Please Spec me a Case

rs1800

rs1800

rs1800

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Joined
12 Aug 2009
Posts
568
I have built many low cost PC's before and have always used £30 cases, even on my own one. I would now like to build a decent system and don’t mind spending more on a case if needed but when I look I cant believe how expensive they get!! Any way I would rather pay £30 but will pay up to £150 if I need to.

Here is my requirements:

Quiet smart looking fast PC for use in my lounge (but not for movies)
It will include
PII 955 X4 3.2 with mild over clock to approx 3.5Ghz
SSD
2xHDD (max 4 in future)
2xOptical Drives
H50 water cooler (120mm exaust fan on case for push pull?)
1x 4870 (unlikely to ever use 2 cards)
Any more info required?
I don’t want a huge case but I am not space limited.
As quiet as possible

The PC will be used 85% for web browsing etc, 10% for games, 5% video editing so I don’t need the performance very often and don’t mind noise during these times. Can a modern AM3 m/b control all the fan speeds automatically on load?

I am hoping to use the standard H50 fan blowing out the case if poss to reduce fans but will upgrade that to push pull if nessecary. Don’t really know much about this tbh, just what Ive read.

I was considering a CM690 but am wondering if it will be too noisy or suitable for my requirements. I don’t mind spending more if its worth it. Needs to look smart but I dont mind cool looking led fan as long as not too bright.

Cheers
 
I have the option on my pc to softclock the cpu to 3.4/3.6/3.8GHz just with the software.

but do you really need that cpu in there for nearly all web browsing. The x3 720 is nearly always on offer and that's 2/3 of the price. That's a 2.8GHz so for most gaming nowadays you'd need to be in the 3GHz range (which you'd get if you softclocked it) but with how often you're using it a dual core would be okay but the 720 is better value.

for cases though I really can't suggest one. if you're using the h50 you might be able to get a case for around £80, there was a lian-li case or similar for that sort of price.

most of the cases in that sort of price range (£150) come with fan controllers for the included fans so really you can get away with paying less although saying that you won't have any heating problems on a surf board so a better case with adjustable fans and a cheaper but brilliant fan cooler for the cpu maybe your best option.
 
Thx, I take your point on the 720 but the 10% of games will be a lot of fsx and I want it as nice as poss. I think this is cpu limited not gfx.

I am still a bit confused if I need a separate fan controller of if the m/b and/or s/w will do it. At this o/c can I just use silent fans anyway even on load?
 
really depends on how silent you mean.

my antec 1200 was on all the lowest settings with the two optional fans inside running of molex at stock and the zalman 9900 was running at stock too. now the loudest fans that were running were on the gpu's. I replaced the stock for vortexx neo's at the noise fell drastically.

I wouldn't say it's noisy and even on idle the temp stays the say if the fans are on full.

If you use the 3pin then you can use software on the board to configure the speed but from what I said earlier with the amount of money you save on changing the cpu and the cooler you can get a case without spending anymore money and the performance would only change for the better.
 
That NZXT Lexa Blackline Midi Tower Case looks nice, just the sort of thing I am looking for - smart and quite cool looking but not too big. Im not too sure if I want a clear side though. Also is there plenty of room for the H50? and is there enough cooling to let be put the H50 exhausting from the case?

Any other case suggestions?
 
dr4g0nf1y said:
If you use the 3pin then you can use software on the board to configure the speed but from what I said earlier with the amount of money you save on changing the cpu and the cooler you can get a case without spending anymore money and the performance would only change for the better.
Click to expand...

Money no issue, just want the best solution please
 
Thanks for suggestions

I think I have decided on a Coolermaster ATCS 840

I know its ott, very big, and more than I need to spend but

1) I like the look of it
2) I think it will be quiet?
3) It should last me a long time
4)Its in stock

Am I being silly given my earlier requirements?

The NZXT Lexa Blackline and 902 where my other options (although I think the 902 may be too noisy even with fans turned down?)
 
rs1800 said:
Thanks for suggestions

I think I have decided on a Coolermaster ATCS 840

I know its ott, very big, and more than I need to spend but

1) I like the look of it
2) I think it will be quiet?
3) It should last me a long time
4)Its in stock

Am I being silly given my earlier requirements?

The NZXT Lexa Blackline and 902 where my other options (although I think the 902 may be too noisy even with fans turned down?)
Click to expand...

Nope. Not silly at all. Given the money, that is exactly what I would get myself.
 
I used an Asus TM-21 case. Was about £30 and took all the above with a little creative thinking for the hard drives etc.
I have an AC Freezer Pro cooling the chip and its normally quiet. I occasionally hear the fans spinning up but thats when the room got hot in the height of summer.
 
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