[warriorscot]

I and all the rest of the techs here always recomend buying the PSU seperately, it ensures quality parts from a quality supplier. I like Antec cases as the build quality is exceptional and there are no sharp edges, as well as the fact that all the newer cases have some kind of noise reduction features. If you can afford it coolermaster also make great cases the centurion 530 is there cheapest entry level case and has stealthed drive bays 120mm fans and is stylish unlike alot of cases i see which to me look just a little tacky. When it comes to cases you get what you pay for, you buy a cheap case with a cheap power supply thats exactly what you get. And if you build a high end computer with a low end PSU you are asking for it to fry your most expensive compnents.

[Advertisements]

"generics" as they are called (i.e. anything unbranded) does not always mean worse quality. most of the time it simply means no branding, no fancy packaging or utils, no frills in other words. why spend the extra for a brand name when a genric can be just as good.....


but SpaceCowboy706 it is up to you on what you would like for your biuld. let me know what you would like and i will help you find what i can.

[KMA-Jay]

"generics" as they are called (i.e. anything unbranded) does not always mean worse quality. most of the time it simply means no branding, no fancy packaging or utils, no frills in other words. why spend the extra for a brand name when a genric can be just as good.....


but SpaceCowboy706 it is up to you on what you would like for your biuld. let me know what you would like and i will help you find what i can.

[warriorscot]

Doesnt always but usually does though you get more problems with generic than branded, if there is a problem with a PSU on here its usually a generic one, they dont have the same amps either as good ones, you get what you pay for if you spend a grand on a PC and then stick in a cheap 500W PSU you cant complain if the thing blows up as does happen.

[SpaceCowboy706]

Sorry I haven't posted back in a while fellas... been real busy lately..UPDATE... got the correct motherboard back finally...The Corsair Ram is here.... Decided on only going with one of the samsung p120 Hard drives...Is on order and in the Mail somewhere.?????

Sitting In my closet waiting for all the rest of the components to make this PC work:

Motherboard, Processor, Ram, HardDrive (in the mail)

Now that we are on the CASE AND Power supply I have hit a whole load of confusivness <--- is that a word.

Here are the cases I Like:

http://www.coolermas.....03 Cavalier 3
http://www.coolermas.....01 Cavalier 1
http://www.coolermas.....1 Wave Master
http://www.coolermas.....raetorian 732
Optional Side Panel for Coolermaster cases:
http://www.coolermas.....NV Side Panel

Other cases
http://www.atxpowers...n-black-red.htm
http://www.newegg.co...s...ly - Retail
http://www.newegg.co...s...ly - Retail
http://www.xoxide.com/xopacl2.html


But while searching for cases on the sites you all have recomended I have come accross confusing Power supply and Cooling requirements.

Should I go with fan cooling or Liquid Cooling... Liquid just seems cooler but is it better...

Liquid
http://www.coolermas...2FE8U2 AQUAGATE
http://www.coolermas...ist&p_class=575
http://tw.giga-byte....ts_GH-WIU01.htm

VS

Air
http://www.coolermas.....4 CoolDrive 4
http://www.coolermas.....U1 Dual Storm

Which should I go with for the cooling system... and which are compatible with my motherboard, Case (whichever of the ones we picked), and Power supply (oh yeh.. these were the ones i found that seemed good... but i am the novice here).

Power Supplies
http://www.coolermas.....eXtreme Power
http://www.newegg.co...=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0
http://www.tigerdire...c.asp?CatId=106

.... Please help me to determine which Case I need... with a matching Power supply and Cooling system... Im Lost on this.

[warriorscot]

Right ok you seem to have alot of coolermaster stuff there and they make good cases but the ones you picked arent there best, they havent really updated there range in a while and its showing the lack of 120mm fans is a worry, when you are paying a premium like that you want more than they are giving you. Check out lian li and antec they make better cases, at the moment antec are just putting out better and better cases their new one is a beauty. Or the Akasa eclipse is good for any system nice and spacious and good airflow so its perfect for water cooling and great for air.

Cooling i would stick to air cooling, water is for when you need uber cooling which you wont need unless you want to do monster overclocks its also not something you can skimp on its expensive for water cooling as you really cant put a cheap kit in cause leaks are fatal(unless you buy non conductive cooling fluid which is as much as a water cooling kit itself).
For HSFs the stock ones on AMDs are actally quite good but for something better Akasa, Arctic or thermalright are the way to go.

For PSU top of the tree at the mo is Tagan as far as i know but i dont know what availability is like stateside alot of PSU manufacturers seem to be europe based. Also really good are Antec and the akasa ones are pretty decent as well Ultra X and OCZ also makers of decent power supplies. Dont be fooled into thinking you can get a cheap PSU its the thing you can least skimp on a good one will last you longer than most other components though as power requirements have leveled out now.

