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Need a CHEAP decent quality case

F

frx218

Senior member
I am putting together a new server machine and I have purchased just about everything minus a case. I was looking at an ANTEC performance plus case. Which retails at like 110.00 new egg w/ PSU. Now I don?t think I want to spend that much on a case. Do you think I should pick a cheaper case and a decent psu or just go with the antec. 100 bucks seems like to much to spend on a server machine.

Here?s what I got for my server:
Asus A7N8X-Deluxe
Barton 2400+
512 MB of Corsair 2700 XMS series
Radeon 9000 PRO
NEC ND-3520A DVD-Burner
No HD yet ( probably 300GB Seagate )
No case yet


It may seem like overkill but I got these parts EXTREMLY cheap.

EDIT: OPPS forgot to add the CPU!
 
Depends on the CPU that you are going to select.

I've used Rosewell cases with 350W PSUs for clients with good reliabiltiy and low cost.
If you can spare the $60 I recommend staying with the Antec, $110 for case/PSU is a good price.

Otherwise, you are looking at $100 for a good case and $60-100 for a good PSU.

I highly recommend an APU to smooth out any power flux in your supply, even over a highquality PSU.
 
I wouldn't be too worried about the PSU unless it was pure shytcrap. I've had a Rosewill Value 300watt running a Barton 2500 @ 3200, 5700 Ultra rig with no problems, so I think any decent PSU should handle that setup just fine.

Keep an eye on the hot deals forum for specials on cases. There are often good deals on Antec knock-offs like Chieftech and Ultra server towers. I've gotten in on a few of the Super Lanboy deals for $40 AR (maybe not the best choice for a server, but extremely lightweight with nice cooling capability, also lacks a PSU, however) and lucky enough to get an SLK3700 BQE for $40 AR with an SL350S PSU.
 
Take a look at the Antec Solution Series line of cases. Most of those can be had for well under $100 and they come with power supplies. One I would recommend is the SLK3700AMB. Check out a site like Pricegrabber to gfet your best deal.
 
I would say that the Antec SLK3000-B would be a good choice for under $50 shipped. Just add your choice of PSU. If you don't like a door, the Compucase 6A19 series or the Evercase 42x2 series is about the same price and general level of goodness.
. Newegg and Dealsonic each have a version of the SkyHawk aluminum server case that's an amazing deal at about the same price as the above. But you'd have to do some fan modding to get up to the cooling potential of the other cases.

.bh.
 
The SLK3700AMB can be had for as low as 63 bucks on pricegrabber, If I cant find any hot deals on cases/psu's I will probably pick one up!

thanks!
 
Yet again... just posted this TWICE in two different threads. Probably just over $100 for an awesome setup:
Case w/o power supply for $36 plus shipping:
Compucase LX-6A19 beige
Compucase LX-6A19 black/silver

$53.50 plus shipping for a good power supply:
ATHENA POWER AP-P4ATX50F12 ATX12V 500W Power Supply

This combo will probably cost you a bit over $100, but I don't think anyone would argue that quality is lacking in either component. The Compucase is legendary for having good airflow and being built like a tank. The Athena Power unit has the 24 pin ATX power connector your motherboard choice needs plus puts out some serious power.
+3.3V@35A, +5V@61A, +12V@28A
It is a "quiet" design and has a sexy chrome/titanium finish.
Click to expand...
 
CompUSA carries a nice looking black+silver case that comes with a 400W PSU. The PSU is quite solid, despite being unbranded. Total cost: $50.
 
Two thumbs up for the Compucase. i have the older 6919 model and I have yet to find anything about it that annoys me. I also have a Chieftec Dragon and an Antec 830 and both have their annoying small issues to work around, so the Compucase is a great buy.
 
The main differences between the 3700-AMB and the 3000-B are the air duct for the CPU and apparently there is a little more room in front of the HD cage or they shifted the HD mounts in the cage so that a 120x38mm fan will fit. On the 3700, only a 120x25mm fan will fit. But I only heard that second-hand so maybe one of the owners here will confirm or deny. The Compucase 6A19 is identical inside to the 3700.

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: Zepper
I would say that the Antec SLK3000-B would be a good choice for under $50 shipped. Just add your choice of PSU. If you don't like a door, the Compucase 6A19 series or the Evercase 42x2 series is about the same price and general level of goodness.
. Newegg and Dealsonic each have a version of the SkyHawk aluminum server case that's an amazing deal at about the same price as the above. But you'd have to do some fan modding to get up to the cooling potential of the other cases.

.bh.
Click to expand...

I snagged me one of them Skyhawk aluminum cases, it was $37 and some change with shipping. For that price it's actually a nice case, sort of a Lian-Li look-a-like, and it is really light, only 8lbs shipping weight. I'm gonna dremel out the stupid hole punched intake and exhaust portions
 
Check out the Inwins, particularly the new C series at Newegg or elsewhere. The standard 300w fortron manufactured psu will easily handle the rig you've described. Or step up to the 430w models if you anticipate a lot of expansion. Can't go wrong with an Inwin- they have nice features and top quality construction.
 
I recommmend the Inwin C720T. it comes with a 300W Fortron based PSU.

I know the Inwin PSU was giving me better voltages than my Antec True380S that came with the Sonata.
 
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