VOGONS


First post, by flux1270

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

I am trying to find a case large enough for my WIP dual Pentium III workstation build, but I'm having a hell of a time finding a full tower ATX case large enough for my LG440x+ motherboard.
I've seen a couple Thermaltake and Antec cases on eBay for outrageous prices so I'm just wondering if you all have any other suggestions.

I'm wanting something era appropriate (1998-2001 ish?) but besides that I don't have any real preferences.

Thanks!

Toshiba Tecra 510CDT (P133MhZ, 48MB RAM, W98SE)
Compaq Armada E700 (P3 500MhZ, ~512MB RAM, W2K)
Dell XPS T500 (P3 500MhZ, ~512MB RAM, FX 5200, Audigy 2ZS, W2K)
Macintosh Classic II (68030 16MhZ, 4MB RAM, System 7.something)

Reply 1 of 7, by dionb

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Do you have the luxury of a source that has pretty much any vintage tower case available to choose from?

If not, surely you're limited by what is available to you (at a price that is acceptable to you) and there's not much point in hypothesizing about great cases that you can't get anyway.

How about turning this question around: what cases can you find that sell for non-outrageous prices? Then we can suggest whether the big board might fit and how period correct they might be.

Reply 2 of 7, by flux1270

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
dionb wrote on 2025-04-21, 16:16:

Do you have the luxury of a source that has pretty much any vintage tower case available to choose from?

If you're referring to somewhere local I could find a case, no. I'm kinda stuck with what pops up on eBay, etc.
I had been looking at this case (https://www.ebay.com/itm/276798261354), which I like the styling on - but at $300 with shipping and fees, I feel like it's more than I can justify spending on a case alone. I still need to get a PSU and storage for this build.

Toshiba Tecra 510CDT (P133MhZ, 48MB RAM, W98SE)
Compaq Armada E700 (P3 500MhZ, ~512MB RAM, W2K)
Dell XPS T500 (P3 500MhZ, ~512MB RAM, FX 5200, Audigy 2ZS, W2K)
Macintosh Classic II (68030 16MhZ, 4MB RAM, System 7.something)

Reply 3 of 7, by Shponglefan

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

If you're not looking to spend outrageous prices on Ebay and don't have a local source (e.g. local sellers, thrift stores, recycling centres...), then you may need to compromise and get something newer.

Pentium 4 Multi-OS Build
486 DX4-100 with 6 sound cards
486 DX-33 with 5 sound cards

Reply 4 of 7, by OSkar000

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
flux1270 wrote on 2025-04-21, 16:30:
dionb wrote on 2025-04-21, 16:16:

Do you have the luxury of a source that has pretty much any vintage tower case available to choose from?

If you're referring to somewhere local I could find a case, no. I'm kinda stuck with what pops up on eBay, etc.
I had been looking at this case (https://www.ebay.com/itm/276798261354), which I like the styling on - but at $300 with shipping and fees, I feel like it's more than I can justify spending on a case alone. I still need to get a PSU and storage for this build.

That case is more 2005-era then 2000. Based on the classic Chieftec design.

And I dont think it takes motherboards larger then standard ATX.

Search for cases like
Aopen HX08 or HQ08.
Addtronics 7890/7896
Inwin
Compucase(?)
Early Chieftecs (Dragon)

Reply 5 of 7, by paradigital

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Cooler Master ATCS 110 is my go-to very early 2000s full tower. Not hugely common though.

Maybe a Juno P6 if you can find one.

Reply 6 of 7, by pete8475

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Inwin Q500.

Reply 7 of 7, by PC Hoarder Patrol

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

I got lucky when I got my LG440x+ motherboard a number of years ago, as it came as part of a full system (a Data General AVIION 2300 server) in a case Intel intended for this very motherboard - the Astor II. Talking of outrageous prices, check out the new open box one on the bay (search for KLWASTR2 - not my listing btw).

I do see a couple of old beige full towers listed on the UK site, but probably not in your locale 🙁

The attachment Astor II.jpg is no longer available