help with case/psu and anything else

[SAMSAMHA]

seems like we got tons of techies here. Well, maybe you guys could help me too.

My mobo/cpu is on it's way. Now I am kinda juggling between other parts.
First of all, there's the case/PS. I have one question, Is Antec's truepower better than Thermaltake's power. The reason I am asking this is because I was looking at Antec's Sonata case, which sells like $99, it's a great case with good True380S power. NOw there's Thermaltake's power, which has been quite good. Seems like I can get Thermaltake's power 480 for around 60. The thing is I am thinking of getting a poewr+case around 100. Which would be a better choice, getting a case for like 40ish + 60 (the 480w Thermaltake Power). Or the sonata case, which has is true380 power.

Currently, I am thinking of this following config:
mobo with stock fan.
2X512 PC3200 or PC3500 Ram, maybe mushkin, Crucial, kingston, kingmax, geil (they all seem to be quite good)
Geforce 3 ti200 (the one I got right now), which I am thinking of replacing it in the future depend on the budget.
2 hd
2~3 cdrw/dvd rom/dvdrw
few fans here and there.

Now, I guess that's the basic setup. So which is a better buy? Please consider if I do upgrade my graphic card in the future. Also, I am kinda intrigued by the whole overclock thing, maybe I will do a light trial. Used to just own intel's mobo, so never tried OC. So, please also take this into account, since I know power and case are important with oc.

Thanks for all the reply in advance. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Degrador]

Thermaltake don't have a great amount of respect amongst enthusiasts - personally I haven't dealt with any of their stuff, but the number of cautions I've seen is enough for me to want to stay away. Also, a $40 case won't be all that good for build quality or cooling. The Sonata case with the 380W true power would be a much better buy. I have an Antec powersupply (True Control 550W) and found them to be quiet, stable and good quality.

 

[SAMSAMHA]

Thanks for your reply. That's what I thought after browsing lots of products. However, I do have a question, given that Sonata only has 2 fans ( I think ) on the whole case, would it be cool enough for my system(even if I do add more components and overclock)? NOwaday, seems like fans are everywhere. Also, the would the power be good for my system and possibility of a bit overclock?

Thanks.

 

[Zepper]

I like the Evercase 4292 and would order the optional HD isolators for it from the mfr plus the second HD bracket and isolators for it. Add a Silverstone 400W PSU and you're set. Another option is the Antec SLK3700AMB/Compucase 6A19 unless you are dead set on spending more money than necessary...
.bh.

:moon:

 

[SAMSAMHA]

man, just when I thought that I have decided on Sonata, I found out that sonanta's front port is only usb 1.1, that sucks. Still can't really decide on a good case/ps.

Don't really want to spend a bundle but still want good cool case (cool as temperature not looks). Looks are not that important to me, what's important is it's function, it's ability to cool, front connector, number of bay, etc.

So any body want to take a stab on the issue?

Just a side note, how much difference is the truepower 380 compare to smart power 400.
The reason that I am asking because I also saw this case
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-120&depa=0
and it has 400 smart power as oppose to truepoewer 380 in the sonata's case for about the same price.
Whichi s better?

 

[akira34]

I've been using the Antec SX1040BII case in system builds and they run cool (depending on room/air temp). With the two fans it comes with, plus a pair of Ventec Stealth fans (in the front) I can hear the processor and Radeon 9800 Pro fans over everything else. You can get that case for under $100, easily. I know that the front USB ports on the 1040BII case are USB2, plus it has the FireWire port if you want to use that.

See my sig for everything inside the 1040BII (same case you linked to in your post)...

 

[SAMSAMHA]

thanks for your fast reply. What about the power, is the power holds up? Or the 380 true power is better.

Originally posted by: akira34
I've been using the Antec SX1040BII case in system builds and they run cool (depending on room/air temp). With the two fans it comes with, plus a pair of Ventec Stealth fans (in the front) I can hear the processor and Radeon 9800 Pro fans over everything else. You can get that case for under $100, easily. I know that the front USB ports on the 1040BII case are USB2, plus it has the FireWire port if you want to use that.

See my sig for everything inside the 1040BII (same case you linked to in your post)...

