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Case suggestions

corwin

corwin

Diamond Member
I know you all have your opinions so I would love to hear them😀 I am helping some older friends of mine build a new computer and need some suggestions on a good case for it. Essential features would be good air cooling that doesn't sound like a plane taking off, something with 120mm fans front and rear would be perfect, and in the "under $100" range. It will have a full ATX MB with a Phenom 9600 in it using integrated graphics, a pair of optical drives and a single HD. I am considering the Antec 900 but thought I would throw a line out to ya'll for any other thoughts. I will select an appropriate power supply seperately as I have never seen a case that comes with a good one, of course if you think otherwise...... Thanks to all for your input.

This is for an "older" couple, so no OC is needed, just a cool and quiet case, in fact the Phenom @ stock will be way more than they need but the 9600 is only $140 right now and IMO can't be beat at that price.
 
Yuck. Antec 900 is failtacular...Cooler Master Centurion would be my usual recommendation. Not sure you really need that much for a computer if you don't OC (especially since most Phenoms won't clock worth a damn).
 
No disrespect to those who have the Cooler Master Centurion 590, but it's not that aesthetically pleasing (to me at least).

Although, I admit it is very good for modding and liquid cooling.

Sorry, it's my opinion only and I'm sure there will be flames.
 
Unless your older couple is doing something unusual like gaming or scientific analysis, etc. they hardly need that much CPU power. An under $50. dual core AMD would even be gross overkill. The MSI micro ATX mobo that was an August Newegg favorite would be a good match for it. I'm using a single core AM2 unit with 2GB of Corsair XMS RAM and it does fine for me. You might want to consider the C-M Mystique 631 aluminum case that's been on sale at http://www.SVC.com for about ever (original MSRP, $125.00). And Xoxide has some Chenming compact aluminum cases at a super price right now w/ free ship too. Those cases would be a lot easier to move around for older folks than the cases that have been mentioned so far. The Antec EA-380 PSU (made by Seasonic) of which I have one left in my FS/T listing (linked in my sig below) would be more than adequate for such systems No need for them to spend a bunch of money to get a system that would meet their needs for a good while in the future.

.bh.
 
antec sonata III ? looks decent, good PSU, pretty quiet too ... can be had for less then $100 if you get a decent deal ...
 
You need to stop thinking "gaming rig" and start thinking "like a Dell." Translation: Don't go about it as if you were choosing what parts YOU would use for YOUR system.

The Antec 900 has way overkill cooling, side window and LED lights in the front fans. Not something for "an older couple." I'd go with any of the Antec Sonata family as those have good airflow (but not a windtunnel like Antec 900), are quiet and don't look like "I'm a 15 year old gamer."

Why go full ATX? An Antec NSK3480 would make for a great system in a small package. Heck, can even go smaller than that with the NSK1380, NSK1480 or Minuet.

Or, just get a Dell. 😉
 
Originally posted by: daw123
No disrespect to those who have the Cooler Master Centurion 590, but it's not that aesthetically pleasing (to me at least).

Although, I admit it is very good for modding and liquid cooling.

Sorry, it's my opinion only and I'm sure there will be flames.
Click to expand...

I hate my 590. I want to get rid of it and get another 534 but if I ditch the 590, I won't have anyone who wants it. What I had in mind was the 534...which IMO is better looking and much more practical/useful.
 
Sonata looks nice and Directron in Houston and Axiontech in Carrollton (actually the same company now) has it for 99. You'd have to pay tax but it still comes out good re. Newegg's deal and no rebates involved. Especially if you or someone you know are going that way anyway while the deal is on and can pick it up to save shipping. But it's still heavier and more expensive than the cases I mentioned above and the PSU is overkill for a moderate system. Plus its front fan location, on the back side of the HDD rack, is weird and I'd think it's less effective there. Directron has several aluminum cases at under or near $100., but beware, if you look at "All" aluminum cases, some of the models listed will only have an aluminum bezel with the main part of the case being normal steel.

Some of the new InWin cases look nice and aren't overly large or heavy and I also like the Rosewill R5600 series from Newegg/ChiefValue. A top value and 5-egg series of cases.

.bh.
 
I agree the Antec 900 is way overkill for your clients' needs, plus it is really a gamer's case with all the lights and windowed panel.

I would also include the Antec SonataIII on my list of "to be considered." I have built computers using all three Sonatas (I, II, and III). These are good cases, with the SonataIII being the best.

If your clients don't want a computer case without a door, then you might consider the Antec New Solution series of cases. I have built computers around the Antec NSK4480 and NSK4480B cases and have found them to be good cases. They are quiet, have good cooling, fairly conservative looking, and come with an Antec Earthwatts 380-watt PSU. I have also built computers using the Antec NSK6580 and NSK6580B cases. These cases are a little larger than the the NSK4480 cases, have better cooling, and come with an Antec Earthwatts 430-watt PSU. I believe you can get the Antec NSK4480B at Microcenter for $60.

:beer:
 
Originally posted by: Rockhound1
If your clients don't want a computer case without a door, then you might consider the Antec New Solution series of cases.
Click to expand...

Alternately, instead of the Sonata III, the Sonata Designer and Sonata Plus don't have doors. Those use the same chassis as the Solo, but with slightly differing colors and of course PSUs included. The Designer comes with an EarthWatts 500W and the Plus comes with a NeoPower 550W. Pretty decent, since the NeoPower is a Seasonic build and is modular. Original EarthWatts were also Seasonic builds but later ones were Delta. I know Delta units are in the channel now separately, but don't know if they've hit the cases yet.
 
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