HTPC WC Case Needed - Fortress Vs. Lian Li Vs. ???

[esuyengh]

Since no one has replied, I am thinking the overly long nature of my post is reducing the number of viable replies. So here are my primary questions up front, so you don't have to read the rest of the post unless you just want to:

• Has anyone actually fit a 120.2 rad at the bottom of a Fortress F-02 without any modding?
• Has anyone fit a card like a 460GTX into the PCI-E riser cards that come with some of the smaller HTPC cases without cooling issues?
• Anyone know of a Flex PSU with a wattage around or above 500W?

Well, I've been sucked back into the "game" after 2.5 to 3 years of not upgrading my computer. Part of my setup died , and with the potential release of Sandy Bridge and my own purchase of a Panny 3DTV to use partially as a HTPC "monitor" , all the signs point me to an upgrade. Despite being a little reluctant, I don't want to half-a** it, as that is not my style. Since I have been out of it for a while, I need advice.

So for some background, my current setup is housed in an old Lian-Li V1000B that I modded up the wazoo. Basically, I cut out the hard drive cages, cut a giant hole in the bottom of the case that matches up to the fan opening shape of a Thermochill PA120.2, cut a hole at the top of the case for a T-line filler, and cut two holes right at the angled base near the 5.25 drive bays. I slapped on grommets all over the cut edges to make them nice and rubbery. So the entire bottom portion is dedicated to radiator, fans, and psu. It worked well, I still like it, but the thing isn't quiet by any measure.

That is partially due to my fans, Panaflo M1A's. But it is also due to the fact that it is not really vibration dampened. The pump makes the whole case hum. The DVD burner makes the thing rattle if it hits full speed, etc. This is no longer acceptable as it is part of a media system and not just a dedicated PC.

So, I am looking for a new case and will relegate the Lian-Li to my server room, aka the basement.

Here are the criteria I have for the new case:

1. Quiet; not just sort of quiet, QUIET
2. Not massive; you will see in my choices that I prefer mid-towers or horizontal desktops at this stage
3. Smaller is better (no "that's what she said" jokes please)
4. Sleek; bling is bad and tacky; not just IMO, just fact...sorry Ricers...
5. Nice if it can handle/fit a watercooling setup for just a CPU loop without serious modding

So with that list, I have from my research narrowed my short list down to:

• Lian-Li PC-C32, PC-C36Muse, PC-C50, PC-X500FX
• Silverstone Fortress FT-02, Fortress FT-03, LaScala SST-LC02
• ???

No single one of those cases fits all of my criteria. So I have a ton of questions; hope some of you can help.

PC-C36 is one of my favorites in look, but has anyone tried using the riser card to fit in a 460GTX graphics card? And is there anywhere to get a Flex or TFlex type PSU with wattage in the 500W realm to power that 460GTX? The LaScala SST-LC02 has the same issues. So these two may be out, and obviously if I do go with one of these two, I cannot watercool, unless I do aggressive modding or create an external radbox.

The PC-C32 and PC-C50 are still a bit big for my taste, but are better suited to handle all my criteria. Anyone have any experience, comments on these?

Anyone seen any reviews on the x500fx?

Has anyone successfully built a shroud to fit a 120.2 radiator over the 180mm fans at the base of the Fortress FT-02? Would there be enough space to fit a 120.2 radiator down there on top of those fans and still fit the 460GTX length? I hear that the pictures are deceptive and that this case is a lot shorter vertically than it seems in the mobo mounting area. Alternatively, is there enough space to fit a Thermochill 120.1 at the top 120mm fan area? And don't throw stones at me, but I frankly find the front of the Fortress still too busy with the 5 5.25 bay covers (and is the brand sticker removable?).

The Fortress FT-03 external design speaks to me with just that slit and all. But I am not too thrilled with it being mATX as I run into the same problems as the above slim HTPC cases. And the fact that it is plastic internally also worries me. I guess I am wondering if anyone has seen a prototype of this case in person and what they thought about it.

I am open to suggestions, but as you can see, I am very picky. Please no blingy cases. I want the front to be as simple as possible to match my AVR and Blu-Ray players.

Thank you for all the help. Oh and sorry for the long meandering post.

Just FYI I have questions posted in the other sections of the forums covering actual PC build parts and watercooling parts.