ADVICE NEEDED: 330W Uneec PSU (w/ Antec case)

[work4rebates]

I'm building a new computer for the first time. It's been a long procedure, doing research, shopping for the best deals and more. Now I'm stuck and I'm hoping you guys here at AnandTech can help.

A local Atlanta computer store has an Antec case similiar to this one at FrozenCPU.com. They both come with 3 case fans (2 rear, 1 side). The only difference I can readily see is that the one at FrozenCPU.com is branded. No big deal, but what I am concerned about is saving money.

Initially I was thinking about getting the one at FrozenCPU.com along with an Enermax PSU (EG365P-VE) from NewEgg.com. The total cost with shipping would be about $148 or so, $20 more expensive than the local shop.

The local B&M store has the case for $119 (plus tax). It comes with a 330W PSU. If the PSU were an Antec PSU, I would've bought it today. However, it's an UNEEC. I'm familiar with the name; Cheiftec cases are offered under their own name in addition to UNEEC, Antec, Chenming, Enermax, etc.

Here's what I'll be running:

• 
  AMD Athlon XP 2000+
  MSI KT333 Ultra2 Motherboard
  Dynatron DY1206BH-610 Heatsink
  Samsung 512 MB DDR 2700
  Maxtor 40 GB ATA 133 7200 RPM HD
  Gainward GeForce4 Ti4200 128MB DDR (Golden Sample)
  Teac 1.44 MB 3.5? Floppy
  CenDyne 40x12x48x Lightning III CD-RW
  Artec 16x DVD
  Linksys 10/100 NIC
  MS Optical Wheel Mouse
  MS Natural Keyboard Pro
  Altec Lansing Multimedia Speakers

I'd like to save whenever I can. Plus, I can go get the case tomorrow locally. My questions: Will the UNEEC PSU be sufficient? Is it good quality? Any other advice/comments/complaints?

Thanks very much in advance.

(I'm a member!)

 

[work4rebates]

Oh, I forgot to add that I'll probably stick an old Western Digital 8 GB hard drive in the box too. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the UNEEC 330W PSU is an excellent PSU that will handle my hardware, plus some room for expansion. Thanks again!

 

[DeschutesCore]

The 601A is made by ChenMing and sold under 6 different brand names. The versions I use are ISI branded steel and aluminum (no side fan port) and the Uneec branded steel (side fan port included), otherwise, all the cases are identical, down to the manufacturer markings. The Uneec supplies work great, I've owned 5 of them, andstill own 3 now (sold the others in their respecitve cases).

The Uneec's also include fairly long connectors, which I appreciate greatly!

Piccies

DC

 

[work4rebates]

Thanks for the reply, DeschutesCore. Sounds like the UNEEC is a winner.

I looked over your systems and they're well-stocked. Do you think that the 330W PSU will be more than enough for what I'm planning on running?

Oh, OCSystem.com has a Chieftec for $50 plus shipping. No PSU, but I could always add the Enermax that I mentioned before (from NewEgg). OCSystem.com has pretty mediocre reseller ratings, but it would come out to be about the same price as buying locally, but with an Enermax 350W PSU. The OCSystem.com one does not have a side fan though. Would you recommend one with or without the side fan?

So, I'm still considering. This NOOB says "Thanks again!"

 

[DeschutesCore]

First off, the systems list is far from complete...

As far as being enough, I'd say yes. I'm currently running 2 Maxtor DX740 80 GB's and a WD 13.6 GB with one DVD and one 40X CD-RW. The video is still Ti4200, and the CPU is now a 2100+, not a single problem yet. I'm also running 4 case fans, the PSU fan, and the CPU cooler.

DC

SiSandra Reports....
Environment Monitor 1
Model : Winbond W83697HF ISA
Version : 6.00
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
Board Temperature : 28.0°C / 82.4°F
CPU Temperature : 41.0°C / 105.8°F

Cooling Device(s)
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
Chassis Fan Speed : 5273rpm
CPU Fan Speed : 3245rpm

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU Core Voltage : 1.74V
+3.3V Voltage : 3.42V
+5V Voltage : 4.84V
+12V Voltage : 12.04V
-12V Voltage : -7.26V
-5V Voltage : 0.28V
+5V Standby Voltage : 4.80V
Battery Voltage : 2.96V

 

[work4rebates]

Thanks again for the reply. So, one question that still has yet to be answered: should I get the case with or without a side fan?

Thanks!

 

[DeschutesCore]

I prefer the units without side fans, partially because the fan is too low to really do any good IMO. The side fan does look slick and does not seem to be detrimental, but they really haven't made any differences in MY case temps.

DC

 

[crabbyman]

Here's my personal opinion....go to www.newegg.com....and order an Antec Performance Plus case that already has the PSU with it. Its the Antec PSU..very good. The price with shipping is $115 all together. Very good compared to the other you was looking at..IMHO.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...g=7&manufactory=1516&DEPA=0&sortby=14&order=1

 

[work4rebates]

Thanks again, DeschutesCore. Since the fan can't hurt, maybe I'll go with the local one. Dunno. As for the "slick" factor, the Antec side hole is kind of perforated. In other words, instead of a grill, the side has little holes in it. You can sort of see it in the pic from FrozenCPU.com that I linked to above. Not as nice as a grill, IMO.