[ZenkiSX]

I like Thermaltake as a trusted company, but like warriorscot said Antec, OCZ, and Ultra-X are really good. Here is a couple PSU you might want to look at:

Antec NeoPower 480w

Ultra-X-Connect 500w


Both of those I have heard good things about. Ive heard that Antec PSU are close to best and safest way to go.

Also like warriorscot said you hear about alot of generic psu's that come with cases burn out and ruin hardware or do other things, so finding a case without a PSU will save you a few dollars that you can use towards a better PSU that will last a long while.

Edited by ZenkiSX, 15 September 2005 - 01:58 PM.

[SpaceCowboy706]

Ok I like this case the best:
http://www.coolermas.....01 Cavalier 1
with this side panel:
http://www.coolermas.....NV Side Panel

But i need to know:

1) if my motherboard will fit into it
2) will the PSU Ive decided on fit into it
3) do fans come with it... if not what fans do i need.(decided on air cooling - as I have read that liquid cooling is not the ideal scenario for a novice pc builder as it is very difficult to install and if done incorrectly can cause major problems)

The PSU I like:

http://www.tigerdire...46&Sku=ULT31556

[warriorscot]

I know you like it but its not a very good case(well its a good case its just not worth what you pay for it) thermaltake make an almost identical one but it has better airflow and some good features the side wondow also has a nice fan on it, cheaper too. The cav comes with a PSU allready but at 350W it isnt enough.

The cav is also an older case some sites dont sell it anymore as coolermaster has came out quite recently with some newer cases to replace its older models.

[SpaceCowboy706]

I only like the cavalier because of the Optional side panel with the engraved nvidia graphics....let me check out the thermaltake cases real quick and I'll post back.... was that PSU I picked a good one?

[SpaceCowboy706]

OK you are right again WarriorScott.... Here the new cases I like now....

which one will work for my Motherboard and the Psu from the last post I selected.

In order of best to last.

http://www.thermalta...s/va8000bws.htm

http://www.thermalta...black/black.htm

http://www.thermalta...ami/bwa/bwa.htm

This Motherboard (Have it now - so we cant change it): http://pcworld.price...sterid=9108659/

This PSU: http://www.tigerdire...46&Sku=ULT31556

[warriorscot]

Its what you like those are all good cases, if you like the armor the coolermaster stacker is probably better its the only coolermsater case that is really exceptional. But pick what you like, custom side panels are easy to get though or make yourself, i suggested the thermaltake because the tsunami is very similar to the cavalier except its got better airflow, and i think looks a bit better. (why would you want nvidia on your case, it would be a bit off if you get an ATI card.

You are taking a long while to pick the parts as well, you should ideally get them all at once it saves money and obviously you dont get stuck with a particular hardware like you are now, the SLIv2 mobos will be out soon after crossfire boards, but meh your pc. So i think we have almost got everything picked out, the case is the toughest bit i found you can get to a certain point comparing specs, but the last bit comes down to price and your own taste in the styling.(My favourite case is still the Akasa eclipse at the moment, i like practical cases more than anything it is common sense at its finest.)

They are all ATX so will all fit.

Edited by warriorscot, 18 September 2005 - 05:21 PM.

[SpaceCowboy706]

This case: http://www.thermalta...s/va8000bws.htm
This PSU: http://www.tigerdire...46&Sku=ULT31556

Will find them and put them on the VISA and they will be in the mail soon.

What part is next ?

[warriorscot]

Well what do we have we have been going on for 4 full pages, we have cpu,ram, motherboard, case and PSU i think, so gfx, monitor, soundsystem, soundcard if you are getting one. I think im not going raking through the thread to find what we covered it would take ages and im going out in a bit.

[SpaceCowboy706]

Warriorscot I greatly appreciate you dedicating yourself to sticking this out and helping me....

So far we have in possession, in my closet:

Motherboard
Processor
RAM
Hard drive

Accessories to be carried over from CRAPPY PC

Already have 19' flat screen Monitor
already have Keyboard
already have mouse
already have Altec Lansing Surrond System (speakers and Subwoofer)

ON ORDER AND IN THE MAIL:

Case
PSU

So now we have to choose from : gfx, monitor, soundsystem, soundcard

1) Soundsystem is already covered with the altec lansing Surround system right?

2) GFX i want to save for last .... So I can see how much money I have left budgeted for this project and spend the remaining / Most money on this component.... as I hear it is the most important for the best Gameplay.

Current Spent: $1643.52
Budgeted Max: $2800.00 (exactly half the cost of the Alienware PC)

3) Soundcard - This is were we need to go now, so were shall I start Looking... good brands?

4) Back to the cooling part.... are the fans that come with the case good enough or do I need to get different fans?

[jrm20]

Go with creative labs, go for the Audigy2 ZS Gamer limited edition 7.1 or above.

There is cheaper cards but go for the newer technology like the one I listed or above.


Look here


http://www.newegg.co...nd&Order=priceD