HTPC case question

[atlantabraves2000]

Hi,


I just picked up AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz and GA-880GM-UD2H Socket AM3 880G mATX from Microcenter.

Now I need a decent HTPC or small case. Will this alongwith the PSU it comes with enough for the above build?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147098


Thanks

 

[boiler1990]

What else do you plan on putting in the system? As long as you're not using a huge GPU, you should be fine with 300W.

 

[atlantabraves2000]

Thanks for replying. Right now I am not putting any GPU. The motherboard has on board ATI 4250 card which is sufficient for my work. I will only have multiple drives in this system. So I guess it will be good then?

 

[boiler1990]

Yeah, you should be fine with that power supply.

 

[atlantabraves2000]

Thanks.

My config will be below

AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz
GA-880GM-UD2H Socket AM3 880G mATX
4GB DDR3 RAM
DVD Burner
2 x 500GB Hard Drives

Is there a place where I can emulate the power supply need for the system?

 

[Wolfshadw]

I would point out that case only has one internal 3.5" drive bay. You could probably put the second hard drive in the external 3.5" expansion bay (and just leave the face plate in place).

-Wolf sends

 

[atlantabraves2000]

Thanks for replying. I actually am moving away from that case. Somehow it is on the boundary limit of power usage and as you mentioned that it has one internal 3.5" drive bay

how about this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231

I know it stretches my budget but cant help it right now

 

[Wolfshadw]

I like that case better as it will provide for better cooling and being larger, makes it easier to install components. However, you're still running into the same scenario in that it only has one 3.5" HDD bay. If you look around, though, you should be able to find a 5.25" to 3.5" bay converter and use the second optical drive bay for your second hard drive.

-Wolf sends

 

[atlantabraves2000]

Hi Wolfshadw,

can you suggest some other case also? Non-HTPC is fine but not very large

thanks

 

[Wolfshadw]

Well, when you say a $75 case/power supply combo is stretching the budget, you really are limiting your options. I'm not crazy about this one, but it should suit your needs:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811190105

My real recommendation, however is to increase the budget. Get an HTPC case that:

1) is full height (so you're not limited to low-profile cards and has better cooling)
2) has at least two internal 3.5: HDD bays (two if they're separated, three if all together), and
3) is aesthetically pleasing to you.

You would also get a decent power supply from Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, etc...

-Wolf sends

 

[atlantabraves2000]

Thanks. Lets keep HTPC case on side. I am now considering normal cases also. Is there a mid-tower you would recommend? Is it better to buy case and PSU separately?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Unless the case comes from a highly respected power supply manufacturer (like those I mentioned), more than likely, it's hit and miss on what power supply comes with the case. Most will do just fine in a non-gaming type system where the power draw is generally well below the stated specs of the power supply, but I still recommend if not going with a case from a well respected power supply manufacturer, to purchase the case and power supply separately.

If you decide to go that route, then you can pretty much go with any case you want, provided that it meets the requirements I outlined above.

With a power supply, I'd probably recommend this Antec Case w/ 450watt PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129089

Without a power supply, I would recommend this Rosewill Case (This houses the system I'm writing this on).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073

Pair that with this FSP (Fortron Source) 400 watt Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104953

-Wolf sends

 

[atlantabraves2000]

okay so with the rosewill case, is this power supply better?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

thanks

 

[Wolfshadw]

I looked first at that power supply, but read the reviews. Seems like a lot of DOA's so I didn't select it.

-Wolf sends

 

[atlantabraves2000]

yeah... thanks for pointing out... what about this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

the one you suggested has 10 bucks shipping

 

[Wolfshadw]

That one will work too, but it costs more ($69.99) than the one I linked ($49.19 shipped)

-Wolf sends

 

[atlantabraves2000]

there is a $20 rebate and $10 off code with it expiring tomorrow. So I will pick up that

 

[atlantabraves2000]

one last question...

will this case work with the power supply I suggested?

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Window-RC-310-SWN1-GP-Silver/dp/B002XIST2I

thanks a lot for your time

 

[Wolfshadw]

Yes. The case will house the OCZ power supply; no problem. Have fun with your build!

-Wolf sends

 

[atlantabraves2000]

Best answer selected by atlantabraves2000.

 

[atlantabraves2000]

thanks for your time