Recommendations for a case?

[int 21h]

I'm looking into switching to the other side and building an Athlon system. I've narrowed down the hardware, but need recommendations for a case, I was considering an Antec Sonata, does anyone have any recommendations for something a little less? (the Sonata is ~ $120 USD)

[erbuk]

Hard to tell without knowing what other components you are going to use. Some harddrives, for example, like Hitachi (IBM) get very hot so they don't work to well in some smaller cases without extra cooling.

Of the lower price cases Aopen are very nice to work with. Very good quality and no unnecessary complicated solutions. And the PSU:s are generally very quiet.

The Chieftec cases are also very good but the PSU:s (on the ones I have tried) are a little lowder and the best Chieftec cases costs just as much as the Antec.

[Solo]

Firstly welcome to the AMD side.

What I've learn recently is just how important a case is to your setup. You should get the biggest one with the biggest power supply within your budget. Trust me when it comes time to upgrade or add components you'll be glad you did.

I personally have the Antec SX 1040B II with includes 400WATT PSU.
Your prices are way differnet to mine so check page below for a nice selection of cases:
http://www.directron.com/cases---case-fans-atx-cases.html
Other cases I also like.
http://www.aopen.com/products/housing/h600-series.htm

Good luck - enjoy.

[Xayd]

You could always go with the "old standby" Enlight cases ;).

I use the 72500s alot. They're around 55 dollars, the 300 watt power supply holds up well over time, it's available in both black and beige, it has with 2 front usb ports but otherwise it's just a case with a decent power supply in it.

[Ramirez]

Also have a look at these nice all aluminum cases, both has been ranked pretty highly. (also keep in mind that Aluminum chassis will conduct and disperse heat like a huge heat-sink, i.e. will help keeping your system running more cooler, especially handy in case of overclocking)

Antec LANBOY Aluminium Super Mini Tower Case (http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/product.php?productid=16695&cat=285)
Review (http://www4.tomshardware.com/howto/20030211/case-04.html)

Chieftec AX-01SLD Aluminium Dragon (http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/product.php?productid=16253&cat=288)
Review (http://www.gibtek.co.uk/hardware/dragonali.php)

[Solo]

Sorry I have to disagree with a 300 watt power supply as AMD themselves suggest 300 watts as a MINIMUM with their newer CPU's.
try to get something bigger as it will make your system more stable.

[mrbass]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=7&manufactory=1470&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

I have ordered close to 40 to 50 of these EverCases at work past year or so. No screws required except for hd and pci cards. Only thing sucks is the front USB hook up there is like 10 single wires (PITA). Other than that I have two at home too.

CASE EVERCASE (Beige) Mid-Tower ATX Case MODEL E4252WSF-F
Specifications:
Type: ATX Mid-Tower Screwless Chassis
Mainboard: ATX
Color: Beige
Expansion Slots: 7
Drive Bays: 4x 5.25" (external), 2x 3.5" (external), 4x 3.5" (internal)
Front Ports: 2x USB, 1x IEEE1394 firewire, and Audio
Power Supply: 300w ATX P4 ready
Chassis Dimensions: 7.5"(W) x 19.3" (D) x16.8" (H) Model#: E4252WSF-F FedEx Saver Shipping $15.00
- Product Link -See It! (image count 9 ) -Price Alert (N82E16811127007) Return to Service

$43.00

If you don't think 300Watt PW will suffice than get the case for $20 without the pw supply and buy an Enermax 350W or 400W for $65 or so.

[erbuk]

When it comes to PSU:s and watts, reading this article might be a good idea: http://www.silentpcreview.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=28&page=1

[Shabubu]

Any case based on the Chieftech series (I know they didn't come up with it but there you go) are good, out of all of them I like the Thermaltake one http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Thermaltake_161.html

Other than that the Lian Li are probably the best made cases ( http://www.lian-li.com/product.php?action=viewPD&prdid=375 ).

Your best to go for something aluminium (the big cases get heavy), and get far more drive bays than you need so you can leave a free bay in between each drive if at all possible.

OF course if your getting adventurous try building water cooled or refrigerated systems ( http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/VapoChill_Systems.html ).

With power supplies always go more watts than you think you need as the wattage given is a peak value, any of the big companies are OK (vantec, antec, enermax). One surprise is a comapny called q-tec, they make power supplies at an exceedingly cheap price (550w PSU at £26, same in enermax £113) and I have not yet heard a bad report about them. The only problem is the wires are a little short.