Weekly Subject - 05 - Cases and Power Supplies

[greengoose1]

The last thread gave a wealth of info for people to consider when deciding whether or not to build. The next few threads will cover the various components that together make up a computer. Then once you are familiar with the components a thread on "Specing" a computer will commence.

Now for Cases and Power Supplies.




This is the Inwin S500 that Bistro and Train introduced us to. When I get my case it will have a 300W PS in it.

To start the questions off. What type of cases and power supplies are available and how do you choose one?

------------------
Seek knowledge and all else will follow


Please post back results - Press Ctl D to bookmark

Information

[defung]

First at all, I must say I am a sucker for the good look. Second, it is the metal casing. Would I cut myself by the sharp edges? Third, it is the power supply. 250watts is minimum requirement for today's proccessors. For overclockers, 300watts is the starting point. Do I care about how many bays in a case? Not really. 4 bays + 2 slots for floppy drive and zip drive is pretty much the standard in these days. CD-Burner, CD-ROM, 2 hard drives, floppy drive and internal zip drive. Did I miss anything?

Originally posted by greengoose1:
The last thread gave a wealth of info for people to consider when deciding whether or not to build. The next few threads will cover the various components that together make up a computer. Then once you are familiar with the components a thread on "Specing" a computer will commence.

Now for Cases and Power Supplies.




This is the Inwin S500 that Bistro and Train introduced us to. When I get my case it will have a 300W PS in it.

To start the questions off. What type of cases and power supplies are available and how do you choose one?

[greengoose1]

Hi defung, Did you ever consider a full tower?

------------------
Seek knowledge and all else will follow


Please post back results - Press Ctl D to bookmark

Information

[defung]

I used to prefer full tower. Now I find the mid-size case is pretty roomy. Plenty of space to work with.

Originally posted by greengoose1:
Hi defung, Did you ever consider a full tower?

[Kostas_Theodorou]

After all these years using PCs and after building quite a few for friends and myself i have to say that "noise" is a very important issue that must not be ignored.

Especially for those people working endless hours every day in front of a monitor i'd say that the power's supply (and all the other fan's) low level noise must be No1 priority when buying new case.

------------------
Nafe kai memnaso apistein
Epiharmos

[bistro]

Oh, Lordy! Loaded question. The one above is only one of a lot of good ones on the market today. A lot of improvements have been put into cases over the past few years. Basically two types: desktop and tower. Desktop are those flat ones that sit on top of the desk. (I love to state the obvious... ). Advantage: conserves space. Disadvantage: Not much room for extra devices, extra hard drives, etc.
Towers: Come in Mini (Micro), Mid and Full models. The mini or micro tower will hold about as much as the desktop models. Good for simple, basic systems. The Mid-Tower is probably the most common one you see around homes and offices; probably the most popular. 3 to 4 bays with 1 or two smaller bays. The full tower is that big honker you see around that reaches halfway to Mars . Usually 5 or more large bays, 2 or 3 small bays--good for power users that need a lot of devices in there (such as 4 hard drives for example). Also nice for "go overboard" users like me...
All those models come in two basic formats (there are other formats, but not commonly used): AT and ATX. (ATX is the most commonly used standard nowadays). If you have an ATX motherboard (we hope), you MUST get an ATX case for it, or vice-versa. (AT motherboards (and cases) are still available, but have for the most part lost on popularity and technological advances).
Most cases are offered with a power supply included. However, it is available to order them without at most sites if you happen to have a special one in mind to put in there.
Just some things to look for:
Easy access side panels
Rounded edges on the inside chassis (some manufacturers will advertise this as a selling point)--may or may not be a real factor, but it sure saves the hands when working in there. Those edges can be very sharp.
Enough large bays to accomodate your CD-ROMs, ZIP drives, etc?
Enough room for the amount of hard drives you want to install or future slave drive(s)?
Accomodation to add an exhaust fan in the rear? (Most if not all have one for an intake already). An exhaust isn't entirely necessary, but a good idea if you want to get the maximum cooling possible.

One other point: If given a choice, it's probably better to order a case with fans included--on most sites it's given as an option. Saves you time and headache searching for fans.

Note: That photo of the InWin case above is weird. It's actually taller than what it looks like in the photo.(16.5 inches).

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-13-2001).]

[Train]

1st link

Like the reviews here

I have not found a sharp edge on mine yet.
Also, I bought it local with a 300 Watt Power supply.


------------------
SMILE
and post back
[ Book mark this post to find it again]

[Ghouldini]

So this is where you guys disappear to all the time. Well here is my 2 cents on Cases, since i just got another to put all the extra's I picked up to replace HP 6330 items.

I just got the Antec KS-382 which is called a "mini-tower". Well looking at the room in it compared to the HP, I would call the HP case a "micro-tower". This Antec has a 250w 2.03 compliabt PS. The Antec cases are noy usually to be found at a good bargain price, but where I have found it cheap enough, the $20 shipping always kills the deal. I bought my original KS-282 with 300w at the normal price of $79 at Best Buy. But no shipping so it was same as web. Now BB had a $10 off on both models, and there is a $10 rebate so I get this one for $49+tax. Antecs are great cases and have great power supplies. Of course if you want to spend the bucks for the best PS - from what I hear is a PC Power & Cooling jobber. Very expensive too.
I was also very interested in the Inwin 500's (more than one model) and would have went that way if I hadn't found the Antec locally. Only my KS-282 and my first 128mb of ram did I pay "too much" (no deals).

