Is Case and Power Supply for $60 Possible?

[RobDMB]

Ok I'm building a low budget system for my parents and would like to spend as little as possible on a case and power supply. I don't want to get a horrible power supply so if i have to spend more I will, but this will not be a high end system so I'm sure something basic and stable would be fine. Any suggestions....and is $60 even possible?

 

[tallman45]

Antec SLK2600AMB from Staples for $69.99
Case and PSU both solid and will not give you any trouble.
List Price $69.99 find coupons easily to get it for around your $60 budget

A nicer designed unit can be found at CircuitCity for $79.99
Antec Minuet PC Tower Case
Again there are coupons that can lower that price (8LAR296A5H) $15 of $100 but a cd or something to get to $100

Be careful how cheaply the parts are, remember who will be called to support this when there is a problem,,,,You

 

[RobDMB]

Yeah I agree, I'm not making it too cheap. If I have to spend a bit more I will. I'm thking of getting a Asus Mobo w/ Nvidia 6150 built in video, small harddrive, dvd burner, 512 ram, and either sempron/athlon/or opteron processor (undecided). I just want to make sure I have a decent power supply.

 

[lifeguard1999]

You can find cases with typically 300W power supplies for $60 or less at places like Best Buy and CompUSA. For systems with integrated video and a lower end CPU, this should suffice.

 

[Jhhnn]

If you're going with a matx board, check out the inwin line of cases at Newegg and elsewhere- they've traditionally used good psu's, and they have several models that will come in near or under $60 shipped. The V and Z series use standard atx supplies, while the low profile models generally use sfx models... nice little boxes.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...axPrice=&SubCategory=7&Submit=Property

 

[Zepper]

The Athenatech A100 series is decent for the money (the Egg carries them, but you may be able to get them cheaper elsewhere). You will need to mod it a bit for best cooling (cut out some fan grilles, etc.) but it's the same with almost any compact case. Particularly need to provide a bit of cooling to the HD area - it gets a bit too warm there for my taste - I cut a fan mount into the bottom of the top HD tray and aimed a small fan at the HD in the tray below. And it comes with an unpopulated 80mm fan mount in the front that also needs filling.

If you want a fancier case, the Egg has a Sky Hawk aluminum case for $35. shipped. You'll need to nab a decent PSU somewhere for it. Hint, hint, see my sig. Let's talk...

.bh.

 

[sixopace]

i got a xion case for my second build, and i must say, it is far better than i expected, it has a 450 watt psu, front door side window, and two lighted case fans, one non lighted 120mm silent fan, 1 120mm led fan, 1 80mm led fan.
this case has ample room i i would highly recommend it for any budget builds

Here is a link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811208008

 

[sixopace]

i just realized, you said it is for your parents, i guess the xion case wouldnt really appeal to you then, my b

 

[Zap]

CompuCase LX-6A19 with 300W HEC $55 plus shipping

Shipping will probably be well over $5 because this case is a heavy beast. The HEC PSU is pretty decent for a 300W unit - only 20 pin though.

 

[Wolfshanze]

Rob, you'll get a better value if you mail-order for a case from a reputable place like NewEgg rather then getting the overpriced schlock they sell at your local Best Buy or computer store. There are PLENTY of cases w/PSUs for at or under $60 at NewEgg... just pick something your folks would like. I built a system for my mother and also purchased a conservative case at NewEgg for little change.

 

[KoolDrew]

Get a micro-ATX In-Win case w/ 300w PSU.

 

[manohartvs]

How are the cases+PSU's here. You can take a look at amamax.com.
Somone here gave me the link to it. I am yet to buy it. There are cases+PSU's for around $35. Are they worth it? I am also looking for a low budget case+power supply.

 

[Zepper]

If you can't get a decent PSU for under $40. (except used or as a loss-leader), how can you get a case w/ PSU for $35. where you can actually expect the PSU to be worth a crap? I'd just get a good PSU and set my system up on a table until I could afford the case to go with it. You don't want to skimp on the cornerstone of your system, the PSU!

.bh.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
Rob, you'll get a better value if you mail-order for a case from a reputable place like NewEgg rather then getting the overpriced schlock they sell at your local Best Buy or computer store.

