Need help deciding on a case...

[WorldTraveller]

I am building a computer with XP3000+ with an Asus A7N8X MB for my brother. I am looking for cases. Recently I built myself one using a Thermatake Xaser II (I love it), but my brother wants to spend around $70 (plus the cost of a decent POS - I am leaning towarsd Thermaltake Silent Purepower - 480W.

He likes the Ahanix Blu III for looks: http://www.ahanix.com/blu/detail/blu3.html
But they don't sell the silver one any more. I found an identical looking one in silver made by Super Talent: http://www.malabs.com/product.asp?product_sku=63215&item_no=CA-ST86US&show=b&pass=&shopid=

The main question is, does anyone have any experience with Super Talent cases & has anyone used this particular case? Any other recommendations will be gratefully wellcome. The important factors for my brother are looks, the ease of putting it together, upgradeability, quality of construction, space & layout, etc. Modding is not at all an issue.

Let me thank in advance anyone who will respond!

 

[lchyi]

Why don't you buy a bundled case? Most Antec cases come with a quality PSU and a great case. The Antec SLK 3600 is a great case. If you want, you can get him the popular mid tower Antecs. They have ample room, excellent cooling, and a great PSU.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea, rather get an antec chieftec, or chieftec based case like a xaser. more ventilation. the case you linked looks bad for airflow.

 

[beatle]

A decent POS, eh? Sounds like an oxymoron to me. There's no way he's going to need a 480w PSU. I'd suggest a 300w or 350w Fortron w/a 120mm fan for a lot less. They're dead silent, possibly quieter than my Antec True 330.

I must say the case does look slick. Antecs are probably the best value for your money, especially if you don't already own a quality PSU. Case cooling makes more of a difference than you might think. My tbird runs @ 42C with 2 side intake fans and one exhaust (if you count the PSU) in my full tower Q500. Comparatively, it ran close to 60C in a poorly ventilated midtower. :Q

The case you posted doesn't really look all that bad for airflow with its 2 exhaust fans at the back. Will your bro be overclocking?

 

[WorldTraveller]

Sorry, I didn't have a chance to check the replies earlier (they don't let us do too much surfing at work!). Thanks a ton for everyone who took the time to help out.

No offense to anyone & thousand pardons in advance: I know Antec cases are legendary, but I think they kind of look boring & have been copied so much. I prefer the looks of Xaser (which my SIL doesn't like!) or its clones. After letting my brother & SIL look through dozens of cases, they finally agreed on the Ahanix case that I had linked! But, it turned out that the silver version is not sold any more. Enter Super talent I had linked. They look identical (down to the display) but the depth is shorter by 1.5 inches. I haven't been able to find out any details. I am still going through cases to recommend to my brother.

Another general case I design I have seen with many manufacturers is this: http://www.svc.com/diamsilcas.html which by brother & SIL like. This has room for 7 fans!

Coming to the PSU, I will definitely look into Fortran. But I thought it can't hurt to have the extra power, right? As I mentioned I will be getting an AMD XP 3000+ & mate it with a Thermaltake (I am sure you guys are beginning to see a pattern with brand names!) Silent Boost HSF. I will also use the rounded cables for even more ventilation. I doubt I will be doing too much of OCing - I don't want to mess with someone else's system!

No one said anything about Super Talent brand - should I assume the worst?

I am still open to any other thoughts. Thanks again

 

[Zepper]

I am partial to the Athenatech 747 series. A couple of variants can be had for $55. shipped.
.bh.
:moon:

 

[mdcrab]

I had never looked at the Athenatech case before, but they are very nice. Have some really nice features and have a 300W Sparkle PS for $55 shipped isn't bad at all. The duct to the CPU hsf is nice. I may have to try one of these next time I need a case. Only thing missing is a window if you are into window dressing.


Athenatech Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 300W Power Supply

mdcrab

 

[420phisher]

Antech

 

[DahDee]

This Casetek at Newegg is a really nice case -- it's my understanding that this is actually the case used to make the Thermaltake Xaser III aluminum cases -- Casetek is apparently their OEM provider. It's not as .... fancy as the Xaser cases, so maybe it would be acceptable?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=N82E16811186028