 

[akira34]

I'd trust the Antec PSU to hold up equally well with either line. IF I was to replace the PSU inside my case now, it would be to go to the 430W TruePower model, just to have a few more watt (for later, IF I ever need it) and a few less dBA of noise. Still with 21dBA rated case fans, you won't hear those unless you're right in front of the case.

I don't have any long-term life to report (or lack of life) on the Smart Power line since I've just been using this case for about 6 months (in system builds too). So far, not a single problem to report. Same as all the other systems with Antec PSU's that I have built and are out there. I've had to replace more than a few other branded PSU's so far, most of them ones that any self-respecting system builder would never use (at least the people here with at least some experience).

 

[SAMSAMHA]

great, that gave me such a good confidence on the case with at least 350 from antec's PS. I see you do get a pretty heavy load system. So I would assume that my system should be okay with 350 or more of PS.
BTW, do you OC at all?

 

[akira34]

OC??? $%^&*( NO!!! LOL... With a processor/system this fast, there's NO need to oc... At this time, it more than handles anything I can toss at it. I might upgrade the video card later, when I can afford one of the X800 cards. Until then, I'm MORE than happy with the performance the Athlon64 gives. Of course the pair of SATA drives on RAID 0 don't hurt either... I'm itching to get another pair and have 2/3 of a TB inside the case...

 

[SAMSAMHA]

hahaha. I know. I never OC my system before well that's cause i have always used Intel's system(intel's board and cpu). So, I am just a bit intrigued by the whole OC. I probably won't do too much just messing it a bit, maybe not even do it at all.
Anyway, thanks so much for your reply. Seeing your system's config and what you have done, answers my questino on the case/ps of antec.
I currently has a geforce 3 ti200, I think I will use this for the moment( as well as 2 ide hd), until I got more money to get a better card and SATA drive.

BTW, since you are so knowledgeable and so fast in reply. I am curious, is it really neccessary to get 1gig of ram? Would I see a huge difference from 512? I was thinking of getting 1 gig but antec's case kinda takes a lot of money. I think ram's price probably will go down soon so I could very well add more later.
If I do some video encoding and some light game, should I get 1 gig? Would I see a huge improvement with 1 gig?

thanks again,.

 

[Zepper]

The Sonatas now in the channel should have USB 2 compatible front ports by now. If the one you get doesn't, just call Antec and they will send you an upgrade.
.bh.

 

[SAMSAMHA]

thanks a lot. I didn't know that. I checked their site, it wasn't mentioned. Then come across with people having usb2 problem. I am so glad this site, so many people to give out good infos.
I like sonata 'cause of front usb/firewall/sound. HOwever, I am also considering others whcih only has usb/firewall 'cause they are bigger and more expandable and seems to be cooler too.
It's so hard

Originally posted by: Zepper
The Sonatas now in the channel should have USB 2 compatible front ports by now. If the one you get doesn't, just call Antec and they will send you an upgrade.
.bh.

 

[akira34]

I got 1GB because I game with the system. I'd have 1.5GB if the mobo would use them at the full DDR400 speeds. The Antec case actually cost less than each stick of memory I'm using.

For light use, 512MB should be enough. Of course, if you find the system lags, then getting another stick should take care of it. Of course, getting something better than a gf3 video card will do wonders for the system too... The bare minimum I'd use/install in any system (that I'm building) is a 9600 Pro (XT being better)... My default card is the 9800 Pro with the XT upgrade available.

Which processor and mobo are you going with?? I've found one way to conserve funds (especially if not overcocking) is to use the retail version of the processor. For the few dollars difference, you get a really good HSF. I believe that the cost difference on the Athlon64 3200+ OEM to retail is about $12. You won't get much of a third party HSF for $12...

 

[SAMSAMHA]

i got in the amd deal, I haven't got the package yet. But from what I understand it has the retail fan and heatsink, no plan to change it if it's included.
I think it's amd 64 3200+ (newcastle, i think). With asus k8v se deluxe. It should be here on Wed, just want to get everything ready on wed so I can start builiding it when it arrives.

Which do you think I should buy first, extra ram to make it 1 gig or a graphic card. personally, I think ram better, probably better for what I do too.

BTW, what do you think about this case?
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-133-126&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Do you think it's better than antec's
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Thanks for the reply agian.
Hey how about you sell for cheap or give me your 9800 and you can go ahead and upgrade to xt
just a thought