Choosing a case..

[trevclem]

What are the differences between these cases? Any input is appreciated!

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
bundled with a Antec earthwatts EA380 380W ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

AND

Antec NSK4480B Black 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Retail

Both are listed on newegg.com for 79.99 (Case and bundled PSU, and Case with PSU).

I'm building a $400-450 computer (without Keyboard, mouse, optical drive or monitor) for everyday use. No gaming, some photo editing and casual music listening. I've been researching a lot and will probably post the rest of my components in a bit for some feedback.

Thanks!!

TC

EDIT: I just realized I didn't factor shipping. I think the NSK is a good choice for the $$.

[not important]

One of my PC's is in the Antec 300 and I really like it. Plenty of room, excellent cooling and decent cable management.

[minsonngo]

I have the Antec 300 enclosing my security system and it is a nice looking case all around.


Unless one of them has some particular feature you are looking for. Either one you choose is a good choice.

[freakitchen]

There's nothing wrong with the NSK series at all, I use them for all my 'standard' builds. They'll take a full size ATX motherboard. The 300 is a nice case but I'd personally only go to the extra expense if the system I was building demanded a more powerful PSU than those bundled with the NSKs, or perhaps more options for multiple hard drives / better cooling.

[Cricket]

The chassis for the NSK4480B is fairly dated but proven. It's reasonable sturdy with a standard layout (PSU on top) and has pretty decent cooling. It's noticeably smaller than the Three Hundred and won't be as easy to work on since the interior space is tighter.

The chassis for the Three Hundred follows the non-standard layout (PSU on bottom) but has better cooling characterists. It's bigger than the NSK4480B but the front drive cage may get in the way if you have large hands. The Three Hundred holds more drives.

Between the two I think the Three Hundred is the better case choice.

Cricket

[Khalil]

Antec 300 I have tried and they are excellent cases. The other one is dated as Cricket suggested. The 380 Watt power supply is not a good one from Antec, thats not one made by Seasonic and I would steer away from it.

[trevclem]

Bummer, too late. I'll just force myself to like my NSK. HOWEVER---I'll be building a new computer for my sister later this year. Perhaps I'll give her the NSK and order the 300 for myself ;-)

[freakitchen]

Originally Posted by Khalil Antec 300 I have tried and they are excellent cases. The other one is dated as Cricket suggested. The 380 Watt power supply is not a good one from Antec, thats not one made by Seasonic and I would steer away from it.

Got a source / any info on the EA-380 Khalil? When they were released, I read that all the Earthwatts units were Seasonic made, though with the latest EA-650, they've apparently changed to Delta for the OEM (I don't know whether that's only for this specific model, or for the entire range). I'm interested purely because I use and recommend the NSK cases, heck, I've built at least 5 machines in them over the past 18 months, all running an EA-380w with no reported issues.

[bd1886]

Same here as to having only the best experiences with the EA380. It's reputation is great. Guess an other Antec 380W (not sure if it was the True or the Smart Power) had issues. Definitely not the EA380 though.

[chuck4456]

are good cases.
I don't like the fake grill up top and it doesn't come with a floppy face plate or adapter, and you have to use a small screwdriver or pencil tip to press in the reset button, but nothing is perfect for that price. You can live with minor stuff like that and always buy a floppy adapter or plug a floppy in when you want to update a BIOS.
They are fantastic looking cases.
I've used 2 and will probably go with another one someday.