Lian Li VS COOLER MASTER VS Sunbeam

[Serrinon]

So I'm checking out different Cases, and I'm in the market for something hopefully below or around $100.

I came accross these 3 hopefulls:

Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-BA $83.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811166004
Lian Li PC-60USB B2 $99.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112022
COOLER MASTER Praetorian PAC-T01-EK $108.50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119035

Now I was wondering what difference I would see in the Sunbeam VS the Cool Master or the Lian Li. I've never heard of Sunbeam, but it has nice reviews, and between the three its the only Case with 1X120 fan and 3X80 fans.

Thanks!

 

[Serrinon]

I found this review of the sunbeam case:

http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Sunbeam_Transformer/

 

[slpaulson]

I own a case very similar to that cooler master case (it's an older version that has a window) and I really like it, mostly because I think it's the best looking case around. It's still pretty easy to use with a removable motherboard tray.

The only thing I don't like is that it is a pain to change the front fans, because you have to take off the whole front face, and then putting it back on is no easy task.

 

[Rob80]

The only case I can speak for is the Lian Li. I have one similar to that one (but it's black). I've had it for a year and I love it. It's really well built and looks great in the flesh. But after looking at the links you posted, that coolmaster case looks nice as well.

 

[JCKC]

I just went from a Antec SLK3000B to a Cooler Master Praetorian PAC-T01-EK. The quality of construction is excellent and you can tell a lot of thought went into its design. The all-aluminum chassis makes it very light (that is until you put all your gear in it!). The motherboard slide-out tray made installation of my EPox 9NPA Ultra a snap. Although the case came with four Cooler Master 80mm fans, I chose to replace them with four Panaflo fans, controlling them via a Sunbeam Rheobus contoller. Even with the fans at 8 volts, the temperature insde the case averages between 80° and 85° F at idle. I am definitely happy with this case and have no reservations about recommending it.

 

[Serrinon]

Thank you for the replies guys! Its nice hearing different peoples opinions. can you guys tell me how you feel about the cooling?

I read taht the Coolmaster has 3 intakes and only 1 exaust, but the Li-Lian has 2 intake and 2 exaust

Thanks

 

[Operandi]

The Praetorian is great case; build quality is as good as it gets and its one of the best looking cases there is. Like others here I immediately swapped out the stock fans for Panaflo L1As. You will have to remove the front bezel which is a bit annoying I suppose it's not terrible hard, you will need a set of hex screw drivers however.

The fans themselves are setup 2x intake and 2x exhaust, and that's how I would leave it. Cooling was great despite the 4 80mm Panaflos running at 5-7v equivalent speed through MSI's BIOS fan control.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I have two Lian Li mid-towers but of these three cases you linked i too would go with what
others have said about the Praetorian.

Very nice case!


...Galvanized

 

[Serrinon]

So with the cool master there are there 2 intakes in the front to cool the HD's then one exhaust in the rear, and one on the top?

 

[JCKC]

Originally posted by: Serrinon
So with the cool master there are there 2 intakes in the front to cool the HD's then one exhaust in the rear, and one on the top?

That's exactly right. The front two intakes draw air into the case, helping to cool the hard drives at the same time. The fan on the back of the case draws air out as does the top fan, expelling the warm air that tends to collect at the top of the case.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Serrinon
So with the cool master there are there 2 intakes in the front to cool the HD's then one exhaust in the rear, and one on the top?

Correct!!

There is not a restrictive stamped grill at the rear exhaust, it uses a wire grill."That is a good thing"(M.Stewart)

Bookmark this site,www.mechbgon.com, you will need to read it.
mechBgon offers much good info for the new builder. mechBgon is a respected member of this board.


...Galvanized

 

[Mrvile]

Sunbeam makes ok cases but they aren't a very big company. I'd go with either the Lian Li or the Praetorian (probably the CM). Can you give us an idea of what your rig looks like?

 

[SH0GUN]

I've had 2 Lian Li cases, and loved em both to death

They are great sturdy cases, can't go wrong with a Lian Li

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: SH0GUN
I've had 2 Lian Li cases, and loved em both to death

They are great sturdy cases, can't go wrong with a Lian Li

Agreed. I have a V1000 which I love to death, and although my case is more high-end compared to the PC-60, I'm sure that even Lian Li's budget cases are better than most other high-end cases. Coolermaster cases are also amazing, the new Praetorian and the new Stacker simply blow my mind. CM and LL are both excellent choices for cases.

 

[Serrinon]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Sunbeam makes ok cases but they aren't a very big company. I'd go with either the Lian Li or the Praetorian (probably the CM). Can you give us an idea of what your rig looks like?

Thank you guys so much for all the information everyone! This is what I'm looking to put together:

Motherboard ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $229.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

Processor AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 $233.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539

Video Card: Geforce 6800GS XFX PVT42GUAD7 Video Card - Retail $215.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150118

Memory: Patriot "Extreme Performance" 2 X 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM $40.50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220018

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 - OEM $70.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178

PSU Rosewill RP500 500W Power Supply $52.00 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817182009


I already have the PSU and one stick of Patriot in my current Rig as well as two HD's and I'll just take the drives out of my current PC.

EDIT: This will be my first build, so I would love any feedback.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I'm going to cut right to the chase with no hearts or flowers.

Your choice of PSU is a POS. Use it if your must but as most all first time builders you consider it an after thought.
The PSU is the most important piece of hardware in your case. It feeds everything.

