Recommended cases?

[simontoyou]

I know this topic has come up very often, but previous posts don't match my prerequisites.

I'm planning to get this PSU and an Athlon 64 3400+. I'm also waiting for that new nforce4 SLI motherboard.

What I want in a case is lots of big fans (120mm or something), below $200, preferrable around $100, and best if $60. Cosmetics don't matter much to me, I just want my comp to be low in temperature.

Any recommendations?

 

[Icepick]

Just an FYI, the 3400+ will not be compatible with any nforce4 motherboard. The 3400+ is a socket 754 chip. The nforce4 motherboards will support socket 939 only. The closest 939 match to the 3400+ in terms of performance is the 3500+. You could also get the 939 version of the 3200+ if you want to save a few $$.

As for cases, the Antec cases support 120mm fans. The slk3700-bqe supports two 120mm fans - an intake in the front and an exhaust in the rear. The 120mm fans are a great choice because they provide better cooling with less noise.

Good luck!

 

[simontoyou]

Ahh, thanks for the valuable information on the socket 939's. I think I'll get the 3500+ (once the price drops... alot).

As for the slk3700-bqe, it seems near perfect. I love that case-covering crap and black is nice. There's only one slight problem - only two fans? No side panel one? I guess it'll be perfect if I were to cut the side panel to place a fan there - but if I was, say, too damn lazy to do it, would there be other cases?

Thanks for the quick reply BTW.

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: simontoyou
Ahh, thanks for the valuable information on the socket 939's. I think I'll get the 3500+ (once the price drops... alot).

As for the slk3700-bqe, it seems near perfect. I love that case-covering crap and black is nice. There's only one slight problem - only two fans? No side panel one? I guess it'll be perfect if I were to cut the side panel to place a fan there - but if I was, say, too damn lazy to do it, would there be other cases?

Thanks for the quick reply BTW.

With two 120mm fans, one blowing, one sucking, you shouldn't need a side panel fan at all.

R

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: simontoyou
Ahh, thanks for the valuable information on the socket 939's. I think I'll get the 3500+ (once the price drops... alot).

As for the slk3700-bqe, it seems near perfect. I love that case-covering crap and black is nice. There's only one slight problem - only two fans? No side panel one? I guess it'll be perfect if I were to cut the side panel to place a fan there - but if I was, say, too damn lazy to do it, would there be other cases?

Thanks for the quick reply BTW.

Side mounted fans pretty useless.

 

[jspeicher]

antec sonata...and i did not read your post.

 

[simontoyou]

Originally posted by: racolvinWith two 120mm fans, one blowing, one sucking, you shouldn't need a side panel fan at all.

Originally posted by: Operandi
Side mounted fans pretty useless.

Oh man that's sweet. Thanks for the help guys, I'm gonna get the case
And if my thanks isn't enough, I would love to hug you both.

*hug*

Thanks again.

 

[Zepper]

Silverstone Berserker with Silverstone front ports panel if needed. $72. + sh on newegg.
.bh.

 

[JMoore]

Anything Antec. I like their p160 (even though its a bit pricey) and their solution series (basically sonata with minor improvements).

 

[Omega Ohm]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: simontoyou
Ahh, thanks for the valuable information on the socket 939's. I think I'll get the 3500+ (once the price drops... alot).

As for the slk3700-bqe, it seems near perfect. I love that case-covering crap and black is nice. There's only one slight problem - only two fans? No side panel one? I guess it'll be perfect if I were to cut the side panel to place a fan there - but if I was, say, too damn lazy to do it, would there be other cases?

Thanks for the quick reply BTW.

Side mounted fans pretty useless.

Depends on where it's located. Directly above memory, vid card, etc...

 

[Icepick]

Originally posted by: simontoyou
Ahh, thanks for the valuable information on the socket 939's. I think I'll get the 3500+ (once the price drops... alot).

As for the slk3700-bqe, it seems near perfect. I love that case-covering crap and black is nice. There's only one slight problem - only two fans? No side panel one? I guess it'll be perfect if I were to cut the side panel to place a fan there - but if I was, say, too damn lazy to do it, would there be other cases?

Thanks for the quick reply BTW.

I've got the BQE and am running an athlon64 3500+. I'm only running with one fan in the case. My CPU temp idles at 40C and goes up to 50C under load with stock cooling. My 6800GT idles at 56C and gets into the mid-60s under load. While, not ice-cold, the cooling in this case is adequate. One thing to note is that the power supply comes with two "fan-only" molex connectors. These throttle the fan speed in response to higher temps to reduce noise. I've found that when using hte "fan-only" power connectors my CPU temp increases by 10 degrees. I'd recommend you use the normal molex power connectors for the fans to get better cooling.

Good luck on your new system!

 

[imported_Harbinger]

Originally posted by: JMoore
Anything Antec. I like their p160 (even though its a bit pricey) and their solution series (basically sonata with minor improvements).

/agree

P160 is a very very nice case. Even though I would prefer a Lian-Li V1000 (I just love the mac-look).

If you can afford the p160 you will not be disappointed.

 

[drpootums]

TT Tsunami. Quiet, cool, and looks awsome.