Make a business case.

[bcoakley]

Hi folks -

I'm looking for a nice cheap ATX case for business use. I'm going to be building a couple dozen desktops over the next few months (based on the MSI KT3 Ultra) for my workplace. We're a non-profit, so funding is always tight, and I'd like to get the cases for under $80 including shipping.

I've been using Superpower cases (in particular the KS-298 Polaris II), and generally like them a lot - they're big and easy to work with. I'm thinking of changing brands for two reasons: I've had some problems with power supplies dying young, and Superpower cases are getting hard to find. Mwave has stopped carrying them, Newegg is perpetually out of stock, and other places (Coolerstar/Coolmaxusa/Regularprice) say they won't have them for at least a month.

So I'm looking for a case that's cheap, easy to work on, and reliable. I'm not particularly interested in modability or overclockability. I absolutely hate the Enlight 7230 series. Any advice?

Thanks,
-bc

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

How can you hate the Enlight 7237? Have you ever used one? It seems like the perfect case for what you want to do! Either way, have you considered the Evercase that newegg sells? It's pretty popular on the forums here. Cool stuff about the evercase:

Front USB Ports
Drives can be secured in the case WITHOUT screws.
Support for 4 internal 3.5" IDE drives.

Check it out...

 

[SWScorch]

InWin S500 - I've only used one, but it seemed to be a fairly nice case for the price.

Antec SX630 - This is a great case. Possibly your best bet.

 

[bcoakley]

Yes, I built one machine in an Enlight 7237. Maybe I'm being picky, but I hate prying off the front bezel to get into the case, and I don't much like the screws that hold the side panels on. I also remember it being knuckle-slashingly cramped inside.

Ever used a Superpower? Just one thumbscrew gets you inside, which means I don't have to scare my co-workers by pulling out my Leatherman.

-bc

 

[mechBgon]

I work at a non-profit too. I'm building AthlonXP 1800+ systems with Asus A7N266-VM boards, which sounds a bit much for office use, but we want a 5-year lifespan out of them. Besides, our antivirus software is a real ball & chain on performance, so the extra power helps. I'm using Antec PerformancePlus 660B's that we picked up at CompUSA for about $100 + tax.

However, I see another Antec case that may suit your needs better: check out the Solution Series at the top of the list here. This new 300W PSU has a healthier 220W on 3.3V + 5V, as opposed to their previous one at 180W. The case and power supply have a 3-year warranty, too, definitely a factor when I had to choose what I'd be using. $82 shipped, add $6 for a quiet-running Enermax thermally-regulated 80mm fan.

What type of rigs are you building, anyway? Intel, AMD...?

 

[mechBgon]

Heh... actually, considering that the SX630 II has a case fan included, plus the nifty door-latch side panel, you might as well get that instead for the $7 difference. Better ventilation, too, with the big intake vents

 

[bcoakley]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
What type of rigs are you building, anyway? Intel, AMD...?

(advice snipped - I'm looking into everything mentioned in this thread. Thanks!)

Athlon XP 1900+ processors on MSI KT3 Ultras. Like you say, this is overkill for office use, but they need to have a long lifespan. Reusing monitors, keyboards, and mouses, I'm keeping the cost to around $525 per system (including shipping, not including software, we don't pay sales tax).

-bc

 

[mechBgon]

If you were going to buy new video and network cards, the A7N266-VM could be worth a look too. MWave has a good buy on them at ~$76. The onboard video can be set to use 8Mb, 16Mb or 32Mb of system memory, so it does divert a little RAM from the system. I just stuck 256Mb in there and set the video to use 16Mb... I think 240Mb is adequate for most of my users. The Asus boards have 3-year warranties, too.

Incidentally, if it's any help, Crucial does have net-30 terms available if you fill out a one-page credit app and order a minimum of $1000 initially. With our organization, this was a perfect excuse to pick up some extra RAM for our servers to get us over the $1000 mark and avoid putting the purchase on a credit card.