Here is a link to the 2 cases I have..... www.antec-inc.com/product/cases/solution.html

Reviews: www.gideontech.com/reviews/ks282/
userreviews.com

The only gripe one could have with these 2 Antecs is the motherboard tray does not come out. But mine had some much room, it didn't matter. I mounted a 92mm fan in the front instead of using the plastic fan holder for a 80mm that comes with the case. BTW, that holder actually seals around the fan so the air must go through the fan, unlike some of the other cases I have seen where you need to modify them with duct tape. If any of you ever get a 282 and want to put a 92mm in it, let me know and I will tell you the way I did it. Normally the holes don't line up for the screws. It even has enough room to put a 120 in it. You would need to drill more air holes though. The 382 is a tight fit to try a 92, so I won't bother. Besides, the only 92 I have left is a very noisy Panaflo.

My advice would be to get a case that is big enough to get an upgrade PS if in later years you want to continue using the same case. Do not just go for looks. When we got the HP, it was down to that or a Dell. The Dell was ugly. The rest is history. The Bingoaholic got her "pretty" box of junk, and I learned to be a reformat expert.

Well I am off to play with my new toy, see you in W98.



[This message has been edited by ghouldini (edited 06-13-2001).]

[Dodge]

Ghouldini, I know what you mean about the HP cases. I was really shocked at how little the amount of space inside them Suckers really are. When I got My new case, I couldn't beleive what all I could do inside of it. I dont have to pull anything out to unhook it, just reach in and do what I want to. Been doing alot of that today.

The case I got has about 3-4 inches behind the PS. so I think I would have plenty of Upgrade room there.

Wish we could all start out with the knowlege we now have. I dont think HP, Compaq and the rest would be as big as they are. Guess you live and learn though......

[Ghouldini]

Signature test for my rig. Just updated profile, need a post to see the change.

------------------
HP A$$kicker

[Dodge]

That is one Hell of and HP. Got give credit where it is due. You definately got a nice setup. Still like to know how you get all the great deals......lol

[kallikru]

Aluminium cases - I have to admit it: I'm completely hooked to those babes. I know these cases are not exactly cheap, but if you want the luxury and you can spare the money....

It took a while before I had made up my mind to spend the money, but it was worth it!

So far I have 2 alu cases (and a third coming - one CoolerMaster ATC 201 and one LianLi PC60). 99 % of the screws are fingerscrews - no need for tools to open up the cases. The bottom plate for attachement of the mainboard can be pulled out through the back end making the workings of the innards a piece of cake.

Hard drives are placed in special holders at the front (3 or 4 drives) bottom where two 80 mm fans are blowing cool air across them. At the rear one 80 mm fan is placed at processor level. The ATC further has a fan (80 mm) at the top of the case. All fans are pretty much noiseless. As an extra feature that warmed my heart (hard to do ) the LLPC60 has a special connector ribbon to connect all external cables (power on, sound, LEDs ect.) to the mainboard. This ribbon has an additional jointly connector to split the ribbon in two when the backplate needs to be pulled out - no need to fumble with all these tiny connector again once the backplate has been reinserted - just connect the two halfparts of the ribbon again - .

Heat dissipates much easier through the aluminium sides of these cases compared with ordinary steel cases. In my case the systems temperatures has dropped 6-7 C just by moving the systems to alu cases. Add to this the reduced fan noise (but better air flow), front connectors for additional USB-ports and of course the good looks of the cases.

In my opinion the ultimate case.


------------------
Karl, Denmark
---------
"..and may The Force be with you too..."

[wonderinguy34]

I'm putting together my first home built and have a question .The motherboard I'm getting(IwillKK266) has 6PCI ,1 AGP and 1ISA what do I look for in a case that would allow me to be able to have access to all my slots.Would I get a 16",17" 19" or?
Thanks
WG34

[greengoose1]

Good Morning All, It would appear an ATX case is the way to go and that in most cases a mid tower is adequate.

Kostas brought up an interesting point on noise. Is noise a problem and what can you do about it?

Gouldini, We don't disappear. Originally we were transferred here and sorta just stayed and work out of here so to speak.

kallikru mentioned aluminum instead of steel for a case for the heat transfer qualities.

Should a person, when purchasing a case, have both the power supply and fans installed in it also then?

Bistro, A loaded question? I can't believe you said that.

WG34, Can't answer your question, but one of the more knowedgeable types will wake up after a while I'm sure.

------------------
Seek knowledge and all else will follow


Please post back results - Press Ctl D to bookmark

Information

[This message has been edited by greengoose1 (edited 06-14-2001).]

[kallikru]

Noise can get extremely annoying - or you can get used to it depending on the level of the noise.
The more fans you build into your case the more noise you'll likely get, unless you strive for fans with low noise levels. As usual there's a certain connection between price and quality in this matter. Low-noise fans will cost you some more because they are fitted with (one - or better) two ball bearings to avoid any noise-generating vibration during operation.

Bigger is not always better. Bigger fans make more noise. Maybe 2 smaller noiseless fans will do a better job than one big noisy fan. Maybe you case won't have the room for the big fan you've cast your blue eyes on?

Fan capacity is measured as moved air volume over time (fx. cubic feet/meter pr. hour) - this is your next target once you've isolated the silent fans. Move as much air as possible pr. time unit. A little calculation won't hurt, since you need to have installed fans that will pump as much air into the case (pr. time) as you will have fans sucking that same (now heated) air out again. Pumping a bit more air into the case than out won't hurt (slight overpressure), since the air will find some why out anyhow.

If the case comes with preinstalled fans, that's fine. You then (maybe) just need to add a fan or two yourself to ensure the air flows along the right path across your system. If you install fans yourself, make sure you mount the fans on some kind of antivibrating material and not directly onto the steel - like the rubber-stuff you use to isolate doors/windows.

------------------
Karl, Denmark
---------
"..and may The Force be with you too..."