Good case for my rig??

Printable View

24-01-2010, 09:01 PM
Hicks12

Good case for my rig??

Well ive been going to lans a lot more recently (like home lans but with 10+ people! :D) and lugging my 22" Monitor and CM 690 is becoming a real pain in the ass. So im currently looking to get a smaller monitor that wll be used as dual monitors for normal useage at home but then main for lans. Now i need to look for a smaller case, would make life so much easier!.

Now im not sure what to get interms of case size, what am i looking for? A midi tower?(not good with the terms of size). I would like it to be able to keep my system relatively cool and have enough space for say a biggish GPU (not sure if ill get a 5870 but somehing the size of a 9800GTX or a 4850 like i have now).

Any help is appreciated!. Cheapest possible aswell however id love to find someone with one they like to get rid off :D.
24-01-2010, 09:26 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Do you want to go mATX or mini ITX with the computer??

With an ATX motherboard you could get a lighter case but it will still have to be big to accommodate the motherboard.
24-01-2010, 09:28 PM
TAKTAK

Re: Good case for my rig??

The Lian Li A05 is about the smallest case that will accommodate an ATX board plus large GFX card (i've got a GTX260 in mine, not sure how much longer the newer cards are though...)
24-01-2010, 09:38 PM
Time Bandit

Re: Good case for my rig??

I'm ummin' and aahhin' about this one, cheap it ain't (~£60 at Scan), but if you are interested in value for ££ then the mini P180 is probably worth a look.

Its cool, compact and quiet with 8 drive bays and room for a socking great graphics card.
Cable management and finish are top notch too.

Extensive review at silent pc - http://www.silentpcreview.com/article810-page1.html

Unit dims: 43.5cm(H) x 21.2cm(W) x 43.6cm(D)
24-01-2010, 09:43 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

The only problem with the mini-P180 that it is too well made for its own good!! It weighs over 9KG!!

If the OP can a mATX motherboard for their computer they should consider one of the Silverstone SFF cases.

The OP should also consider the DA BOX 100:
http://www.lan-gear.com/
24-01-2010, 10:13 PM
12GaugeShotty

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

The only problem with the mini-P180 that it is too well made for its own good!! It weighs over 9KG!!

Work out often?

It's a bit heavy for LAN parties but if it just sits there then the weight is negligible.
24-01-2010, 10:21 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12GaugeShotty

Work out often?

It's a bit heavy for LAN parties but if it just sits there then the weight is negligible.

Why the heck would I want to be lugging a 9KG case around when a 3.5KG Silverstone case will do the job?! ;)

I have a Shuttle P2 series SFF and it is ideal to lug around on the train and it is small too which is useful if I am visiting mates and have other stuff to carry.
24-01-2010, 10:23 PM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

DOnt really want to move boards but if theres a similar smaller board for a good price maybe id consider it?. Im not lacking with strength but its nice to have a lighter case, dont need fancy silence panels or anything just basic really.
24-01-2010, 10:35 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hicks12

DOnt really want to move boards but if theres a similar smaller board for a good price maybe id consider it?. Im not lacking with strength but its nice to have a lighter case, dont need fancy silence panels or anything just basic really.

What is the budget??
24-01-2010, 10:39 PM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

Probs about £50?
24-01-2010, 11:02 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hicks12

Probs about £50?

The case TAKTAK suggested is the smallest and lightest case(weighs 4KG) that will take a full ATX motherboard but is over £60:

http://www.svp.co.uk/technology/comp...nli-01020.html

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?W...source=froogle

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...source=froogle

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1067.html

The NZXT Panzerbox is also worth a look and weighs 6.2KG but is £87:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/NZXT-...r-Case-w-o-PSU

The Antec 300 weighs 7.2KG and is smaller than your current case:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Antec...r-Case-w-o-PSU

It is also worth considering the Coolermaster Elite 330 and Antec 200 cases too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...Scan-Exclusive

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Antec...plus120mm-fans

They both weigh under 6.5KG
24-01-2010, 11:26 PM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

Sorry cat i thought u were asking how much i would spend changing to a new motherboard!.

