What "adult" case for low cost PC build?

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!

me privacy.net 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.

You want a good quality case with an upgradable motherboard, and
all other components, for $300?

BWAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!

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.....

Now is not the time to start. You might be able to find a prebuilt
used PC with a good quality case, maybe upgradable, for $300.

Good luck and have fun.
--



















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!



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From: me privacy.net
Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
Subject: What "adult" case for low cost PC build?
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2011 12:20:35 -0600
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On 1/29/2011 1:20 PM, wrote:
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.

You could easily spend up to 300.00 USD just on the case alone.

You are going at this backwards. You should choose the motherboard,
CPU, RAM, power supply, hard drive, and optical drive first, and see
what you have left over for a case.

Don't forget to factor in shipping costs.

It's possible to get a decent case for cheap. You will have a lot of
choices at newegg.com. Pay attention to the customer ratings.

If this is your first PC build, you should know that there are many
newbie mistakes you can make that might screw up your whole project and
cost you extra money. Proceed with great caution.

On Sat, 29 Jan 2011 14:25:30 -0500, ToolPackinMama wrote:

You are going at this backwards. You should choose the motherboard,
CPU, RAM, power supply, hard drive, and optical drive first, and see
what you have left over for a case.

+1

If I were looking to put together a budget build the case is somewhere I
would be looking to save money, not spend it. Unless you are overclocking
and need real good air flow, or planning on having water cooling, which I
am assuming your not then most budget cases should do a good enough job
for your needs.

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!

You are buying a "unit" (case plus other stuff) yet you claim to be
doing your own build? Apparently you're looking at some combo deal(s)
that throw in a case. If you want quality components, you need to look
at them separately. If they happen to throw together a bundle that has
your quality components or near equivalents then great; otherwise, do
your own build, including picking your own case.

Note that the case may stiffen up after you add your selections for the
motherboard, PSU, and drives. Be sure to read any reviews on your
choices for a case (you'll probably want several choices since what you
want may not be available or you find later that it isn't a good
choice). You might find comments about crappy drive slides or
quick-install schemes for drives that are flimsy or fragile, a weird or
nuisancesome means of securing the daughtercards, too short on depth for
the case which puts the drive cage(s) too much over the motherboard.
While it is natural to lean towards brand names for quality, I've found
brands that were considered tops to produce some rather ****ty models.
Hell, I got a $10 case that was better than many over $100 but I got
lucky in getting a discontinued model (I took the risk, they were
getting rid of old stock). I've seen over $100 cases that were worse
than $30 cases. Ya gotta do the research since it is likely that you're
not visiting a store to get a hands on look at the thing.

There are some small things to remember, too, when looking at cases.
Something as little as where are the USB ports can make a difference in
the ease in using a case. Do you want to leave open a small cover or
the entire case cover to leave something connected all the time to the
front USB ports? Do you want them on the top where the USB cables will
dangle down like a spider web? If they're on the side of the case,
which side is better for wherever you will positioning the case? Have
other prior owners reported the port hardware as fragile (breaks
easily)? Where are the USB headers on the mobo to ensure that the cable
from the front USB ports will reach? Does the backpanel have knockouts
so you don't end up drilling or punching out holes if needed? If there
is a swing-away front cover on the case, does it open or have an opening
to allow ejection of trays for optical discs, or are you going to remove
the cover so you can use the optical discs often without interference
from the cover? Will it be easy to dust out the area behind the front
bezel/cover and the hard drives to ensure good intake air flow? If the
PSU(s) is(are) bottom-mounted in the case, are the feet tall enough to
ensure proper intake underneath the case and is the case to sit atop a
hard surface or get plugged with carpet lint (and, if on carpet, do
those bottom intake ports have replacable/cleanable filters)? Do you
want black, biege, or other bland case color that will blend in with
most surroundings, or a shrill colored case with disco lights for ego
stroking your build to others? Do you consider the standard ATX air
flow sufficient for your build or will you need a side panel port for
cooling the CPU and hard disks with additional fans? How much heat is
produced by what and how are you going to get rid of it? Lots of traits
to consider in a case but depends on what you put inside it, connect to
it, and what you can afford (and how long you're willing to wait looking
for a really good deal).

