search for these cases.

Not necessarily legendary in the sense of some, but the Mountain Mods U2-UFO case was something different when they first came out, and spawned a lot of box builds (yes, I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder).

[[XC] Synthetickiller]

That Rocketfish one that was made my Lian-Li. Never saw one in person, but that has to be legendary due to the sheer size of it, and build quality, at its price point.

For modders, it really was a dream. I bought one for $55 w/ tax.

Not a bad case, but I couldn't bring myself to hack it up, so I sold it. It was SO large and use didn't use the space well. Could have held twice the HDDs it actually did.

The water cooling logs that were spawned was incredible. Good times.