Thermaltake Choice?

[imported_browsing]

I thought that I had my system choice fairly nailed down a few weeks ago, what with the advent of the C2D and all but now I'm just not sure. I'm not even positive what questions to ask, despite the great contributers to these forums.

The only thing that I've remained steady on, it seems, is my case. I've been leaning toward Thermaltake, which I've come to believe is a pretty good brand based on the reviews I've seen on this site and others. Specifically the Aguila- it seems to be the quietest of the Thermaltakes and a good balance between size and features.

As far as my intended specs, I'm going to build a fairly high end rig (at least in my mind) with some OC so I need to be sure I get a case that can handle it. I've got a pretty bulky (and LOUD) Antec server case right now so I'd like something smaller if I can fit everything I want to into it without causing real problems- thus the mid-sized Aguila. I also plan on installing 4+ SATA hard drives, which could be a problem given that the Aguila only seats four standard in the nifty side loading cage, which is a feature I'm somewhat excited about because it might help me keep things more tidy in my future case. However, Thermaltake has the icage accessory that seems like it would be an all right workaround without shelling out too much more or moving up to the bulk of a case like Thermaltake's Armor series.

I'm only putting in one dvd burner and perhaps an internal floppy/media card reader so I don't need a lot of extra 5.25 bays.

Does anyone have any suggestions, comments or alternative case ideas? Also, I linked to xoxide.com because I believe it to be the cheapest price for the case/accessory, if I'm wrong about this- that'd be good to know too.

For the power supply, I think I'll need something big and stable given my hdd needs and desire to OC. Thermaltake makes the ToughPower 750w as well, is this a decent psu?

 

[acegazda]

First of all what IS your budget? If it is $250 for the case, you can get a kick a$$ lian li v1100b plus, if it is $130, I would look into the gigabyte aurora. For a budget case, get something in the coolermaster centurion series, like the 534 or 532. What is your rig going to be like? Is is quad sli? Do you have 10 hard drives? If neither, I GARENTEE you that you DO NOT need 750w. Your money is better spent on a seasonic s12 600w for sli... well I'll suggest psus when you tell me your specs. Simply put, thermaltake is 2nd tier in all their products. IMO they are inferior to antec in the case department, to give you an idea of where they are.

EDIT: Welcome to the forums!

 

[dBTelos]

Thermaltake PSUs are no good. What system are you trying to run. Probably can be run by a 400W PSU

 

[acegazda]

also: xoxide is probably bested by newegg and ewiz. ZZF doesn't have the best deals, though they have free shipping on everything.

 

[Howard]

ZZF is actually one of the cheapest places for a 74GB Raptor /w 16MB cache. Anything cheaper would belong in the Hot Deals subforum.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

TT PSUs :thumbsdown:

Choose from Silverstone, Enhance, Enermax, Seasonic, PCP&C or Corsair. Any of these are OK.


...Galvanized

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Howard
ZZF is actually one of the cheapest places for a 74GB Raptor /w 16MB cache. Anything cheaper would belong in the Hot Deals subforum.

yeah but on cases... or psus... I love their deals on video cards and RAM though!

 

[imported_browsing]

I'm willing to spend as much as I need to in order to get a case that will optimize my system. I know that more $ isn't always the best solution, so whatever gets it done gets it done. I'm surprised to hear so much and so uniform bashing of Thermaltake casewise. I thought they looked pretty good but I guess that explains why I've waited so long to build a new system. Still, I'm wary to go with Antec again because I really don't like the one I've got now.

As far as system specs go- I didn't want to go cross-posting topics when I'm so new to the forum but I'll gladly share the general idea. I apologize for how open ended this is:

I'd planned to get the C2D E6600 but since people seem to be having so many issues with it, I might go with the E6400 or the E6700. Sticking with the 6600 or the 6400 would allow me to continue to upgrade is the new technology rolls out, while the 6700 seems like a substancial investment, moreso than the others.

The motherboard I'd been looking at is the Asus P5W DH Deluxe but I'm not sure if I want to stick with a crossfire board. I'll explain why in a second. I hear that the Asus' are pretty good at overclocking, and since that is new to me, I'd like to get a decent board to learn on.

Initially, I was taken with the prospect of SLI- but then I learned you can't dual monitor it. Actually, dual monitor support is what spurred me to want a new computer in the first place, so I'm not willing to give that up. That leaves me knowing jack all about graphics cards and pondering the ATI Radeon X1900 XT- but I really don't know what the best 'bang for your buck' is in the $400 dollar range. With the dx10 cards coming soon, I don't see the point in dumping cash into the top-top cards when a new set is right around the corner. So if there are any suggestions that will work with two monitors, that'd be great. Also, I'm wondering if you can run a crossfire/SLI motherboard with 2 cards in non-SLI mode on two independent displays and have full directshow effect on each display?

I'd planned on getting some low latency Corsair 1066MHz memory but here again, I'm a noob so I'm not sure what's the best and most stable. I might be up the creek since I was gung ho about the thermaltake psu...

