Thermaltake Armor good?

[CDdude55]

I need a good, pretty cheap case that can fit cards like the 8800 GTX and ultras. So i was think about the Thermaltake Armor, But i would like to see other peoples opinions of this case. Plus what are some cases you recommend. My budget is anything below $200.

 

[philbrown23]

coolermaster cosmos this thing is huge!!!! lot's of space.

 

[TUngsten]

2nd on the coolermaster cosmos

 

[tzitzibp]

I need a good, pretty cheap case that can fit cards like the 8800 GTX and ultras. So i was think about the Thermaltake Armor, But i would like to see other peoples opinions of this case. Plus what are some cases you recommend. My budget is anything below $200.

check the case gallery... there are a few armors there...

3rd to cosmos

 

[CDdude55]

Cosmos is kind of expensive tho.

 

[Laurijan]

Give the Antec P182 Gunmetal Black a look - it is very cable management friendly and quality all over - besides that budged...

 

[tzitzibp]

Also take a look at...
1.COOLERMASTER RC-832 STACKER 832 BLACK
2.THERMALTAKE VA9003SWA KANDALF 25CM FAN SIDE PANEL
3.THERMALTAKE VD4000BWS KANDALF LCS BLACK WINDOW
and for cheeper choices, try...
4.COOLERMASTER STACKER STC-T01 FULL TOWER SILVER WINDOW
5.APLUS CASE CS-WINDTUNNEL
6.Antec Nine Hundred Black

and there is the new THERMALTAKE Xaser VI VG4000BWS

 

[CDdude55]

I would get the p180 or p182. But i just don't know if my PSU cables will reach. And do they fit GTX's and Ultras?

 

[Laurijan]

I would get the p180 or p182. But i just don't know if my PSU cables will reach. And do they fit GTX's and Ultras?

Yeah cable lenght is a issue with the P182 that i would prefere cause it is cable management friendly which the P180 isn´t. I hope you dont need to get another PSU.

There are probably not much PSU out there where the 4pin and 2x4 pin 12V connector is long enough to reach the mobo if it is routed behind the tray.

24pin connectors with under 50cm lenght could be also a problem - i will do this when i buy the case (have already ordered it):
When i get it from the shop i test several PSUs onside to check which one i should buy.

 

[PaulieG]

Here are a couple of great cases, that will EASILY fit large video cards..and keep you in budget. I currently own the I-star Nitro. Great case, and huge.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811165008R
(Open box and GREAT price)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233026

 

[CDdude55]

Is there any good case that can fit long video cards but has the power supply mount at the top?

 

[PaulieG]

Is there any good case that can fit long video cards but has the power supply mount at the top?

Yup, just answered that. I also own a Antec 180p, but I don't love it. I like my psu's at the top.

 

[CDdude55]

Here are a couple of great cases, that will EASILY fit large video cards..and keep you in budget. I currently own the I-star Nitro. Great case, and huge.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811165008R
(Open box and GREAT price)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233026

Thanks alot.

 

[CDdude55]

That Gigabyte case reminds me of the Aurora.

 

[Judas]

Bought my Amor back in 2005 when they came out, been a very good case not much to complain about , ill give it my vote

 

[CDdude55]

Anyone know how the Gigabyte Aurora? Looks like it has alot of space.

 

[PaulieG]

Yup, that Aurora will work nicely. Excellent case, and very good airflow.

 

[DaMulta]

COOLER MASTER Stacker 830

$159.99
($99.99 after $60.00 Mail-In Rebate)
3 Business Day Shipping $14.99
(Not available in HI, AK and PR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119103


LOVE is not the word for this case.

 

[CDdude55]

8800's should fit good in here:

 

[DaMulta]

Does that try come out of that case?

I don't know if I would ever own another case without one. My last two had them, and makes taking out the motherboard and install a lot easier.

 

[PaulieG]

Does that try come out of that case?

I don't know if I would ever own another case without one. My last two had them, and makes taking out the motherboard and install a lot easier.

Nope. However, The I-Star case I mentioned does. Sweet motherboard tray.

 

[trt740]

I need a good, pretty cheap case that can fit cards like the 8800 GTX and ultras. So i was think about the Thermaltake Armor, But i would like to see other peoples opinions of this case. Plus what are some cases you recommend. My budget is anything below $200.

It is a great case. I have one ,however, if you buy the one with the 250mm side fan you cannot install the extremely large tower cpu cooler like the thermalright ultra extreme you are limited to a cooler thats under 150mm tall. The great thing is if you decide to you can always buy a second side pannel for 25.00 without the fan or simply remove it. I love this case. Even without the side panel fan it has 2 120mm fans and 2 92mm fans plus if you have a 120mm psu fan like mine. It also has a expansion modual that allows for another 120mm fan in the front of the case , plus it has wholes drilled thru the bottom of the case and the case sits on feet so air flows up from the bottom of the case. The Armor also has a storage tray in the front for cd's parts etc and you can buy more. The Armor also has drive bays up near the top of the case in the rear it near the PSU for even more expansion drives and has a additional upgrade kit for a BTX motherboard (it even comes with a soft cloth to clean finger prints off the case. The armor is set up for water cooling with pre drilled wholes for the tubes aswell. As for the Cosmos it is expensive even with a rebate but is even bigger than the armor. It was to big for my computer desk but is a super nice case

link to thermaltake armor web site

 

[CDdude55]

Which cases have a removable motherboard tray?

