apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD | Antec Twelve Hundred or DF-85? Due to poor cooling and some other factors, I am looking to replace the existing case housing my Windows Home Server with either the Antec Twelve Hundred or DF-85. I've read reviews on both but keep wavering back and forth. Antec's suggestion is the DF-85 due to it including "Three Fleet-Release access doors which makes it easier to install hard drives and easier to clean the filters." I also have a friend who is using the Twelve Hundred and fairly happy with it. The primary requirement I have is the ability to house 8 3.5 HDD's, which both can do and then some.
Can anyone using one / both of these cases offer any suggestions on which case to go with? |
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| I am very happy with my twelve hundred. The only complaint I have, if you can even call it that, would be the need to un-screw the drive cages to get to the fan filters. I'm not sure how they could do it any other way though.
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Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler |
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 signmeuptooLove those still alivePremium
join:2001-11-22
NanoParticle
kudos:4 | Fan filters can be easy to remove, see some CM builds, such as HAF models. |
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| Yeah, I meant with the rest of the design on the twelve hundred. Even if they set it up for them to slide out the side, they would have to be a non-standard size due to the space around the edge. And I would rather take the extra 5 seconds to open the side panel to get to the release than have to buy filters specific to this case.
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Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler |
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signmeuptooLove those still alivePremium
join:2001-11-22
NanoParticle
kudos:4 Reviews:
 ·Comcast
·Optimum Online
 ·callwithus
| Yeah, I hear ya. Sadly, where I live, in the house I am in, the dust, even with vacuuming (bagless HEPA vac, old, but still more or less works) is terrible. I have to vacuum the front bays of my stacker case about weekly, and now I have a cat which makes things worse. Fortunately, my stacker has foam filters, unfortunately, it takes a dangerous use of a very thin knife to get them to slide out for cleaning and difficult disassembly, and if I wash the foam with them mounted, I will rust the mess screens.
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Join Teams Helix and Discovery. Fight cancer and disease, it's easy, you can get help, and you'll make a difference! »Team Helix »Team Discovery Please pray for Colin, he has ependymoma, a brain cancer. |
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apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD
1 edit | reply to Camelot One
said by Camelot One:I am very happy with my twelve hundred. The only complaint I have, if you can even call it that, would be the need to un-screw the drive cages to get to the fan filters. I'm not sure how they could do it any other way though. Are you making use of the optional middle fan? I thought I read in one review or perhaps on Antec's site that if you make use of the optional middle fan, then you lose a drive cage. If that is the case, this might not work for me since I believe that would reduce the number of HDDs you can install down to 6. The only alternative there would be to not make use of that fan I suppose, which might not be a major issues since the existing cooling problems involve my HDDs rather than the graphics card / CPU.
I should also clarify a point from my original post. I need room for at least 8 3.5 HDDs and 1 5.25 Optical Drive (Blu-Ray)
All things said, I think I probably favor the Twelve Hundred since it includes an E-Sata port (which the DF-85) does not |
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| I am not using the extra internal fan, but yes it does block use of the bay. I'm running a pair of GTX260s without any heat issues, so I think that extra fan is largely just for show anyway. I'm not even using the side fan, I just let the top monster pull air through the side vents, and it seems to keep everything nice and cool. (while being extremely quiet)
The filters are the standard plastic style, easy to wash. I have 2 long haired cats and a 145lb lab, so mine get nasty pretty quick. I usually take the vac to the front and side of the case once a week, and pull the filters for washing once a month.
I opted to leave the screws out on the right side of the cages, so I just have to pop open the left panel and unscrew the left side screws. They are heavy enough I don't get any vibration even with none of the screws in place, but the cages slip out too easy without atleast one screw holding them in.
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Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler |
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apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD | said by Camelot One:I am not using the extra internal fan, but yes it does block use of the bay. I'm running a pair of GTX260s without any heat issues, so I think that extra fan is largely just for show anyway. I'm not even using the side fan, I just let the top monster pull air through the side vents, and it seems to keep everything nice and cool. (while being extremely quiet) The filters are the standard plastic style, easy to wash. I have 2 long haired cats and a 145lb lab, so mine get nasty pretty quick. I usually take the vac to the front and side of the case once a week, and pull the filters for washing once a month. I opted to leave the screws out on the right side of the cages, so I just have to pop open the left panel and unscrew the left side screws. They are heavy enough I don't get any vibration even with none of the screws in place, but the cages slip out too easy without atleast one screw holding them in. Do you have any experience / knowledge of the DF-85 at all? I keep wavering back and forth but now that Newegg has the Twelve Hundred on sale for $120 after rebate through Monday, I am going to try and make a decision finally. From what I can tell, the DF-85 offers more overall cooling (since I wouldn't need to sacrifice any fans it seems) whereas the Twelve Hundred is the more established of the two. You also noted though that your not using the two optional fans and still have an acceptable cooling level. Not sure that I can necessarily go wrong with either. I think my real problem is not being able to make a definitive choice  |
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| I have not used a DF-85. But from looking it over, its basically the same over all design, with the biggest different being the smaller top fans. (and quite honestly I find the look rather ugly) I wouldn't give up my top monster. It pulls a ton of air with no noise.
