p4 case- which one is better?

[Armistad123]

I am building a new comp in the near future, and i originally planned to get a Sonata with the 380W antec power supply. I am going to put a 2.8c in it, and some pc3500 or pc3700 ram and o/c 1:1 with it. I was told that the Sonata might not be cool enough, and the 380W PSU might not be enough wattage to run my setup overclocked. I also plan to overclock the 9800np im getting.

But basically im asking would you rather have the antec sonata and the 380W PSU, or this:

this kingwin case:

Kingwin (BLACK) All Aluminum 10-Bay Mid tower case, with a Large Side Window. KT-424-BK-WM Specifications:
2.00mm aluminum thickness.
Anti-shock absorber system for hard.drives.
Dimensions: 20"(D) x 8.6"(W) x 17.7"(H).
Drive Bays 4 x 5.25" - 2x 3.5" - 4 x 3.5" (Hidden)
Material: Aluminum Alloy
3 x 80mm Case Fans.
2 USB + 1 Firewire Ports at front.
NO POWER SUPPLY. Retail. Model#: KT-424-BK-WM
Picture (http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=11-170-012-01.JPG/11-170-012-04.JPG/11-170-012-03.JPG/11-170-012-06.JPG/11-170-012-05.JPG/11-170-012-02.JPG)

and an Allied 450W PSU

The PSU seems kinda cheep for a 450W PSU, anybody tried or heard anything about it? Is it quiet? anything pretty much

[Armistad123]

Could you guys also check out this case:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=ahanix+dbox

It seems really nice for only 40$, but maybe im missing something

Also how is that Allied 450W PSU?

[Chuck232]

I went through the same thought process, but I decided on the Sonata. In Canada it is cheaper by ~$70 if you add the same PSU. An Antec 380W TruePower should me more than enough for overclocking. My voltage rails are pretty steady. My 3.3 never goes below 3.2V, 5V never goes below 4.8V and 12V never goes below 11.75V. I also like the fact that the drive rails are removable and such. The only problem with the Sonata is there is no mobo tray and being a fairly small case, it was somewhat difficult to get in.

Cooling should be no problem. I've mounted another 120mm case fan and temps are great, even when o/ced.

[Chuck232]

I have no personal experience with the Allied PSU, but be warned. A 450W PSU may only give you as much wattage on each rail as a good 350-400W Antec or Enermax PSU.

[Armistad123]

The Kingwin case looks real nice though, and i would prefer it over the antec...only if the allied 450watt PSU is good though, and would be able to support my system...and isnt too loud

i dont want to spend more than 150$ for a case/PSU

So if anybody else could tell me if that Allied 450W psu is good or not?? and quiet or not?

[Mikki]

A move is in order....:rolleyes:

[XJ.]

Heh, just looked at your sig Mikki - so you the ONE that bought a Parhelia :p Actually, I used to be a Matrox fan (still have a G400) and was hoping that Parhelia would have done better. One about 2x faster for 2/3rds the current price would be awesome :-) Oh well...

Sorry, I took this OT :o

[Mikki]

Well, before we go back on topic (sorry guys)....

I wouldn't recommend a Parhelia to any of you guys for what we do with overclocking and gaming. For what I do tho, it's the best card I could get without going into professional graphics cards...for overall quality, pro graphics, rendering and multi-monitor---this card rocks...;):) If you're into gaming, normal computing or performance...do not buy this card...:rolleyes:

[Lipservice]

For a really nice aluminum case at a great price check these 2 CaseTek cases out.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=Model+CK%2D1019%2D2B

Same case as the Thermaltake XASER III V2420A

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=XASER+III+V2420A

but way cheaper. And CaseTek MAKES the Thermaltake case.

[Armistad123]

nice, those casetek cases look good, think i might get one of those now :)

could you recomend some good fans to go with it? Some that will give good airflow, but still not be annoyingly loud.

also is there a good 60-80$ 400W PSU that is reliable that you guys could recomend?

ALso, does anybody have anything bad to say about any of these Casetek cases? Want to make sure im not missing anything

[Lipservice]

I got one. Put a couple YS Tech HI-Speed 80x25mm Variable Speed YS-Tech 3-pin Case Fan 10.2~48.5CFM in the back and Sunon 80x80x25 mm, 36 CFM @ 2800 RPM, 32.5 dBA, 2.4 watts fans in the front and top.

I use it as a ftp server up 24/7 and it is a dual processor setup with 7 hard drives and a CD-RW in it. Stays nice and cool and is not too loud at all. Actually the Bay Networks switch next to it is louder! I just love the case. Very light, and full of cool features. And elegant looking to boot. But it is BIG.

Pic here:
http://www.pbase.com/image/19274117

And by the way, for those who have not had any experience with it, Windows 2003 Server OS is ALL THAT!
It is the most stable OS I have ever tried including several Linux Distros.

Edit: You can get the fans at:
http://www.svcompucycle.com/
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/index.html

You may well be able to get by with less powerfull fans. My server is loaded with heat producing hardware and it runs all the time so cooling 1120gb worth of big HDDS was paramont to me.

[Lipservice]

For power supplies don't try to cheap out.

If you are on a budget the big Sparkle or Fortron/Source power supplies are hard to beat (they are both the same). They are under rated and perform nicely.

For your consideration:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=P530XF530W

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=FSP400%2D60PFN

The Antec TRUE480 can be had for about $90 online but is a little over your budget.

[Chuck232]

I prefer something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=Antec+430W

Got good reviews and is quite stable in its rails.

A good review to check out:

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1841

[NeoShowtime]

Ive got the TRUE 430 and its served me well. Handles everything I throw at it and remainds stable. I mean, take a look at all the lights and fans I got going (in case mod section) and its always been fine, no volt drops or anything.