Looking for a recommendation for a new case

[KnowledgeSeeker]

I need a new case and wanted to know what you thought of the Antec SX1040BII w/ 400W PS. It is $80 after rebate which is about $30 more than I wanted to spend on a case but it does have a SmartPower 400W PS and I think that Antec is a good brand. I do NOT need a fancy clear or windowed or colored case that is all tricked out but want something better than a generic sharp-edged finger-cutting bargain basement model. If this is not what you would recommend, then what case is??

Also, what is the difference between SmartPower and TruePower. Antec seems to have two power supply lines??

Finally, what are your thoughts about the Asylum 64MB GeForce4 Ti4200?? It is also $80 after rebate which seems like a good deal to me. Again, I do NOT need the absolute top of the line video card as I do not do that much gaming (maybe 10%) but want more than the old matrox 32MB card that I have now.

Thanks for your input.

 

[godmare]

That's a great price on a popular case with an exceent power supply, go for it
TruPower is Antec's premiere line, with SmartPower being there 'economical' line, both of which are excellent.
The difference, as far as I understand it (and maybe MechBgon will come let you know some more ), is the Tru has 2 'fan-only' molex connectors that adjust fan speed per temperature; Trus are quieter and have steadier voltage than Smarts.
EDIT
oops, forgot the video card
I have a BFG Tech Asylum Ti4200 128MB. I've had it for about 6 months, and I just had to RMA it, due to (what appears to be) bad video RAM. 6 months isn't very long, so I don't know how much I'd recommend the card... it has a lifetime warranty, though, but dealing with my old Savage4 for a couple weeks is a big PITA :disgust:

 

[TonyH]

It is a great price on that case. I paid about the same for the PlusView1000AMG. It's about the same as that case but with the window option and no power supply. I've had nothing but praise for the quality of the case.

 

[blade]

Also, what is the difference between SmartPower and TruePower. Antec seems to have two power supply lines??

Truepower psu's have two "fan only" connectors as godmare said but the 2 fans in the psu are also thermally controlled. The idea is to "achieve optimum balance between noise reduction and necessary cooling" - from Antec. You can add up to 3 fans to each fan only connector, but no temp controlled fans. The smartpower fans are slightly noisier since they are not thermally controlled. Though not annoyingly so.

Truepower's have gold colored grills and gold plated molex connectors, smartpower has silver ones. Truepower psu's also has the main power lead covered in a nylon mesh for a neater look.

And TruePower has dedicated output circuitry for each voltage line, which means that there is no combined output limit other than, of course, that of the entire power supply.


And as Tony said, da case is a nice one.

 

[Jhhnn]

That's a quality case and psu. They are buh-big, though, so be sure that's what you want. Antec currently markets two psu lines, the Smartpowers being good quality units w/o bells and whistles, the TruPowers being more of a high end line, with different circuitry, quiet fans, temp-controlled fan leads, etc.

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: blade

Also, what is the difference between SmartPower and TruePower. Antec seems to have two power supply lines??

Truepower psu's have two "fan only" connectors as godmare said but the 2 fans in the psu are also thermally controlled. The idea is to "achieve optimum balance between noise reduction and necessary cooling" - from Antec. You can add up to 3 fans to each fan only connector, but no temp controlled fans. The smartpower fans are slightly noisier since they are not thermally controlled. Though not annoyingly so.

Truepower's have gold colored grills and gold plated molex connectors, smartpower has silver ones. Truepower psu's also has the main power lead covered in a nylon mesh for a neater look.

And TruePower has dedicated output circuitry for each voltage line, which means that there is no combined output limit other than, of course, that of the entire power supply.


And as Tony said, da case is a nice one.

I have an SL350 Blue, a SmartPower, and they have thermally controlled internal fans as well. Mine run at full most of the time, though...

 

[Fallen Kell]

Originally posted by: godmare

Originally posted by: blade

Also, what is the difference between SmartPower and TruePower. Antec seems to have two power supply lines??

Truepower psu's have two "fan only" connectors as godmare said but the 2 fans in the psu are also thermally controlled. The idea is to "achieve optimum balance between noise reduction and necessary cooling" - from Antec. You can add up to 3 fans to each fan only connector, but no temp controlled fans. The smartpower fans are slightly noisier since they are not thermally controlled. Though not annoyingly so.

Truepower's have gold colored grills and gold plated molex connectors, smartpower has silver ones. Truepower psu's also has the main power lead covered in a nylon mesh for a neater look.

And TruePower has dedicated output circuitry for each voltage line, which means that there is no combined output limit other than, of course, that of the entire power supply.


And as Tony said, da case is a nice one.

I have an SL350 Blue, a SmartPower, and they have thermally controlled internal fans as well. Mine run at full most of the time, though...

What I think blade meant to say was that the TruePower has 2 fan heads to connect 2 external/case fans which are thermally controlled by the same mechanism that controls the PSU's fans.