What "adult" case for low cost PC build?

On Jan 30, 1:43 pm, wrote:
Flasherly wrote:
I wouldn't ignore the non-adult case when it's a well-rated
namebrand. Running a "GameBoy" case for the longest time, all-
aluminum Antec, that was top-notch construction for what it was

OK

I actually like the "concept" of the Lanboy AIR
model... the modular concept

But would that be too big and bulky vs a reg mid tower
case?

I've an old one - LanBoy. Dunno about what's new in the "air" or
modular concept. All aluminum, are you kidding -- thing's as light as
a deck of cards. Well, almost. Strange at first but nifty when you
get used to it. Duller but similar to a stainless steel finish, super
malleable, brushed aluminum and extra easy to bend or damage. Very.
Except it's so well made, that's offset by an appreciation the
precision and want to take extra good care of it. I'd give it a
modestly smaller look between a regular/tower size cases. Mine came
with black nylon straps that wrap to fit and a handle for easy toting
to "game boy" events. Stuffed about a $1000 worth of build in mine
and used the straps once to show it off to a friend running a
restaurant.

Recall it was $79 (likely + UPS $hipping) when I got the hots to trot
for it, and then shortly after I saw it advertised on BestBuy for
about half that on a rebate or something. Sort of unfair not to give
it a 5* for my favorite of all time cases I've owned, but it's a
vacuum cleaner with the front panel loaded with fans. Straight-
through air design, actually, monster fans parallel to front-&-back
panels. As are most better cases (efficient airflow to keep good
circulation). I suppose choice of fans and filtering material would
help if the dust bunnies get irritating.

wrote:
I am a cost conscious college student needing a good
QUALITY PC to hook up to my HDTV and use as a
entertainment center

I don't want to spend more than abt $300 on the PC
build.

I know I could buy a cheapie off the shelf system for
this amount but the case on such units seem so FLIMSY!

Id rather spend some dollars up front open a GOOD
QUALITY case and cheapen the components a bit as this
would allow me a good upgrade path on parts in the
future.

Also, I want a full size mid tower case.... not a shoe
box or mini case... so I can easily get my fat hands
inside the thing when needed lol!

Bottom line.... I've never built a PC in my life.....
but what would you guys recommend as a GOOD case and
power supply to use as a "base" for above requirements?

I've looked at Lian Li and Antec.... but there are so
many choices it is almost dizzying!

This is what got delivered to my door today. The material
used, isn't as heavy as the other Antecs I've got.

"Antec Sonata Proto Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case" $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129086

I tried to buy another brand of case from a local store, but
their "real time inventory" system lied, and there was no product.
So screw them. That Antec was the next best thing. And
amazingly, it shipped in only one day. (I didn't get it
from Newegg, and the link to Newegg is so you can see
pictures of it.)

Paul

Well I came across the NewEgg deal today

Might go for this

I know its overkill for an HTPC but the price is right

What say you all?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.592734

On Feb 3, 3:34 pm, wrote:
Well I came across the NewEgg deal today

Might go for this

I know its overkill for an HTPC but the price is right

What say you all?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...m_mc=AFC-C8Jun...

I buy there too. Only thing I might be tad shy of on that is the
SeaSnake. Prefer die-rollings w/ Samsung then Hitachi or WD, with a
definite want to know the if the sector map addressing scheme of
things is particular to W7. Minor points I'm sure if a homemade
bundle were so sweetly humble.

Except it's never worked out that way, where I've bought a bundle yet
on an assembly (I invariably go through 10^15 reviews on critical
individual parts, which of course turns the whole 2-week decision
thing into major drama show). No, hold the line, I must recant.
That's not actually true. I have bought bundles, only invariably when
building for other people. When upfront, I tell them I'll be keeping
it simple -- nothing fancy, expensive, or bleedin'-edge. Bub. Take it
as-reliable or leave it. It's so bloody awful and traumatic when I go
off the deepend, myself, researching and implementing something
relatively recent in manufacturing product lines. They know it, my
dedicated admirers, and I know it beforehand, or why else would they
keep on coming back, years later and bug me into building them a
"bitchin'-nice" system...: (Just between you and me, I never *ever*
charge them more than the shipped-cost to me for a replacement part if
anything goes kaput, and some of those systems are 10 years old and
still working as originally built. All AMD builds.)

Anyho ...also in recent NE sales ...

Thermaltake V3 Black Edition ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $30
Newegg.com AC/AR/FS expires 1/31/11
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W 80 PLUS BRONZE Power Supply $40 AR at
Newegg (2days old)

wrote:
Well I came across the NewEgg deal today

Might go for this

I know its overkill for an HTPC but the price is right

What say you all?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.592734

I don't know about you, but I'm picky about my power supplies.
I'd want to get the part number off the bundled power supply,
and read some reviews for it.

That RC-310 case costs $45.77 locally here, but with no power supply.
So the Newegg price of $70, means the power supply is $24.23 worth.

When a power supply is bundled with a case, I generally assume
I'll be throwing it away, and putting another supply in its place.
Which is one reason, when shopping for cases, I try to avoid any
that include a PSU. Occasionally, the PSU is acceptable (I have
two bundled supplies that are still running, two that are dead),
but in terms of long term planning, I don't like the odds. I'd
much rather get the purchase of the supply right the first time,
if I can.

The motherboard is rated for 95 watt processors. So if you planned
on upgrading the processor later, the Vcore regulator might be an
issue (for a 125W or 140W processor). Since it's an HTPC, I doubt
you'll need to change the processor. That quad core should be plenty.

Paul