I need help picking a case

[jkenny]

I currently have an Intel P4, 2.8 Gig wih 800 MHz FSB. I have an Audigy 2 sound card and a SONY DVD +/- RW, CD-RW and a second CD-RW drive. My motherboard is an ASUS P4C 800 Deluxe. My video card is an ATI AIW 9700. I am looking for a compatible case with a min 400W power supply. I would also like dual front USB 2.0. Please advise and send links if possilbe. Not looking to break the bank here.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Cheiftec Dragon - Midi range should suit you. Great, roomy, intelligently designed cases that make workign in them a joy, they also have great cooling areas.

As for a PSU, you may be able to find th ecases sold with em, but if not a 420W PSU from Antec, Hiper, Enermax or sparkle will serve you well

--Jakk:t

[DocEvi1]

Yup I agree, lovely cases. You could also have a look at www.addtronics.com, some more fine cases.

Have a look at www.quietpc.com for some superb PSU's

Stefan

[jkenny]

Item #3418574457 on ebay seems to fit what I need at a nice price. What do you guys think?

[HaroldW]

JKenny:

I looked at the case you mentioned on EBay. It has a lot of nice features and I suspect you like the "look" of it. I am suspicious of the quality of the power supply. Just because a power supply has a high wattage rating does not necessarily mean it can handle a high load, or produce clean, quality (minimal electrical noise and well within industry standard ATX voltage tollerances.) electricity to the internal components of your system.

Going to two distributers I trust (Newegg and Directron) the cheapest I can find any 500watt power supply is about $70. I found the PowerTek 500watt power supply at a "Yahoo store" for $38. I searched the Internet for about 15 minutes and I could not find a website for PowerTek PC Power Supplies or any reviews of them. All of the above make me even more suspicious about the power supply.

I am a firm believer in you "get what you pay for". At that price I do not think it is a "quality" power supply and/or the case may be "paper thin" (read flimsy.)
Lastly, the distributer is making money on shipping. It should only be $15-$20 not $30.

You could go ahead, buy it and take your chances. You might get lucky and the power supply may be OK.

[jkenny]

HaroldW:

Thanks for the input. I was kinda thinking the same thing which is why I asked the question. I looked at the ones Jakk suggested, but I was really hoping to not have to spend more than 100 bucks for the case and power supply. I am definitely open to other suggestions.

Also, just a plain looking case would be great. I don't need/want flashing lights or any of that jazz.


Jim

[Izdaari]

Just a plain high quality case with a 400W high quality PS and all for under $100? We can do that! (Hope you like black.)

Antec SX1040BII (http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=11-129-120-02.JPG/11-129-120-03.JPG/11-129-120-04.JPG/11-129-120-05.JPG/11-129-120-06.JPG/11-129-120-07.JPG/11-129-120-08.JPG/11-129-120-09.JPG/11-129-120-10.JPG/11-129-120-01.JPG), $89.99 at New Egg + $18 shipping. (Well, it is big and really heavy so I guess that's fair.)

Also the Chenming models (same design as this Antec and the Chieftec Dragon) with the 420W PS are ok.

[G]

Hi jkenny,

I have earmarked the ASUS P4C800 Deluxe for my new system build. Is it as good as it seems? In addition, there are optional extras, e.g., FireWire, audio and the like, but what are the MB codes to differentiate one board option configuration from the others. I did send an email to ASUS but I have not received a reply.

Thanks.
G

[BipolarBill]

Very good and reasonable case:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16811129122

Cheaper:

http://www.yesmicro.com/shop/product.aspx?pid=2746492&sgd=1115&SEID=1

YesMicro has a very good rep too.

[cbh]

If you want to save money, then choose a cheaper one.