So right now I have a CaseLabs Merlin SM8, and I’m looking for a replacement. It’s just a little too big for me right now, I feel like I can get what I’m looking for with a smaller case, and sell this one. None the less the price on this thing would probably be higher than what I bought for right now anyway.
A replacement case I’m looking for should have:
-Solid panels, no glass/windows
-Doors, not sliding panels for the sides of the case
-USB 2.0 and 3.0 headers
-Intake through the front (not the sides of the front either)
-Several HDD/SSD mounts
-Reset switch
-Atleast 2x 5.25 bays
-ATX/E-ATX motherboard
Can you guys help me out with this one or does this just not exist and I should stick with my CaseLabs case?
This is something I neglected when I originally bought this case. I had something stupid crazy in mind with 18 hard drives, one for each OS, and one for each installer, etc… thing literally not even possible with today’s hardware.
You need somewhere to push the air. Fact of the matter is that you’re going to need to either accept venting on the side panel or top with a modern PC.
pretty much all cases on the market will have a top vent since it improves cooling so much
there are some you can put covers on the top but gamers nexus did a research piece that more fans that are slower are better than fewer fans faster both in noise and cooling performance, they also determined the same result vs a case with poor cooling such as “solid” cases no vents at the front or top
Fractals Define 7, is most pliable, when it comes to supporting a stoopid amount of drives [for a tower style setup][mix of 2.5in / majority 3.5in]. Some internal adjustments are needed, in accommodating this system arrangement. You’d also need, to purchase the additional drive brackets. I haven’t seen any cases, hosting visible 5.25 slot, in a cold minute [let alone 2] [Define 7 can support 1]
I backpedalled a lil’ bit, on the specs, regarding what board size support it has. The regular 7 supports 285mm EATX, and an XL version exists supporting EATX / SSI-EEB [+ lil’ bit more drive support]