Case Advice - What should I buy?

[w33tq]

I need a low budget case. Something no more than 80 bucks. That may not be hard to find; however, i'm looking for a case that comes with a good PSU, and cooling. I'm planning on putting an A7n8x - E Deluxe in it with a Barton 2500.. So I figure i need at least a 400W power supply. However, after watching a TechTV show, I learned that some PSUs are "fake." On the show, they were saying to look for a PSU that has accurate voltages and stuff. So, I don't really know where to begin other than Antec or ThermalTake, but both seems expensive for what i want. Are my specifications too demanding? or is there a case out there that has it all for a low price?

Thanks

[Cricket]

Enlight and AOpen make good cases and they come with good quality power supplies...and they cost a lot less than Antec and Thermaltake.

Cricket

[scomac]

When you say you don't want to spend more than $80, is that for just the case or the case and power supply? I have bought some things from Xoxide.com, they seem to have pretty reasonable prices. I am planning on using them when I build my dream system.

I checked for an inexpensive case, and Xoxide (Xoxide X-fireball) has a silver case with windows and lights for $47 on sale. Just to see, I added a Raidmax 420w psu, and it came out to be $87. I'm not sure how much the shipping would be. They have a wide variety of cases from just about every manufacturer. Might be worth looking into.

Scomac

[TwoRails]

I always recommend getting a large PS if your budget will allow, however, being on a budget typically means that not too much will be stuffed into the case so a 350W PS should / could be plenty.

If your not in a hurry, you can wait of sales and bargins. I've gotten many Antec cases from places like Best Buy that when on sale are only a few dollars more than buying a stand alone Antec PS.

Or you can wait for a sale at places like Newegg. My current case is an Antec mid tower I got on sale from them for $55 with PS and free shipping. It has a 120mm fan and rubber mounting on the HD bays and many other features.

Just for an example, here's a link to them for Antec cases with a price cap.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...roperty&DEPA=1

[Computer_User]

There is one thing that I have learned since browsing in the forums is that you need a good power supply. It is the source of many problems when building a computer. Here are two links that I found extremely helpful when looking for a power supply:

Power Supply Reference Guide
THE Power Supply FAQ

Hope that helps.

Computer_User

[w33tq]

Holy crap... and i thought Allied was good.. I was gonna go with them... Thanks for the FAQ and other guide... I think I know what to look for. I'm goint to stick with the guide that tells me about how much amps i should get..

I was planning on getting case with fans and the PSU for 80 or below.... maybe i'll just get an inexpensive case... and buy a PSU for it. Fans can't be too expensive... I do need a case with several fans though... at least 3

Thanks for the help

[Hi Ho]

I just bought THIS case and I am very pleased with it. It has a very high quality look and feel. The front panel is solid forged aluminum. I'd say the two fans would be plenty. I will sat that the fan that comes with it is very noisy and I did replace it. As for the power supply, I recommend either an Enlight 360w or an Enlight 420w. Both are excellent quality units and either one would have no problems running your system.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by scomac I checked for an inexpensive case, and Xoxide (Xoxide X-fireball) has a silver case with windows and lights for $47 on sale. Just to see, I added a Raidmax 420w psu, and it came out to be $87.

Don't get the Raidmax power supply, it isn't a very good quality unit.

Take a look at the info in the links Computer_User posted.

Cricket

[w33tq]

Yeah.. i saw raidmax in the list of Bad PSUs... Thanks

I'm trying to find the cheapest tower right now.. and I'm just going to add an enlight 400W PSU...

One more thing... Just because the brands posted in the "bad" section for PSU aren't recommended doesn't mean that their cases are bad as well, right? (or any of their other products)... I don't really know how to judge a case... Some look for sturdyness, but i doubt any case is going to fall apart or anything. And some people complain about air-flow. To me, all cases look the same, so how do you tell that one case has better air-flow than another?

[Moose on the Loose]

Wow. According to that calculator a 370W PSU would be enough to power an AMD64 system with 2 HD's, x800 video card, DVR-ROM, DVD-writer, 3 fans, 2 USB devices and a Soundblaster card. I always figured I should get 420 at least with that kind of a system.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by w33tq One more thing... Just because the brands posted in the "bad" section for PSU aren't recommended doesn't mean that their cases are bad as well, right? (or any of their other products)... I don't really know how to judge a case... Some look for sturdyness, but i doubt any case is going to fall apart or anything. And some people complain about air-flow. To me, all cases look the same, so how do you tell that one case has better air-flow than another?

Basically, a case is a case...but...the really cheap ones use really thin steel and can have sharp edges inside that can cut you. And sometimes the drive bays aren't quite square, so installing a drive can be a challenge. And the fan ports might only have small holes that might restrict airflow. They tend to be light and flimsy.

The better cases will generally use thicker steel or aluminum, have better quality construction (no sharp edges), the fan ports will have a more open design (less airflow restriction) and the drives will fit better in the bays. These tend to be alittle heavier and much more sturdy.

Antec cases are well made and highly regarded. Enlight cases are nice to use and are more reasonably priced. Lite-On, Inwin and Chenbro also make nice cases. I've been using AOpen cases for the past two years and really like them, but they're sort of plain looking (which is fine for the people I normally build for...they're older people in their 30's to 60's who aren't interested in fancy looks with windows, lights and stuff).

Cricket

[w33tq]

Thanks for the case info Cricket. The problem is, newegg doesn't tell you a lot of information about material and the stuff you specified. I'll look out for those companies though. Haven't look at Aopen or Lite-on. I have to find a retail store that sells cases so i can actually feel them.

[Panama Red]

Here's the place I've been buying cases lately. Unlike Newegg and ZZF, they ship cases without any additional freight charges. Here's a nice looking Antec with a 350Watt Antec psu, 3 year warranty on both components, black case with 2 front usb's. - $68 shipped. Same case at Newegg is $65 plus $15 shipping. Save yourself $12!

http://shop.upgradesource.com/produc...roducts_id=801

[w33tq]

sweet. Thanks PR... I think i will look at cases there.. But I think i'm gonna stay with my changed mind to buy a PSU and Case separately. I did find a nice Antec case with 4 fans and is Full ATX.

[eltoroh]

so buying a thermaltake with a psu isn't good?

or is it the price may be to high?

just trying to undersand

[w33tq]

That thermaltake case that i posted above from Newegg.com was too expensive... Instead i got a really big Antec Case with a 420W ThermalTake PSU for about 30 bucks cheaper..

I'd say anything thermaltake is good... Just somethings are a little pricey (for me atleast)

EDIT: Actually.. it looks like i didn't post the case that i wanted originally..... http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...133-126&depa=0

The case i did buy: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-124&depa=0

The power supply i bought: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...153-006&DEPA=0

[eltoroh]

cool.

for some reason, i'm feeling those V's

[ROYP123]

Hey Panama Red- good site. Thanks. That is the same case I bought from Newegg for 71.00 plus 15.99 shipping. Nice case. 19.00 savings tho- not 12.