New build needs a case

[Koudelka]

Putting together a new system when the tax rebate hits the door.
Here's what i have:

CPU: Core i7 2.66 Nehalem $295
Mobo: ASUS P6T Deluxe $339
Memory: 6GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 PC 12800 $224
HD: WD Raptor 300GB $230
Video: EVGA Geforce GTX 295 $505
Case: --Need your help!--
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-1000HX 1000W $260
DVD: Samsung 22X DVD+R/RW $28
Display: Samsung 24" 2433BW LCD $290
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit $180

Looking for advice/criticism and suggestions for a case for this rig. Excellent airflow is a must. Not looking for anything flashy. Something sleek and up to date with great airflow.

Also, not sure if i need 1000W. I asked earlier about it but never really got a straight answer. Have plans to add a 2nd 295 GTX by the end of the year or middle of next year.

I plan on OC'ing the i7 so if anyone can suggest a great CPU cooler that will fit the board and case that would be great.

Oh, I plan on buying a sound card as well. Whats the deal with SB? I've used them for years and years and have never had too much of a problem. But anyone i start reading up on the latest SB cards all i hear is negative talk. They start going downhill in terms of service or has everyone always hated them so much?

All suggestions and advice welcome! Thank you!

 

[Syran]

I'm using the Corsair 1000HX, I love it. It's gonna be running something similar shortly.

Personally, I'm currently using Thermaltake Armor+'s at the moment. For my current main rig, and the build I'm doing next. Other then the weird armor doors at the front which are pretty bloody useless, it's a really nice case with TONS of room to work in, and has a removable motherboard tray, which is always a plus! I'm thinking of trying the new Coolit Domino A.L.C. for the cooling on the cpu, i'm using a Freezone Pure on my Q9450 at the moment.

 

[Ausm]

Best bang for the buck case imo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129021

You might want to post in the cooling forums for help on overclocking your I7

 

[Koudelka]

Thanks! i'm liking the suggestions.

Ausm, any idea if the Geforce 200 series cards will fit in the antec 900? I'm really digging the airflow but fitting a 295 in there looks like it could be a squeeze, or problems fitting cables around it.

Having trouble finding the coolers you mentioned Syran. Newegg only has 2 CPU coolers for socket 1366. Not too many out there yet?

 

[Syran]

Coolit Domino A.L.C. for sale at The Gadgeteers or directly from CoolIt. It was at Newegg last week. Not sure why it isn't now. And CoolIt is the company, the freezone is the product I have (I reversed them in my post earlier).

 

[yh125d]

You definitely don't need the 1000w PSU. A good 600w or better would be plenty of power.

Antec 300, 900, CM 590 are a few examples of good quality, classy cases with great airflow that aren't too expensive. GTX cards fit fine in the 300 I use, which is smaller than the other two so it will fit yes.

Raptors, aren't very good performance for the money. A WD Caviar Black drive will be nearly as fast, with a lot more storage for a lot less money.

Most people don't really need Vista Ultimate. IIRC the only difference between ultimate and home premium is the cost, and a couple fuu fuu games and junk that you'll probably never use.


Some good, cheap coolers are the Xigmatek S1283, Sunbeam CCF, OCZ Vendetta 2. The Sunbeam and Xigmatek were until very recently, the best heatsinks you could buy for 775/AM2, and they both cost around $30-40. I don't know about the sunbeam, but the Xigmatek doesn't come with a 1366 adapter, but you can buy one for about $5-10.

 

[Koudelka]

Thanks, i'll probably end up going with the WD Caviar Black like you mentioned.

A 600W PSU will still be enough for my system if i ever go quad SLI with a 2nd 295?

I just want to make sure it has enough power. Last time i built a system 2.5 years ago with an 8800gtx and amdx2 i was consistently told to get a 550w quality PSU. Figured i would need a significant upgrade in wattage for today's hardware.

Appreciate all the info, yh125d!

 

[Slugbait]

The Black is really good, but is bested by the F1.

If you're going SLI, and you can stand the color red, I would suggest going for a PP&C 750W for $90 AR. I recently got the original black version for that price a couple of months ago, and the rebate came in about two weeks ago.

I have the original Armor VA8000BWS, which is hands-down the best case I've ever used, much less owned. It got a Kick-Ass award a couple of years ago. The 'egg doesn't seem to carry it anymore, they only have the VA8003 which has a big-ass side panel fan.

 

[Syran]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
I have the original Armor VA8000BWS, which is hands-down the best case I've ever used, much less owned. It got a Kick-Ass award a couple of years ago. The 'egg doesn't seem to carry it anymore, they only have the VA8003 which has a big-ass side panel fan.

I built 6 computers in those before I went to the Armor+. Now i'm 2 builds into that, but it's a bit more expensive, when they first came out, they were closer to $150-160 shipped, now it's $200

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

PC-A20A = phenomenal air flow

 

[yh125d]

Sorry, I missed your plans to be going SLI in the future. With that it mind, I would step up to a quality 750/850w unit. Three good ones to choose from are the PCP&C Silencer/quad 750, and the Corsair TX750 and 850. Personally I would go with the 850

 

[mechBgon]

Here's one more case to look at: Lian-Li / Lancool K7B

Things I like about it:

1) understated looks, no windows, no LED disco action

2) doesn't have a massive excess of 5.25" bays I'll never need. Three's plenty.

3) does have one 3.25" bay for my card reader

4) dual 120mm intakes

5) The HDD cage orients the drives sideways so you can see what you're doing (ever broken the data connector off a SATA drive?). This also leaves more room for your video cards and their auxiliary power cables, and leaves room for your hands to reach the lower areas of the motherboard to connect front-panel cables and stuff.

6) cable-management ports let you route cables somewhat neatly

7) I have my system on the floor, so I like the top-panel location of the Firewire, USB and audio ports, as well as the Power and Reset buttons. YMMV on that one.

8) the HDDs get direct fan cooling, and there's room for five HDDs. They ride on rubber vibration dampers.

9) there's no door over the drives. YMMV, but I find doors tiresome.

 

[UMfanatic]

I would suggest either a Tt Armor Series or a Tt Spedo