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Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler |
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| reply to apobull
why not the HAF-932? i have an antec 900 and got so sick of its shittiness that i upgraded to the HAF-932. the 1200 is a newer model of the 900 chassis, and obviously bigger, so it should be better than the 900, but ive never used it. even ignoring the bigger size, the HAF932 blows the 900 out of the water. its not even close. looks better, screwless drive bays, MUCH better cable management...bigger size granted it bigger fans all around, and better front port location.
how accurately that relates to the 1200...im not so sure, but it has to hint at something.
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»valid.canardpc.com/cache/screens···7860.png |
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 Red GreenPremium
join:2003-01-22
Saint Louis, MO | reply to apobull
The big problem with the DF-85 are those decorative tabs over the optical bay drives...in order to open the tray, you have to open that tab...everytime you want to use the drive.
See this review...
»www.youtube.com/user/LinusTechTi···Q8RlAf4s
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Quando omni flunkus, moritati. (Translation: When all else fails, play dead.)
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KiwiPremium
join:2003-05-26
USA/MidWest
kudos:1 | LOL, love your tag. 
HAF has a calling, for many. |
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| reply to Somnambul33t
For this particular use, the HAF-932 doesn't seem like a good idea. He wants space for 8, with a fan on each. If I remember right, the HAF-932 only has 5 in front of the fan, the rest you'd have to mount up top.
But it is a nice case.
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Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/4x 2048Mb G.Skill/WD Raptor 300Gb/3x WD20EADS 2TB/2x PNY GTX 260/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler |
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signmeuptooLove those still alivePremium
join:2001-11-22
NanoParticle
kudos:4 Reviews:
·Comcast
·Optimum Online
·callwithus
| reply to apobull
What about this:
»cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/pro···s_id=222
Coolermaster also sells refurbished cases, after 5 cases from them (not mine though) all refurbished, I'm very pleased.
You would need a second 4in3 hard drive cage module, but you can order it. I have its predecessor, the original version of the Stacker, which has 11 bays, 3 used for HDs (but I have a second drive bay, don't have the drives for it, but the addtional fannage is nice), and one more bay that is used for the switch/usb/firewire/sound module.
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Join Teams Helix and Discovery. Fight cancer and disease, it's easy, you can get help, and you'll make a difference! »Team Helix »Team Discovery Please pray for Colin, he has ependymoma, a brain cancer. |
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apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD | reply to Red Green
I did come across this annoyance during my research. Fortunately, other than ripping some media at some point, I don't plan to use the optical drive all that much. To date, I haven't used it much due primarily to lack of time but that "feature" wouldn't bother me too much |
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apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD | reply to signmeuptoo
How do the ATCS 840, Cosmos 1000, or HAF X chassis stack up with the Cosmos S that was suggested? I need a case that can fit one optical drive plus up to 8 HDD's along with ample cooling of course. If some additional HDD cage modules are needed, I don't have any objections to that. Coolermaster certainly does seem to have some nice huge chassis that would seem to fit my needs. |
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apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD | reply to signmeuptoo
said by signmeuptoo:What about this: » cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/pro···s_id=222Coolermaster also sells refurbished cases, after 5 cases from them (not mine though) all refurbished, I'm very pleased. You would need a second 4in3 hard drive cage module, but you can order it. I have its predecessor, the original version of the Stacker, which has 11 bays, 3 used for HDs (but I have a second drive bay, don't have the drives for it, but the addtional fannage is nice), and one more bay that is used for the switch/usb/firewire/sound module. Does Coolermaster sell 4in3 HDD cage modules or do I need to look elsewhere? If the latter, can you point me to an appropriate one? |
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signmeuptooLove those still alivePremium
join:2001-11-22
NanoParticle
kudos:4 | reply to apobull
As I might have suggested, just call Coolermaster store and ask them for it. The Cosmos cases will take one, but I don't know about the other cases, just call CM.
I bought an extra 4in3 from them years ago. |
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apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD
1 edit | said by signmeuptoo:As I might have suggested, just call Coolermaster store and ask them for it. The Cosmos cases will take one, but I don't know about the other cases, just call CM. I bought an extra 4in3 from them years ago. Presume this is what I would be looking for?
»www.coolermaster.com/product.php···_id=2542
Feature notes that it's ideal for Stacker & other cases. Tried calling to get clarification on case support but just got a voicemail box the first time. when I called back and asked for tech support, just got a bunch of static. Struck out twice there |
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apobull
join:2001-05-03
Manchester, MD | reply to signmeuptoo
said by signmeuptoo:As I might have suggested, just call Coolermaster store and ask them for it. The Cosmos cases will take one, but I don't know about the other cases, just call CM. I bought an extra 4in3 from them years ago. Per specs listed here »www.coolermaster-usa.com/product···_id=2814, looks like the 4in3 module will only work on the Cosmo chassis' of those cases that I listed.
If I am to go with this case, I guess my remaining questions
1) Will there be enough room to fit one optical drive if I purchase a 2nd 4in3 module to fit 8 3.5 HDD's
2) Will the single bearing fan included with the modules provide enough cooling for the 4 HDD's housed in it?
3) Would / should I add the 3 120 mm fans to the top?
4) Should the remaining cooling environment provide enough overall cooling? |
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