£500 Build Idea's

[AGxM]

Nice work!

Would it be worth putting all that in the Antec 4480 case with the 430w PSU? (looking to save pennies)

[Maccer101]

I thouth the NSK4480 came with a 380w PSU? No Audio ports on the 4480 otherwise looks like a good budget base

[AGxM]

I thouth the NSK4480 came with a 380w PSU? No Audio ports on the 4480 otherwise looks like a good budget base

Oops you're correct about the PSU size is that an issue or should I go for the 6580 with the 430w one? Also can't I use the mb audio ports?

[Maccer101]

I reckon the 380w would cope fine with that, there isn't a high power GPU on the rig (I used to use the standard Dell 350w for the machine in "My System" minus one HDD so I doubt it'd be a prob. Don't know if the mobo is a 4 or 8 pin ATX 12v jobby or not as I think the Antec PSU only has 4pin.

To clarify the 4480 case doesn't have front audio ports so you would either have to plug stuff into the back via the mobo rear I/O or buy a 3.5" plate so you could plug stuff into the front of the case, its just a convienence thing really.

Anyway anyone got experience with both the Antec mini and the Silverstone TJ-08 case?

[staffsMike]

I did think of both the TJ08 (due to price) and the NSK3480 (uATX version of the case in question).

Ruled out the Antec because although I would be happy to try one of their combo's for myself, I didn't want to risk the noise/quality for someone else. Both of which I'm sure are fine. It also didn't really fit with the room it's going in, them already having a P182 as well made that decision quite easy

The TJ08 was harder but because the fans it comes with are dire (though not so bad at 7v) and the hard drive noise leaves much to be desired unless you suspend them (comes back to that perceived quality) I decided against it. To some extent I wish I had gone for that because they are really cool cases but the P180 mini made more sense.

I'm noticed the rear fan stalling a lot not so I'm going to have to put an email into antec I think, not that it really effects the temps with that monster at the top

EDIT: fixed the fan, forgot I was dasiy chaining.. it didn't like it.

[Maccer101]

Thanks for the response Mike, I'm just thinking about a possible future Media PC for the lounge.
Currently I'm favouring using a mini tower, despite not looking as good as a Media Case or a Sugo in that environment, they are not as restrictive in cooling options (I prefer to overclock the CPU).

The TJ-08 was my candidate but am now a bit worried about HDD noise

[staffsMike]

Well HDD noise wise the TJ08 would be fine if you just used elastic cord and suspended the drive where it goes normally. That or use one of the 5.25" bays and a silencer It's a really versitle case and great for cooling with it's 2x 120mm fans.

It's just the person who is getting this wouldn't want their hard drive flopping about like a corpse on a bungey rope that I didn't do it really lol

The Antec NSK2480 desktop case is good for overclocking though. It fits a scythe ninja mini or shuriken and there are 2x 120mm fans right next to the CPU

[Maccer101]

Yeah, the NSK2480 is the media case with the most potential is that area, its just so big (width and depth wise) but its not crossed off the list yet, and the fusion doesn't really look worth the extra cash just for the nicer front.

Think I'm going though a "I want aluminium" phase. Anyone want to give me a couple hundred quid so I can buy my current dream media case?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-...ck-Case-No-Psu

[staffsMike]

It's only an Aluminium front.. on both the fusion (I think) and certainly the TJ08.

I do prefer the towers though. I wouldn't want it visible in the room but they make more sense in terms of system flexability

If you could hide it though this P180 mini is very nice.

Oh and someone asked about the PSU breathing room. The pic is deceptive as the PSU is set back in the case, it's got a good inch to breath as the fan is on the top as you have to mount it this way..which is my major problem as this leaves the cables the wrong side

[vincent.m]

is it just me or is the door for the p180 mini just flimsy? i just bought the white one and the quality is nothing like the p182 i have. its so poor in comparison.

[staffsMike]

I didn't find that at all, I still think that case is next to perfect.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Dont get vista. it is very slow and sluggish for programing

[vincent.m]

hey, on my motherboard, the led for power on doesnt fit the pins on the mobo. did you manage to get it to work?

[staffsMike]

I don't recall there being a problem getting the LED's to work but then again I very rarely plug them in, since they annoy me in the dark and this is for watching blu ray's amongst other things.