Searchname

I'm building a new system and wated to buy a Chiftec case, but my desk won't allow it. So, I am going to go mid-sized, what do you guys think of this case:



Also, I purchased a Thoroughbred 2400+, a Epox 8RDA, and 1GB (2-512MB sticks) of CAS2 PC2700 (Kingston Hyper-X). I'll pull out a few components from my existing pc: Radeon 9700TX and a 4X DVD+R.

Finally, I bought a bunch of stuff from SVCompucycle, namely a bunch of rounded IDE cables and a TT Volcano 9.

I mainly need to know what you guys think about the case, if my fan decision was a good one, and finally what do I need to buy in order to light this thing blue?

Thanks!

generalstupid

assuming your mobo will fit in there (havent checked dont plan to...) then it looks like it will be a fine buy. But to me... a case is a case... they all do the same basic thing. Hold computers together. i would get a cheaper case if i were you. But to each his own.

Searchname

It will fit, thanks for the quick reply! I agree about the case, but want something light for the geek parties. =)

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

neilm

That's a very nice case, a ATX motherboard shall fit into a ATX case
The fans would need to be 80x80x25 in size, and not sure about the pin (but you can always get a pin converter if that doesn't fit).
Also, about the lighting, there is an option combobox where you can select the different lighting kits you can buy for the case.

Searchname

I saw the option combo box, but decided to order the lights elsewhere. I will probably go to svcompucycle for those! The lights at Dealsonic seemed a little overpriced.

Hey, one more question! As you can see, it comes w/ an OEM 400W PS for free. I was thinking of at least paying an extra $8 for the 400W Powmax/Leadman. Are these any good? I've read that most people scrimp on the PS, when they shouldn't!

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

Searchname

Oh, one more thing ... the access plugs at the front bottom is the main thing that sold me. It seems to be a pretty good idea. I will definitely use the firewire, USB and headphone jacks!

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

neilm

I've never tried a Powmax/Leadman PSU before, but I heard it's decent for an off-brand. What I can say and most will probably agree that Enermax or Antec TruePower are the best PSU's available, if you have the cash it's a worthwhile buy. If you do go for it be sure you get one over 350W at least

This is an oldish tomshardware article, but is a good rough guide (I think the PSU you mentioned what also tested, not sure though).
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/index.html

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

generalstupid

can you please use the "edit" button RIGHT UNDER your post so as to not spam? also your system is a good one... get it if you want it

Searchname

Not sure I follow you, where was I spamming? Are you referring to the case link?

I bought everything, just waiting now!

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

generalstupid

no i mean like when you post 2 or 3 posts at a time...

Searchname

Man, it must be me, but I dont see where I duplicated any of my posts. Are you saying that I should alway hit edit on my initial post when I want to add something else? Are you a mod? If I did something wrong, I apologize ... I just dont see it. Guess I'll stay away from DH for now on. See ya!

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

generalstupid

ok anyway i didnt mean duplicate... unless someone else posted after you... just edit. i am not a mod and no you shouldnt always hit edit on your initial post... i.e........ on your first post... if it is 5 minutes later and no one has replied but you remembered something that you needed to say... just hit "edit".... but if someone has said something since you posted and you remembered something... then make a new post. Also, just to clarify, if you thought of another point right after your last point... then just hit edit... but if you have a new point NOW then make a new post.

Searchname

And you call that spamming??? I can understand a mod taking issue, but you really need to find something else to do ... get out more or something. My goodness!!! I'll try to not post two posts in a row, sorry to damage your delicate rule system.

Just an fyi, I was using the quick reply feature on this site, otherwise I would have done it diffently. Thanks for the input, now I'd appreciate it if you didnt reply to me any more!

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

generalstupid

dude holy crap i didnt mean to piss off your holy pussiness... it was a simple request. damn

WyreTheWolf

OK! ENOUGH......

Searchname... to your corner, generalstupid to your corner....

