Building a new machine and need info on case

[Raibaru]

Sup all, I have a threadthread going over on the general hardware forum that lists all my dreams and desires for my new machine.

However, the thing that is really holding me back is the case, case fan and adequate supply. As I said in my other post, I am leaning toward the Antec Solo (which I believe is an updated model of the P150?) but I'm having trouble choosing a fan and supply to go with it. Intention was to go with a supply that could handle a SLI for a future upgrade, but after the responses in the other thread I may just go with what I plan to use at the time.

[edit...] Apparently the P150 is a mini tower and is smaller then the solo. I'm still not able to find dimmensions for the solo though. Anyone have any info comparing the 2 cases?

Any recommendations?

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

From neoseaker: measures 8.1 x 17.5 x 18.5 in. and weighs 25.3 lbs.

 

[Raibaru]

Yup, same size cases (those are the measurements for the Solo, right?). So what is the difference between the 2 beside color and one comes with a PSU (which everyone says sucks)?

 

[Zekey]

The Solo is just that- A repainted p150 without the PSU and drivebay covers.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Raibaru
Sup all, I have a thread going over on the general hardware forum that lists all my dreams and desires... Any recommendations?

If this is truely a 'dream machine' I would go with a Mountain Mods U2-UFO case.

Here's a picture of one with a E6600 inside (4054MHz on air)...

 

[Howard]

Solo uses more reliable HD elastic cords.

 

[Raibaru]

The case looks cool, but I'm pretty happy with the way the Solo looks. Anyone have advice on a reliable PSU and Case fan for the solo?

 

[Operandi]

I'm not sure what your budget is but the Solo is going for just under $100 on Newegg. Antec is something I associate with more budget oriented systems, and $100 is a lot to spend on a budget case.

For higher-end builds I like Lian Li and select few AL CoolerMasters.

Here are a few of my recommendations.

CoolerMaster Mystique 631
Lian Li PC-7B
Lian Li PC-V1100BPlus II

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Operandi
I'm not sure what your budget is...

Exactly! I suspect this is not a 'dream machine', but rather a 'pipe dream'.

I don't think 'we' can go any further without an answer to that...

 

[Raibaru]

In my other thread I listed the stuff etc etc.

Sorry i didnt get back to you guys sooner. But yea, my budget is ~$1,500 which needs to buy the case and accessories, graphics card, ram, cpu and mobo. I'm shooting for the conroe E6600. I already have my 3 HD's, Optical Drive, Speakers, Monitor, Mouse and Keyboard.

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Originally posted by: Operandi
I'm not sure what your budget is but the Solo is going for just under $100 on Newegg. Antec is something I associate with more budget oriented systems, and $100 is a lot to spend on a budget case.

For higher-end builds I like Lian Li and select few AL CoolerMasters.

Here are a few of my recommendations.

CoolerMaster Mystique 631
Lian Li PC-7B
Lian Li PC-V1100BPlus II

I would love to have YOUR budget. Antec=budget build???? In my view, Rosewill and Apex=budget. That said, I typically pick up a Antec SL3700BQE and replace the PSU with a higher end Enermax or OCZ PSU, so while I am picky on PSU, I think Antec makes an excellent case and is not really associated by most folks as a "budget" enclosure. IMHO, of course.

 

[Raibaru]

Yea, I'm not a big fan of case doors. I do alot of CD burning and gaming and such and I feel like the door would end up being open more then closed and would just end up broken.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: Operandi
I'm not sure what your budget is but the Solo is going for just under $100 on Newegg. Antec is something I associate with more budget oriented systems, and $100 is a lot to spend on a budget case.

For higher-end builds I like Lian Li and select few AL CoolerMasters.

Here are a few of my recommendations.

CoolerMaster Mystique 631
Lian Li PC-7B
Lian Li PC-V1100BPlus II

I would love to have YOUR budget. Antec=budget build???? In my view, Rosewill and Apex=budget. That said, I typically pick up a Antec SL3700BQE and replace the PSU with a higher end Enermax or OCZ PSU, so while I am picky on PSU, I think Antec makes an excellent case and is not really associated by most folks as a "budget" enclosure. IMHO, of course.

