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case and psu upgrade/repair plan - please critique

H

hurtstotalktoyou

Platinum Member
Hi, all. I need to buy the following components:

1. mini tower case (something small and sturdy)
2. power supply (something reliable, modest power requirements)

Here's what I came up with:

CASE: hec (AKA compucase) 6K28BB8F (retail) - $48.98 @ chiefvalue.com

PSU: ocz stealthxstream ocz500sxs (retail) - $23.90AR @ newegg.com

TOTAL: $72.88 after mail-in rebate and live search cashback

This is a lot more than I wanted to spend. Those hec cases used to be $35 shipped just a couple months ago, but now they're nearly $50. And I've seen good psus like the Antec EA380 on sale for as low as $25 in the past. I'm considering just waiting until I find good deals like those again, but are there perhaps deals out there right now that I'm simply missing?

One last thing: As you can see, I am totally fine with mail-in rebates. If you know of any good rebate deals, lay them on me!

Any helpful hints or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: I bought the Foxconn M7VMX-K (retail) - $44.99 @ newegg.com ($43.76 after live search cashback), and I will wait on DVD burner
 
The only case/PSU combos that I'd recommend are Antec, most combo PSU's would be better put to use as paper weights.
 
Originally posted by: theAnimal
The only case/PSU combos that I'd recommend are Antec, most combo PSU's would be better put to use as paper weights.
Click to expand...

I have considered this, but I'm worried about the price premium required to avoid a combo PSU. Do you have something in mind, which would not break the bank?
 
Personally, I would have gone for the Gigabyte P31 models for a mobo for an additional $10! And also go for an SATA Optical drive vice SATA.
 
Thank you for the suggestions so far. I'm sticking with the Foxconn board, and in fact I ordered it this morning. The DVD burner I think I'll wait to get, as it is not essential at the moment. I'm taking the advice to get a better psu, as suggested. Here's the new plan:

CASE: hec (AKA compucase) 6K28BB8F (retail) - $48.98 @ chiefvalue.com - this is a sturdier case than the Foxconn one I had originally picked out. It has a steel thickness of 0.8mm, which seems to be pretty good.

PSU: pc power & cooling silencer ppcs370x (retail) - $34.08AR @ newegg.com - is pcp&c still considered a top-tier psu manufacturer?

TOTAL: $83.06 after mail-in rebate and live search cashback

As I stated in my edited OP, this is considerably more than I wanted to spend. Those hec/compucase cases used to be $35 shipped just a few months ago, and I remember seeing the Antec EA380 for $25 shipped. What happened to those prices?
 
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

Are you building for yourself or someone else? If for you, will it sit in plain sight or buried in a desk? If buried, just look around newegg for the cheapest case with free shipping and get it. Who cares what it looks like it you see it once every few days to throw in a different CD or whatever?
 
Originally posted by: Denithor
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

Are you building for yourself or someone else? If for you, will it sit in plain sight or buried in a desk? If buried, just look around newegg for the cheapest case with free shipping and get it. Who cares what it looks like it you see it once every few days to throw in a different CD or whatever?
Click to expand...

Good call. I just have one concern...

I don't mind waiting for rebates. I do mind not getting them at all. I see a lot of negative reports regarding OCZ rebates. What's the deal with that? Rebate-zone.com seems to be their rebate house. Are they trustworthy?

Otherwise, that looks like the best idea so far. Thanks!
 
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