Originally posted by: crabbyman
Here's my personal opinion....go to www.newegg.com....and order an Antec Performance Plus case that already has the PSU with it. Its the Antec PSU..very good. The price with shipping is $115 all together. Very good compared to the other you was looking at..IMHO.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=7&manufactory=1516&DEPA=0&sortby=14&order=1

Thanks, crabbyman. However, none of the Antecs you linked to at NewEgg are silver. I've been wanting a silver case. *sigh* NewEgg does have a blue/black Enermax with 330W Enermax PSU, 2 rear fans, 1 front fan for $113 shipped.

 

[crabbyman]

Actually..last night when I wrote that post..they had the silver in stock..that where I got the price. Look for the one that says ..Performance Plus AMG...thats silver.


ANTEC PERFORMANCE PLUS Model PLUS660AMG (METALIC GRAY) w/ ANTEC ATX12V TRUEPOWER 330W P4 READY POWER SUPPLY - RETAIL
Specifications:
Material: 1.0mm SECC
Drive Bays: External 3 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" Internal 3 X 3.5"
System Board: Standard ATX / Pentium 4
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
USB/IO: 2 Front USB port, 1 Front IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port
Standard Fan(s): 1 X 80mm (rear)
Optional Fan(s): 2 X 80mm (front)
Dimensions: 18.6" (L) X 8.1" (W) X 17.25" (H) Model#: PLUS660AMG FedEx Saver Shipping $15.00
- Product Link -See It! (image count 7 ) -Price Alert (N82E16811129116) Buy more and save more
Buy 5 pcs @ $113 ,Free FedEx Saver shipping
Buy 10 pcs @ $111 ,Free FedEx Saver shipping
Buy 20 pcs @ $109 ,Free FedEx Saver shipping

Save $4 when you buy this item with Newegg.com Black Aluminum Silver Cut Case BadgeSave $5 when you buy this item with ARTEC Black DVDROM 16X IDE DHI-G40 Retail
(avg rating out of 5 voters)
$100.00



http://65.119.30.151/productimage/11-129-116-01.JPG <--Pic

 

[work4rebates]

Originally posted by: crabbyman
Actually..last night when I wrote that post..they had the silver in stock..that where I got the price. Look for the one that says ..Performance Plus AMG...thats silver.

Thanks once again, crabbyman. The only problem with that case (IMHO) is that it doesn't have the door like the others I've been looking at. I want the door for the "stealth" effect 'cause I'm too inept to paint my beige drives.

I did find a ThermalTake aluminum silver case (with door) without PSU for $89. Shipping is $21 though. With an Enermax PSU, that brings the total price up to about $170, about $40 more than I'd pay locally. Sure, it's aluminum, but it's forty dollars more expensive.

Hey, price is a factor. After all, instead of going with a GeForce MX440 card ('bout $88), I opted for the GeForce 4 Ti4200 for $161. Gotta consider the price for the case otherwise I'd simply get the ThermalTake I mentioned. Or, hell, if money was no object, I'd spring for a water-cooled CoolerMaster.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: crabbyman
Actually..last night when I wrote that post..they had the silver in stock..that where I got the price. Look for the one that says ..Performance Plus AMG...thats silver.

The AMGs are not silver. They're "metallic gray." (charcoal)

 

[crabbyman]

hah hah..I guess my silver is different from your silver than! Anyways...if you need anymore help..just yell.. Did you try places like BestBuy or CompUSA? I remember seing a Lian Li case there went I was there last time for like...$140?

 

[DeschutesCore]

There is an aluminum unit without sidefan that has an all silver face, but I'm waiting for delivery, they're on backorder. If it comes I'll snap a piccy or two and post 'em.

DC

 

[work4rebates]

Thanks to DeschutesCore I opted for the UNEEC case similar to the one at FrozenCPU that I linked to in my first post. The case included the 330W UNEEC PSU that we spoke about.

The case is great to work with. The drive rails and drive cages are too cool. Lot of room to play around in. But I still have a few questions if you (or someone else) can help.

1) The KT333 Ultra2 board has a 3-pin connector for the PSU fan. The PSU, however, does not have this kind of plug. (It looks like the same kind as the CPU fan.) Do I need to plug in the PSU fan at all? Should it just run when plugged in? Is the plug-in on the motherboard simply to monitor the PSU fan?

2) The PSU has a funky-looking 6-pin connector on it. It's rather flat and the holes look square. Any idea what this is for?

3) The case I bought includes three fans (not including CPU, PSU and video card). It has 2 rear 80mm fans and 1 side 80mm fan. It has space for two additional 80mm fans in the front. My concern is running out of power connectors. After connecting two optical drives and one hard drive, I'm left with four 4-pin (molex, is what they're called, I think) connectors. I need three for the fans I currently have. Plus, I'd like to add another hard drive (from my old computer). Where can I get more power? Can you daisy-chain fans? The fans I have (Sunon) have a male and a female connector. I'm guessing you can daisy-chain the fans.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks very much!

 

[work4rebates]

I posted a dedicated thread in the Technical Support Forum HERE.