Well ok but the Solo is the same price as the PC-7B, making the Antec overpriced in my opinion.

 

[Raibaru]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: Operandi
I'm not sure what your budget is but the Solo is going for just under $100 on Newegg. Antec is something I associate with more budget oriented systems, and $100 is a lot to spend on a budget case.

For higher-end builds I like Lian Li and select few AL CoolerMasters.

Here are a few of my recommendations.

CoolerMaster Mystique 631
Lian Li PC-7B
Lian Li PC-V1100BPlus II

I would love to have YOUR budget. Antec=budget build???? In my view, Rosewill and Apex=budget. That said, I typically pick up a Antec SL3700BQE and replace the PSU with a higher end Enermax or OCZ PSU, so while I am picky on PSU, I think Antec makes an excellent case and is not really associated by most folks as a "budget" enclosure. IMHO, of course.

Well ok but the Solo is the same price as the PC-7B, making the Antec overpriced in my opinion.

But how bad is the sound in the PC-7B? With the open fan chasis in the front I can imagine running into problems. Especially since this case will be sitting ontop of my desk instead of under it.

But speaking of case fans, any suggestions for both the Solo and PC-7B? The Solo I believe can hold 1 120 in the back and 2x 88s or 1 120 in the front? I believe I read that in one of the reviews anyway.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Raibaru

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: ChiPCGuy

Originally posted by: Operandi
I'm not sure what your budget is but the Solo is going for just under $100 on Newegg. Antec is something I associate with more budget oriented systems, and $100 is a lot to spend on a budget case.

For higher-end builds I like Lian Li and select few AL CoolerMasters.

Here are a few of my recommendations.

CoolerMaster Mystique 631
Lian Li PC-7B
Lian Li PC-V1100BPlus II

I would love to have YOUR budget. Antec=budget build???? In my view, Rosewill and Apex=budget. That said, I typically pick up a Antec SL3700BQE and replace the PSU with a higher end Enermax or OCZ PSU, so while I am picky on PSU, I think Antec makes an excellent case and is not really associated by most folks as a "budget" enclosure. IMHO, of course.

Well ok but the Solo is the same price as the PC-7B, making the Antec overpriced in my opinion.

But how bad is the sound in the PC-7B? With the open fan chasis in the front I can imagine running into problems. Especially since this case will be sitting ontop of my desk instead of under it.

But speaking of case fans, any suggestions for both the Solo and PC-7B? The Solo I believe can hold 1 120 in the back and 2x 88s or 1 120 in the front? I believe I read that in one of the reviews anyway.

Noise is equal to whatever you put in the case. I always run my intake fans at 5v; with the right fan that?s practically silent. If you want you can go a step further and remove the fan completely, since intakes have very little to no bearing on system temps.

Either way your still going to be dealing with the noise the 7900GT creates so I'd say it's a moot point until you take steps there.

If the Solo is anything like the P150 (and supposedly it is) it has mounts for 2x 92mm fans in the front, 88mm fans don?t exist.

 

[JM Aggie08]

anything lian li should do you justice.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: Raibaru
Yea, I'm not a big fan of case doors. I do alot of CD burning and gaming and such and I feel like the door would end up being open more then closed and would just end up broken.

If you're willing to consider the P180, you can take the door off very easily, or else rotate it 270 degrees out of the way.

 

[Raibaru]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight

Originally posted by: Raibaru
Yea, I'm not a big fan of case doors. I do alot of CD burning and gaming and such and I feel like the door would end up being open more then closed and would just end up broken.

If you're willing to consider the P180, you can take the door off very easily, or else rotate it 270 degrees out of the way.

The P180 was actually the first case I was considering. Unfortunetly, it is about 2" to tall to fit where I need to put it.

As for the video card sound problems, any suggestions on how to handle that?

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Raibaru
As for the video card sound problems, any suggestions on how to handle that?

Zalman VF-700.