Replacing HP Case!

[PonchoB]

Hi! I'm wanting to upgrade my graphics card and power supply, though there isn't a whole lot of room in the case for the video card I have selected at 10.25" long. It would be a tight fit, and I want to replace the case anyhow. Here is my computer:

HP Pavilion H8-1020

So far I have chosen the R9 270x graphics card and a Corsair CX600 psu. I was aiming for a total upgrade cost of under $500 including the case, but I'm a little flexible on that. What I want to know is if it is possible to change the case at all! Would I need to replace the motherboard?

Thanks!

 

[damric]

You can certainly replace the case. OEM cases can sometimes be a pain to take apart, but installing into an aftermarket case will be a breeze. No you won't need to change mobo

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/

 

[PonchoB]

You can certainly replace the case. OEM cases can sometimes be a pain to take apart, but installing into an aftermarket case will be a breeze. No you won't need to change mobo

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/

Thanks for the reply! I was just a little worried as I read sometimes motherboards are custom made for certain manufacturers' cases, so I wanted to be sure.

 

[terry4536]

Sure you can swap out the case. It would be a great opportunity to upgrade components. No, you can move everything if you want to.

 

[damric]

You can certainly replace the case. OEM cases can sometimes be a pain to take apart, but installing into an aftermarket case will be a breeze. No you won't need to change mobo

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/

Thanks for the reply! I was just a little worried as I read sometimes motherboards are custom made for certain manufacturers' cases, so I wanted to be sure.

Jusy be sure that if it is a full size ATX board that you get a case big enough (ATX). Micro ATX board will fit in both.

 

[terry4536]

In the past, that was partially true. Dell used proprietary power supplies for a period of time. I'm not aware of any these problems currently.

 

[PonchoB]

Okay, awesome! It's probable that I was reading outdated info haha. Also, this is a little unrelated, but I've just found a small form-factor 270x:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127794&cm_re=R9_270X_Gaming_2G_ITX-_-14-127-794-_-Product

Would you recommend this? Is there any difference? If not I would be able to keep my current case, and it might save me a little trouble.

Thank you!

 

[damric]

For 270x just get the regular cheap one.

 

[terry4536]

If you move to a better case, there is no need for a compact graphics card. The normal card is almost certainly going to be better cooled.

 

[PonchoB]

That being said... is there a better card for under $300?

 

[damric]

That being said... is there a better card for under $300?

Most certainly. $300 is 280X territory and for just $10 more you can get GTX 770:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/his-video-card-h280xqmt3g2m

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/pny-video-card-vcggtx7702xpb

 

[terry4536]

I would pick this Sapphire R9-270X for $249.99.

SAPPHIRE 100364TXSR Radeon R9 270X 2GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202047

 

[damric]

Canadians...

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/his-video-card-h280xqm3g2m

 

[PonchoB]

Canadians...

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/his-video-card-h280xqm3g2m

Way better price on memoryexpress.com over newegg... almost can't believe it is Canadian! Now if I could get a similar deal on the 770... haha So the 280x would be a good jump over the 270x?

 

[terry4536]

Sure, but that is a higher price point.

 

[damric]

Yes indeed.

 

[PonchoB]

Not too much higher, which I can live with--but the 770 is a little too over budget at $350+... so I think I will go with the 280x. Any recommendations for cases? Looking for options for either a mid or full tower. The board is 9.6x9.6 in. Would it fit in a mid sized case?

P.S... this is really tempting, though. http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX46149

Once again, thank you guys for all your help!

 

[terry4536]

Then yes, get the R9- 280X. It is a more powerful card.

 

[terry4536]

It depends upon your case budget and style of case. Do you want a gaming case, or a quiet case, or something else?

 

[damric]

I have been recommending this Cougar Archon case as it looks like quality/airflow/easy to build with:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX47841

Really just pick one that you like though:

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/#sort=a7

 

[PonchoB]

Case budget would stay under $100... if less, the saved money could bleed into the gpu budget I like the look of the Cougar Archon, this is a definite possibility and you can't beat the price. Disregarding all of that, I was looking at something like this: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX31654

But I do really like your suggestion. It would keep me right on par and I might even spring for the 770 I earlier linked. Would the CX600 psu be sufficient for this card too?

 

[damric]

I'd stay away from CX (Channel Well design) series. Lots of problems in this forum with those going out with a bang. A solid 500-550W model would work for the 770 but I'd want a 600-650W for the 280x.

That Zalman is nice. Everything Zalman is nice

 

[damric]

Good (Seasonic design):

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550gts3x

Better (Superflower Golden Green design):

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-capstone550

Best (Seasonic) (if you get the more power hungry radeon)

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1650snlb9

 

[terry4536]

The R9-280x virtually the same performance as the GTX 770 for less money.


Here are five good cases at that price level. I would get the Corsair.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%20600006302%204027%204802&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=7|11-139-008^11-139-008-TS%2C11-352-021^11-352-021-TS%2C11-146-087^11-146-087-TS%2C11-119-197^11-119-197-TS%2C11-119-263^11-119-263-TS&percm=11-139-008%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B11-352-021%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B11-146-087%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B11-119-197%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B11-119-263%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24

 

[terry4536]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119263

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146087

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352021