- May 7, 2010
- 2,830
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I recently got a new table to use as a desk, which prompted me to switch from a cube-style case on top of the desk to a tower-style case below the table. However, I had forgotten how difficult it was to build in the Silverstone Raven 3 case, mainly because of the small cable routing slots that I'm forced to use because of the weird psu mounting position. I also developed some problems that I'm guessing mean I inadvertently damaged my motherboard (mostly detailed in this thread, but also my ps/2 mouse stopped working (though I'm not sure whether it's the mouse that went bad or the port on my motherboard), and my wi-fi connection has cut out several times today (though this might be because I had to remove one of my wi-fi antennas to be able to both connect hdmi to my video card and get the top cover of the case on)).
My current plan is to use the following from my spare components:
ASRock H61M-VS motherboard
Intel Core i5-2500k
Rosewill RNX-H150G wi-fi adapter
I'll re-use my ssd, hdd, odd, psu, and one of my gtx 780s (and keep the other as a spare), and buy the following components:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0556 39.7 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($15.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($27.98 @ Amazon)
Other: Silverstone Tek Internal 19-Pin USB3.0 to USB2.0 Adapter Cable (G11303050-RT) ($12.66)
Total: $116.62
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-17 00:29 EDT-0400)
I know the cpu cooler I chose isn't much better than stock, but 1. I didn't keep my stock coolers, 2. I don't trust plastic push-pins to hold a cpu cooler in, and 3. It has a thermal pad included, so I figure it has less risk of the thermal grease getting onto the motherboard compared to using the tube of grease that came with my Hyper 212 EVO. Also, I have no intention of overclocking.
The sound card is so I can get 5.1-channel audio to my Logitech Z506 speakers; as far as I can tell, the ASRock H61M-VS doesn't support that.
Here is what I'm looking for in the case, which I think makes the Corsair 200R a good choice:
Must be possible to fully assemble system in case laid flat with only one side open (needing to mount the cpu cooler before putting the motherboard in the case is fine though)
I want minimal lighting, so I can run the computer at night without it keeping me awake (I had an Antec 900 before and couldn't stand the front LED fans). LED fans that allow turning off the LED would be okay though.
ATX Full Tower or ATX Mid Tower (26 inch max height, less if it has any vertically-mounted ports, 26 inch max depth, somewhat flexible about width)
I'm not picky about color - as long as it isn't likely to trigger legal or medical issues, that's good enough for me.
I'd prefer one without a power supply - psus that come preinstalled cases are often poor quality.
I don't care whether it has a side panel window or front panel usb 3.0 ports. (I would at least like front usb 2.0 ports, though)
I want support for ATX boards, even if I don't put one in right away. I wouldn't mind support for EATX boards.
I don't expect to need more than one optical drive, one ssd, and one mechanical hard drive, so mounts for those are enough.
I used to think "tool-less" mounting for cases was overrated, but since I might have damaged my motherboard by slipping with a tool or something, it might be worth looking for this time. I'd be impressed if I could find a case that was 100% toolless.
Intake filters/grills should be easy to remove and clean (without having to remove side/front panels).
I don't want a door to open to access the optical drive.
Budget: If I can get it under $100 without sacrificing too much like ease of build or airflow, that would be best. I'd prefer to at least keep it under $150, but you might be able to persuade me that stretching a little higher would be worth it.
Please let me know if you think my plan is good, if you think I made a mistake somewhere in it, if you have alternatives to suggest, or if you have any questions about it, thanks.
My current plan is to use the following from my spare components:
ASRock H61M-VS motherboard
Intel Core i5-2500k
Rosewill RNX-H150G wi-fi adapter
I'll re-use my ssd, hdd, odd, psu, and one of my gtx 780s (and keep the other as a spare), and buy the following components:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0556 39.7 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($15.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($27.98 @ Amazon)
Other: Silverstone Tek Internal 19-Pin USB3.0 to USB2.0 Adapter Cable (G11303050-RT) ($12.66)
Total: $116.62
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-17 00:29 EDT-0400)
I know the cpu cooler I chose isn't much better than stock, but 1. I didn't keep my stock coolers, 2. I don't trust plastic push-pins to hold a cpu cooler in, and 3. It has a thermal pad included, so I figure it has less risk of the thermal grease getting onto the motherboard compared to using the tube of grease that came with my Hyper 212 EVO. Also, I have no intention of overclocking.
The sound card is so I can get 5.1-channel audio to my Logitech Z506 speakers; as far as I can tell, the ASRock H61M-VS doesn't support that.
Here is what I'm looking for in the case, which I think makes the Corsair 200R a good choice:
Must be possible to fully assemble system in case laid flat with only one side open (needing to mount the cpu cooler before putting the motherboard in the case is fine though)
I want minimal lighting, so I can run the computer at night without it keeping me awake (I had an Antec 900 before and couldn't stand the front LED fans). LED fans that allow turning off the LED would be okay though.
ATX Full Tower or ATX Mid Tower (26 inch max height, less if it has any vertically-mounted ports, 26 inch max depth, somewhat flexible about width)
I'm not picky about color - as long as it isn't likely to trigger legal or medical issues, that's good enough for me.
I'd prefer one without a power supply - psus that come preinstalled cases are often poor quality.
I don't care whether it has a side panel window or front panel usb 3.0 ports. (I would at least like front usb 2.0 ports, though)
I want support for ATX boards, even if I don't put one in right away. I wouldn't mind support for EATX boards.
I don't expect to need more than one optical drive, one ssd, and one mechanical hard drive, so mounts for those are enough.
I used to think "tool-less" mounting for cases was overrated, but since I might have damaged my motherboard by slipping with a tool or something, it might be worth looking for this time. I'd be impressed if I could find a case that was 100% toolless.
Intake filters/grills should be easy to remove and clean (without having to remove side/front panels).
I don't want a door to open to access the optical drive.
Budget: If I can get it under $100 without sacrificing too much like ease of build or airflow, that would be best. I'd prefer to at least keep it under $150, but you might be able to persuade me that stretching a little higher would be worth it.
Please let me know if you think my plan is good, if you think I made a mistake somewhere in it, if you have alternatives to suggest, or if you have any questions about it, thanks.
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