Need some help on choosing a case

[jormar23]

I'm going to be building a system soon. and would like to get the cheapest quality case that I can, here is what I found so far. At best buy they have a Antec 12281 for 59.99 plus you get a 10.00 rebate and it comes with a 300 watt power supply. I would perfer that since it's so cheap but if the case is crap I don't want it. and at outpost.com I found an antec sx830 with a 300watt supply for 89.99 plus you get a 20.00 rebate and if you spend a 100.00 they pay for shipping. I will not be overclocking anything. I will get the xp1600, geforce2 pro, 40 gig harddrive some kind of cdrom and a audigy soundcard. Will a 300 watt supply be enough for me or not. I also found website called coolerstar.com did a search on it and nothing comes up so I don't know if they are junk or not. They have cool cases for around 100.00 including shipping loaded with fans and 350 to 400 watt supply. give me some of your opinions on what I should do

thanks alot

chris

 

[darth maul]

Look over these three sites: Newegg, Mwave, and Directron. Almost any case will do, if you must go cheap I would stick with a ENLIGHT EN-7237, $62 shipped at newegg with a 300watt PS. A 300 watt PS should be ok, but with ever increasing speeds, and number of devices peeps end up having, more is always better . But with what you are saying, no overclock, and just the basics for drives and cards, and 1600+XP processor, 300watt should be just fine. But dig around those sites for cases you like, and the post a link to them and ask here if its ok for your needs.

 

[BigSmooth]

I believe the Antec case that Best Buy sells as the 12281 is the same thing as the KS282. Review 1. Review 2. Review 3.

I have this case, and I think it's a great value. There are better cases out there, to be sure, but this one is pretty good. It comes with the highly-rated PP303X power supply. Cooling is good once you throw in a couple of case fans. The basics are all there - well made, easy to work on inside, removable drive bay cage, etc. The only slight complaint I had when I was building my system was that holes in the plastic I/O panel on the back of the case did not match up perfectly with my MB's mouse and keyboard ports, so I had to sand the holes to make them bigger.

It's not the most beautiful case, nor does it have the most bells and whistles, but it is a solid value. At 50 bucks I think it is tough to beat.

 

[VTrider]

I'm guessing you mean 'most inexpensive' quality case as opposed to 'cheapest quality' case you can get. First off, a 300watt p.s should definately be adequate for what you say you want to use it for. I agree with darth maul, Newegg, Mwave, and Directron all are place you should go right now to check out various cases. I've ordered many cases from both Mwave and Newegg and have ordered other things from Directron. They all have a good selection, and Newegg and Directron have good prices on shipping - this is where you have to be careful, cases can be $$ to ship depending on where you order from. I too have to put in a vote for the Enlight 7237 ($47.00 at Newegg) mid-tower case w/300watt p.s. I've built many systems from this case, it has a quality construction, reliable power supply and it won't break your bank. All in all, this is just one great case, truly a classic among homebuilders. If there is one piece of advice I love to give to people when they ask about choosing a case is that you shouldn't skimp out on choosing a case (second favorite advice, is not getting cheap memory too save money). I think many people focus so much on components and everything else, they don't leave much $$ for a case. Which usually means buying a 'cheap' case, which usually means getting a 'cheap powersupply' which can lead to all kinds of weird problems (random resets, HD errors from weird voltages, etc.) Believe me, I speak from experience..

There are many great cases in this price category, not just the 7237 - just don't get one of those tin-can, sub-standard, cases with reliao-rama, el-cheapo power supplies or your just asking for trouble!

-VTrider

 

[rondeemc]

For value and quality I would go with the Enlight 7237 with the 340 watt PS at newegg that is $60 plus shipping. It's insurance.

 

[Blain]

I'll say the Enlight 7237 also. They're good quality cases.

 

[hmsrolst]

You would do fine with the Enlight 7237, but from my experience and for $10 less, I think you'd do better with the KS282 (if that's what the 12281 is).

 

[ChrisADuffy]

Had an Enlight 7237 for 2 years, sold it. It was a great case and is still going strong. Great case to modify by the way.