CM Stacker or TT Armor? [for liquid cooling]

[Serra]

Okay, I'm going to be going into watercooling over the next week or two, and need a case to go with it. My budget for a case is about $200 CAD ($177 US), and I'm hoping to get some input. So far, I'm looking at either getting a Cooler Master Stacker (not sure which one exactly) or a ThermalTake Armor. Personally I like the look of the stacker more, but looks have very little to do with my decision. I'm certainly open to suggestions.

I'm hoping to find something spacious, with lots of room for watercooling and a few hard drives. Strictly speaking, it *must* be able to hold an E-ATX board, and being able to convert to a BTX design is a definite plus (though not a requisite). Additionally, something that has routing holes for larger tubing would be good. I'm hoping to go top-of-the-line with the liquid cooling and want to be able to make the most of it.

Thanks,

~ Serra

[BSill]

CM Stacker can be modded with more ease than an armor. Plus CM cases are thicker, sturdier, better overal quality, i had a tt tsunami, it was nice, but i also had a cm cavlier 1 and a lian li 1200 extended atx that cant be beat.

IMO go with CM all the way, u cant loose with them

[ingentingmendeg]

Stacker 810. Although i love my wavemaster

[OmegaMerc]

standard CM stacker goes for about 150$, the 810 goes for 250$, both very good. the standard cm stacker has some annoying features to say the least, and the manual is lack luster. From what I hear that has been "solved" in the 810, but then again your paying an extra 100$ premium.

[Serra]

Thanks for the input so far. I've really started to lean towards the Stacker 810. I know it isn't BTX compatable, and you can't get that crazy side-bracket that you can for the 830... but with liquid cooling I can't imagine that's a huge issue, and I'll save $100. Plus it has 2x 120mm rear exhaust, and I like that.

Anyone know if the TT Armor's tubing ports are suitable for 5/8" tubing (or at least I *think* that's the largest size normally used... sort of a n00b at water cooling at this point)?

~Serra

[DriveEuro]

Stacker, anything but the 830 though... Good god did they mess that one up.

[nn_step]

Stacker.. Old school version

[Serra]

Can anyone give me any idea why the Stackers seem to be so much better for liquid cooling that everyone suggests them over the Armor, and why the general tide seems to be for the earlier stacker vs. the 810 or 830?

[OmegaMerc]

Stacker has a ton of space inside, and then some, my stacker install by far is the cleanest one i've ever built. Though I am on air cooling, I have space to rewire everything as to have minimum number of cable extrusions, plus its wide, and looks sexy!

[JoeBar]

Thanks for the input so far. I've really started to lean towards the Stacker 810. I know it isn't BTX compatable, and you can't get that crazy side-bracket that you can for the 830... but with liquid cooling I can't imagine that's a huge issue, and I'll save $100. Plus it has 2x 120mm rear exhaust, and I like that.

Anyone know if the TT Armor's tubing ports are suitable for 5/8" tubing (or at least I *think* that's the largest size normally used... sort of a n00b at water cooling at this point)?

~Serra

Yes it has 5/8" holes.

[Kaiser_Sose]

Check out the Silverstone cases ... the Silverstone guys were the ones that designed all the good CM cases

The TJ06 is btx style and has a wind tunnel

[nn_step]

Can anyone give me any idea why the Stackers seem to be so much better for liquid cooling that everyone suggests them over the Armor, and why the general tide seems to be for the earlier stacker vs. the 810 or 830?

More space, more space, reverse ATX and More space..

[AeroSquid]

Stacker easily. The 810 is the server model and has an extra 120mm fan instead of the extra PSU bay, no hole for crossflow fan and no removeable mobo tray.

the 810 is not $100 more than the older one tho.

[Sume4]

Stacker easily. The 810 is the server model and has an extra 120mm fan instead of the extra PSU bay, no hole for crossflow fan and no removeable mobo tray.

the 810 is not $100 more than the older one tho.

830 has the removable motherboard tray and lots and lots more.

[k0nsl]

Too bad they decided to scratch the very good idea of being able to use a dual PSU setup with ease when they made the Stacker 830, otherwise I would buy it. But I need dual PSU and my old Stacker offers that -- the only bad thing is the alignment of the PCI-thingies, its a known mistake and you can get replacements if you contact CM about it.

Anyway. I voted CM Stacker because this chassi is simply great, looks good also and offers everything you could almost think of. I am really sad that they [CM] did not improve on the original Stacker instead.........

-k0nsl

[Nicksterr]

830 has the removable motherboard tray and lots and lots more.

Yes but I assure you installing the mobo on a STC-101 Stacker is a breeze...because I just did it.

The 830 is no where near as suited for watercooling as the STC-101. The 830 is also 100$ more.

Nick

[AeroSquid]

830 has the removable motherboard tray and lots and lots more.

the 830 would be hard pressed to air cool as well as my 810 at any price. the 810 is also bigger and can easily handle the transition to watercooling. by lots lots more you mean it has room for 3 more fans?

[Kaiser_Sose]

How many HD can be installed in either stacker [ stc101 or 810 ] with the included parts?

Do you have buy extra compartments to install HDs?

Lastly, is the cooling in stc101 enough for a air cooled sysem

[Bergo]

I have an old school stacker (STC-101) and I love it, air cooling is good, particularily now that I bought the cross flow fan (trust me, do it, it's awesome mobo temps decresed significantly on my DFI Ultra-D) it has space for 4 hard drives in the caddy which are vibration dampened and cooled by a silent 120mm fan, and it comes with a pair of 5 1/4 --> 3.5" hard drive rails, so you could technically put a fifth hard drive in.

[GuitarFreak1857]

Tt Armor is a really annoying case, over the years i've come to dislike Tt a lot since of the case i have now and their poor tech support...

[ferrari_freak]

I have the stacker and I love it, dont't know which one I have though . It has dual PSU positioning, comes with a 5.25" to 3.5" converter thingy, (everything that Bergo said) so I think I have the STC-101. All in all, I love it, couldn't have asked for more, it's awesome. My friend has an Armor, I'll have a look at his carefully in a few days so I'll get back to you soon

Usama aka Ferrari Freak

[Makubex_GB]

If the Stacker was made of aluminum, I would suggest the Stacker. But since it's not I have to vote for the Tt Armor Silver. The Stacker is just to heavy for my likes. Especially since I move my case now and then for cleaning and stuff.

[bullit]

If the Stacker was made of aluminum, I would suggest the Stacker. But since it's not I have to vote for the Tt Armor Silver. The Stacker is just to heavy for my likes. Especially since I move my case now and then for cleaning and stuff.

For people that do not move the case,the Stacker it´s the better watercooling case that i´ve known,i can show my case to give an idea.

[AeroSquid]

If the Stacker was made of aluminum, I would suggest the Stacker. But since it's not I have to vote for the Tt Armor Silver. The Stacker is just to heavy for my likes. Especially since I move my case now and then for cleaning and stuff.

it comes with wheels

[Makubex_GB]

it comes with wheels

Hehe, yeah but I cannot install stuff or clean it while it's on the floor.