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Case and Power Supply for $120 or less

N

nwrigley

Senior member
There is so much to choose from out there that I'm having trouble deciding. I'm looking for a case and psu in the range of $120 or less.

I want a mid tower case that is quiet and I'm more concerned with functonality rather than side panels or lights. For the PSU obviously bigger is better, but I probably won't be running SLI and reliabiluty is the key.

I built a system for someone with the Sonata 2 and liked that case pretty well, seems like a good deal still http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155 but maybe the PSU could be more robust?

What would you guys recommend?
 
The Sonata is nothing special, and the Antec PSU is average at best. The sum of the parts is not worth the sum of the price in my opinion.

For the case I like the Lian Li PC-7B as a starting point. Try undervolting the stock Adda fans first, and if that?s not enough you can replace them with Yate Loons (the quietest 120mm fan around).

For the PSU the 380 watt Seasonic S12 is a top notch unit and will run 90% of the non-SLI machines with plenty of juice to spare.
 
Originally posted by: Operandi
The Sonata is nothing special, and the Antec PSU is average at best. The sum of the parts is not worth the sum of the price in my opinion.

For the case I like the Lian Li PC-7B as a starting point. Try undervolting the stock Adda fans first, and if that?s not enough you can replace them with Yate Loons (the quietest 120mm fan around).

For the PSU the 380 watt Seasonic S12 is a top notch unit and will run 90% of the non-SLI machines with plenty of juice to spare.
Click to expand...

how you getting those two for less than 120?
 
you could save some $$ on the psu with something like this. might give you some fleibility with your case selection. e-wiz has other enhances but i don't know what your powering so its hard to say what you need. enhance makes some nice psu's.
 
Originally posted by: rise
Originally posted by: Operandi
The Sonata is nothing special, and the Antec PSU is average at best. The sum of the parts is not worth the sum of the price in my opinion.

For the case I like the Lian Li PC-7B as a starting point. Try undervolting the stock Adda fans first, and if that?s not enough you can replace them with Yate Loons (the quietest 120mm fan around).

For the PSU the 380 watt Seasonic S12 is a top notch unit and will run 90% of the non-SLI machines with plenty of juice to spare.
Click to expand...

how you getting those two for less than 120?
Click to expand...

Hmmm... I'm an idiot.

Originally posted by: nwrigley
Thanks atom. What would be the advantage of the PSU you picked as opposed to this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

That COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 case doesn't look bad at all. I'm not sure that I really want a vented side panel though, seems like it would just add noise and I probably won't run a side fan.
Click to expand...

That FSP is lower-end PSU. Less efficient, no PFC, not as quiet, and lower quality caps.

I've used the Centurion and wasn't particularly impressed. The tool-less drive and card mounting hardware is very cheap, and barely works, in other aspects it is an above average case I suppose.

Personally I've had good luck with InWin for the $50-60 range. Give this one a look (there is a black version).
 
Originally posted by: rise
you could save some $$ on the psu with something like this. might give you some fleibility with your case selection. e-wiz has other enhances but i don't know what your powering so its hard to say what you need. enhance makes some nice psu's.
Click to expand...

great psu, planning on the same one.
 
PSU: 450W Fortron AX450PN or the similar 400W Sparkle model. Both have Dual +12V rails at 18A/18A, more than many comparable 500+ W PSUs.

Case: Pick what you like for around $70 from a reputable make such as Cooler Master, Antec, Lian-Li, etc.
 
Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu
I'm really liking: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811124114
Then whatever powersupply you want to get that's within budget (I always go overboard on PSUs... so I probably shouldn't recommend one).
Click to expand...

Now THAT is an interesting case. That 250mm fan on the side is crazy. It would seem like that could push around a lot of air while being quiet.

I wonder if there is a problem with dust coming in from the side or if the vent holes are small enough to filter it out. I would like to see one of these, will definitely keep my eye on it. How did you hear about it? Links to any reviews you have read would be appreciated.
 
Originally posted by: Operandi

Personally I've had good luck with InWin for the $50-60 range. Give this one a look (there is a black version).
Click to expand...

I wonder how much the PSU from that InWin case would sell for on E-Bay? 😉
 
Provantage.com beats the heck out of Newegg on Antec case prices plus some models also have a rebate available there. Besides, the Egg is now OOS on them.

Check the Rosewill thread here - I just bumped it back to the first page in the C&C section.

And check this PSU Enhance 460W.

the link above saves you $1.50 over going direct to ewiz.com

And this is a lot of PSU for the money from newegg 500W Coolmax w/aPFC.

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: nwrigley
Originally posted by: Operandi

Personally I've had good luck with InWin for the $50-60 range. Give this one a look (there is a black version).
Click to expand...

I wonder how much the PSU from that InWin case would sell for on E-Bay? 😉
Click to expand...

The included InWin PSUs are supposed to be alright, although probably not as good as the Fortons they used to ship with.

You could always keep it as a backup.
 
Originally posted by: 996GT2
PSU: 450W Fortron AX450PN or the similar 400W Sparkle model. Both have Dual +12V rails at 18A/18A, more than many comparable 500+ W PSUs.

Case: Pick what you like for around $70 from a reputable make such as Cooler Master, Antec, Lian-Li, etc.
Click to expand...

the fortrons with the "ax" in front are inferior to the ones with "fsp" in front, for instance, their epsilon series and many others.
 
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