On Sat, 29 Jan 2011 12:20:35 -0600, 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

If you already have one PC, you should consider getting a WDTV live.
They are perfect for playing movie files to TV. If you already have a
wireless network, get the WDTV Live and a USB wireless adapter.


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!

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!


I just bought an Antic III case. I can vouch for it being a very clean
case that includes a quality 500W power supply. The external drive bays
are hidden behind a front door and it has a gloss black finish. Its a
mid-tower with plenty of room inside. Installing the guts of the
computer was a breeze and I, like you, have large hands.

But its not cheap, I paid $134 with shipping from Newegg right after
Christmas, but remember that includes a good power supply, something
that you would need anyway.

I'll be honest with you, $300 is just not going to cover what you want
to do unless you can salvage a good many parts from another comp.

John

On 1/29/2011 3:48 PM, John wrote:
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!


I just bought an Antic III case. I can vouch for it being a very clean
case that includes a quality 500W power supply. The external drive bays
are hidden behind a front door and it has a gloss black finish. Its a
mid-tower with plenty of room inside. Installing the guts of the
computer was a breeze and I, like you, have large hands.

But its not cheap, I paid $134 with shipping from Newegg right after
Christmas, but remember that includes a good power supply, something
that you would need anyway.

I'll be honest with you, $300 is just not going to cover what you want
to do unless you can salvage a good many parts from another comp.

Just a small clarification here for the OP: John is referring to the
Antec Sonata III 500.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

I have one of those cases as well, and can vouch for it's convenience
and construction. The only changes I would make to the case:

1) Power button on the front of the case, instead of hidden behind the
external bay door.

2) A more durable mechanism for holding in the air filter--they're easy
to break when removing them.

Grinder wrote:
On 1/29/2011 3:48 PM, John wrote:
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!


I just bought an Antic III case. I can vouch for it being a very clean
case that includes a quality 500W power supply. The external drive bays
are hidden behind a front door and it has a gloss black finish. Its a
mid-tower with plenty of room inside. Installing the guts of the
computer was a breeze and I, like you, have large hands.

But its not cheap, I paid $134 with shipping from Newegg right after
Christmas, but remember that includes a good power supply, something
that you would need anyway.

I'll be honest with you, $300 is just not going to cover what you want
to do unless you can salvage a good many parts from another comp.

Just a small clarification here for the OP: John is referring to the
Antec Sonata III 500.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

I have one of those cases as well, and can vouch for it's convenience
and construction. The only changes I would make to the case:

1) Power button on the front of the case, instead of hidden behind the
external bay door.

2) A more durable mechanism for holding in the air filter--they're easy
to break when removing them.



Oops, thanks for the correction.

John

On Jan 29, 6:07*pm, John wrote:
Grinder wrote:
On 1/29/2011 3:48 PM, John wrote:
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!

I just bought an Antic III case. I can vouch for it being a very clean
case that includes a quality 500W power supply. The external drive bays
are hidden behind a front door and it has a gloss black finish. Its a
mid-tower with plenty of room inside. Installing the guts of the
computer was a breeze and I, like you, have large hands.

But its not cheap, I paid $134 with shipping from Newegg right after
Christmas, but remember that includes a good power supply, something
that you would need anyway.

I'll be honest with you, $300 is just not going to cover what you want
to do unless you can salvage a good many parts from another comp.

Just a small clarification here for the OP: John is referring to the
Antec Sonata III 500.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

I have one of those cases as well, and can vouch for it's convenience
and construction. The only changes I would make to the case:

1) Power button on the front of the case, instead of hidden behind the
external bay door.

2) A more durable mechanism for holding in the air filter--they're easy
to break when removing them.

Oops, thanks for the correction.

John- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Why not check out Tigerdirect or Newegg for a barebones, there are
quite a few to choose from in various price ranges.
..-J