I'm going to most likely use either 4 320gb Seagate Barracuda 7200.10s or 3 and a raptor.

I hope that clears some of this up. I'll be glad to try and go into more detail, I'm very thankful for all the replies so far!

 

[adairusmc]

I actually love thermaltake cases, just not their PSU's. I have an aluminum armor case myself, and I love it, one of the best cases I have owned. The aluminum version isnt as bulky as you might think, though the steel version is quite heavy.

The power supplies are another story though. While they will get the job done, there are much much better choices for the same or less money.

 

[Zepper]

I like the Thermaltake SViking and an Enhance 5140GH or 5150GH from eWiz via Froogle (pay a bit less if you go to eWiz via Froogle - unless they make it up on shipping, check bottom line both ways). Those are all anyone needs short of a SLI or Crossfire getup.

.bh.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: acegazda

Originally posted by: Howard
ZZF is actually one of the cheapest places for a 74GB Raptor /w 16MB cache. Anything cheaper would belong in the Hot Deals subforum.

yeah but on cases... or psus... I love their deals on video cards and RAM though!

Try buying a Corsair CMPSU-520HX/-620HX supply from Newegg. Heh.

 

[imported_browsing]

bump

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Bump for what?

 

[acegazda]

If you have unlimited cash to spend, get a lian li v1100b or for a little less a v1000b. Both offer superior cooling and the v1100b is silent. Other than that:
Gigabyte aurora
cooler master wave master/mistique
lian li pc7b +2
you could put an icage in there, but do you really need it?

 

[josh6079]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
TT PSUs :thumbsdown:

Choose from Silverstone, Enhance, Enermax, Seasonic, PCP&C or Corsair. Any of these are OK.


...Galvanized

What's wrong with OCZ?

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: josh6079

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
TT PSUs :thumbsdown:

Choose from Silverstone, Enhance, Enermax, Seasonic, PCP&C or Corsair. Any of these are OK.


...Galvanized

What's wrong with OCZ?

Nothing

 

[acegazda]

IMHO, the only ocz psus that are worth getting are the gamexstreams. These are rebadged fortron epsilons, so they're high end, and they usually have rebates and savings so they sell for less than the fortrons. The powerstream and modstream are overpriced. Definetly consider the gamexstream if you have a high end sli/xfire system. The 600w/700w are among the best value around, but the 500w is bested by the enhacne 5150gh in value.

 

[imported_browsing]

I was looking over the Lian Li PC-V1100B PlusII and it definately had some good features but I'd prefer something with a removable motherboard tray if I'm going to be shelling out 200+.

 

[dBTelos]

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: josh6079

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
TT PSUs :thumbsdown:

Choose from Silverstone, Enhance, Enermax, Seasonic, PCP&C or Corsair. Any of these are OK.


...Galvanized

What's wrong with OCZ?

Nothing

OCZ: Modstream and Powerstream are decent Topower supplies, but you can do much better for the same amount of money. GamerXstream is a Fortron Epsilon, and is an overall good supply, but at full/heavy loads, the 12v ripple will go out of spec, in general it is only recommended if a cheap 700W supply is needed.

 

[aigomorla]

ive went though LL V1000 series and 2000series, if your budget is that high in a case, get the TT ARMOR and dump the rest in PC and Cooling PSU.

I still will chose my armor over the LL-V1100 series any day. I realized that in the LL your paying for a outragously heavy side pannels and really really shiney screws which kinda makes it pointless.

PS. Ive had a 100lb girl stand ontop of my case, to grab something, wasnt intentional she did it without me looking, but the case did not warp. I would of killed her if she did it on my Lian Li, because it would of bent in half.

 

[imported_browsing]

Oh, and according to the Extreme OuterVision PSU calculator (http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp) I need about 570 watts. So what does that leave for under 200 bucks or so? Fortron Epsilon FX700-GLN?

Edit: Oy, I punched something in wrong on the first go. Make that about 470 watts.

 

[aigomorla]

ROFLROFLROFL that stupid calculator is completely and utterly BULLSHIT.

As i stated in another tread using a wall mounted wattage viewer, with having 2 7800GT's not 7900GT's that i have now, but the power hungry 7800GT's i was maxing/peaking at 380Watts. 4 hard drives + 2 opticals.

to be safe you want to add about 20-30% so u would be more then enough to get a 480W or if you want room for improvement get a decient branded 500W.

Need to know what brands are good, galvenized highly recomends silverstone, enhance, seasonic, and fortron.

Want bling bling of PSU's then get PCandC, there still at the top.

 

[imported_browsing]

Is the Silencer 610 pretty stable?

 

[acegazda]

trust me, get a zippy psu, or get something with more value. Zippy uses rubycon caps, while most of the other top mfgs (pcp&c, enhance, seasonic, etc.) use teapo caps. This makes zippy the best for longevity. They are almost as expensive as pcp&c, but both are bested in the value department. Get an enhance 5150gh and save a load. Use the saved $$$ on the case or a cpu cooler.