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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Systems > New Build > [Solved] Case opinions?

[Solved] Case opinions?

Forum Systems : New Build [Solved] Case opinions?

Best answer from wielander.

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Approximate Purchase Date: opportunistic, grabbing parts as good deals are perceived - before xmas 2010.

Budget Range: Under $1000 TTL, etc.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: general home PC, web, docs, home photo, some games (preschool), view videos, music, accounting, *maybe some work - web application development*

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, DVD/CD burner

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg is good enough to get an idea

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: name brand, quality parts preferred

Overclocking: Not necessary

SLI or Crossfire: Not necessary

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 (minimum desired) (2 monitors eventually)

Additional Comments: a quiet PC is always good, a case with room to upgrade. Idea is to buy at the bottom with core components that can handle today's best. When today's best is a bargain in 3 years - upgrade the processor/video card/power supply/RAM/etc as needed.

OS - Not much to change with this one.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116754 ] Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM [/url]
$100.00

Motherboard - Thought here is that it has USB3.0 and can handle plenty of RAM,will accept a top notch video card, will accept todays high and low end AMD processors.
GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$100.00


Processor - a good processor for a good price
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103706 ]AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor ADX620WFGIBOX [/url]
$90.00

SSD HD - because changing the system HD is such a pain, it's worth it to me to get the SSD that I know I want now at build time...or it just might never happen.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820167027 ] Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM [/url]
$190.00

RAM - Contemplating just 2GB here, but I know that going from 2 to 4 for $40 is worth it - so rather than debate it - I'll just do it and prevent myself from being able to complain about it later.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148262 ] Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 [/url]
$90

VideoCard - just a simple video card that will handle basic tasks easily and allow me to plug in 2 monitors.
SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$75.00

Case - and power supply - this is where I don't really have much of an opinion. I want a case that provides plenty of room for my fat fingers to build this PC. I have a Fry's about 5 min away - so I'll be able to get whatever extra cables I might need. I'm not sold on this combo, I'd be willing to get just a case and locate a premium power supply...but I don't really know what that means.
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-OWR460 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case RS-460-PSAR-J3, Elite 460W Power Supply
$70.00

What I'd like help with is the Case and Power Supply.

Power supply option 1 would be a quality supply that is slightly over powered for the above system as-is (as opposed to slightly underpowered).
Power supply option 2 would be a quality supply that is oversized to accommodate the growth potential in processor and video card.

For the case, I'm more interested in it's general convenience - ease of build - convenience of ports (front USB, etc) - anything to consider with USB 3?

Thanks in advance for any comments!
K

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by kphagen on 09-25-2010 at 04:05:49 AM

kphagen wrote :

SSD HD - because changing the system HD is such a pain, it's worth it to me to get the SSD that I know I want now at build time...or it just might never happen.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820167027 ] Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM [/url]
$190.00


The Sandforce and SSDs are newer, much faster, and about the same price.

OCZ Agility 2 60GB SSD
$128 after $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Mushkin Callisto 60GB SSD
$135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

G.Skill Pheonix 80GB SSD
$203
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

RAM - Contemplating just 2GB here, but I know that going from 2 to 4 for $40 is worth it - so rather than debate it - I'll just do it and prevent myself from being able to complain about it later.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148262 ] Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 [/url]
$90


The 4GB ram kits are a much better value. Don't feel like you have to choose DDR3 1333; DDR3 1600 will run fine at DDR3 1333 and is occasionally cheaper. Lower latency ram is higher performance, but you may not notice the difference. The kit you have linked isn't a very good value.

Bargain:
Mushkin 4GB DDR3 1333 CL9 1.5v (Top shelf brand, very reliable, DDR3 doesn't need heatsinks)
$70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Higher Performance:
Mushkin Silverline 4GB DDR3 1600 CL7 1.65v (Lower latency, higher speed)
$85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

VideoCard - just a simple video card that will handle basic tasks easily and allow me to plug in 2 monitors.
SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$75.00


You can get the latest generation card, the HD 5670, for less. It's higher performance and higher efficiency.

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB Video Card
$70 after a $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Or you could save money with the lower end HD5550.

PowerColor Radeon HD 5550 512MB Video Card
$45 after a $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

Case - and power supply - this is where I don't really have much of an opinion. I want a case that provides plenty of room for my fat fingers to build this PC. I have a Fry's about 5 min away - so I'll be able to get whatever extra cables I might need. I'm not sold on this combo, I'd be willing to get just a case and locate a premium power supply...but I don't really know what that means.
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-OWR460 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case RS-460-PSAR-J3, Elite 460W Power Supply
$70.00

What I'd like help with is the Case and Power Supply.