Really for the case im looking for something cheap, its going at lans with mates doesnt need to be special and its not going to be treated great, So ideally sticking ~£30. As long as it has an intake and outtake 120mm fan bays im happy.

I didnt realise my case weighed 9.8KG!.

I guess something like this fits my needs, http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169871 its smaller and lighter than my case, i just want my whole case shrunk in general, Depth is bloody huge on the cm 690 and makes it a pain to lug around so a shorter case would be nice.

If MicroATX board would help me achieve this then what would you recommend cat? I dont do much overclocking (3.6ghz max on e8400 and 1ghz ddr ram,ever! but norm at stocks). And GPU is a vapour x and stays cool by itself quite well.

Thanks for input so far guys :)
24-01-2010, 11:38 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

This motherboard looks good:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149280

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...-Micro-ATX-VGA

The reviews look good:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2365

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Asus_P5Q-EM

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2334025,00.asp

From what I have read the motherboard is not too bad for overclocking.

I would also look at getting the Coolermaster Elite 340 case:

http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...310&tid=frooct

http://www.svp.co.uk/technology/comp...erm-01029.html

It weighs around 5KG.

These threads should help you get a better idea of the size of the case:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1255274

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1232853
25-01-2010, 12:12 AM
mikemikemi

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAKTAK

The Lian Li A05 is about the smallest case that will accommodate an ATX board plus large GFX card (i've got a GTX260 in mine, not sure how much longer the newer cards are though...)

I just down sized to this case, pretty happy with it. I'm sure it can accommodate larger cards although the hdd cage might need taking out.
25-01-2010, 12:21 AM
12GaugeShotty

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

Why the heck would I want to be lugging a 9KG case around when a 3.5KG Silverstone case will do the job?! ;)

I have a Shuttle P2 series SFF and it is ideal to lug around on the train and it is small too which is useful if I am visiting mates and have other stuff to carry.

Depends on your needs. I think that the Mini P180 is the perfect mATX case, especially considering how many HDDs it can hold. I don't know of any mATX that can hold more.
25-01-2010, 12:25 AM
TAKTAK

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemikemi

I just down sized to this case, pretty happy with it. I'm sure it can accommodate larger cards although the hdd cage might need taking out.

Mine is fine with the HDD rack but it does interfere with the lower 5.25" bay, meaning that you can't use 2 ODDs (unless you have angled sata power + data cables, then it might be possible), also, due to the design of the case it would be advisable to mod a blow hole into the top, as the GFX card basically compartmentalises itself so a blow hole makes things smoother.

(i bought mine off the forum, already with a blow hole mod)

http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k...K/IMG_8771.jpg

Looking at it now, i might chop the HDD bay out and rotate it 90 deg so that the cables go out towards the back, to make it tidier
25-01-2010, 12:42 AM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12GaugeShotty

Depends on your needs. I think that the Mini P180 is the perfect mATX case, especially considering how many HDDs it can hold. I don't know of any mATX that can hold more.

Don't get me wrong I like the mini-P180 myself but if I had to lug it around a lot without use of a car I would choose one of the Silverstone cases or a Shuttle.
25-01-2010, 02:20 AM
12GaugeShotty

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

Don't get me wrong I like the mini-P180 myself but if I had to lug it around a lot without use of a car I would choose one of the Silverstone cases or a Shuttle.

Not sure why anyone is lugging around a desktop PC anyway. Get a laptop if you are mobile all the time.
25-01-2010, 02:36 AM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12GaugeShotty

Not sure why anyone is lugging around a desktop PC anyway. Get a laptop if you are mobile all the time.

Well in the UK gaming laptops are expensive. Not everyone is willing or has £1000 to £1500 to spend on a gaming notebook and they are a waste of money and have rubbish graphics cards for the price. They have very limited upgradeability too meaning in the long term they are very poor value for money.

I just like having the smallest PC that can do the job. Not everyone needs 5 hard drives! ;)

Even the OP finds their case heavy at 9.8KG which is not far off a mini-P180. My answer about the weight of the mini-P180 was relevant to the question which was about size and weight - I actually checked the weight of the CM690 beforehand and its dimensions too. It was not meant as some attack on your personal choice.

