Anybody rec. a case for me

[Farm]

I'm looking for a new ATX case. I don't want a monster, just a respectible mid-tower or smaller.

My only stipulations are I'd like 2 fans in front, 2 in back and perhaps one on the side panel. I would also like it if the side panel was easy to open and allowed for instant access inside. I'm running a Barton 2500+ OC to 3200+, 2 SATA HD, Radeon 9800 Pro, and a couple DVD/CD drives. I would assume a 420W PS would work just fine.

I also don't need anything really flashy with racing stripes or exhaust pipes. A nice looking but not gaudy case is preferred.

Any thoughts, ideas, comments on a case?

 

[Frew]

Budget?

 

[Farm]

Originally posted by: LeadFrog
Budget?

Definately less than $125, but more like $60-75 or so would be ideal.

Also I don't HAVE to have 2 fans in front if the case allows for a single larger fan, etc.
My main concern is cooling and airflow. My Radeon 9800 Pro has a VGA silencer on it and my Athlon has a Zalman HS. My CPU temps are around 39 idle and 44 full load.

I need the new case, because I'm using some older parts and my current case for a second PC.

 

[Boztech]

Antec SLK2650BQE

 

[DaveSimmons]

Antec 3700 AMB or BQE, only 1 rear fan but it's 120 mm so some serious airflow.

I have the AMB for my music server box with 4 hard drives and a Tualatin 1.3a and it runs cool with just the exhaust fan. Add a front intake fan (it has a 120 mm x25 mm mount) and your Barton should stay cool with a lot less noise than using 5 80 mm fans.

 

[Mik3y]

i recommend the antec sonata. comes with a strong 380W psu and its an extremely nice looking case. its elegant and coated with a glossy piano black polish. its also very quiet, but costs $99. if you want to go cheaper, the bqe is also nice.

 

[Farm]

Originally posted by: Boztech
Antec SLK2650BQE

I think is only has a 350W PS

I'm not sure that is enough for me.

 

[Mik3y]

350W is plenty for you. in fact, an antec 300W psu would be fine for your computer.

 

[Boztech]

You can always put whatever PSU you want in the case, bud, and sell the 350w or keep it as a backup. The case is only $60-70 anyway.

 

[Varun]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
i recommend the antec sonata. comes with a strong 380W psu and its an extremely nice looking case. its elegant and coated with a glossy piano black polish. its also very quiet, but costs $99. if you want to go cheaper, the bqe is also nice.

This is the case I would buy, and just might.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
350W is plenty for you. in fact, an antec 300W psu would be fine for your computer.

Exactly. I used the Antec 350w for the tualatin 1.3a, gf2mx, DVD, 4 hard drives, plus a 5th hard drive I attach temporarily for mirroring.

A good 300-350 watt supply is fine for your system. If you are still worried, get the Sonata with its 380 watt supply, it's what I use for my desktop: P4 3.2 GHz, 1 GB RAM, nv 5900 nu, DVD & DVD burner, 2 hard drives. It also uses the quieter 120 mm fans.