 

[trt740]

I need a good, pretty cheap case that can fit cards like the 8800 GTX and ultras. So i was think about the Thermaltake Armor, But i would like to see other peoples opinions of this case. Plus what are some cases you recommend. My budget is anything below $200.

It is a great case. I have one ,however, if you buy the one with the 250mm side fan you cannot install the extremely large tower cpu cooler like the thermalright ultra extreme you are limited to a cooler thats under 150mm tall. The great thing is if you decide to you can always buy a second side pannel for 25.00 without the fan or simply remove it. I love this case. Even without the side panel fan it has 2 120mm fans and 2 92mm fans plus if you have a 120mm psu fan like mine. It also has a expansion modual that allows for another 120mm fan in the front of the case , plus it has wholes drilled thru the bottom of the case and the case sits on feet so air flows up from the bottom of the case. The Armor also has a storage tray in the front for cd's parts etc and you can buy more. The Armor also has drive bays up near the top of the case in the rear it near the PSU for even more expansion drives and has a additional upgrade kit for a BTX motherboard (it even comes with a soft cloth to clean finger prints off the case. The armor is set up for water cooling with pre drilled wholes for the tubes aswell. As for the Cosmos it is expensive even with a rebate but is even bigger than the armor. It was to big for my computer desk but is a super nice case

link to thermaltake armor web site http://thermaltakeusa.com/product/Chassis/fulltower/armor/va8003bws.asp

BTX Upgrade Kits (option) E-ATX
Motherboard ATX
Motherboard Compatible w/ Lquid Cooling

USB 2.0 IEEE 1394 Audio & Speaker Fanless Application Tool-free 5.25" Drives 12 cm LED Fan 9 cm Fan Accessory Box



Support to 11 5.25’’ drive bays
Relocate-able front control panel (Power, Reset switch, HDD & PWR LEDs)
Support up to Extend ATX & BTX
Ventilation opening on top ( 62% opening ratio)
Built-in 5.25’’ drive bay accessory box
High efficiency ventilation: Dual 12cm silent fans in front & rear, 9cm fans in rear and top, 25cm fan on side
Retractable foot stand
25cm fan on the side panel benefits CPU and GPU temperature and reinforces system stability

Air Cooling System


-Rear (Exhaust) :
90 x 90 x 25mm, 1800rpm, 19dBA
-Rear HDD cooling

-Rear (Exhaust) :
120 x 120 x 25mm, Blue LED fan, 1300rpm, 17dBA

Top (Exhaust) :
90 x 90 x 25mm, 1800rpm, 19dBA

Front (Intake) :
120 x 120 x 25mm, Blue LED fan, 1300rpm, 17dBA


- Side (Intake) :
250 x 250 x 30mm, 600rpm, 15dBA
- CPU & VGA cooling

The 250mm fan covers 90% of all heat sources on the motherboard

liquid Cooling System

Retaining holes for liquid cooling kits
Best choice of liquid cooling case
Optimize internal space for installing liquid cooling system


Retaining holes for liquid cooling kits Back up receiver installation

Retaining holes for liquidpump Ideal internal space for other liquid cooling system

Fanless System

Optimized internal space and airflow
Minimized noise level
Ventilantion opening on top (62% opening ratio)
Totally Fanless thermal system validated
(Fanless CPU/ VGA cooler, fanless PSU, fanless chassis are supported and tested by Thermaltake.)



PSU Cooler CPU Cooler VGA Cooler


Innovation Design


Compatible with ATX and BTX


BTX Upgrade Kit (Option) P/N: A9358

BTX Rear Plate BTX SRM BTX Upgrade Kit Package
(Rear Plate and SRM only)


Inside Structure


Inside Structure Relocate-able 12cm Blue LED Fan



Detailed Features

Removeable HDD cage Tool-free installation for 5.25" devices Dual USB 2.0, IEEE 1394 Firewire, Audio & Speaker ports Screwless slots for easy assembling 3 x 3.5" HDD module with
12 cm blue LED fan

3 x 3.5" HDD module with
12 cm blue LED fan Retractable foot stand Accessory box
Bundled in 5.25" drive bay HDD & FDD rack
Relocate-able HDD & FDD drive bay

Ventilation opening on top (62% opening ratio) Extra large thumb screws for easy open side panel Side Panel lock Side 250mm fan with meshed grill for safety consideration


Model Armor --- VA8003BWS
Case Type Super Tower
Side Panel Transparent side panel
Net Weight 15.78Kg
Dimension 530 x 220 x 560 mm (H*W*D)
Cooling System Front (intake) 120x120x25 mm, Blue LED Fan, 1300rpm, 17dBA
Side (Intake) 250 x 250 x 30 mm fan, 600rpm, 15dBA
Rear (exhaust) 120 x 120 x25 mm blue LED fan, 1300rpm, 17dBA
90 x 90 x 25mm, 1800rpm, 19dBA
Top (exhaust) 90 x 90 x 25mm, 1800rpm, 19dBA

Drive Bays 11
Front Accessible 10 x 5.25", 2 x 3.5"
Internal 6 x3.5"

Material Chassis: 1.0mm SECC Front Bezel: Aluminum

Color Black
Expansion Slots 7
Motherboards Micro ATX, ATX, Extend ATX, BTX
BTX Upgrade Kits SRM / Rear plate (optional)
Drive Bay Kits Relocate-able HDD & FDD rack 3 x 3.5" HDD module with 12cm LED fan
Accessory box




- VA8000BNS

- VA8000BWS

- VA8000SWA

- VA8003BWS

- VA8003SWA

 

[CDdude55]

Thanks for all the info.trt740