TAKTAK has an ATX case which weighs 4KG and the OP wants a lighter and smaller case - I wonder why?? ;)
25-01-2010, 03:29 AM
Pob255

Re: Good case for my rig??

Your current case, the CM690 is a midtower, it's not a small mid tower, yet still a midtower.

Without swapiing motherboard to a mATX or simular you'll not really get a much smaller case.

By removeing a load of drive bays and fitting the psu in the front Lian-Li have shaved off a chunk of the total volume.
The Panzorbox is very nice but by moving bits around NZXT didn't reduce the volume that much, what lost on height is made up by extra width.

If your specs are correct and you have a Xigmatek s963 cooler then that actually an advantage as it'll fit in a narrower case than a 120mm fan based tower cooler.

You could look at the Casecom 6788, not much smaller but it is lighter. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172779
I'll drop mine on the scales tomorrow to see what the total is if you want.

The other one I'd consider is this extra value one http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150284
http://image.ebuyer.com/UK/P200-0150284-07.jpg
As you can see it uses a front PSU like the Lian-Li, so like the Lian-li it's a bit longer in length, but shorter in height, also it's narrower.
Being a cheap case, this is going to be thin steel and plastic, so the quality will not be great however it will be light weight.
Only has 80mm fan slots at the back but with the layout there should be plenty of room to fit a 120mm or 140mm fan at the top, probably two, If you don't mind modding a case.

I'd also check the weight of your PSU, PSU tend to be the heaviest thing inside a case.
Cheap PSU's tend to use low grade components that are far lighter, reduceing the weight of the PSU, but that would be asking for trouble.
However getting a lower wattage PSU that could still cope would probably reduce the total.

Question, have you pulged your pc into one of the power monitor things? if you knew what you're pulling under load you'd have a better idea to what you could get away with.
I'm thinking the Corsair CX400w would probably be able to cope with an overclocked c2d and 4850.

Oh and the miniP180 is a very nice mATX case, however it's not small, it's the size of most normal mid-tower cases and it's very heavy.
25-01-2010, 04:36 AM
12GaugeShotty

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

I just like having the smallest PC that can do the job. Not everyone needs 5 hard drives! ;)

I have 2 1TB Samsung F1 drives and a 1.5TB Samsung F2. I need more. Until 2TB drives drop in price to where I can consolidate drives I will be forced to buying the smaller 1TB and 1.5TB drives for storage.

I have debated a NAS but they are far too pricey for the performance you get (the ones that support RAID 5).
25-01-2010, 04:42 AM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12GaugeShotty

I have debated a NAS but they are far too pricey for the performance you get (the ones that support RAID 5).

Some of the CPUs they use have shockingly bad performance. RAID creation can take hours and the read and write speeds are terrible!

It would probably be cheaper to build your own NAS and use FreeNAS.
25-01-2010, 01:56 PM
mikemikemi

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAKTAK

Looking at it now, i might chop the HDD bay out and rotate it 90 deg so that the cables go out towards the back, to make it tidier

That's a good idea, I might look into doing that with mine as well if I need the extra drive space.
25-01-2010, 04:00 PM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

Well in the UK gaming laptops are expensive. Not everyone is willing or has £1000 to £1500 to spend on a gaming notebook and they are a waste of money and have rubbish graphics cards for the price. They have very limited upgradeability too meaning in the long term they are very poor value for money.

I just like having the smallest PC that can do the job. Not everyone needs 5 hard drives! ;)

Even the OP finds their case heavy at 9.8KG which is not far off a mini-P180. My answer about the weight of the mini-P180 was relevant to the question which was about size and weight - I actually checked the weight of the CM690 beforehand and its dimensions too. It was not meant as some attack on your personal choice.

TAKTAK has an ATX case which weighs 4KG and the OP wants a lighter and smaller case - I wonder why?? ;)

Yeh agreed, Laptops are way to expensive for what they do and im only getting one of those for use for basic word and occasional browsing so no interest there for me :).

And my views on the pc is now similar to yours, i used to want the biggest and best case but i really do feel like i should try and make it easier taking it around to lans cause it barely fits in the car and is a lug to pull out of teh car!.

