will this old case + power supply work with an upgrade?

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spiffy_malice

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Oct 27, 2014
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So way back in the beginning of 2006 I bought myself a complete system from the now defunct Monarch Computers. In late 2008, I stripped out everything except the hard drive and built my own system with a magazine how-to guide and Newegg parts. It is now (checks calender) end of 1014 and for the most part, I've been using my tablet laptop for most things computing, so I'm a bit out of the loop for desktop parts 'n stuff. I'm starting to check out motherboard/cpu/memory bundles, to maybe save a bit of money and hassle, but the first question that seems pretty relevant is ...

My case is a mid-size Antec Sonata II ( http://www.antec.com/pdf/manuals/SonataII_En.pdf ), my PS a Corsair 650W CMPSU-650TX. I'd really like to hang on to these if I can and save cost, but I have no idea, is this 8.5-year-old case and 6yr-old PS still compatible with all the new mobos and graphics cards out there (currently my GTX260 is snug, but it fits) ? Will all the screw holes and power feeds and component sizes still play nice?

Thanks folks.
 
Solution
geofelt
Times have changed. The i5/i7 chips run much cooler than whatever you have.
Ditto for the graphics card. A GTX970 will run cooler than your GTX280 card.
They are typically shorter too. 10.5" would be typical.
If you have no cooling issue now, you are likely OK.
If you should encounter an issue, you can remove the case covers and that will fix the problem temporatily.

I would pick a evga GTX970 with the stock blower cooler. A blower will get heat out the back of the case quickly and require less case cooling.

Mid size cases intended for gaming have developed to include front air intakes with two 120mm or larger fans. That is sufficient.

If size is an issue to you, consider a smaller M-ATX motherboard and case.
Your case measures...
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geofelt

geofelt

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Your psu is still good. Corsair tx is tier 2
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true
It will run any modern high powered gaming graphics card .

I like Antec cases, it will fit any modern ATX or smaller motherboard.
If you will be playing games and want a strong graphics card, then perhaps you will want a casw with better cooling airflow capabilities. For normal desktop usage the case is good.

For normal desktop usage, your GTX260 is good.

I might suggest that the most satisfying upgrade for normal desktop usage is a SSD. It makes everything you do so much quicker.
What is now actually installed? cpu/mobo/hdd, ram?
What will you want to do mostly?
 
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spiffy_malice

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Oct 27, 2014
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Thanks! I'm assuming I'll want to get an i5-i7 based CPU, and probably a geforce based graphics card (GTX970 maybe? Is it bigger than my current GTX260, or just hotter?).

Good to know the case is still good but as for cooling.... I don't want a bigger case, is there something fundamental in the way mid-sized cases have developped for cooling airlfow architecture in the last 8 years? Because yeah, ideally I'd just keep the one I have.
 
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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A case only needs replaced when it no longer fits your needs or is physically broken.

As stated earlier your PSU is a good psu so it should still perform fine. It likely wont handle trying to squeze 650w out of it regularly, but if your system pulls 550w or less then you will be completely fine.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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You should be able to squeeze a GTX 970 into your case. You will probably want to stick with Evga, as they seem to be the shorter ones. I believe other brands are longer than your current card. They use very little power compared to many other cards. Your PSU will handle a GTX 970 and an i5/i7/Xeon 1230v3 or better, without issue.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,295
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174,240
Times have changed. The i5/i7 chips run much cooler than whatever you have.
Ditto for the graphics card. A GTX970 will run cooler than your GTX280 card.
They are typically shorter too. 10.5" would be typical.
If you have no cooling issue now, you are likely OK.
If you should encounter an issue, you can remove the case covers and that will fix the problem temporatily.

I would pick a evga GTX970 with the stock blower cooler. A blower will get heat out the back of the case quickly and require less case cooling.

Mid size cases intended for gaming have developed to include front air intakes with two 120mm or larger fans. That is sufficient.

If size is an issue to you, consider a smaller M-ATX motherboard and case.
Your case measures 16.8" x 18.3" x 8.2"
The Silverstone TJ08E that I use measures 15.16" x 8.27" x 14.72"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163182
The similar PS-07 costs a bit less:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163186
Both have good intake fans behind washable intake filters.
Both can handle full sized air coolers and other standard parts.
 
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