PSU with case bundles...good/bad?

[paniK]

hi all,

still trying to find myself a decent case and PSU combination but I want to ask whether its better going for a bundle or buying each item separate simply because of the fact that bundled PSUs are nasty and can be unstable when overclocking?

I don't know what to do. I may order an Aspire Case with 400W PSU bundle but is this a good choice? 400W is more than enough for what I plan to spec. Or the thermaltake VB1000 and an aftermarket PSU?

what do you guys recommend on a budget of say £70 odd for PSU and case. I'd prefer if the case had a window on it rather than not

 

[WJA96]

You're probably going to get some fairly negative responses in this thread as many of us wouldn't consider spending less than £70 on a case or PSU independently, never mind together.

However, I do absolutely appreciate that not everyone has a cash tree at the bottom of the garden so I'm going to suggest something quite radical (for me!);

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-020-AK for the case (no window, but it's a cracking case)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-006-SK for the PSU.

That lot should come in at just about £70 incl. of delivery.

 

[paniK]

right thanks for that. its just that I have exhausted most of my budget on the actual hardware and so the case is not primarily something I'd want to spend big on. In general what do you think of power supplies by say company's own brand or just any PSU that costs around £30 odd like that FSP. Are they good to last and not screw up my hardware?

 

[WJA96]

I've had a better idea - Arctic Cooling Silentium T1 or T2!

You really won't go wrong with one of these;

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-002-AR

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-003-AR

The one gotcha is that the cases are quite small inside so watch out if your motherboard has PATA connectors that stick out the side of the board.

 

[WJA96]

Are they good to last and not screw up my hardware?

The own brand PSUs are usually carp so I would try and avoid them whenever possible.

 

[Van Diemen]

Well WJA96 beat me to it.

Akasa ZEN
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-020-AK
Top class case, used one myself.
or
Asus TA-210 (also in silver)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-AS

Not too sure about PSU though.

The Arctic Cooling cases WJA96 has recommended are okay, they have good air flow, but are very tight inside.

If you can budge up the budget another £30 It would be better for you in the long run.

Keep the same cases as above
PSUs:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-005-CS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-018-OC

 

[paniK]

thanks for all of this. will bear in mind

 

[taz488]

the sonata II is an option, the case is realy spacious and has loadsa features and the 450W psu is decent too.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-040-AN&tool=3

good reviews all round

 

[Mul]

the sonata II is an option, the case is realy spacious and has loadsa features and the 450W psu is decent too.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-040-AN&tool=3

good reviews all round

I agree. One could argue at £75 it's not really fantastic value for money. But I really do like the design of the Sonata.

Most Antec Case w/ PSU combo's are quality.

Mul

 

[Yewen]

Personally I would take WJA96's Zen + after market PSU combo.

The Zen can handle just about any hardware you stick in it and will not need to be upgraded for a very long time, has the potential to grow as your system does.

Arctic Cooling Silentium T1 or T2 are good cases, but I prefer to use them when I build for other people, if you are diving into your PC frequently they are not the most ideal.

If you don't plan on going into it on a weekly basis then the AC cases are perfectly fine at a good price for what you get, just be careful with the panels!