Im not looking for something well built tbh so the p180 is out of the question, it is too high in terms of quality which also makes it expensive and heavy!. I used to have some old tsunami cases which were extremely basic so im used to them (wish i didnt chuck em now...), i have an old chieftec Dragoon which is a absolute beast and makes my cm690 look small so im also used to bigger cases :D. They are great cases just not really good for lans...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pob255

Your current case, the CM690 is a midtower, it's not a small mid tower, yet still a midtower.

Without swapiing motherboard to a mATX or simular you'll not really get a much smaller case.

By removeing a load of drive bays and fitting the psu in the front Lian-Li have shaved off a chunk of the total volume.
The Panzorbox is very nice but by moving bits around NZXT didn't reduce the volume that much, what lost on height is made up by extra width.

If your specs are correct and you have a Xigmatek s963 cooler then that actually an advantage as it'll fit in a narrower case than a 120mm fan based tower cooler.

You could look at the Casecom 6788, not much smaller but it is lighter. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172779
I'll drop mine on the scales tomorrow to see what the total is if you want.

The other one I'd consider is this extra value one http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150284
http://image.ebuyer.com/UK/P200-0150284-07.jpg
As you can see it uses a front PSU like the Lian-Li, so like the Lian-li it's a bit longer in length, but shorter in height, also it's narrower.
Being a cheap case, this is going to be thin steel and plastic, so the quality will not be great however it will be light weight.
Only has 80mm fan slots at the back but with the layout there should be plenty of room to fit a 120mm or 140mm fan at the top, probably two, If you don't mind modding a case.

I'd also check the weight of your PSU, PSU tend to be the heaviest thing inside a case.
Cheap PSU's tend to use low grade components that are far lighter, reduceing the weight of the PSU, but that would be asking for trouble.
However getting a lower wattage PSU that could still cope would probably reduce the total.

Question, have you pulged your pc into one of the power monitor things? if you knew what you're pulling under load you'd have a better idea to what you could get away with.
I'm thinking the Corsair CX400w would probably be able to cope with an overclocked c2d and 4850.

Oh and the miniP180 is a very nice mATX case, however it's not small, it's the size of most normal mid-tower cases and it's very heavy.

I wish it was a small mid tower :D. I remember seeing the casecom and it does seem smaller than my case, sure its probably only between 5-10cm each measurement but that makes a big difference overall so its certainly a good option.

If you could drop it on the scales id appreciate it, Im hoping its around 5kg cause every little helps to make it lanworthy :).

In regards to psu, its not exactly a cheap make so its not light. Not really wanting to spend out on changing components right now unless they break as cash is tight, my system tops around 300W i believe during load (cant remember if this included monitor but thats seperate), i wish i didnt get this board because it simply isnt power effcient although it is a solid board it comes at the cost :(.

As regard to a simplified list of what the case needs i though id put it in :

1. Smaller than my Cm690
2. Lighter than my Cm690
3. 120mm Fan intake/out take (no 80m/92 as they are too loud)
4. Room for 2 5" bays
5. Room for 2 Hard Drives
6. Room for my 4850
7. Cable management, possible to shove it all behind case? Casecom one allow this maybe?
8. Low Cost.

Thats about it i think, thanks again guys :).
25-01-2010, 04:24 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

I had another look around at cases and I think this is the ideal case for your needs:

http://www.coolermaster-europe.com/p...roduct_id=5426

It is under £30 too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?W...source=froogle

The case weighs 4.4KG,has enough drive bays and can take 120MM fans too!

There is also this cheaper iG43 based motherboard too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...-Micro-ATX-VGA

There is also the Asus P5Q-VM for under £70:

http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...ib4y0-g0eay00z
25-01-2010, 04:36 PM
scaryjim

Re: Good case for my rig??

I've just bought that casecom for a mates build, it's pretty lightweight - dead easy to carry the case and a box of random bits from the neighbours (where UPS had left them). It's not that small though - it's definitely bigger than the budget mid-towers my other PCs are built into. On the other hand, it looks incredibly damn cool ;)

Oh, P.S. @ CAT: The elite 341s mATX only, no? That'd mean a new mobo for the OP to shell out on too...?

p.p.s @ Hicks: this is a bit out of leftfield, but what about a 4U Rack Mount case? Dead easy to carry with those chunky front handles... ;)
25-01-2010, 04:41 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaryjim

Oh, P.S. @ CAT: The elite 341s mATX only, no? That'd mean a new mobo for the OP to shell out on too...?