Searchname, use the damn edit button.
GeneralStupid, you are not a mod... use the damn "Report this post to a moderator" button.

Searchname, yes that is a fine case, it is made by a company named SkyHawk (www.skyhawkusa.com) they are made in the US, are one of the lightest cases out there, and are pretty high quality for the price.

If you are looking for a super light, inexpensive LAN gaming case, that would be the one that I suggest.

Welcome to the site, nice rig, and please enjoy your stay here at DriverHeaven.

JavaFox

FrozenCPU has a deal where you can get a RatPadz (widely regarded as the best mousing surface) and a cold cathode light (which is what you would want to use to light up your case) for $20.00. Pretty good deal.

They sell the lights seperately, as well.

BWX

I just got 3 blue-4-led case fans for 2.99 each here- that is 3 80mm blue led case fans for under 10 dollars- I will get them tomorrow- It was a good deal-

Check it out-


click here and scroll down

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DriveEuro

Um, buddy. Aluminum cases dissapate heat much better than steel. Therefore the aluminium (the british way ) usually has a better temp than the steel ones as steel sucks at dissipating heat.

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[color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color]
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JavaFox

This is factually true, but I can't help but think this has been overstated by the overclocking community. Most heat leaves the case through convection -- that is, when the hot air is forced out by fans. While what you've said is technically correct, I don't feel it makes much of a difference.

WyreTheWolf

It makes some difference if your case does not have good ventelation... if your case has very little ventelation the metal in the case warms up, and it has to disipate this heat... Aluminum does a far better job of this. However if your case has excellent ventelation ... it will make nearly no difference at all.

DriveEuro

Well, I don't think it makes enough difference to me. I bought my steel Antec knockoff. It wasn't worth the extra money to me for aluminum. Considering I will never to go a lan party in my life......

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[color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color]
[color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 1600*1200 1280*1024

WyreTheWolf

Bought my Chieftec w/ 6 LED fans, 420 watt PSU, and some extra cables and stuff for 90 bucks..... And it was worth the extra 5 dollars for the aluminum.. EDIT: also paid the extra for the window.

Searchname

The case should arrive at any moment.

Thanks for the reply, I shouldn't have had any sort of exchange w/ G.Stupid, I just didn't understand what the big deal was. Oh well, thanks for the welcome!

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

Searchname

I actually bought the Chieftec first, but had to cancel my order because it wouldn't have fit in my existing desk.

As for the heating issue, I agree that aluminum helps dissipate the heat, but I seriously doubt it makes a tremendous difference from a steel case! The main reason I purchased it was for weight reasons, I'm tired of toting a bunch of weight to the geek parties. So, I bought a LCD, which helped tremendously and now an aluminum case, which should also help.

As far as weight is concerned, I tried going the laptop route by dropping a pretty penny on a Dell Inspiron 8200 back when the Radeon Mobile 9000's came out. It was loaded with the best display (Dell Ultra UXGA or something like that), P4 2.0Ghz, 512MB PC2100 DDR, 60GB 5,400RPM HD, and 64MB Radeon 9000. It was just too slow compared to the system it replaced. I've been using this Dell Dimension, which is faster than the laptop was ... and can't wait to put together this system and get closer to the edge. I think the 5,400RPM HD and the Intel Cycling (forget what it was called) was slowing me down. I might give it a try again when mobile HD's become faster, it looks as if the mobile gfx will be pretty awesome with the 9600.

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17" LCD E171FP, Dell 4550 Dimension w/ 1.8Ghz P4, 1GB Kingston CL2 PC2700 DDR, WD 180GB HD (8mb buffer), WD 120GB HD (8mb bufffer), and WD 80GB HD (8mb buffer).

Finally, Radeon 9700TX, Philips 4X DVD+R, and Logitech Z680's.

WyreTheWolf

yeah the Chieftec/Antec cases are quite large... Mine sits on the floor. LOL WAY too big to put on my desk