Old case still ok?

[jb1677]

I am building a new system and have an older Antec 660AMG case lying around I was thinking of using. System will be:

E6750 or q6600 (or even Q9450 or E8400 if they ever release)
Gigabyte P35-DS3R
4 GB DDR2 800
8800GT 512 or 8800GTS 512 (new GTS)
2 x DVD burner
2 x SATA HDD
1 x IDE HDD
PS Undecided

The 660 will physically hold everyhting I am just not sure I understand how much cooling these new systems reallly need. The 660 has 3x80mm fans, one front, one back and one low on the side (I guess for teh GPU?). It does not have a second side vent like I see many cases have these days.

Thanks
Jason

 

[Zepper]

You'd want at least one 120mm fan (or equivalent) in the rear and probably one front and rear. 120 fans f/r is the basic setup today but you don't have to pay a lot to get a really good case. The Rosewill R5604 is under $60. right now shipped from Newegg. Some of the R6A models are even less and almost as nice.

.bh.

 

[jb1677]

Originally posted by: Zepper
You'd want at least one 120mm fan (or equivalent) in the rear and probably one front and rear. 120 fans f/r is the basic setup today but you don't have to pay a lot to get a really good case. The Rosewill R5604 is under $60. right now shipped from Newegg. Some of the R6A models are even less and almost as nice.

.bh.

I kinda figured this would not move enough air around..... o well.... I reallly wanted a case with top mounted IO / controls anyways.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Cooler master 532.

 

[jb1677]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
Cooler master 532.

Not bad, I wish new egg had a filter for "top mounted IO" - would save a lot of time for me looking through all the pics!

Jason

 

[DerwenArtos12]

If you had a rough budget I could narrow it down for you a bit more. I have a 532 and LOVE it. that's how I was able to spit it out at you so quick-like. It's a GREAT case. That motherboard has the CPU slot mounted up high(unlike my A64 board) so a big tower heatsink will line right up with the rear 120mm fan. I suggest getting one of the thermaltake HDD cages for 5.25" bays as the one in the front lower part of the case is REALLY restrictive, even empty, and that will help create a linear airflow from front to back. Only thing will be planning out GPU cooling properly. You didn't list any accessory cards for the lower part of the case, so assuming you need none, you can do like I have and set up a full push(front) pull(rear) layout that just flows air through the case.

 

[jb1677]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
If you had a rough budget I could narrow it down for you a bit more. I have a 532 and LOVE it. that's how I was able to spit it out at you so quick-like. It's a GREAT case. That motherboard has the CPU slot mounted up high(unlike my A64 board) so a big tower heatsink will line right up with the rear 120mm fan. I suggest getting one of the thermaltake HDD cages for 5.25" bays as the one in the front lower part of the case is REALLY restrictive, even empty, and that will help create a linear airflow from front to back. Only thing will be planning out GPU cooling properly. You didn't list any accessory cards for the lower part of the case, so assuming you need none, you can do like I have and set up a full push(front) pull(rear) layout that just flows air through the case.

No real budget to speak of, the 532 looks pretty nice, I also found the Rosewill R5605 and the COOLER MASTER RC-690 (which has top mounted IO but not power / reset)

I also like the IO / controls and the tray on the Antec Nine Hundred but thats about where it ends. Too flashy, too may fans, probably really noisy.

I have not found many others yet with top mount stuff on newegg, I think the 532 may end up being the answer!

Jason

 

[DerwenArtos12]

well glad i could help. I've had mine since they came out, about two and a half years go, maybe a little more. I was a manager at PC Club and our parent company geeks.com or something like that, was one of the launch partners so we had them in our store before launch and I picked one of them up right away. I was about to buy the 530 as one of my techs had one and liked it but, I couldn't get over the 80mm from fan in the 530 and even though I don't especially like the front columns, it's been one of my best cases to date. I probably paid double what they are now and still consider it a good value.

 

[chuckm]

When you say top mounted do want the ports on the top or near the on the front?

Here's a couple more rosewills, the first I've used, the second one I just found the other day and really like ; no door and has reset, the price is $64.99 at the egg Good luck.

http://www.rosewill.com/produc...uct.aspx?productId=782

http://www.rosewill.com/produc...ct.aspx?productId=1058

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: chuckm
When you say top mounted do want the ports on the top or near the on the front?

Here's a couple more rosewills, the first I've used, the second one I just found the other day and really like ; no door and has reset, the price is $64.99 at the egg Good luck.

http://www.rosewill.com/produc...uct.aspx?productId=782

http://www.rosewill.com/produc...ct.aspx?productId=1058

I typically give a resounding fart sound to rosewill cases and I almost didn't to those cases, until I saw the prices. For $65 bucks you could get two CM330s including shipping or a tuniq 3 or a coolermaster mystique(does have top front buttons.)