Power supply option 1 would be a quality supply that is slightly over powered for the above system as-is (as opposed to slightly underpowered).
Power supply option 2 would be a quality supply that is oversized to accommodate the growth potential in processor and video card.

For the case, I'm more interested in it's general convenience - ease of build - convenience of ports (front USB, etc) - anything to consider with USB 3?


Buy your power supply separately. You don't want to trust all of your new computer components to a generic power supply. I would highly recommend an 80 plus power supply. It will save you money on your electric bills while also being necessarily higher quality. This one would suit your needs nicely:

OCZ ModXStream 500W 80 PLUS Certified Modular Power Supply (Modular cables are very convenient)
$47 after $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] eam%20500w

w/OCZ 4GB DDR3 1600 CL8
$97 after $35 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.492805

600W w/Your motherboard
$131 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.510652

600W w/Windows 7 HP x64
$132 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.507050

600W w/Radeon HD5670
$92 after $30 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.506103

600W w/Lite On 24X SATA DVD Burner
$54 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.511529

Don't worry about USB3 when it comes to cases. It has only been integrated into a few expensive cases. You can add front ports in a bay later.

Good, cheap case with plenty of room for fat fingers:

NZXT Gamma
w/Windows 7 HP x64
$133
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 11-146-061

Register or log in to remove.
Best answer

kphagen wrote :

SSD HD - because changing the system HD is such a pain, it's worth it to me to get the SSD that I know I want now at build time...or it just might never happen.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820167027 ] Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM [/url]
$190.00


The Sandforce and SSDs are newer, much faster, and about the same price.

OCZ Agility 2 60GB SSD
$128 after $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Mushkin Callisto 60GB SSD
$135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

G.Skill Pheonix 80GB SSD
$203
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

RAM - Contemplating just 2GB here, but I know that going from 2 to 4 for $40 is worth it - so rather than debate it - I'll just do it and prevent myself from being able to complain about it later.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148262 ] Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 [/url]
$90


The 4GB ram kits are a much better value. Don't feel like you have to choose DDR3 1333; DDR3 1600 will run fine at DDR3 1333 and is occasionally cheaper. Lower latency ram is higher performance, but you may not notice the difference. The kit you have linked isn't a very good value.

Bargain:
Mushkin 4GB DDR3 1333 CL9 1.5v (Top shelf brand, very reliable, DDR3 doesn't need heatsinks)
$70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Higher Performance:
Mushkin Silverline 4GB DDR3 1600 CL7 1.65v (Lower latency, higher speed)
$85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

VideoCard - just a simple video card that will handle basic tasks easily and allow me to plug in 2 monitors.
SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$75.00


You can get the latest generation card, the HD 5670, for less. It's higher performance and higher efficiency.

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB Video Card
$70 after a $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Or you could save money with the lower end HD5550.

PowerColor Radeon HD 5550 512MB Video Card
$45 after a $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

Case - and power supply - this is where I don't really have much of an opinion. I want a case that provides plenty of room for my fat fingers to build this PC. I have a Fry's about 5 min away - so I'll be able to get whatever extra cables I might need. I'm not sold on this combo, I'd be willing to get just a case and locate a premium power supply...but I don't really know what that means.
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-OWR460 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case RS-460-PSAR-J3, Elite 460W Power Supply
$70.00

What I'd like help with is the Case and Power Supply.

Power supply option 1 would be a quality supply that is slightly over powered for the above system as-is (as opposed to slightly underpowered).
Power supply option 2 would be a quality supply that is oversized to accommodate the growth potential in processor and video card.

For the case, I'm more interested in it's general convenience - ease of build - convenience of ports (front USB, etc) - anything to consider with USB 3?


Buy your power supply separately. You don't want to trust all of your new computer components to a generic power supply. I would highly recommend an 80 plus power supply. It will save you money on your electric bills while also being necessarily higher quality. This one would suit your needs nicely:

OCZ ModXStream 500W 80 PLUS Certified Modular Power Supply (Modular cables are very convenient)
$47 after $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] eam%20500w

w/OCZ 4GB DDR3 1600 CL8
$97 after $35 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.492805

600W w/Your motherboard
$131 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.510652

600W w/Windows 7 HP x64
$132 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.507050

600W w/Radeon HD5670
$92 after $30 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.506103

600W w/Lite On 24X SATA DVD Burner
$54 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.511529

Don't worry about USB3 when it comes to cases. It has only been integrated into a few expensive cases. You can add front ports in a bay later.

