Case/PSU Combo Advice

[JackSpadesSI]

I?m looking to build a Windows Home Server-based system in the near future. For that, I?d appreciate some recommendations/advice on a case/PSU combo (it doesn?t HAVE to be a combo, but I assume that is all that would meet my tight budget). Initially, it will include:

Processor: I haven?t decided ? either E1400 or E5200
Motherboard: something really basic with onboard video (full ATX)
RAM: 4 GB because it was a dollar more than the 2 GB kit
HDD: two Western Digital Caviar Green 1 TB

My case/PSU combo budget is $50. HOWEVER, please let me know if that is too cheap to expect anything that will work well and last for years. I want it to do its job, but I don?t want it to break the bank!

I?d like the case to look ?clean? (no silly lights or features that really stand out). Black is preferable, but I just want it to be functional. 4 internal HDD bays is the minimum, but 5+ would be great for future expandability.

For the PSU, I really don?t have a good grasp on the minimum wattage necessary for the above equipment. Obviously, it should be able to power 4+ HDDs if I?m going to bother making that a requirement for the case. It doesn?t have to be fancy, but it does have to work and work reliably!

Thanks, in advance, for any help!

 

[zerogear]

Why not grab a lower power celeron @ 35W TDP. If it is going to be a dedicated Windows Home Server, the celeron would be more than enough. As for case/psu, you're a bit too low on the budget. $80-120 would be more like it considering it is at least 40-50$ for a quality case that supports 4-5 HDD mounts, and since WHS, you'll probably want it to run 24/7, so not any cheapo PSU will do.

As for recommendation, I suggest
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $54.95
Antec earthwatts EA380 380W - $59.99

Depending on how many HDD you want to put in there, you may or may not want to invest in a earthwatts 450W (69.99).

That case supports 6 HDDs

Edit: the earthwatts 500W is now the same price as the 450W ;P

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

If it is just going to be a file server for home, then why not get an Atom based system? Would consume less power and would be cheaper.

 

[zerogear]

Atom motherboards tend not to have a lot of SATA ports.. (usually 2)

 

[DSF]

The Earthwatts are solid PSUs, but $60 is too steep for the 380W version. It goes on sale for $25-35 fairly often.

That said, Antec typically makes the best Case/PSU bundles. The Sonata III comes to mind, and I believe the NSK3480 includes a PSU as well.