Yep!

It would be better for the OP to sell their existing case and motherboard and then use the funds to buy a mATX case and a decent mATX motherboard.
25-01-2010, 04:48 PM
kmac

Re: Good case for my rig??

I quite like this one - its not that light 8.4kgs even though its aluminium (I guess its all the steel cages inside). The handles wouldmake it convenient to carry around though, no?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Chenb...U-Ultra-Hi-End

before Xmas Scan had this at around £45 - don't know if it was an error but now its £93
25-01-2010, 04:52 PM
Lee H

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hicks12

I didnt realise my case weighed 9.8KG!.

Feel sorry for me then as my casetek 1018 chassis weighs in at 15 Kg unloaded and with the PSU, CPU, 8 HDD's and optical drives and what not it is probably closer to 20-25 Kg and lugging that around can be fun at times ;)

If your going to be lugging your PC around quite a few times then I would personally recommend a case such as one of the scout series from coolermaster as this has handles and is easier to carry around. However, its hard to recommend cases to people as one persons ideal of a good/nice case is another persons version of ugliness.
25-01-2010, 05:05 PM
mycarsavw

Re: Good case for my rig??

http://images.tekheads.co.uk/product...ec-lanbagt.jpg

or

http://www.modaviaje.com/images/sams...r_D03072NE.jpg
25-01-2010, 08:52 PM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

I had another look around at cases and I think this is the ideal case for your needs:

http://www.coolermaster-europe.com/p...roduct_id=5426

It is under £30 too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?W...source=froogle

The case weighs 4.4KG,has enough drive bays and can take 120MM fans too!

There is also this cheaper iG43 based motherboard too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...-Micro-ATX-VGA

There is also the Asus P5Q-VM for under £70:

http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...ib4y0-g0eay00z

Thanks for the info cat, i dont know what ill do yet cause i didnt really want to change motherboards but that case seems great for what it is!.

Would it be worth me selling my mobo and cpu then switching to AMD? I always wanted to go to an AMD rig but havent seen a need to change but if i can get a mATX board and cpu then might aswell, if it would offer an advantage over the current setup?.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee @ SCAN

Feel sorry for me then as my casetek 1018 chassis weighs in at 15 Kg unloaded and with the PSU, CPU, 8 HDD's and optical drives and what not it is probably closer to 20-25 Kg and lugging that around can be fun at times ;)

If your going to be lugging your PC around quite a few times then I would personally recommend a case such as one of the scout series from coolermaster as this has handles and is easier to carry around. However, its hard to recommend cases to people as one persons ideal of a good/nice case is another persons version of ugliness.

Haha unlucky i guess!. My system weighs in at 18KG on the scales including case so i think that knocking off 4kg is gunna help :).

Its more of the size than weight thats annoying me, i can take my case around no problem but something to grip at the front would be nice and its quite long so its awkward :D.

Thanks guys.
25-01-2010, 09:38 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hicks12

Thanks for the info cat, i dont know what ill do yet cause i didnt really want to change motherboards but that case seems great for what it is!.

Would it be worth me selling my mobo and cpu then switching to AMD? I always wanted to go to an AMD rig but havent seen a need to change but if i can get a mATX board and cpu then might aswell, if it would offer an advantage over the current setup?.

The E8400 is a great CPU and also the mATX motherboards I suggested either have the G43 or G45 chipset so you could always plonk in a Q9550 at some point when the E8400 is not fast enough.

The X2 555BE is around the same speed as an E8400.
26-01-2010, 01:02 AM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

So would you say its best to just wait till say the new AMD bulldozer chips come out during this year(am i right)?. I find my cpu could be better a lot but if its worth it i could wait till these chips out and then change to microatx and a new cpu/socket all at the same time.

Good or bad idea?
26-01-2010, 01:38 AM
Pob255

Re: Good case for my rig??