Good, cheap case with plenty of room for fat fingers:

NZXT Gamma
w/Windows 7 HP x64
$133
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 11-146-061

------------------------------ http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/1370780.png
Reply to wielander

Other useful combos:

MSI 870A-G54 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard (Comparable motherboard)
w/Windows 7 HP x64
$170 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 13-130-275

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
w/Windows 7 HP x64
$179 with promo code MBTEN923
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 13-128-443

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE90G 2.5" 90GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive
$235 after $30 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.504300

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
OCZ 4GB DDR3 1600 CL7
$151 after $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.489213

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE90G 2.5" 90GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive
$242 after $30 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.504511

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
OCZ 4GB DDR3 1600 CL7
$158 after $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.489064

------------------------------ http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/1370780.png
Reply to wielander

kphagen wrote :

SSD HD - because changing the system HD is such a pain, it's worth it to me to get the SSD that I know I want now at build time...or it just might never happen.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820167027 ] Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM [/url]
$190.00


The Sandforce and SSDs are newer, much faster, and about the same price.

OCZ Agility 2 60GB SSD
$128 after $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Mushkin Callisto 60GB SSD
$135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

G.Skill Pheonix 80GB SSD
$203
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

RAM - Contemplating just 2GB here, but I know that going from 2 to 4 for $40 is worth it - so rather than debate it - I'll just do it and prevent myself from being able to complain about it later.
[url= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148262 ] Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 [/url]
$90


The 4GB ram kits are a much better value. Don't feel like you have to choose DDR3 1333; DDR3 1600 will run fine at DDR3 1333 and is occasionally cheaper. Lower latency ram is higher performance, but you may not notice the difference. The kit you have linked isn't a very good value.

Bargain:
Mushkin 4GB DDR3 1333 CL9 1.5v (Top shelf brand, very reliable, DDR3 doesn't need heatsinks)
$70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Higher Performance:
Mushkin Silverline 4GB DDR3 1600 CL7 1.65v (Lower latency, higher speed)
$85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

VideoCard - just a simple video card that will handle basic tasks easily and allow me to plug in 2 monitors.
SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$75.00


You can get the latest generation card, the HD 5670, for less. It's higher performance and higher efficiency.

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB Video Card
$70 after a $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Or you could save money with the lower end HD5550.

PowerColor Radeon HD 5550 512MB Video Card
$45 after a $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

kphagen wrote :

Case - and power supply - this is where I don't really have much of an opinion. I want a case that provides plenty of room for my fat fingers to build this PC. I have a Fry's about 5 min away - so I'll be able to get whatever extra cables I might need. I'm not sold on this combo, I'd be willing to get just a case and locate a premium power supply...but I don't really know what that means.
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-OWR460 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case RS-460-PSAR-J3, Elite 460W Power Supply
$70.00

What I'd like help with is the Case and Power Supply.

Power supply option 1 would be a quality supply that is slightly over powered for the above system as-is (as opposed to slightly underpowered).
Power supply option 2 would be a quality supply that is oversized to accommodate the growth potential in processor and video card.

For the case, I'm more interested in it's general convenience - ease of build - convenience of ports (front USB, etc) - anything to consider with USB 3?


Buy your power supply separately. You don't want to trust all of your new computer components to a generic power supply. I would highly recommend an 80 plus power supply. It will save you money on your electric bills while also being necessarily higher quality. This one would suit your needs nicely:

OCZ ModXStream 500W 80 PLUS Certified Modular Power Supply (Modular cables are very convenient)
$47 after $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] eam%20500w

w/OCZ 4GB DDR3 1600 CL8
$97 after $35 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.492805

600W w/Your motherboard
$131 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.510652

600W w/Windows 7 HP x64
$132 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.507050

600W w/Radeon HD5670
$92 after $30 in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.506103

600W w/Lite On 24X SATA DVD Burner
$54 after a $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.511529

Don't worry about USB3 when it comes to cases. It has only been integrated into a few expensive cases. You can add front ports in a bay later.

Good, cheap case with plenty of room for fat fingers:

NZXT Gamma
w/Windows 7 HP x64
$133
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 11-146-061

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