Can anyone find a better case/power supply than what I've found for $66?

[lizardboy]

Building this for my brother-in-law, mostly out of my old parts. The only thing I need to get is a case & PSU. I'm throwing in an ECS K7VTA3 mobo and a Duron 1.6 from Fry's. He will not be overclocking, I'm looking for more stability and low noise.

Case: Compucase Mid-Tower ATX $39

PSU: Fortron 300W low-noise $27

I usually get most of my stuff from newegg, but I couldn't find anything I liked in that price range. Plus I'll be in Houston soon and can pick everything up from Directron.

Just wanted to see if anyone can recommend something better for about the same price.

EDIT - nevermind, this thread is dealing with the same price range: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=37&threadid=1234052

 

[Gravity]

Good luck!

I build boxes for my family members too. Sometimes it's a good thing, othertimes, well, you know.

 

[optimistic]

http://store.yahoo.com/directron/slk3700amb.html

 

[Salvador]

Read my thread. I'm in the same boat. Just building a nice, consertive system for someone. So far, I like the two cases mentioned in my thread for the $40 range shipped.

If you can spend up to $60-$70 though, I would have to second the Antec SLK2600/3700. They are awesome cases for the money. I love the door (without a lock) too because it hides the drives. You certainly can't go wrong with an Antec power supply either. I would put their 300w power supply against a 400+w off brand PSU any day.

Sal

 

[BigEdMuustaffa]

How do you guys figure out what wattage power supply you'll need?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Antec SLK3700AMB

 

[Zepper]

The Compucase 6Axx series is identical to the Antec (edit) SLK3700AMB on the inside, just a different front bezel w/o a door - made by the same OEM. Can't beat that design for the money.
.bh.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

3700ABR? Not heard of one of those.

 

[Blooz1]

I'd say the Compucase/Fortron combo is a winner, even if cheaper stuff is found! I have that case, and it's sturdy, roomy, well-built, and with some simple mods is very quiet.

I've got a 350W Fortron in another system which is virtually inaudible 99% of the time, with rock-steady voltages at all times.

 

[virtuamike]

Chenming X-Sonic

I've been using those for every system I've built since summer. Same internal aluminimum construction as Antec Lanboy. Uses 350W Channel Well PSU, OEM for Antec. Can't go wrong with that combo. I pick them up locally at SVC, dunno how much shipping is but the aluminum makes it light.

 

[Zepper]

That Chenming/Aspire/TurboCase X-Sonic is a neat box too but it doesn't have the rubber HD isolators of the 6A19/SLK3700 or the 12cm fan mounts front and rear, and only holds 2HD rather than 5. The 6A series is made of steel, so probably more expensive to ship. Not to mention the Chenming is very cheap ($63. shipped from newegg) for a mostly Aluminum (has a couple of steel stiffening brackets inside) case w/PSU. You pays your nickel and takes your choice...
.bh.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: Zepper
That Chenming/Aspire/TurboCase X-Sonic is a neat box too but it doesn't have the rubber HD isolators of the 6A19/SLK3700 or the 12cm fan mounts front and rear, and only holds 2HD rather than 5. The 6A series is made of steel, so probably more expensive to ship. Not to mention the Chenming is very cheap ($63. shipped from newegg) for a mostly Aluminum (has a couple of steel stiffening brackets inside) case w/PSU. You pays your nickel and takes your choice...
.bh.

I can't stand doors, but to each his own. The 3700 is definately a nice case, if I found a place locally to pick them up I would.