OK just took the PSU out (Lian-Li 140mm fan still in) of my 6788 and poped it on the scales
approx 5.5kg

ps I know you're PSU is not that bad, what I was sugesting is that you should be able to get away with a 400w psu and even a good one should be lighter than you're current 700w psu

And that you could get a real el-cheapo job which would probably only mass 1kg, it would save weight, but the risk would be too high.

Just poped my enermax pro82+ 525w on the bathroom scales, approx 2kg
You probably don't want to remove your psu to weigh it, same reason I'll not give you a weight for my gameXstreme 700w ;)
26-01-2010, 02:41 AM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hicks12

So would you say its best to just wait till say the new AMD bulldozer chips come out during this year(am i right)?. I find my cpu could be better a lot but if its worth it i could wait till these chips out and then change to microatx and a new cpu/socket all at the same time.

Good or bad idea?

AFAIK,AMD Bulldozer is coming out early next year. If a lighter and smaller ATX case can do the job then it would be a cheaper way to go about things!
26-01-2010, 03:24 PM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pob255

OK just took the PSU out (Lian-Li 140mm fan still in) of my 6788 and poped it on the scales
approx 5.5kg

ps I know you're PSU is not that bad, what I was sugesting is that you should be able to get away with a 400w psu and even a good one should be lighter than you're current 700w psu

And that you could get a real el-cheapo job which would probably only mass 1kg, it would save weight, but the risk would be too high.

Just poped my enermax pro82+ 525w on the bathroom scales, approx 2kg
You probably don't want to remove your psu to weigh it, same reason I'll not give you a weight for my gameXstreme 700w ;)

Yeh i didnt assume you were saying it was bad, i was just trying to say that im not really wanting to replace something thats working fine as funding is somewhat limited right now :D. I would use an el cheapo but id rather have a heavy rig than a crispy one 6months down the line lol!.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH

AFAIK,AMD Bulldozer is coming out early next year. If a lighter and smaller ATX case can do the job then it would be a cheaper way to go about things!

Ah, i thought bulldozer was comming out q3 2010 dont know why though. Know of any upcomming cpu's that are going to surpass the e8400 in gaming and general performance, a lot?. Thuban is a 6core cpu thats apparently out this year which would probably be pretty good im guessing?.

I want to move to mATX as that case seems perfect, however it just requires me selling my motherboard and forking out to buy a new one which seems a bit daft given that 775 is dead.
26-01-2010, 03:40 PM
CAT-THE-FIFTH

Re: Good case for my rig??

AMD maybe releasing some new quad cores based on the Thuban chip. There maybe some architectural improvements as it seems that Deneb will be replaced by Thuban:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...processor.html

Also I would consider the Core i3 too although the motherboards are not as cheap as with AMD usually. OTH,I have heard that socket 1156 is going to be replaced by socket 1155 next year though.

TBH,I still think getting a mATX socket 775 based motherboard is the most cost effective upgrade you can do ATM. You can re-use your RAM and the E8400 is still an excellent processor.

I would sell your existing case and motherboard and this should make the upgrade the cost of upgrading to a mATX system under £100.

You can then next year get a newer CPU,motherboard and RAM if the E8400 is not doing the job.
26-01-2010, 04:52 PM
Pob255

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hicks12

I want to move to mATX as that case seems perfect, however it just requires me selling my motherboard and forking out to buy a new one which seems a bit daft given that 775 is dead.

Sorry by 775 is not really dead yet, no it'll not go ahead anywere from here but it's still decent.

With quite a few people swapping systems you might be able to pic up a decent cheap 2nd hand matx motherboard.
26-01-2010, 05:02 PM
Hicks12

Re: Good case for my rig??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pob255

Sorry by 775 is not really dead yet, no it'll not go ahead anywere from here but it's still decent.

With quite a few people swapping systems you might be able to pic up a decent cheap 2nd hand matx motherboard.

Maybe i should of explained a tad better, dead as in there will be no new cpu's that offer a decent performance increase (like phenom 1 to 2 is). The 775 socket has great cpu's hence why i bought one :D.

That was what i was gunna look into Pob, i had that thought today about picking up a secondhand board which would save a lot of cost probably.

So how much you reckon i could get for my asus p5n-d (its the 750i chipset), and my Cm 690 which isnt in amazing condition (odd scratch and a dent).