Need advice on which LL case to choose.

datamestonic

Member
Nov 8, 2005
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Hi everyone, I'm new to these forums. It seems like there's lots of intelligent people in here with good ideas so I thought I would pose my question here.

I'm in the process of buying all the components needed to put together a complete system. Here is a list of the major components I'm planning to get:

Motherboard: Asus A8N SLI Premium NVIDIA Socket 939
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Dual-Core
GPU: XFX GeForce 7800 GTX PCI Express
Audio Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS PCI
HDD: Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10kRPM 8MB Cache
RAM: OCZ EL Platinum Dual Channel 2048MB PC3200 (2x1GB)
PSU: Ultra X-Finity 500 Watt ATX SATA and SLI Ready

Now for my major concern: I'm looking at getting a Lian-Li case. My main candidates are:

PC-V1000 plus/PC-V1000B plus (Midi Tower)
PC-V1200 plus/PC-V1200B plus (Midi Tower)
PC-V2000 plus/PC-V2000B plus (Full Tower)

First things first, does anyone what the difference between the standard and 'B' models is? Does anyone know what the difference between the 1000 and 1200 models is (they both seem to be the same but I'm sure there is some tiny detail I'm missing)?

After that is established, what I'm trying to figure out is if this setup I have will fit comfortably into a midi tower or if I need to get the full tower? Notice that the GPU is an XFX 7800 GTX which I've heard is extra long and tends to take up quite a bit of space.

Furthermore I had planned to at some point down the road add another GTX for the SLI experience that everyone is talking about. I'm worried that with the dual core proc and two big high end graphic cards and a 10k RPM HDD in there it's going to get too be a bit too tight or hot for a midi tower, but at the same time I don't want to get a full tower unless I actually have to, since they're so big.

Also, is the PSU going to fit into the midi tower? If it turns out that I do get the midi, are there any specific PSUs I should make sure to avoid because of limited space?

I would really appreciate any input I could get on this topic, if you feel like commenting on the setup itself that is also welcome, though right now I'm more concerned with the choice of case.
 

Continuity28

Golden Member
Jul 2, 2005
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The "B" stands for Black. Non-B models are standard aluminum color.

As far as I know, the only real difference between the V1000 and V1200 is that the V1200 supports Extended ATX - big motherboards usually made by companies like Tyan or Supermicro that support many processors. If your motherboard is standard ATX, either case should suffice.

They are all great cases, and you don't need the full tower for cooling. Although, with SLI, it's going to be hot no matter what size case you have, in that thermal pocket at least. This case is more accomodating for SLI I'd think. I'd wonder about some motherboards like the Asus A8N32-SLI though, that one utilizes heatpipes and since the motherboard is upside down in these cases, it may not work as efficiently.

As for the PSU, that one should fit. As long as it's not an old AT power supply or anything, it should fit. ;)
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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A few things...

The northbridge on the A8N SLI Premium won't be getting very good cooling in V1000 series do to the heat pipe heatsink being upside down so you may want to consider a different case or board.

I would also highly recommend you not buy the Ultra PSU, as they are very low quality. Seasonic, PCP&C, and Forton get my approval.
 

datamestonic

Member
Nov 8, 2005
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Originally posted by: Continuity28
The "B" stands for Black. Non-B models are standard aluminum color.

As far as I know, the only real difference between the V1000 and V1200 is that the V1200 supports Extended ATX - big motherboards usually made by companies like Tyan or Supermicro that support many processors. If your motherboard is standard ATX, either case should suffice.

They are all great cases, and you don't need the full tower for cooling. Although, with SLI, it's going to be hot no matter what size case you have, in that thermal pocket at least. This case is more accomodating for SLI I'd think. I'd wonder about some motherboards like the Asus A8N32-SLI though, that one utilizes heatpipes and since the motherboard is upside down in these cases, it may not work as efficiently.

As for the PSU, that one should fit. As long as it's not an old AT power supply or anything, it should fit. ;)


I see, thank you so much for that response that really cleared up the whole confusion between model numbers for me. Damn, so this motherboard and case combo isn't the best idea then? I really wanted both... Is there any other motherboard with similar capabilities that would function well in this case?
 

datamestonic

Member
Nov 8, 2005
121
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Originally posted by: Operandi
A few things...

The northbridge on the A8N SLI Premium won't be getting very good cooling in V1000 series do to the heat pipe heatsink being upside down so you may want to consider a different case or board.

I would also highly recommend you not buy the Ultra PSU, as they are very low quality. Seasonic, PCP&C, and Forton get my approval.

Yes everyone seems to be saying the same thing in the PSU thread I started so I will certainly change to one of those, thank you so much for the heads up.
 

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
104
106
Originally posted by: datamestonic
Originally posted by: Operandi

I would also highly recommend you not buy the Ultra PSU, as they are very low quality. Seasonic, PCP&C, and Forton get my approval.

Yes everyone seems to be saying the same thing in the PSU thread I started so I will certainly change to one of those, thank you so much for the heads up.

I love how the clairvoyants in this forum are already slamming the new X-Finities before anyone even owns one. Typical Anandtech WMC bandwagon dogpile response. Not even all of the reviews are out on it yet and it's already a piece of crap. The "experts" in these forums don't even realize that the PSU isn't even made in the same factory as the apparently problematic X-Connect.

Reviews of the new X-Finity:

http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=472
http://techgage.com/review.php?id=3471
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://hi-techreviews.com/reviews/X-finity/P1.htm
">http://hi-techreviews.com/reviews/X-finity/P1.htm</a>
http://overclockpc.org/informes/Fuentes/xfinity500/

Of course, none of these are very thorough reviews as none of these guys have load testers.

I do....

http://www.slcentral.com/ultra-x-finity-500w-600w--flexforce-cables/

But I'm biased so don't take my word for it. :D BTW: Since the review was written post on 8/22, that very unit's been running my A8N, OC'd 3200+, pair of 6600GT's just nicely. ;)