Curse

Kamatsu · Apr 04, 2010, 09:22 AM // 09:22

Rahja - thanx for the thought, but you'll notice the i3 is only ~$100 cheaper, and as it stands that extra $100 won't allow me to get a HD5970.. seeing as the cheapest is ~$400 over the HD5870... and as for the GTX580.. it's still ~$200 over the HD5870.. so still out of price range.

Any thought's about Case choice? It's been suggested that my case choice might be an issue - that the case might not be big enough. I don't really know cases too well.. about the only brand name in the case list i recognize is Antec... I currently have one of their old Antec Sonata Black case's..and it's been a good case, but needs to be replaced.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...index&cPath=25

Just taking a gander through some of these cases, some stood out to me:

Thermaltake V9 Black Edition - $158
Thermaltake Element G - $164 (not in stock)
Thermaltake Element S, with window - $159
Thermaltake Soprano DX Black - $159
CoolerMaster CM 690 II Advanced - $149
CoolerMaster CM Storm Scout - $128
CoolerMaster HAF 922 Case - $155
Antec Nine Hundred Two Case - $149
Antec Six Hundred Case - $119

Obviously if I switch cases to anything other than Antec.. I'll likely have to change the extra fan(s) I buy.. as the different cases use different fan size's. But thats not really an issue.. just wondering what people thought of the different cases.. seeing as they are all around the same price...

In regards to ram, which would be better:

G.Skill Ripjaws F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH (2x2GB) DDR3 - $149
OCZ PC3-10666 Platinum 2x2GB OCZ3P1333LV4GK - $159

Thanx for all advice

Jumping Is Uselss · Apr 04, 2010, 12:53 PM // 12:53

Choosing a case is entirely based upon your taste. If you like seeing the guts of your comp, then get one with a window.

I suggest getting a case with good airflow. It will help keep things cool inside your rig. Find a case with front intake fans, rear exhaust fans, and top exhaust fans. Side and bottom fans are optional. I personally like Antec and CoolerMaster. Lian Li is also a good company, but they are a bit more expensive.

Word of caution with the CoolerMaster Storm Scout: it is small, you might find it difficult putting a 5870 in that case.

snikerz · Apr 04, 2010, 03:05 PM // 15:05

CM HAF hands down

if you got a MSY in your area, i recommend you go there, pccasegear has alot of bad rep, checkout whirlpool for the details on that.

Lord Sojar · Apr 04, 2010, 06:11 PM // 18:11

The GSkill RipJaws RAM is the best, hands down. GSkill or nothing.

Kamatsu · Apr 04, 2010, 09:23 PM // 21:23

Jumping Is Uselss - Thanx for the heads up regarding the Storm Scout. I'll scratch that off the list. I really don't want to buy a case and find it has issue's fitting my gear.. then have to wait for a new case (and thus blow my budget.. lolz)

I'm not fussed about seeing the working's of my computer. lolz. Only time I "need" to see that is when I'm building it or upgrading/installing something or checking if there are problems.

Side fans - are these for intake or exhust? I admit I've never had a case with side fans.. so never been sure about that.

snikerz - hmm, reading the sticky on Whirlpool about vic retailers puts pccasegear at 115/12 happy/bad, and I did a forum search and most of the post's were ppl happy with pccase gear apart from a few negatives (which all got sorted out).. apart from 1 long thread dated back to jan 09 when they apparently had some issue's. So not sure where this bad rep yuor talking about is - you might be referring to GamerDudes.. now THEY have a bad rep. lolz

Rahja - lol not surprised you'd say that, since you suggested them in the 1st place :P

But, looking at both rams.. their #'s are different..

OCZ: 7-7-7-20
G-Skil: 7-7-7-21

Ok, not that much different tbo. But umm, I'm a tad lost as to which would be "better" anyways. lolz I really have lost it when it comes to whats good/bad.. lolz

Commander Kanen · Apr 04, 2010, 09:50 PM // 21:50

i would go for the option #3

But thats only because my setup is very simmilar.

Note that the cpu fan on the stock cooler for a AMD Phenom2 965 is good but very loud.

Would consider getting a Corsair H50 all in one liquid cooler. it does the job and its less hassle and cheaper than buying a full water kit for whatever setup you have gone for.

Kamatsu · Apr 04, 2010, 11:46 PM // 23:46

Well, I've been watching some guy reviewing cases at 3dGameMan and I have to say, some interesting reviews..

