Choosing a case...

[Haley]

Hi all

Sorry to introduce myself asking for tips. I'm about to assemble a new computer, my
4th, but it's the first time I need to *choose* a case and I'm almost completely
ignorant in the matter.

I've eyed a Rosewill TU-155 and an Antec Sonata. I like the Antec's design better
(not too much into modding/cool-looking cases, myself) but it's more expensive. Is
380W enough power? Also, how many fans and how big do you think are necessary to
provide enough ventilation?

Thanks in advance to all who'll reply!
Haley

The configuration I intend to buy:
ASUS A8V VIAK8T800 Pro ATX
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice
Corsair XMS 1Gb DDR400 (or OCZ Platinum, same specs)
Seagate Barracuda 200Gb
NEC ND-3540 DVD+/-RW DL
ATi Radeon X800XL 256Mb GDDR3 PCI-E x16
Creative SB Audigy 2 Value 7.1

[cross-posted to 3 ng's]

 

[Ruel Smith]

Hi all

Sorry to introduce myself asking for tips. I'm about to assemble a new
computer, my
4th, but it's the first time I need to *choose* a case and I'm almost
completely
ignorant in the matter.

I've eyed a Rosewill TU-155 and an Antec Sonata. I like the Antec's design
better
(not too much into modding/cool-looking cases, myself) but it's more
expensive. Is
380W enough power? Also, how many fans and how big do you think are
necessary to
provide enough ventilation?

Thanks in advance to all who'll reply!
Haley

The configuration I intend to buy:
ASUS A8V VIAK8T800 Pro ATX
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice
Corsair XMS 1Gb DDR400 (or OCZ Platinum, same specs)
Seagate Barracuda 200Gb
NEC ND-3540 DVD+/-RW DL
ATi Radeon X800XL 256Mb GDDR3 PCI-E x16
Creative SB Audigy 2 Value 7.1

Let's get something straight: Power supplies rated at similar wattage are
NOT equal. Though rated power supply is important, if it's manufactured by a
reputable company, it's only one aspect of choosing a power supply. Another
important figure is the amps provided on the +12V line. Most of your system
runs off of this line, so it's very important. The power supplies provided
by Antec are TOP NOTCH. You'll have difficulty finding anyone who _doesn't_
recommend Antec power supplies. They're inexpensive, particularly if they
come with a case.

Rosewill, on the otherhand is one of those companies that New Egg sells at
deep discounts. That should tell you everything: Stay away!

The Sonata case is a very nice one. Personally, I like a case with more
cooling, but then, I don't mind the fan noise. My current Antec SX1040 case
houses (5) 80mm fans... The 380 watt power supply provided in the Sonata
case is an Antec TruePower series, with one difference: Only one cooling fan
instead of 2 to keep noise down (top one is missing). The Antec TruePower
power supplies often give you a bit more than the rated power. The TruePower
380 is rated at 24 amps on the +12V line, and that's pretty strong -
probably plenty strong enough for your system. If you plan to add lights and
stuff later, you'll have to upgrade the power supply, though.

 

[Matt]

Personally, I like a case with more
cooling, but then, I don't mind the fan noise. My current Antec SX1040 case
houses (5) 80mm fans...

Gosh, Ruel, I didn't know you were a fanboy ... It just doesn't
seem right ... Does that include the PSU fan?

 

[Ruel Smith]

Does that include the PSU fan?

Nope. 2 front 80mm fans blowing in (one of them blowing over my 3 hard
drives), 2 rear 80mm fans blowing out, 1 side 80mm fan blowing on the
graphics card. That's not counting 2 fans in the PSU, 1 on the CPU, and 1on
the graphics card.

I still can't see what people whine about when it comes to fan noise. No,
it's not silent, but it's far from annoying. However, in an old, non-air
conditioned home, it's a necessity when overclocking.

 

[Matt]

Nope. 2 front 80mm fans blowing in (one of them blowing over my 3 hard
drives), 2 rear 80mm fans blowing out, 1 side 80mm fan blowing on the
graphics card. That's not counting 2 fans in the PSU, 1 on the CPU, and 1on
the graphics card.

Better get something for the northbridge.

 

[ed jurewicz]

I believe the antec sonata has been upgraded recently so you will probably
encounter both the older and new versions in your shoppingf. Although I have
not actually seen the newer case, I believe it is essentially same case with
some adaptations for newer power requirements and improved airflow. I could
be mistaken but I think the newer version sports a 120mm fan.

 

[pcbutts1]

I believe the antec sonata has been upgraded recently so you will
probably encounter both the older and new versions in your shoppingf.
Although I have not actually seen the newer case, I believe it is
essentially same case with some adaptations for newer power
requirements and improved airflow. I could be mistaken but I think
the newer version sports a 120mm fan.

Hi all

Sorry to introduce myself asking for tips. I'm about to assemble a
new computer, my
4th, but it's the first time I need to *choose* a case and I'm almost
completely
ignorant in the matter.

I've eyed a Rosewill TU-155 and an Antec Sonata. I like the Antec's
design better
(not too much into modding/cool-looking cases, myself) but it's more
expensive. Is
380W enough power? Also, how many fans and how big do you think are
necessary to
provide enough ventilation?

Thanks in advance to all who'll reply!
Haley

The configuration I intend to buy:
ASUS A8V VIAK8T800 Pro ATX
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice
Corsair XMS 1Gb DDR400 (or OCZ Platinum, same specs)
Seagate Barracuda 200Gb
NEC ND-3540 DVD+/-RW DL
ATi Radeon X800XL 256Mb GDDR3 PCI-E x16
Creative SB Audigy 2 Value 7.1

[cross-posted to 3 ng's]

 

[pcbutts1]

I believe the antec sonata has been upgraded recently so you will
probably encounter both the older and new versions in your shoppingf.

Denial of the antecedent. "A implies B, A is false, therefore B is false."

I cannot believe I just wrote that.

Have you stopped driving on the footpath yet?

Although I have not actually seen the newer case, I believe it is
essentially same case with some adaptations for newer power requirements
and improved airflow.

You haven't?

I could be mistaken but I think the newer version sports a 120mm fan.

I think you're wrong, jurewicz.

 

[Ruel Smith]

I believe the antec sonata has been upgraded recently so you will probably

encounter both the older and new versions in your shoppingf. Although I
have not actually seen the newer case, I believe it is essentially same
case with some adaptations for newer power requirements and improved
airflow. I could be mistaken but I think the newer version sports a 120mm
fan.

The old version sported a 120mm fan, too. The new one has newer styling and
the inclusion of an air duct that can house a 92mm fan to help cool the CPU.
It also has an optional 80mm fan for the graphics card. The newer version
also sports a 450 watt SmartPower 2.0 power supply which has 2 +12V lines,
one supplying 15A, the other 17A. The older TruePower 380 supplies 24A on
its single +12V line. Also the newer SmartPower 2.0 has the correct
connector for the newer Intel based boards.

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15139

 

[SinghaLvr]

I still can't see what people whine about when it comes to fan noise. No,
it's not silent, but it's far from annoying. However, in an old, non-air
conditioned home, it's a necessity when overclocking.

I used to feel that way until I got a true silent machine. It was awfully
nice. I still use my turbine cooled PC, but it's not as enjoyable now that
I've been with an alternative.