Please critique my case/psu

[Slammy1]

Well, my rig in my sig is changing. I'm removing the Elite SCSI drives and going with a WD Raptor. I'm selling my old rig to a friend, and it looks like I'll transfer my case to him also. I run a 2.4C w/ a 260FSB and my CPU temps aren't bad (36C idle, 54C Stress), but I do transfer out some heat. I was looking at a Luan Li case and Antec 480 PSU as seen here:
[*]Case
[*]PSU

Would you do anything different? Am I just a geek looking to over spend on some named brands?

 

[Corporate Thug]

PSU is overkill, case is great but compusa has the silver one for $99.99

 

[Slammy1]

I know the Antec's an overkill, but I couldn't find the PSU I wanted in the 400W range at either of my regular stores (NewEgg, GoogleGear; the PSU I 'd prefer is the Zalman ZM400A-APF with a second choice of the Fortron Source FSP400-60PFN). It's only $10 more than the Antec True 430, do you think I could run OK with a 380W once I add a couple more HD's? CompUSA is about 35 miles away, and I'm willing to spend the extra $10 net to save driving out to it. Thanks for the fast response!

EDIT: People around here are amazing with what they know off the top of their heads.
EDIT2: I'm getting the PSU recommendations per this article:
[*]PSU Review
I don't think the Fortron is designed for P4, but the Opteron's instead.

 

[Slammy1]

Well, I did some more research and found my case solution could be better. I think a case round-up would be good. I found the Antec True 430W for $70 shipped, and that sure blows the doors off $99 for the 480W. I thought power consumption was more component matching, but it seems an overkill on PSU will drive up energy costs. I love my 350W Enermax, and I'm loathe to part with it, but I think I do need just a bit more power. The 380W Antec was actually rated less on the 12V rail than my Enermax, and I wanted at least the same on the 12V since it runs good now. The removal of my SCSI HDs should help, since it's my understanding that IDE run +3.3 and SCSI run +3.3. and +12V.

As far as cases, on further review I came up with these 2 options. I also found the Cooler Master 201C case for $130 shipped at the same place as my PSU, but it did not seem the best cooling option for an o/c'd CPU as described in some reviews I've read. Here are the 2 cases I'm considering.

[*]Lian-Li PC-6089
[*]Thermaltake XASER III V2000A

I was also interested in checking the pricing on another well reviewed case, the ATCS-Tek MRO-16 but I could not find ANY information on it. I'm leaning towards the Luan-Li despite the Thermaltake's reputation for the better case cooling due to some of the review comments on cramped space. Besides, I like a door-less front for a home PC solution. And the Luan-Li is cheaper, can't argue dollars too far.

Does anyone have any suggestions, because I'd like to purchase this tonight so I can have it for the weekend. TIA

 

[Slammy1]

Well, since nobody replied I decided on my own. I found the Thermaltake Case for $166 and the Antec for $79 from one source, I think I'll go with it to make it one transaction. <sigh> I always try to provide support, it seems I only rarely get it back. I don't think I'll hang out at Anandtech too much anymore.

 

[mindwreck]

i personally like the xaser III, lots of places to put L1as for a quiet cool system especially since ur running scsi

 

[Corporate Thug]

IMO, xaser is a goofy looking case compared to the eligance of coolermaster and Lian Li...

 

[Slammy1]

Originally posted by: shady06
IMO, xaser is a goofy looking case compared to the eligance of coolermaster and Lian Li...

Agreed, perhaps some mod might be in order. Still, functionality over form, but I like the look of the Lian Li better. The price difference between them is $15, with the Lian Li being the cheaper of the two. THG really seemed to like the Xaser, as seen here:
[*]24 Case Review

EDIT: I'm removing my SCSI drives, which is why I'm switching cases. My HDs are going to a friend, along with my old case, MB, and PSU.

 

[Corporate Thug]

yeah but newegg has the same looking antec case w/PSU for $95 (free shipping) once every few weeks. why pay all the extra cash for a Xaser when you can get the antec which doesnt look like it is from a cartoon