Another First Time Comp Builder

[Gubs]

That case looks like the one I've got, I think they've just renamed it and stuck an extra few quid on the pricetag. It's pretty good as budget cases go - loads of drive bays (11), room inside to work with, and front ports. There are plenty of places to put fans - 2x80mm at the front, 2x80mm or 1x120mm at the rear, and one 80mm at the side (which comes with it). The only bad thing about it really is the garish acrylic cover. It does come off if you have the right allen keys but you then have to contend with the holes left behind which look a bit out of place, and the reset/power switches stick out too far. Good thing they have the blue one back in stock though, I had to settle for the green I bought it together with a PSU when mine blew, and while I'm happy with the functionality of the case case, I'm a little disappointed with the looks, so if I was back in the same position I'd probably spend the extra £15 or so to get a Coolermaster Centurion or similar. Up to you though - apart from looks, this is a very decent case indeed.

PSUs - search the forums, there should be plenty of threads about it. IIRC Antec or ThermalTake are highly recommended; also CWT which are what Antec rebrand. But as steve threlfall says - go for quality over quantity.

[RufusKing]

cheers dudes for the help.... I'll take a look at a couple of other cases then, if they come with a PSU I can combine the budgets I have otherwise, I may just have to work those couple of days extra.... its going to be a long haul of saving up.... but my estimates say it'll hit christmas when I have the cash..... convenient.... perhaps... too convenient

[steve threlfall]

Indeed hehe

any psu you get with a case should be alrighty-ish until you have to start plugging a graphics card into the psu then its gona cause you all kinds of trouble!

[RufusKing]

Is this PSU going to do the job for me nicely... and handle any OC'ing situations

http://www.thecoolingshop.co.uk/tcs/...?idproduct=476

or is that going a little overboard?

[nichomach]

Originally posted by RufusKing
no help on this one then?

Sorry, mate, but I DO have work to do as well

Opinion's seemed a little divided on Qtec supplies; I think 550W is in excess of what you absolutely require, the reviews indicate it's noisier than a Harrier, and I'd tend to go for something like: Antec Smartpower 350W

I know it's only 350W, but a good quality 350 beats a bad 550 any day of the week.

[steve threlfall]

the 550 watt qtec has been overrated. The real rating im told is more like 350-400w so as you can see your better off buying a good quality 350w-400w psu

It IS worth spending the little extra. Having said that there are other people on this forum who swear by that qtec model you mention and as long as your not running more than two hardrives etc then you should be ok

Sometimes it comes down to the luck of the draw imo as i have the rig in my sig running on a generic 300w psu that came with a case! (tho the graphics are tnt2)

[evildoc614]

case choice is pretty much personal prefrence. i would go with a 400 watt power suppy. Most case come with a psu but check to make sure.

[RufusKing]

well I made my case choice, the PSU choice I tink will be the link below:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=43547

its an Antec 400 Watt Power Supply ATX Smartpower Dual Fan. For some reason I have a bad feeling about buying anything less then a 400w PSU. The reviews people gave it on eBuyer were pretty good, although it is a little pricey for a PSU it seems, I could be spending a lot more.

One guy's review said he was running 3 HD's and 3 CD Drives and it only lasted half an hour then died, but even in my newbie opinion I can kind of see that he should have had a better PSU... or am I wrong?

[nichomach]

I think you should be fine with that; I reckon the guy who blew it may well have been...unlucky