TR Forums

I need help choosing a case and power supply for my planned build. The planned components are:

Intel C2D E8400
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR Motherboard
2*2GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 9800GTX+
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB
Pioneer 20X CD/DVD Burner SATA

I now I could get better components for the same price (especially the video card) but I have my own reasons for choosing them. This is about the case and power supply.

I don't plan on overclocking and my primary concern is noise levels. I'm willing to spend more on something nice but obviously I don't need something like a Cooler Master Cosmos with a 1000W power supply.

The two cases I have considered are the the Antec Sonata Elite and the Antec Solo but I'm obviously open to suggestions. As far as power supplies I'm completely lost (I'm guessing a 500W one but I don't know what brand or anything).

500W should be more than ample for this build - 350W-400W from a decent brand would be OK. In terms of brands, personally I favour Corsair, but Antec, Enermax, OCZ, Seasonic, and PC Power & Cooling are generally all very-well regarded in reviews. This TR review is probably very relevant to you as a starting point.

As for cases, it seems hard to beat Antec for quality at their various price points, though I know some people aren't taken with their aesthetics. You could really save some money by going for one of the Antec cases that comes with a reasonable PSU, such as the Sonata for example.

Just as an aside, if this is going to be a gaming PC, I'd get a cheaper CPU and spend the saved money on a better graphics card. 4870s and GTX 260s are getting very affordable now and are in a different class to the 9800GTX.

One final thing, double-posting of threads is likely to get frowned upon by the mods...

MrJP wrote:

One final thing, double-posting of threads is likely to get frowned upon by the mods...

We don't jump up and down frowning on them. We just lock them.

Great case and PSU here...80 bucks with a 20 buck coupon. Last day today though.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... C8Junction

An even better deal is the Sonata III, just $10 more and 500W PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811129024, $110 shipped