What PSU/Case?

byte

Hello, can anyone recommend a good PSU and perhaps case? The PSU is more important, and I am on a strict budget. I believe I should avoid Q-Tec. Is anyone familiar with "Hiper" PSU's? Peats sell these though I'd probably find something better elsewhere. Also, what minimum wattage should I aim for?

The PSU will be running this build hopefully. The case included in that list I will not be going for, because from what I can gather, it only has 2x 3.5" bays. I have sort of shortlisted this, this (comes with 350w PSU) or this

Any help greatly appreciated!

RicardoSmith

For not much more you can get a Antec Sonata (or similar) which is a quiet case with a Decent 380w PSU. or the Antec SLK3700BQE is also great.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Antec_Cases.html

I wouldn't scrimp on the PSU, or the case really. The Antec PSU are very good and their case's decent. Together they are good value. You'll have to spend a lot of money to get something better.

In my opinion of course...

byte

Thanks for the reply.

Some of the Antecs look OK, though I think I'll be needing a beige/white case (as my dvd burner is beige and would look silly in a black case). Also, not too fond of some of the cases with doors though maybe it should be something to consider.

After much trawling, am I to believe that some ATX cases are not suitable for AMD64 cpus? I ask because some sites I looked at have "Suitable for AMD64/P4" beside some of their cases. Until now, I thought all ATX cases did generally the same job!

On another note, as I'll be installing a S-ATA HDD, will I need a SATA PSU as I notice some PSU's say they have SATA compliance?

I never realised even choosing a case and psu was not straight forward!

stuey

some PSUs come with a sata power adapter. but you can just get a molex to s-ata converter http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=115476&cks=SER

I actually think that, that WD hard drive has a standard molex power connector on it anyway but for the sake of 3 euro just get the cable

Bass.exe

byte wrote:

After much trawling, am I to believe that some ATX cases are not suitable for AMD64 cpus? I ask because some sites I looked at have "Suitable for AMD64/P4" beside some of their cases. Until now, I thought all ATX cases did generally the same job!

What you thought till now still holds true. ATX is ATX is ATX. It matters not what the processor is (how would it?).
The only point of interest here is that certain mobos (Asus) have their floppy drive connectors at the bottom right edge, and in some cases you will not be able to insert that cable, mainly due to the positioning of the HDD bays. Not much of a worry nowadays, as you can just use a CD to boot.

RicardoSmith

Generally P4/AMD64 use an extra power connector. If the case or PSU says its P4/AMD64 it means they have this connection aswell.

Nukem

Try www.xcase.co.uk and www.pc-look.com for PSU's and cases
Also did you check www.elara.ie for a PSU,good enough selection.
How much power you need do ya reckon?

Bass.exe

RicardoSmith wrote:

Generally P4/AMD64 use an extra power connector. If the case or PSU says its P4/AMD64 it means they have this connection aswell.

Is that not a requirement of the Motherboard, rather than the processor? I've seen numerous AMD64 machines that do not require that extra power connector.

byte

Thanks all for the replies. There are some amazing cases on xcase.co.uk (thanks for the links Nukem). I'm particulary liking this one.

BloodBath

Don't scrimp on your power supply. It's probably the most important part of your machine. The wattage of the psu is no indication of how it will run. Cheap psu's tend not to run anywhere ner their stated output for various reasons like some psu's are rated for their wattage only to a certain temp. If it goes past this temp (and a lot of them do) it loses some of it's output. Your rails are another thing to look out for. Cheap psus tend to have poor rails meaning possible system instability. Get a good brand psu like, antec, thermaltake, fortron, tagen.

I'd say your machine will use about 250-300w under load so a good 350w or higher will do you fine.


BloodBath

Cassiel

Can recommend the Antec Sonata, the Antec 380W PSU on its own would set you back about €70, the case itself is quality. Has a dust filter and option to fit a second case fan (Antec Smartcool 120mm) in front of your Hard Drives.

Door is removable, I close it when not using the CD-drives (they are beige and they do look crappy in a black case.

BloodBath

Simply paint the front of the drive black. Problem solved.


BloodBath

RicardoSmith

BloodBath wrote:

Simply paint the front of the drive black. Problem solved.
BloodBath

Yeuch...TBH.

jozi

I have to agree on the sonata, i like it. Its a nice shiney black (piano black as its called) color, the door only really makes it look better and its not really a problem at all having it. How often do you use the cd/dvd drives anyway, most games have cd patches, anytime you burn just open it not a problem really, keep noise down to.

Jozi

mayordenis

BloodBath wrote:

Simply paint the front of the drive black. Problem solved.


BloodBath

BB is right , or you can buy a black front bezel for maybe €10

byte

Well, anyone got opinions on this case? It's an A-Top (I think its American), with 450w PSU supplied. I'm unaware of how good/bad that PSU is but for 65stg, is it worth getting if just for the case alone (not to everyones taste but I like it) as it's not difficult to get a second PSU.

RicardoSmith

byte wrote:

Well, anyone got opinions on this case? It's an A-Top (I think its American), with 450w PSU supplied. I'm unaware of how good/bad that PSU is but for 65stg, is it worth getting if just for the case alone (not to everyones taste but I like it) as it's not difficult to get a second PSU.

Theres not enough chrome on it. :eek: