Note the location of the IDE connectors. Note the location of the memory slots.
Now lets talk about cases.
The SLK1650 is new. It is small inside. There is no way, that I can see that a full size (ATX) MB is going to fit in that case. The way the case is laid out, it just isn't going to work. Not to mention that the PS in it gets terrible reviews. (It is a dual fan 350W). Large (120mm) 3-speed fan on rear (read quite on slow). Case is opened by removing the top, 2 thumbscrews, & then both sides lift out. Huge pain in the butt. Cramped drive cage, drives are one on top of another. So if you have 3 or 4 HD installed, there is very little space between.
SLK2650 used. A bit bigger then the SLK1650. Still tight. I might be able to finagle the MB in there. 3-1/2" drives are in a caddy - that slides out towards the MB. Meaning you might run into troubles if you need to remove a drive - needing to remove other hardware first. 3-1/2" drives are screwed into the caddy. Large (120mm) single speed fan (read relatively loud) on rear. Different (older Antec) 350W PS that has been running for a good year or so now.
Ultra/Mambo. Both roomy cases. No problem to install the MB. All 3-1/2" drives are screwed in.
Two thumbscrews on the one side (Ultra only), so relatively easy access. But to put a drive in (or remove), you need to remove the other side also in order to screw it in. Pain in the but.
Ultra. Drive cage sits above the floor of the box & is situated to the inside side of the case. Meaning that drives placed in the lower part of the case interfere with the IDE connectors. Drives placed higher up just clear the innermost DDR2 (yellow) memory ram (when installing or removing a drive). Memory in the other slots would need to be removed first.
Mambo. Only tool-free on the 5-1/4" drives & the floppy (useless). 3-1/2" need to be screwed in. Drive bay extends to the case floor, but still there will be access problems depending upon where the HD are installed & the drives would overhang the MB in any case.
Evercase. Old. QUALITY. Totally tool-free. Negatives, no snorkel, & only room for a small (presumably it would be loud) rear fan.
Athenatech. Existing case. Not quality, but sufficient. Tool-free. Literally opens in two seconds. Only real drawback is there is only a small rear exit fan (relatively loud). And the fact that if I were to use it, I'd have to swap MB's.
All the cases have a "snorkel" except for the Evercase. IMO, the snorkel is a very worthwhile addition to cooling.
#1. "RE: Computer Cases + Mother Board Layouts" In response to therube (Reply # 0)
Well, if there was a perfect case, then nobody would buy anything else.
It's like saying you want a car that can pull a trailer, has a huge trunk, space for 6 adults, handles like a sports car, and gets 50 miles to the gallon. It doesn't exist, so you have to pick the features that are most important to you and find what fits those criteria.
Kudos to you for doing your research up front and being thorough. You know the pros and cons for each case. Now figure out which ones are the most important ones to you and go for it.
The Antecs just won't cut it. Too small, especially the SLK1650. There is just nothing that distinguishes them.
Ever Case & Athenatech. Small (noisy) rear fan. Ever Case may not be USB 2.0 front connections? Ever Case also used a side mounted fan rather then a snorkel. Even with these cases, as much as I like each, I would still run into HD / M/B layout issues.
I've sort of worked my way through the physical drive layout & which "bay" they will go into. My primary, & secondary HD will be higher up, (hopefully) more permanently attached for a long time. (Otherwise, remove memory modules so I can slide the drive out .)
My more transient drives will go in the lower bays. Only partially obstructing the IDE cables.
In any case, to remove any of the drives, I'll need to remove both sides of the case, & 4 screws .
#3. "RE: Computer Cases + Mother Board Layouts" In response to therube (Reply # 2)
Here's my dream case. I've built 3 PC's using the PC-60 series and I'm working on my 4th. Every new build I do, I spend forever looking for new cases trying to get something different. My search always comes back to this one. I've never seen a nicer case.
#7. "RE: Computer Cases + Mother Board Layouts" In response to therube (Reply # 2)
QUOTE: Ultra.
I think you are making a good decision with the Ultra. I bought one when they had a rebate on them, it didn't include a PS or any fans. With a Rosewill 120mm fan blowing out the back this case cools nicely with a good flow over the drives and cpu. The door covering the DVD and floppy drives is a bit annoying at times but it does remove easily.
#6. "RE: Computer Cases + Mother Board Layouts" In response to therube (Reply # 0) Wed May-09-07 02:26 AM by the_sixth_biome
HI T-Rube!
I have this combo and it has been great. My tech knowledge is only average so if something goes horribly wrong with this setup, don't blame me!
Tower/case Gigabyte solutions 3DAurora Case I am not sure what a "snorkel" is. (A tube-like thing sticking up for fresh air?) This case don't have it. Nor has any case I have ever heard of! Is it for underwater/submerged PCs? That would speed up cooling. LOL Here is the newegg link and if you look soon, my review (user:speedy1975) is the first review listed. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233003 *This tower is SO big, bring a flashlight buddy because you can get in it with enough room to stand up whilst installing the mobo and stuff.
Mobo ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe This has heatsinks and cooling tubes(Aluminum) but no snorks. (Remember that cartoon? "The Snorkes" I loved it:) *This mobo is SO fast that it runs my apps before I even turn on the computer. Here is that link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131031 my review is the third one down
Win XP Pro Intel Core2 Extreme X6800 Conroe 2.9GHz Processor ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe Nvidia 4 Motherboard CORSAIR Twin (2x1Gb) 2048-6400 RAM OCZ 700W GXS SLI Power Supply Gigabyte Technology 3D Auraura Series Full Size Tower 2 MSI NX7900GTX 512Mb Video Cards in SLI Hitachi Deskstar 400Gb 7,200 RPM 16 Mb cache SATA 3.0Gb/sec Hard Drive Hitachi Deskstar 500Gb 7,200 RPM 16 Mb cache SATA 3.0Gb/sec Hard Drive Samsung 18x DVD-R/32x CD-R 2 Mb cache E-IDE/ATAPI combo drive SAMSUNG 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LBL1
.)
