Case Question

[jbbrown211]

Any recommendations on cases? First time builder, looking for something that comes with most of what I would need (psu, adequate cooling, etc). I'm not looking to spend a ton, but would like a nice case. My build will be for gaming, multimedia, ms office apps, etc. Any suggestions on brands, or price ranges would be appreciated. Thx in advance.

[Staren]

Well if you want a good PSU along with it, then the brands you really want to look at are Antec, and Termaltake. The Antec Sonata http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155 is a very nice case with a good power supply. Just keep in mind that most Case/PSU combos arn't going to work very well for a higher end gaming system. You will want to look a a case and seprate PSU if you are going to use a major gaming card like a GeForce 6800 or higher.

[flawedreality5]

I like the Thermaltake and Antec cases the most. Very slick looking.

[MakeYourslf2012]

If your shopping for a case without a PSU, it all personal preference. A case that I like may be one that you think is hideous. However, like Staren said, if your shopping for a case with a PSU - its best to stick with Antec.

[freakitchen]

The power supply you'll need depends very much on the components. A high-end video card, for example, will require a power supply that you won't find in a case+psu combo. For better advice, post the parts you plan to use.

FK

[jeofrey10100900]

if you are going for a style i would recommend nikao dragonfire:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811213015

power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153006

[freakitchen]

power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153006

That won't be suitable for the majority of today's builds, since it's not an ATX2 spec unit.

FK

[jeofrey10100900]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen That won't be suitable for the majority of today's builds, since it's not an ATX2 spec unit. FK

thanks for correcting my error.

[freakitchen]

thanks for correcting my error.

No problem. With the transition from ATX1 to ATX2 that's taking place, you have to look at specifications very carefully at the moment.

FK

[jbbrown211]

OK, thanks for the feedback. If I'm going with separate case/psu (higher end gaming is important):

What type of psu should I be looking for?
What type of cooling requirements should I be looking for?

The newegg links are a big help, i browse through the site a lot.

[Staren]

Welll, as far as PSU goes, I can give you the exact model that seems to be the deal sweat spot at the moment: Antec TruePower II 550watt PSU $94.00

It might be a bit more then you wanted to spend, but it is a lot cheaper then other options out there, and it will handle just about any set-up you want to toss at it for sure.

Pretty much any good case brand will give good airflow for cooling. Any model that has space for 3 or more fans will work for sure, and even some twin fan set-ups have good cooling if done well. I happen to like NZXT cases. To me they are fun, without being too far over the top. What I have settled on for my next build is the Lexa.
If you do happen to like the Lexa, know that there is a version with a PSU, but it is a house brand, and the PSUs they used before going to that are a known bad brand. So just keep that in mind.

[Fleabus]

Hi:

Make sure the air intakes of your case are filtered and the screens
easily removed for cleaning.

Use 120mm fans only to keep the noise down.

I chose this case:
Antec P180 Performance One super mid-tower Case 761345-81800-1
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=81800

After choosing your components, go here and estimate what you need
for a PSU.
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
And/or here:
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp

Once you have sorted that I recommend one of these:
http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_45

Happy trailz,

[flawedreality5]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen No problem. With the transition from ATX1 to ATX2 that's taking place, you have to look at specifications very carefully at the moment. FK

Can you get me up to date? What's the difference between them? The standard size of the ATX motherboard is changing or is it something major?

[Marke522]

The first thing I would so when choosing a case, is ask if I wanted a window, do I want a door covering the optical drives, should it have a temp display, should it have lights. I mean, you're going to be looking at this thing everyday from now on, make sure it's nice.

After you know what you want it look like, then ask about the features, how many optical drives am I going to have, how many bays would I need inside, will I want front usb, firewire, or audio jacks, do I need 2 floppy bays, how about a removable motherboard tray.

Then after you decided what you want, and what you need, find out who makes it, and read the reviews from other members.

I ended up going with an ASPIRE X-Dreamer II, and I threw out the psu and purchased an Enermax Noisetaker. This case was almost the easiest one I ever worked on. The only one that beat it was a Thermaltake Shark, but that model has a door, and I don't like doors.

By the way, I have 2 small 80mm fans in front, 3 LED's (top, side, and rear), and a slot fan. I idle at 31 C and have never been above 43 C, and I play COD 2 all the time.

[freakitchen]

Can you get me up to date? What's the difference between them? The standard size of the ATX motherboard is changing or is it something major?

The change from ATX1 to ATX2 is the move from 20-pin motherboard power connectors, to 24-pin, largely due to the higher power demands that PCI-Express video cards have.

About six months ago, if a PSU was ATX2, it was ususally a good quality model. Now, the cheapo-PSU makers have realised they need to change, too, and we are starting to see poor quality ATX2 units hitting the market. Some of these merely have a 24 pin connecter added on to 20-pin circuitry, so whilst compatible with newer boards, aren't providing the required power. Being careful what brand you buy has never been more important.

Dont confuse this with the reputable companies advertising 20+4 pin main connectors. This is mearly an ATX2 unit, of which 4 pins can be removed from the the main connector, to allow backwards compatibility with older 20-pin motherboards.

Getting back to the specifics of this thread, I'd agree with Staren's suggestion of the Antec Truepower II 550w. It's SLI certified, and will power all but the very highest builds well.

FK

[flawedreality5]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen The change from ATX1 to ATX2 is the move from 20-pin motherboard power connectors, to 24-pin, largely due to the higher power demands that PCI-Express video cards have. About six months ago, if a PSU was ATX2, it was ususally a good quality model. Now, the cheapo-PSU makers have realised they need to change, too, and we are starting to see poor quality ATX2 units hitting the market. Some of these merely have a 24 pin connecter added on to 20-pin circuitry, so whilst compatible with newer boards, aren't providing the required power. Being careful what brand you buy has never been more important. Dont confuse this with the reputable companies advertising 20+4 pin main connectors. This is mearly an ATX2 unit, of which 4 pins can be removed from the the main connector, to allow backwards compatibility with older 20-pin motherboards. Getting back to the specifics of this thread, I'd agree with Staren's suggestion of the Antec Truepower II 550w. It's SLI certified, and will power all but the very highest builds well. FK

Ah. I didn't know they were called that. Thanks for clearing it up.

[jbbrown211]

For a psu, I'm looking at an Antec True Power II, 430W. I did the calcs based on one of the links above and I think this should be sufficient. Does that sound right, or are most systems around 500W-550W range?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103928

Also, I like this case, not sure if this is a good mfr though. I was going to scrap the psu and put the Antec from above in. Curious to know what everyone thinks.

[Staren]

The 500watt + are more for SLI builds, or if you are going for one of the latest high end video cards such as an X1900XTX or 7900GTX. A less extreame system should be just fine with that PSU. If you have used the wattage calcs and they come out under then 430, you should be set to go.

[Marke522]

As far as I know, Xion makes good stuff, I was actually considering one of thier cases before I settled on my Aspire. The thing that ended casting my vote was the 4 eggs after 3254 votes and the 995 reviews. Lots of people were please with it. That made it easier for me, and the fact that the Xion had a door covering the opticals, I hate doors.

I was thinking about this one because I like the blue over the green. That's a good decision to remove the free psu, not sure who really makes it.

[glc]

The Xion PSU's are L&C - one of the worst of the worst. Made by DEER.