Advice needed on 1st case selection

[beancow2]

I'm trying to put together my first build, what do you all think of this case? It seems like it has a good set of fans and enough bays. I know a lot of case choice is personal, my second/third choice is also listed below it. Please give any pros/cons on either, I would appreciate the advice! Thanks!

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA21351
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA23763
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA21973

(This will probably be for an Intel build - debating between an E6420 and E6600.)

Also, I have 3 choices from Mwave because I've seen their service option to build it for me. ($79 I think) I've been doing hours/days of research to try and pick the components but don't feel confident enough to do the physical build myself. (wiring, etc) Any advice on having mwave or any other recommendations for ordering and having someone build it for me? Thanks!

[freakitchen]

Looking at your choices there, you obviously want something more 'interesting' than the standard computer case. I personally think that Thermaltake offer a good balance between 'bling' and quality - two things which don't always compliment each other!

Whatever you choose, for optimal cooling I'd recommend something with 2x120mm fans - one intake, one exhaust. Finally, don't plan on using a power supply that comes with any of those flashy cases - they're junk. Figure the cost of a quality unit into your build budget.

[Staren]

I'd agree with everything Freakitchen said. Thermaltake is the brand leader of the three. They've built a pretty good rep for quality. Also happens to be my personal fav manufacturer for looks in the price range.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by beancow2 I'm trying to put together my first build, what do you all think of this case? It seems like it has a good set of fans and enough bays. I know a lot of case choice is personal, my second/third choice is also listed below it. Please give any pros/cons on either, I would appreciate the advice! Thanks! http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA21351 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA23763 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec....iteria=BA21973!

I'd go with the Thermaltake too. I think the other two cases are ugly.

Originally Posted by beancow2 Also, I have 3 choices from Mwave because I've seen their service option to build it for me. ($79 I think) I've been doing hours/days of research to try and pick the components but don't feel confident enough to do the physical build myself. (wiring, etc) Any advice on having mwave or any other recommendations for ordering and having someone build it for me? Thanks!

The hardest part of building a computer is selecting the right parts that will be compatible and build up into a computer that will do what you want. Assembling the parts together is actually the easy part. Don't be afraid to do the actual build yourself...HAL9000's daughter built one when she was like only 7 years old.

About having someone else build your computer for you...I had MWave assemble the motherboard, CPU, CPU heatsink and RAM for me way back when and when I got the parts I saw a nice big scratch in the motherboard PCB near the CPU socket...it looked like the tech was trying to attach the clip for the Socket 370 heatsink and the screwdriver slipped and whacked the motherboard...luckily the system still worked but I decided there and then that I would never have anyone else assemble any of my computers ever again.

Assemble the computer yourself...you can do it.

Cricket

[Staren]

It really is not as hard you'd think. I was freaked out my first build too, but it went together great, and I'm now on Crickets view about my computers. No one touches them but me. I know what's in them, what's been done to them, and what exactly they're capable of. It's a great peace of mind when you depend on the hardware day in and day out.

[beancow2]

I definetly appreciate the advice, I hadn't really thought of doing the physical build myself, however, now you have me thinking. I'm not very technically inclined, however, I do love a good project and would love to be able to build it all myself. If I was to do so, I think I would want some good resources though. Can anyone recommend some good places to find very detailed guides in doing a build? Something with some pics would be great. And how much would the process vary by differing components/brands? Thanks for your encouragement, I'd love to be able to do my first build self-sufficiently.

[minsonngo]

Here is a good guide to start out with:

http://www.pcmech.com/show/build/282/

[doubledragon5]

That Thermaltake is real nice, and be sure to choose a good quality psu.. Most new to computer building tend to save on the psu, by buying low quality thinking there just as good when in fact there not.. A poor quality psu can ruin a entire system, and I'm sure you don't want to shell out more money for all new parts.. Here is a guide that we recommend here when deciding on which psu to add to your parts list.. This is a guide that will help you make the right decision..

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by beancow2 I definetly appreciate the advice, I hadn't really thought of doing the physical build myself, however, now you have me thinking. I'm not very technically inclined, however, I do love a good project and would love to be able to build it all myself. If I was to do so, I think I would want some good resources though. Can anyone recommend some good places to find very detailed guides in doing a build? Something with some pics would be great.

This tutorial has lots of pictures.

Originally Posted by beancow2 And how much would the process vary by differing components/brands?

Not much...most of the parts are interchangeable between an AMD and INTEL build (hard drive, video card, optical drives) but the CPU heatsink installation will be brand specific. The one area that messes up new builders is connecting the wires from the front of the case to the front panel header of the motherboard. Just study the diagram in the motherboard manual and take your time and you should be fine.

Oh, a case that uses drive rails can be confusing too...the rails bolt onto the drives and then the whole assembly just slides into the drive bay.

Cricket

[minsonngo]

Also... most of the parts you purchase will come with detailed instructions specific to the component... just make sure you look it over carefully to get a feel of what to do first... and use the manuals as a guide while you work on your build and you will be fine.

[jer888]

yeah the "wiring" isnt really wiring. All you are doing is plugging in molex connectors to the accsesories, a big connector to the motherboard, a small connector to the motherboard, and then the SATA cables from your optical to motherboard and hard drive to motherboard. The wires from the front of the case are simple to. All you have to do is look them up in the motherboard manual. Theres no sodering or anything needed

[beancow2]

Well I certainly appreciate all your great feedback, I'm going to spend some time studying the links you guys provided. If I'm going to feel confident doing the build myself, I'll want to do more research, I've only been learning about all the components for the last month or two now. But I surely appreciate the encouraging words and I'll be continuing to study all of your helpful threads here over the next month or two until I'm ready to start buying parts. Thanks!!!

[minsonngo]

If you have any questions... feel free to ask!

[Jared4781]

Door #3 ... err, Case #3 would be the one I would go with.

[beancow2]

Almost decided on my case, just wanting to see if you guys can help me find the real differences between these Thermal Take cases. Price difference is about 25-30$, so I'm wondering what you get for the higher tag? Thanks for all the input you give give on this one!

Thermaltake SOPRANO VB1000BWS Black 0.8 mm SECC Chassis, Plastic Front Door ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133145

Thermaltake Soprano DX VE7000BWS Black 0.8mm SECC Chassis/ Aluminum Front Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $105.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133040

Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $115.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133132

I really like these cases, I'm just trying to determine the fine print differences between them to know if it's worth the extra $25-30 or so for the higher priced ones, since they all look about the same, what am I getting for the $$???? Thanks!

[minsonngo]

Looks like the only difference between the first two Soprano cases is the first has a plastic front door and the second one has a aluminum front bezel.

And the Tsunami is completely aluminum whereas the first two are SECC (Steel, Electrogalvanized, Cold-rolled, Coil) which is a type of metal prized for its low-cost and high thermal conduction properties. People just prefer aluminum because of its appearance and its light weight compared to steel. They both have the same cooling properties.


Any one of those will be fine. Thermaltake cases are pretty nice.

[Cricket]

The biggest difference I can see is that the Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA is made of aluminum while the other two are made of SECC steel. Other than that they appear to be nearly the same case. Any other these would be a nice case to use for a new build...you have to decide which one you want.

Cricket