Recommend a case for my needs?

DominicStar · 22 Oct 2008 at 21:26

Hi all, new poster here.

I have been out of the loop for a while (3 years since I built a PC), so I have been lurking around on the forums reading up what I can on what to put in a new system. Having overdosed on information I have decided to get a cheapish upgrade for now and see what the state of the market is when the Denebs come out.

As I desperately need to upgrade my Skt 939, AGP 3200+ I am going for something along these lines (which I borrowed from the CPU forum)

Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200 "LGA775 Core 2" 2.50GHz (800FSB) - Retail £49.99
MSI P31 Neo2-FR Intel P31 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (OCZ2G8004GK)
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775)
Total : £163.00 (ish)

I'll probably go with an 8800GT too.

I am in the unenviable position of having a system where pretty much everything needs replaced other than the HDD.

I am USELESS at picking cases and my current one is the worst I have ever had.

So I was hoping someone could recommend me a good case for this kind of set up that I won't regret. Something I can use when I upgrade the processor etc again to something much better next year.

Another big thing for me is I need it to be silent when not playing games, eg when just downloading as the computer is a few feet from my bed and I'm desperate for a case that shuts the hell up and lets me sleep

Also, any advice on what level of PSU unit would be best?

RJC · 22 Oct 2008 at 21:41

Power supply proberly one of these: Clicky

Case wise how much do you want to spend, have look at the Antec 300 or the Lian Li PC7 OR 8 series.
Noise wise you might need to invest in a fan speed controler so you get manualy adjuist the speeds.

craptakular · 22 Oct 2008 at 21:44

Antec 300 is expectionaly for £30. I have one, 5 stars from me!

TheRedZealot · 22 Oct 2008 at 21:45

I would say Antec 300 with 2 Sharkoon silent eagles (1000's or 2000's)

And more like £47

craptakular · 22 Oct 2008 at 21:45

I would go for a decent coursair PSU, maybe higher watts than 520. Make sure it has a lot of pci-e 6pin and 8pin leads to future proof it

DominicStar · 22 Oct 2008 at 22:02

Thanks for all the quick responses!

I was hoping to keep a case/cpu combo to around £100 - however I would rather breach this limit now than have to spend another £70 odd on a new PSU next year.

I like the look and price of the Antec Three Hundred so will probably go with that and get a couple of the Sharkoons, not much money on those even if the turn out to be not what I need.

I looked at the Corsair 520 and also the suggestion of a slightly higher wattage. Is there a major difference between Corsair HX and TX? Its just the 520W HX is the same price as the 650 TX.

RJC · 22 Oct 2008 at 22:15

The HX range is modular, just plug the cables in you require.
The TX range has not so it can be tricky in a small case to hide the cables, I had the 750W version and found the fan noisey when not getting direct cool air.

My 2 HX versions are pretty quiet.

p4radox · 22 Oct 2008 at 22:15

The HX is a modular design and is manufactured by Seasonic. The TX is non-modular and manufactured by CWT (I think). Both are high quality units, but personally I'd go with the HX. The modular cables are a god-send in a small case and you won't need anywhere near 520W nevermind 650W.

beefybarn · 22 Oct 2008 at 22:41

How about a Nzxt Alpha ,had one in the bedroom and couldnt hear it during the night.

Pilky01 · 22 Oct 2008 at 22:43

beefybarn said:
How about a Nzxt Alpha ,had one in the bedroom and couldnt hear it during the night.

Not a tempest :eek:

Swordfish125 · 22 Oct 2008 at 23:03

IM in the same boat as you with a rebuild, going for a Asaka eclipse. It HUGE

beefybarn · 23 Oct 2008 at 07:43

Chose the alpha over the tempest because its quieter so would suit his needs better but the tempest is still my favourite case.

Tetsu · 23 Oct 2008 at 09:31

For the price the Antec 300 still cant be beat. Rock solid, great cooling, easy to build in. Go for it.

DominicStar · 23 Oct 2008 at 16:58

Thanks again everyone.

I am gonna go with the Antec and some of the additional silent fans. Reading some of the reviews on the Nzxt case they indicate 8800GT cards are a bit of a squeeze for the case and they use a thinner version of fans so I'll probably save myself a little trouble there!

Gonna get the Corsair 520W too now I understand the differences.