Did you bookmark www.mechbgon.com...? You will need it, very good pics and a walk through that is in detail. Your build will POST the first time the power button is touched if you
follow it. That is a satisfiying feeling.

This link is from a bright young man that tests hardware and gives honest reviews. He posts
on this board from time to time. Not often enough. Your Rosewill is just next to the run-from PSUs...webhelp

Look over the rest of his blog. Take a look at how he tests PSU and read several of the reviews he's done.
We all have to do our homework, that's part of the fun.


...Galvanized

 

[Serrinon]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
I'm going to cut right to the chase with no hearts or flowers.

Your choice of PSU is a POS. Use it if your must but as most all first time builders you consider it an after thought.
The PSU is the most important piece of hardware in your case. It feeds everything.

Did you bookmark www.mechbgon.com...? You will need it, very good pics and a walk through that is in detail. Your build will POST the first time the power button is touched if you
follow it. That is a satisfiying feeling.

This link is from a bright young man that tests hardware and gives honest reviews. He posts
on this board from time to time. Not often enough. Your Rosewill is just next to the run-from PSUs...webhelp

Look over the rest of his blog. Take a look at how he tests PSU and read several of the reviews he's done.
We all have to do our homework, that's part of the fun.


...Galvanized

What PSU do you think I should get. I don't know if I can afford much more than $50, but it seems really important, so if there is a more expensive one you could recommend I can try and up with some more $

Thanks!

 

[Serrinon]

Is this thread another accurate represenation of PSUs?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Sparkle FSP550PLG-SLI ATX12V, Newegg has it at $110. This is the best bang for the buck.:gift:

Shop around and you will find it for less.....Maybe.

A good rule of thumb. Add up all hardware that's going into the case. Ten percent of that should be for a good PSU.
Read what Jonny has to say about cheap PSUs falling on their face when subject to real loads and heat. Did you read anything at that link? Look at his reccomended PSUs.
Since your going to Newegg, look at the 300 watt Zippy and note it's output. If run side by side it would crush the Rosewill you linked. Wattage ratings are not real world they are marketing for the lower end PSUs.

The Sparkle will serve your build well for many years.

This type of conversation about high-end builds with less-than PSUs happens here and in General Hardware atleast three times a week. That is why I was direct...



...Galvanized

 

[Serrinon]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
Sparkle FSP550PLG-SLI ATX12V, Newegg has it at $110. This is the best bang for the buck.:gift:

Shop around and you will find it for less.....Maybe.

A good rule of thumb. Add up all hardware that's going into the case. Ten percent of that should be for a good PSU.
Read what Jonny has to say about cheap PSUs falling on their face when subject to real loads and heat. Did you read anything at that link? Look at his reccomended PSUs.
Since your going to Newegg, look at the 300 watt Zippy and note it's output. If run side by side it would crush the Rosewill you linked. Wattage ratings are not real world they are marketing for the lower end PSUs.

The Sparkle will serve your build well for many years.

This type of conversation about high-end builds with less-than PSUs happens here and in General Hardware atleast three times a week. That is why I was direct...



...Galvanized

Thank you!

I've been reading the links you gave me and googling Trying to sort this all out, and comming to the sad conclusion that I need to drop $100 fro a solid PSU. But I didn't see sparkle on his lists, and I was wondering about Silverstone, he said, "some units" There are a number on Newegg, and I can't figure out how to know which were the "some" he mentioned.

EDIT: Here are the Newegg Silverstones http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...xPrice=&SubCategory=58&Submit=Property

This Silverstone seems really nice : SILVERSTONE Zeus SST-ST52F ATX 520W Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817163107

Is there some site out there dedicated to reviewing PSU's?

EDIT 2: I noticed it doesn't have Dual +12V, that seems to be what most PSU's are going for now a days, to acomodate SLi, what do you think?

 

[JCKC]

Check out the SeaSonic line of power supplies. This one is a little over your original budget but would still meet your needs just fine.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

OP, go with the Sparkle.

The Silverstones I have little knowledge of except they are rebadged.

All the Silverstones you linked are 20+4 pin. You want 24 pin. Over in General Hardware is a stickied thread right at the top. It goes into some detail about the differences of these two specs. An addapter can be used to go from 20 to 24 pin but for a new build why do it?

I will come back with a link when i find it. It will explain the rating system of PSUs a little different than Jonnyguru(silly name )


...Galvanized

 

[Serrinon]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
OP, go with the Sparkle.

The Silverstones I have little knowledge of except they are rebadged.

All the Silverstones you linked are 20+4 pin. You want 24 pin. Over in General Hardware is a stickied thread right at the top. It goes into some detail about the differences of these two specs. An addapter can be used to go from 20 to 24 pin but for a new build why do it?

I will come back with a link when i find it. It will explain the rating system of PSUs a little different than Jonnyguru(silly name )


...Galvanized

Cool, thanks! I'll keep reading and trying to educate myself.

 

[Serrinon]

Originally posted by: JCKC
Check out the SeaSonic line of power supplies. This one is a little over your original budget but would still meet your needs just fine.

That looks like a nice, PSU, but I'm worried about it only being 380W

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Three months ago pure overclock had a very direct article about PSU rating standards.

Along with a comparison of four PSUs. I guess his site got some hits, he picked up adverizing and pulled the very honest article. www.pureoverclock.com there is the site but not what i wanted to offer.

You do not need over 450watts IF the amperage is alloted properly.

Good luck. You got my best.


...Galvanized