Some questions about a case for my new computer

[Theophylact]

I've built three, and I haven't been totally happy about any of the cases. The one I've liked best so far was an Enlight; it was toolless (with thumbscrews), steel, had a removable enclosure for the 3.5" drives. But it didn't have a removable tray for the motherboard or front USB ports.

I'd like to buy one for a computer to replace a Gateway Slot Athlon 600 that just died.

Is there any reason to buy (or not to buy) a server-type case such as this one? Any problem with having removable media behind a door?

The drives I'm going to use (Zip 250, floppy, DVD-RW) are all beige. Is there an esthetic way to make them black (I've heard of "vinyl dye" but haven't seen it on offer)? Or do I have to stick with a beige box?

How useful do you find a removable tray for the motherboard?

I'm not interested in modding the box, and I don't need to have windows (it's just going under my desk, after all) but I'd like it not to be too ugly. Oh, and I'd like to keep the price under $100, including shipping and a power-supply that's at least 350W.

Suggestions?

[thekingofpain]

Ive used Krylon Fusion vinyl dye to paint drive faces---works real well and they still look fresh after a years use...

[osprey4]

Theo, I'm also in the market for a case. My preference would be to get one without a door in front of the CD drives, since I've got a pretty good idea how long that door would last in our household.

[ArcticFox]

Theo - thanks for that link, I'll consider it for one of my own builds.

In regards to your question, absolutely a server case would be better. They have more fan holes and drive bays than "gamer" cases, everything is better but the weight. If you need a good case that won't be carried around, get a a rack-mount or server-tower.

[JPMiller]

OK.. Im not trying to be a jerk here but Im wondering why you would spend 3 times as much money on the case than what the parts your putting into it are worth... If its under your desk and its housing a 600 MHZ setup... why would you want or need a server case?
By the way ... the one you linked to has a "garbage" Power Supply...
why not go for a simple cheap enclosure, and spend the extra on a good power supply and maybe another upgrade...
http://store.yahoo.com/amamax/pomaxcswblbi1.html
http://store.yahoo.com/amamax/csmina161nowinmecca.html
http://store.yahoo.com/amamax/cs2.html
These are all sub $30 shiped and have garbage PSU's as well ... but for the price you can afford to get a good PSU...
The Krylon Fusion paint works very well but the thing I dont like about it is that it has a high gloss finnish... most computer cases have a matte or flat finnish, so what I do is use the Fusion paint as a base, and then give it a light coat of flat black enamel for finnish. works really well.... hard to tell from factory.

[ArcticFox]

Look how many 3.5" drive bays that first case you linked too has......

[Theophylact]

Originally posted by JPMiller
OK.. Im not trying to be a jerk here but Im wondering why you would spend 3 times as much money on the case than what the parts your putting into it are worth... If its under your desk and its housing a 600 MHZ setup... why would you want or need a server case?

No, I'm not putting the old parts in the new machine. I'm planning to use this motherboard with this processor; I haven't decided on the video card yet, but I was thinking about some reasonably-priced Radeon-based card under $75 (I don't run games). I have a brand-new WD 120GB hard drive and a new Zip. I'm planning to buy this DVD-RW.

What I want is a sturdy, unobjectionable case with ample room for expansion. If it comes with a decent PSU, all the better. But I'm happy for recommendations. As for the server case: we do have three machines at home, and it might make ultimate sense to have one serving the other two. But that's not the plan for the moment, just a possibility.

[Theophylact]

Actually, I'm pretty tempted by this case. It's really quiet.

[osprey4]

Very nice looking. And with the door, you wouldn't necessarily have to worry about color-coordinating your drives.

[Gilthanaz]

how about this

Power supply looks decent, but its probably genreic.