Based on the review, I've scratched off the CM HAF 922 case already. Where I live I have an issue with dust, so for me.. cooling vents and fans need to have dust filter's.. and with the HAF 922 I'd have to buy like 4-6 separate filter's.. and yes, while I can buy fan filter's.. the side panel likely would need extra filtering apart from the fan filter's. so no good for me.

The CM 690 II review was decent imo.. but the sheer # of fans blows my mind. lolz. All ports were filtered however, so that's a definite plus to me. although washing all those filter's will be a pain (since each hd slot is a filter.. so like 10-12 filter's.. lolz. Only concern i have - just because there are more fans, doesn't mean the airflow is smooth and workable..does all the fans work against each other? hmm

I was also impressed with the Antec Nine Hundred Two case review. Seems to have good cooling, cooling vents are filtered apart from 1 drive bay.. but this isn't a concern as my dvd drive will be there. My biggest concern/worry with this case is - will it fit my video card? the 690 II has 12" of space, while the Antec only has 10.5" of space (if you believe what the review stated..).. and when I look at the dimensions of the HD5870.. it's 27.9cm.. which I believe is around 10.98"..

So sadly looks like even though I like the look of the Antec case and features.. it's off the list as my video card won't fit

The Antec 1200 is unfortunately out of my price range, so not even looking at the review.. lolz

The Thermaltake Element G case reviewed well as well, but again - it only fits 10.5" cards.. so another scratched as the HD5870 is ~11"..

The [url=http://www.3dgameman.com/reviews/1044/thermaltake-element-s-case]Thermaltake Element S[/ur] case was ok, some of it didn't impress (fronting).. but again, video card won't fit.

Same story for [url=http://www.3dgameman.com/reviews/1028/thermaltake-v9-black-edition-case]Thermaltake V9 Black Edition[/url. Nice case, some issue's with hard drive bays.. but again, won't fit video card.

Same for Thermaltake Soprano DX .. some nice features, but same issue with video card.

Looks like I'm going to have to switch to full-tower cases, as mid-tower cases don't have the room needed (apart from CM 690 II).

I watched the review for Thermaltake Element V Case and it was quite impressive. Looked easy to install. don't need as many hard drive slots.. but it definitely will fit my video card... And seeing as it's $179 .. it's a bit extra, but likely still affordable (link)

Another option is the Lian Li Lancool Dragon Lord PC-K62R1 which is a full tower case @ $179 as well... but would need to buy extra dust filter's from what I can see.

So, considering card space, my only case options I can see are:

Lian Li Lancool Dragon Lord PC-K62R1 - $179
Thermaltake Element V Full Tower Case - $179
CoolerMaster CM 690 II Advanced - $149

Soo.. any advice on 1 of these 3? lolz

Lord Sojar · Apr 04, 2010, 11:54 PM // 23:54

Filters are overrated. Just blow out your PC of dust every 3 months (4x a year). You don't need filters, they reduce airflow, therefore cooling.

The Element V is a great case. It also happens to be one of the cases that nVidia certified for the GTX4xx cards, should you get one at any one point in time.

Elder III · Apr 05, 2010, 12:06 AM // 00:06

Even if dust is an issue in your area you won't need to blow the dust out more than 1/month max, which isn't much (unless you live in "The Bush" and plan to game under a Gum Tree. If dust is really bad you will have to clean the filters out almost as often as the case since the dust will gum the filters up and block airflow.... and cleaning filters isn't any easier than blowing some canned air into the case... probably more time consuming in fact. :/ --- I'd still get the HAF; it's a sweet case and likely what I will buy when I next do an upgrade to my personal system. Each case and setup is different, but generally speaking you want to draw cool air in from the front and sides/bottom, and vent hot air out the back and top. The best thing to do is try something and if you think it's running too hot, try switching the fan setup to find the best airflow for your system.

Jumping Is Uselss · Apr 05, 2010, 12:42 AM // 00:42

Antec 902 can fit a large gpu like the 5970 just fine. Just remove a hardrive tray. I have never seen anyone use all 8 drive bays.

I would get the Lian Li Dragon Lord. My cousin has that case and it has a great airflow and looks really nice. I only regret not getting it because it was too expensive for my budget.

Snograt · Apr 05, 2010, 02:25 PM // 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

It also happens to be one of the cases that nVidia certified for the GTX4xx cards, should you get one at any one point in time.

Gonna be huge, then...

Improvavel · Apr 10, 2010, 02:24 PM // 14:24

I would go with #3 and with 2x5850.