Antec Sonata III v. Lian Li K1B v. Cooler Master Sileo

[scwtlover]

Each of these cases is within my budget for a new build. The Sonata III is least expensive because of the bundled Antec EarthWatts 500 power supply. That psu most likely is substantially in excess of my needs, however. I am not a serious gamer. I'll be running an Intel Q8200 (the 95W version); two SATA hard-drives; one SATA DBD burner; and at most a Radeon HD 4670 graphics card.

For $5 more, taking into account a combo discount, I can substitute the Lian Li Lan Cool K1b case and Corsair CX400W psu.

For $9 more than the Sonata III, I can substitute the Cooler Master Sileo 500 case and Corsair CX400W psu.

For $14 more than the Sonata III, I can substitute the Lian Li K1B and http://www.coolermaster-usa.co...ct.php?product_id=2875">PC Power & Cooling Silencer 420</a> psu.

Finally, for $18 more than the Sonata III, I can substitute the Cooler Master Sileo 500 and PC Power & Cooling 420.

I would appreciate your thoughts. While I'm open to other cases, unless I make a reduction someplace else, my budget won't stand anything more expensive than the Cooler Master Sileo/PC Power & Cooling combination.

 

[Alienwho]

I can't speak for the Lian Li, but I have the Sonata III and use it for a HTPC/home server. The build quality is nice, it's easy to work with. I love how easy the side panel is to get off and on, much nicer than my Coolermaster CM690 (main rig). The included PSU is great with tons of sata power cables.

I got it a while back when they had a deal to get this plus an AMD CPU or something for like $40 AR. I'm still waiting on my $40 rebate from antec and I am quite sure that it is never going to get here. I bought it back in October.

Oh I forgot to mention that my only gripe is the front door cover. That's just a person preference though. I learned I don't like door covers when i got my old thermaltake tsunami case.

 

[Alienwho]

I should also mention having said the following, the next case I purchase (years from now) will most certainly be a Lian Li. I have never had one before but had a roommate in college who had one and it looked great.

 

[faxon]

go with the lian li and use the CX400. both are solid products which should do well for your needs. if you're a quiet nut, you can use the money you saved not getting the Sileo 500 and sound insulate the K1b yourself

 

[Tullphan]

I think i'd go with the K1 & get in on the deal @ Computer Geeks for a ~$25 (shipped) 500W PSU.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
I think i'd go with the K1 & get in on the deal @ Computer Geeks for a ~$25 (shipped) 500W PSU.

Holy sh!t that's an Enhance unit! :Q I'm gonna buy some at that price.

scwtlover, how important is "quiet" to you? I'm not familiar with the Sileo, but the Sonata is probably quieter than the Lancool. It uses heavy guage steel (versus thinner steel and aluminum) plus Antec's HDD grommets are second to none.

The other thing is, are you EVER going to install a big video card in the system? I know you aren't right now, but the thing is that the Sonata will be unable to take longer video cards while the Lancool probably can. I have a Lancool, but a slightly different model and I have a GTX 260 in mine.

All three PSUs are good. The Corsair will likely be the most quiet while the PC Power & Cooling will be the most noisy (despite the "Silencer" moniker). My vote would be the Corsair if you get the Sileo or Lancool.

 

[scwtlover]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: Tullphan
I think i'd go with the K1 & get in on the deal @ Computer Geeks for a ~$25 (shipped) 500W PSU.

Holy sh!t that's an Enhance unit! :Q I'm gonna buy some at that price.

scwtlover, how important is "quiet" to you? I'm not familiar with the Sileo, but the Sonata is probably quieter than the Lancool. It uses heavy guage steel (versus thinner steel and aluminum) plus Antec's HDD grommets are second to none.

The other thing is, are you EVER going to install a big video card in the system? I know you aren't right now, but the thing is that the Sonata will be unable to take longer video cards while the Lancool probably can. I have a Lancool, but a slightly different model and I have a GTX 260 in mine.

All three PSUs are good. The Corsair will likely be the most quiet while the PC Power & Cooling will be the most noisy (despite the "Silencer" moniker). My vote would be the Corsair if you get the Sileo or Lancool.

The Enhance PSU is interesting, but I'm put off by the 90-day warranty.

I'm planning to buy towards the end of April. All else remaining the same, unless prices change in the next couple of weeks I think I'll go with the Sonata III.