Need <$100 HTPC case ideas

[DeadPenguin]

I have been scrounging around to put together a MD.
I a trying to keep the build a cheap as possible so I can hopefully have enough soon to build another.

I was looking at this barebones as a good starting point.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856110057
I think this is the  ASUS M2NPV-VM in a ASUS case with PS.

I think I can get the Asus mobo from the WIKI (above) for around $70. I would rather get my own htpc case. The problem is keeping in under $100.00.
Almost every decent htpc I have seen runs at least $149 with a PS.

My origonal budget was:
Mobo - $70  ASUS M2NPV-VM
CPU - $70   AMD X2 4000+
Ram - $25 Generic 512MB
DVD/RW - $30 Whatever is on sale at newegg
Case - $100 - (??)

I've searched countless web stores and Ebay to try to find a deal but I have not found one that fits my $. Any ideas?
I've searched silverstone, antec, thermaltake, D-Vine etc..

Regards,
Blair

[hari]

look for the Hiper HMC-1S53A. It's available for 60€ in Germany. I think i will use it with the MSI 7??? mATX board (see Wiki). 200 watt ps and raiser card included. Only slim line optical drives supported (adapter included).

best regards,
Hari

[DeadPenguin]

I should have said I am east coast US.
I didn't see any Hiper cases local. I did see that model for 50 pounds. Without shipping(which would cost a lot) it is out of my price range.
Case is very efficient looking.

I am interested in that MSI boards also but I can't find it anywhere other than in a MSI Media Live which is very nice but beyond my means.

Regards,
Blair

[DeadPenguin]

I just won this one off Ebay. problem solved.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article104-page1.html



Regards,
Blair

[marrandy]

$76, not bad for a Retail Recomended Price of $230

[DeadPenguin]

It's bigger than I wanted, but for the price I couldn't pass it up.

I still need a case that will fit in a smaller area. My upstairs entertainment area has only 5" between shelves.

Regards,
Blair

[hoboghost]

I know you already got a case, but in if anyone else is looking for a good deal on htpc case there is this antec from zipzoomfly for 55 AR.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006028

[DeadPenguin]

I am still looking for a slim case < 5" high. 

[everclever]

here is a decent case @ www.directron.com that is 3.6" high, i am about to buy one myself... it is only $47.99
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/bt611.html

[DeadPenguin]

Thank you everclever.
I had been looking at a similar In Win case on newegg.
The only two things I am unsure of on this case is that I think the add on cards have to be half height. That makes things a pain and more expensive.
***Not sure if half height means for card clearance or the metal piece that connects the card needs to be low profile also.***
I am also nervous buying from a yahoo store that is not the actual shipper for the item.
I appreciate the heads  up.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108060
I linked it from Newegg if anyone wants to read the reviews

Regards,
Blair

[pnauta]

One case to consider is the Point of View M Station.  I bought it for €38.-  It's too large for you, but it's cheap.  No PSU.

[DeadPenguin]

I ended up finding more stuff to sell on Ebay.  Got enough to get an ANtec Fusion Black.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129030

Got it for less off pricegrabber.com ended up costing around $150 with shipping included in that price.

Regards,
Blair

[tkmedia]

I ended up finding more stuff to sell on Ebay.  Got enough to get an ANtec Fusion Black.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129030

Got it for less off pricegrabber.com ended up costing around $150 with shipping included in that price.

Regards,
Blair

Any report on this case   I just ordered one but I am hearing bad things about the color of VFD or LCD
Have you got the lcd to work under LinuxMce??



Thanks

[DeadPenguin]

Any report on this case   I just ordered one but I am hearing bad things about the color of VFD or LCD
Have you got the lcd to work under LinuxMce??

Thanks

I just got the guts from Newegg today  I am going to build tonight. I spent a few hours yesterday pouring through the Ubuntu Forums. 
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=611469

I am hoping this one is right
[url]http://ohioloco.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=3953161]

I am hoping this one is right
http://ohioloco.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=3953161
Especially this part ---"I needed only install lcdproc and set the Driver in the [server] section of LCDd.conf to imon. Then restart, and it looks like it works."

If I get it all together I will try to install Kubuntu and see if I can get the vfd working.
I'll keep you posted.

Regards,
Blair

[tkmedia]

Great,

Thanks