And for $100 AMIR you could get an antec P182 or a LL PC-7B for 90 or a stacker 830 evo for 100AMIR or a P180 for $115 W/O rebate. How bout an antec 900 for $120.

:-]~

 

[jb1677]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

Originally posted by: chuckm
When you say top mounted do want the ports on the top or near the on the front?

Here's a couple more rosewills, the first I've used, the second one I just found the other day and really like ; no door and has reset, the price is $64.99 at the egg Good luck.

http://www.rosewill.com/produc...uct.aspx?productId=782

http://www.rosewill.com/produc...ct.aspx?productId=1058

I typically give a resounding fart sound to rosewill cases and I almost didn't to those cases, until I saw the prices. For $65 bucks you could get two CM330s including shipping or a tuniq 3 or a coolermaster mystique(does have top front buttons.)

And for $100 AMIR you could get an antec P182 or a LL PC-7B for 90 or a stacker 830 evo for 100AMIR or a P180 for $115 W/O rebate. How bout an antec 900 for $120.

:-]~

I dont know much about rosewill, may be a great product but I think either the Cooler Master 690 or 532 are coming my way.... more than likely the 532 for the cost alone.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, you all have been a big help.


Jason

 

[chuckm]

[I typically give a resounding fart sound to rosewill cases and I almost didn't to those cases, until I saw the prices. For $65 bucks you could get two CM330s including shipping or a tuniq 3 or a coolermaster mystique(does have top front buttons.)

And for $100 AMIR you could get an antec P182 or a LL PC-7B for 90 or a stacker 830 evo for 100AMIR or a P180 for $115 W/O rebate. How bout an antec 900 for $120.

:-]~[/quote]

Have you done any builds with the 56XX series cases? I don't work at shop, I've just been building for a few years and people either buy their parts and bring it to me or I help them pick what they want. My point is I've done builds with both and both are excellent choices, but I feel the Rosewills are just a little better. Generally I don't use their other stuff but this series of cases are good. I don't think the higher dollar cases you mentioned is really a far comparision, yes they are better but also more $$$

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: chuckm

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
[I typically give a resounding fart sound to rosewill cases and I almost didn't to those cases, until I saw the prices. For $65 bucks you could get two CM330s including shipping or a tuniq 3 or a coolermaster mystique(does have top front buttons.)

And for $100 AMIR you could get an antec P182 or a LL PC-7B for 90 or a stacker 830 evo for 100AMIR or a P180 for $115 W/O rebate. How bout an antec 900 for $120.

:-]~

Have you done any builds with the 56XX series cases? I don't work at shop, I've just been building for a few years and people either buy their parts and bring it to me or I help them pick what they want. My point is I've done builds with both and both are excellent choices, but I feel the Rosewills are just a little better. Generally I don't use their other stuff but this series of cases are good. I don't think the higher dollar cases you mentioned is really a far comparision, yes they are better but also more $$$

how are they more money, I compared the prices listed on rosewills sight, as linked to prices on newegg. The ones I listed were the same price if not less expensive. By all means, if I missed something please let me know but, as it stands I listed cases from three other tier one manufacturers that were the same price or less than the rosewills as linked and i would choose any day of the week for one of my builds. I did in fact basically list every case from the pool of perspective next purchases for my personal builds.

P.S. the quote link at the bottom of teh post you'd like to refrence is really handy. I've repaired the quote structure in this post so people can keep track of the conversation.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Never could see the point of ports on top of a case. Seems likely they would fill up with dust.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Never could see the point of ports on top of a case. Seems likely they would fill up with dust.

I've really only found them to be of any measurable use if the power supply is at the bottom of the case or if watercooling as a good viable place for a big radiator.

 

[jb1677]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Never could see the point of ports on top of a case. Seems likely they would fill up with dust.

I have too many USB cords and especially thumbdrives that have taken a real beating hanging out of the front of a pc, I figured sticking out of the top would make them less prone to getting smacked by a chair or leg. I did not think of the dust aspect.....

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I just last night found that iStar USA is building a variant of the 532 that doesn't have the columns. it can be found here

I know I got a little giddy when I saw that.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Never could see the point of ports on top of a case. Seems likely they would fill up with dust.

My old bones & big feet like the ports up towards the top...saves alot of bending & unintentional kicking when doing alot of swapping with my flash drives.
I noticed the new Lian Li K7 has a lid that covers the top mounted ports. Nice touch. Of course, who knows what that rascal's going to sell for!
Staying on topic w/the OP, though, I think it'd benefit him to get a new case with the proper fans already installed. Even if one was handy w/a dremel & the case could accept larger fans, the time & trouble & cost for replacing the 80's w/120's wouldn't be worth it, IMHO.