Selecting a Case

[Sios]

This fall I will be going off to college and I decided that assembling my own PC would not only be cost-effective, but a very enjoyable experience. After doing some research, reading countless reviews/tech threads, and asking questions, I think I have assembled an ideal PC. Yet, I have hit a impasse with selecting my case. So, after perusing these forums for quite some time, I'm going to post the problem and see if anyone can help out.

After considering several cases, I originally settled on ASPIRE Turbo Case X-Dreamer Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply. At first glance, this case fulfilled all of my needs. When considering a case, I had the following things in mind:

• Given my system specs (see below), 350W seemed reasonable.
• As space is going to be limited, I wanted to get a mid-tower.
• This case provides CD covers which will allow me to have freedom in selecting future CD/DVD drives down the road.
• There is a temperature reading on the front of the case, which in conjunction with my heatsink/fan combo, would allow me to manually adjust the fan speed according to the temperature readout and keep the machine as quiet as possible.
• I wanted a sleek, almost professional design free all of the garish LEDs that seem to dominate the market. A simple polished metal was my top choice.

However, I have encountered the following problems: According to a wattage calculator, my system will run at a maximum of about 310W with several USB ports active. While this seems to be cutting it close (I know maximum efficiency will be hard to come by), I figured that 350W would be proficient. That was until I saw the thread that listed Aspire's PSUs as "bad." This has made me second guess the power supply. Normally, I would simply upgrade to a case with a 380W or 400W PSU, yet there aren't any that meet the above criteria I used in selecting this case in the first place. Additionally, I've discovered that Aspire does not provide a manual which only leaves me fairly confident as a first time builder. With $1,000 of hardware at my fingertips, I would prefer being more than just "fairly confident." I'm not even entirely sure whether or not it has a pull-out motherboard tray.

This leaves me with few cost-effective solutions. I could always replace the PSU, yet I don't think putting down $30.00 for a PSU in $46 case is economical. I could possiblyinstall a temperature gauge into a different case; however, I don't even know if they exist independently from cases. At this point, I am open for any suggestions.

To anyone that helps, I am sincerely grateful--you will undoubtedly save me from hours of frustration.

System Specifications
DVD Drive - Sony 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, Model DWU18A Black Bazel w/ Software - OEM
Heatsink/Fan - Thermaltake P4 Spark 7+ (Xaser Edition) Highest Performance Copper CPU Cooler, w/ Temp.Controler
Hard Drive - Western Digital Special Edition 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD1200JB, OEM Drive Only
Memory - Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - OEM
Modem - Encore 56K V.92 Internal PCI Fax Modem(NetoDragon), Model ENF656-ESW-NDPR - Retail
Motherboard - ASUS "P4P800-E Deluxe" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL
Wireless Card - LINKSYS 54Mbps Wireless-G PCI Ethernet Adapter, Model WMP54G
CPU Intel Pentium 4/ 3.0E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - OEM
Sound Card - Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL
Video Card - ASUS nVIDIA GeForce FX5700 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "V9570/TD" -RETAIL

[TennBikeBerk]

Looks like a nice case that fits all your needs. The easiest thing would just be to throw in a Enlight 360W PSU and not have to worry about anything.

[Sanguimancer]

I am using a Lian Li PC-60 aluminum case and it suits me very well. It may not, however, be as big as you seem to want your case to be. As for the temperature gauge, I don't know how effective the ones on the outside of a case are, I think you are probably better going with the temp. gauge on your motherboard, it is more accurate. If you are just going for the look of the temperature gauges, they do make them separately, but I don't know where to get them. I'm sure somebody on here does though.

[Sios]

Easiest, yes. I simply hope that there is some other way than having to spend about $80 on a case/PSU that doesn't seem worth it.

As for the temperature gauge, I don't know how effective the ones on the outside of a case are, I think you are probably better going with the temp. gauge on your motherboard,

You see, this is why I need to post these things. I didn't have the slightest idea that my motherboard would provide a temperature read-out by itself. Thanks, I think you just saved me a lot of unnecessary trouble.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Sios Additionally, I've discovered that Aspire does not provide a manual which only leaves me fairly confident as a first time builder.

Don't worry about that, most cases don't really come with a "manual", only a sheet of paper telling what should have come in the box with the case and maybe an exploded picture of the case. It's not really a manual in any sense of the word.

Originally Posted by Sios I'm not even entirely sure whether or not it has a pull-out motherboard tray.

That's not a big deal either. It's not that hard to build a computer into a case without a removeable motherboard tray. Besides, how often would you use that feature anyway? Once? Twice? Nothing to worry about.

Originally Posted by Sios This leaves me with few cost-effective solutions. I could always replace the PSU, yet I don't think putting down $30.00 for a PSU in $46 case is economical.

Maybe not economical, but wise since a poor quality power supply could end up costing you a lot more if it blows and takes your computer with it.

Originally Posted by Sios I could possiblyinstall a temperature gauge into a different case; however, I don't even know if they exist independently from cases. At this point, I am open for any suggestions.

They do exist but aren't absolutely necessary. If you really do need to monitor your temps (for whatever reason), there are temp gauges that mount into an unused 5.25 drive bay opening. But don't obsess about computer temps...it can be distracting and you won't enjoy your new computer as much as you could if you're constantly fretting over every 1 degree rise in temperature.

Cricket

[Sios]

Ah, I was hoping that you would reply here, Cricket. You have relieved me of several concerns and given me relative peace of mind. After spending the past twenty minutes looking at different cases, I have found a very competitively priced case (free shipping helps quite a bit): Cooler Master Centurion 2 Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case, Model "CAC-T02-UW". From there, I'm going to buy an independent PSU that is actually of decent quality. For an estimated 310W peak usage, would a Sparkle Power "Power Q" 350W Power Supply, MODEL "ATX-350GU" -OEM be sufficient, or should I seek an even higher capacity?

[Hi Ho]

I have that Centurion 2 case and I am very happy with it. The front panel is made of solid forged aluminum and looks very sharp and upscale. That Sparkle should work fine but if you want some extra room for upgrades you could always get an Enlight 420w. I can't stress enough the importance of a good quality power supply. Most cases come with generics. The only cases that I know of that come with good quality power supplies are Enlight, Antec, and Aopen.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Sios For an estimated 310W peak usage, would a Sparkle Power "Power Q" 350W Power Supply, MODEL "ATX-350GU" -OEM be sufficient, or should I seek an even higher capacity?

The 350 watt Sparkle should be more than adequate for your system, but if you're even remotely thinking of overclocking that system you may want to get a 400 watts or larger power supply.

Cricket