I'm starting my first custom build within the next 2 weeks and I've selected most of my components. I'm looking to pair an E6400 with a Gigabyte P965-DS3 mobo and overclock it a bit (somewhere in the 2.6-3Ghz range, depending on what will be stable). I'm also going to be running an ATI X1900 XT OC'd a bit to XTX speeds.
My main concern for a case is something that will get adequate cooling to these components in their OC'd states. I was thinking of going with the P180, but I see too many people having complications with it (including probs with finding a PSU with the right cable length, etc.).
On the other hand, I was considering the budget option of either a Coolermaster Centurion 5 ($50) plus a modest 450W Antec PSU plus a scythe ninja fan/heatsink ($40) for the E6400. Or, an Antec Sonata II ($105, which includes the 450W PSU) with the Scythe (I've heard that Intel's stock heatsink for the Allendale/Conroe's are crap).
The more I surf these forums and read reviews, the more I hear people singing the praises of Lian-Li. Should I go with one of the lower end Lian Li cases instead, and will it be cooler than the Sonata or Centurion?
I'm open to any suggestions, though keep in mind that I'd like to try to spend no more than $200 for my case, PSU, and other cooling total. Oh, and I probably won't need an extremely high wattage PSU, since I'll just be running the allendale chip, 2gigs RAM, one video card (never going to do SLI/Crossfire), 1 optical drive, and 1-2 SATA hard drives. I'd prefer a low wattage high efficiency PSU though over a less efficient, higher-rated one.
My main concern for a case is something that will get adequate cooling to these components in their OC'd states. I was thinking of going with the P180, but I see too many people having complications with it (including probs with finding a PSU with the right cable length, etc.).
On the other hand, I was considering the budget option of either a Coolermaster Centurion 5 ($50) plus a modest 450W Antec PSU plus a scythe ninja fan/heatsink ($40) for the E6400. Or, an Antec Sonata II ($105, which includes the 450W PSU) with the Scythe (I've heard that Intel's stock heatsink for the Allendale/Conroe's are crap).
The more I surf these forums and read reviews, the more I hear people singing the praises of Lian-Li. Should I go with one of the lower end Lian Li cases instead, and will it be cooler than the Sonata or Centurion?
I'm open to any suggestions, though keep in mind that I'd like to try to spend no more than $200 for my case, PSU, and other cooling total. Oh, and I probably won't need an extremely high wattage PSU, since I'll just be running the allendale chip, 2gigs RAM, one video card (never going to do SLI/Crossfire), 1 optical drive, and 1-2 SATA hard drives. I'd prefer a low wattage high efficiency PSU though over a less efficient, higher-rated one.
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