Which case would you choose?

[Gooberlx2]

My current PSU and Mobo went kaput. So I'm going to be ordering new ones and getting a better case as well.

I'm trying to keep costs down, so these are the cases I've seen in my price range that have specs I like (many front bays, front firewire).

Tagan - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811294008
CM Centurion 590 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119152
CM Centurion 5 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119068

Currently the system will be used as the primary home system. Eventually I plan on getting an all-in-one and then turning this thing in to a file server. But for now, I do need front firewire.

Also, any particular PSU recommendations? I'll probably install a 4-in-3 SATA hotswap enclosure in some of the 5.25" bays and have somewhere between 6 and 8 drives when I convert to a file server (WHS, FreeNAS or otherwise).

I saw this one, but would welcome any other recommendations for either case or PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341016

 

[krnmastersgt]

I'm opting towards the Centurion 5 or 590, only for the fact that they have 2 fans (or can have 2 anyways) as opposed to the Tagan's 1. The 590 is superior in that it has more drive bays and it runs 2 120mm fans meaning silent operation + lots of air movement. If it were my money, and with the stuff you want, I'd opt for the 590, then the 5, and lastly the Tagan.

Also: You might want to consider the combo with the 590 and the 500w PSU, while not the best name available or anything, I doubt that a company like CoolerMaster would choose 3rd rate components for PSUs with their name on it.

 

[Eureka]

I'd get the 590. I have a 690, and they're mostly the same case, with a few differences mainly bezel, fan holes, and toolless hard drives. It has a ridiculous amount of room, plenty of fan holes, and solid construction. The only downside to the 590/690 is that the side fan grilles tend to buzz due to the design, but its not a huge deal. Of course don't depend on the tool-less design on the 590/690, its weak and doesn't hold. But its easy enough to use screws with it.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I'll have to look at that CoolerMaster PSU. Any other comments on the PSU? Newegg's wattage calculator says I would need ~585W assuming a build with 4 HDDs (~630W if I move to 6 HDDs). That seems like a lot.

Right off the bat, the build would be:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (new)
C2Q Q6600
8GB DDR2 (4x2GB)
Nvidia 8500GT
DVDRW (SATA)
TV card
4 7200 rpm HDDs (2x IDE, 2x SATA)

edit: intersting, Antec's calculator says 308w with 4 HDDs.

 

[krnmastersgt]

You can look for some different wattage calculators online, or ask around in Power Supplies section. I doubt your system will require that strong of a PSU, but I could be wrong so better to ask people who have done power calculations with differing amounts of hard drives etc.

 

[California Roll]

FWIW, I have the same mobo/cpu as you, rest of my gear in my sig. I have only 1 hard drive as I use a ton of externals. At max load I use 220-240w. Idle is 120-140w. Booting up takes 180w.

I'm not sure how much power TV tuners use. I usually budget about 10-15W per hard drive. Based on all this I'd believe the Antec calculator figure you posted seems ok.

 

[mmntech]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
I'll have to look at that CoolerMaster PSU. Any other comments on the PSU? Newegg's wattage calculator says I would need ~585W assuming a build with 4 HDDs (~630W if I move to 6 HDDs). That seems like a lot.

Right off the bat, the build would be:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (new)
C2Q Q6600
8GB DDR2 (4x2GB)
Nvidia 8500GT
DVDRW (SATA)
TV card
4 7200 rpm HDDs (2x IDE, 2x SATA)

edit: intersting, Antec's calculator says 308w with 4 HDDs.

Of course Newegg's would fib because they want you to buy the more expensive units. The PSU companies have everybody thinking they need 1kw power supplies. Your system is pretty similar to mine. My system rarely exceeds 250w unless I'm seriously OCing the processor. Try using the Extreme Power Supply Calculator as well. I find it's pretty reliable. Just google it.

As a general rule I like to set, calculate maximum system load wattage than multiply it by 1.20 to give you a nice safety buffer. So say my system maxes out at 295w, I would want a 350w PSU at minumum with a 450w or 500w PSU being optimal for adding new components later on.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Looks like the Antec calulator just uses eXtreme's calculator. Thanks for the help and suggestions everyone.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I went with the Centurion 590 and a Corsair 450VX.

Positive reviews on both newegg's user reviews and the AT roundup. I was worried about ATX cable length with the other PSUs when considering the bottom mount position on the case, and the plug location on the mobo (exact opposite sites). One user at TigerDirect had mentioned it just barely fit, with tension, with a 17" cable (same as the OCZ and BFG LS550. I wish the Tagan were available..oh well, I can't wait for it).

I figure, even with overhead and a couple extra HDDs, the 450 should be plenty.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[0roo0roo]

p182

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
p182

I would have loved to, but it was well out of my price range.