Yes, -another- suggestion for a case...

[Zatos]

I know there are a lot of these, but you guys truly are skilled and have a lot of experience so I thought I would get your opinions first because they are so helpful.

I might be looking to replace my tower, not sure yet though. Basically I need one I can lug around easy... but mine does not have a handle on top. I go weekly to a local computer shop and game (when its closed with the owners and friends)... its a good old time, but its getting more popular and sometimes they dont have free computers and most people bring their own. I dropped it once a long time ago and haven't been bringing it since... I got lucky, tweaked the case but nothing was hurt. Basically I want one easy enough to lug around and not have to worry about it. I've seen some people also have have some harnesses that they bought separately and I have no idea where you'd get one. Has anyone used one and are they cheap/easy to use?

The other thing I like about my current case (mid tower- looking to stay with mid tower)... is it has a couple extra fans, one on the side sucks in, one on the top blows out. Seems to work great at keeping it cool just with smart design like that. I'm surprised more cases haven't been coming out with these, but they are starting to pick up somewhat. I don't need anything that looks fancy, I'm not really big into glass doors with lights because I think the inside looks like crap. If there were a good deal though I might consider it. I've also never used water cooling, but might not be opposed to it if it were cheap enough.

Last thing I've been wondering is if there's been any change in the standard of power supply connectors in the past couple years. I think some are moving from 20-pin to 24-pin but I haven't really done my research on that yet so I don't know the specifics. Anyway, thanks again for all your great help!

 

[Zatos]

Well nobody's responded yet but I've still been looking. I've found a XG Dragon case which looks like it might meet my needs although a bit expensive... but fancy. Does a 20 + 4 power supply pin ensure you can use both 20-pin and 24-pin power supply socket motherboards?

 

[Mickey21]

I dont like to reccomend cases because I think it is silly for someone to tell you what you like. Just search for them, and you will be happiest. Once you determined what you are considering, then maybe I think it is the time to ask for feedback. But you were right to start your thread like that, I dont even read past the obligatory which one "stacker or TJ-07???" I am getting sick of these threads and it really irritates me that so many people are clueless of their abiltity to choose a product for themselves... This is a case modding section and should be limited to modding and case modding. Not which one to buy.

But back on topic , you can get well made harnesses from various places, but to name a couple to look for:

Thermaltake Xaser case harness
Antec case harness
Shuttle harness for (SFF of course)
Geargrip.com (CaseAce line - make various sizes and types for even monitors as well - great place to start)

 

[brasherman]

I second that. I mostly lurk and read, but reply when I think it's warranted. No case recommendations: Just buy what you like. In the end, buying a couple $100 cases to see what you like isn't that much money and gives you homes for all your parts cast-offs when you upgrade. I am currently short a case since I like my Lian Li so much!

As far as your power supply question, most DEFINITELY buy a 24 pin ATX 2.0 power supply. Most of them (including my Antec TP 480) have four pins that detach if needed to work with older boards, and they will also have another four pin auxilliary connector for extra motherboard power. Make sure it has PCI express 6 pin power connectors too. You may not need them right away, but AGP is dead for all intents and purposes. If you plan on upgrading to anything halfways serious in the near future, stay at or above 450 watts, and don't buy cheap a$$ power supplies. This is arguably the most critical component in your system. It used to be hella expensive to get a good power supply for everything, but now even the PC Power and Cooling Silencer 470 can be had for $100 or less, as can my Antec example. A good one with enough forward compatible components can theoretically be used for years; if you think you will be doing SLI, get a certified SLI one from someone. My old power supply was an Enermax 350 watt I got used and it just met it's fourth case in five years for my sister in law's new computer. That's the kind of power supply I like!