I can't speak for Best Buy but some computer stores have good stuff at good prices. I remember seeing a selection of good cases at the PC Club in San Diego (PC Club = ClubIT.com). They had this case for cheaper than Newegg (IIRC it was under $30) plus no shipping - does it really cost $15.99 to ship that case? Nope.

Here's pics of the build using that case. Had to upgrade the PSU because the original one wouldn't run a 6800GT video card and 7 HDDs.
picture 1
picture 2
picture 3
picture 4

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
Rob, you'll get a better value if you mail-order for a case from a reputable place like NewEgg rather then getting the overpriced schlock they sell at your local Best Buy or computer store.

I can't speak for Best Buy but some computer stores have good stuff at good prices. I remember seeing a selection of good cases at the PC Club in San Diego (PC Club = ClubIT.com). They had this case for cheaper than Newegg (IIRC it was under $30) plus no shipping - does it really cost $15.99 to ship that case? Nope.

Here's pics of the build using that case. Had to upgrade the PSU because the original one wouldn't run a 6800GT video card and 7 HDDs.
picture 1
picture 2
picture 3
picture 4

not sure if it was a special, but I picked up 3 of those cases at Pc Club last month for $29.99 each. Wouldn't run anything more then a basic setup with the included PSU, but for a starter system I will probably stick to these. They get the job done and the price is impossible to beat

 

[0roo0roo]

antec combo yes. and even that psu isn't really top notch, its mid grade, but hell of a lot better than generic garbage. in other words it won't do its full wattage, but it won't fail in a horrible way eithernot that ur likely to do that. on the otherhand if ur folks like silence.. silentpcreview.com might be a good place. seasonic psu's cost a little more, but their wattage ratings aren't fudged so u don't have to buy as high as some others. and they are quiet as hell. ur parents might pay a little more for silence..then again maybe they don't care.

 

[uo7]

As a couple others mentioned you should check Pc club if you have one in your area. If not any local small computer shop usually has good cases for cheap. Some shops will even swap out the power supply.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: QueBert
not sure if it was a special, but I picked up 3 of those cases at Pc Club last month for $29.99 each. Wouldn't run anything more then a basic setup with the included PSU, but for a starter system I will probably stick to these. They get the job done and the price is impossible to beat

Exactly! Newegg is $38 plus $15.99 shipping. I was responding to Wolfshanze's comment about computer stores being "overpriced schlock" and to buy from Newegg instead.

 

[cheesehead]

You can obtain half-decent ATX cases for free if you keep an eye out. (Heck, stop by my place, and I'll give you one for free.)
Then, get a decent PSU (40$ or so), and spend the rest on eggnog.

 

[RobDMB]

How big of a power supply would be adequate for a system consisting of: 1 AMD Athlon 3200+ processor, 1 80 gig SATA drive, Floppy 1 DVD-R Drive, 512-1 gig ram, and an asus Geforge 6150 motherboard with built in video. I would however liket he make sure the power supply has a bit of headroom in case I upgrade to a dedicated video card in a year or two.

 

[Zepper]

An excellent 300-350W PSU or an ordinary 400 Watt unit. Most systems (yes, even high end ones) seldom use more than a true 250 Watts.

.bh.

 

[RobDMB]

I think I've settled on a cooler master Centurion 540 microatx case. Now the question is whether I should buy the case for $50 or the case with a 380 W power supply for $80 How is the quality of the coolermaster power supplies. Are they decent or should i buy without and order a power supply seperate?

 

[Jhhnn]

The coolermaster is a nice case, and their psu's aren't junk. The Enermax venus is a nice box, too, with a good psu.

Not to be picky, but you started out looking for a bargain, but now you've gone right to the top end of normal cases... and the system you've specced would run fine on a decent 240w sfx psu... probably a lot less...

I don't understand, but, then again, I don't have to...

 

[RobDMB]

I know I started looking for a bargain too, but then I saw this case and liked it and thought maybe I should just spend the few extra bucks. I'm still debating. -Rob

 

[0roo0roo]

beset to buy bundles, can't beat the price. and yes spend a reasonable amount, you don't want your parents computer to be flaky.