Need cheap case, but decent cooling

GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
edited April 2004 in Hardware
I'm looking for a small case that is cheap and light - basically the best small case I can get for the cheapest price - and ideally I'd like to have decent cooling. I know it's asking a lot, but I'm sure there's something out there... I just don't have experience with many inexpensive cases (I've had mostly Chieftec and Antec), so I don't know what is decent for cheap.

The case needs to accommodate a micro-ATX mobo and a standard ATX PSU (Antec), as well as a Thermalright AX-7 on the CPU.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Comments

  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited April 2004
    Does it have to be mATX? If so, this is probably the best mATX case on the market... put 2 92mm Sunon medium-speed (~50cfm) fans in there and it should have decent airflow with no mods
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Geeky1 wrote:
    Does it have to be mATX? If so, this is probably the best mATX case on the market... put 2 92mm Sunon medium-speed (~50cfm) fans in there and it should have decent airflow with no mods

    No, it can be ATX as well; basically I'm looking for something sort-of small... but where's your link?
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited April 2004
    :doh: Just a sec...

    //Edit
    Link: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=11-116-121&depa=1
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited April 2004
    BTW, if this is for the system you want that 2500 for, you'd be better off keeping the 2400m. Runs a TON cooler.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Hmm... this PC has to be cheap; unless I can sell the small case I'm trying to sell (Chieftec version of Antec SX-635; it's HEAVY) for a decent $ then that Enlight is a bit outside my price range.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Geeky1 wrote:
    BTW, if this is for the system you want that 2500 for, you'd be better off keeping the 2400m. Runs a TON cooler.

    I know, but it's going to be running on a KM400 motherboard, which I don't think supports the XP-M.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited April 2004
    I have that case for my parents machine. The p3 has a AX-7 on it as well. Cools well enough. Its a 800@840Mhz P3 so its not like it makes much heat anyway.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Is this any good? Similar price to the Enlight, but it's Antec...

    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-121&depa=1

    I'm still open to all options, really.
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    I dont mean to spam the forums at all but I reviewed the Antec Super Lanboy at IC not long ago. Great case its small light and 2 120mm fans for cooling nad I shoved my A64 into it. I have one for sale too since I've gotten 4 other cases since then for review
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited April 2004
    Bah I dont like that one. Doesnt have the removable HDD cage and the PSU would like to have to come out the back.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Gnome,

    No sweat - you're not spamming. You are responding directly to the thread starter's inquiry. :)
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum
    goes to check out Gnome's FS thread...
     Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    goes to check out Gnome's FS thread...
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Does anyone know if that Antec 300W PSU in the Antec SLK1600 case is capable of powering a semi-decent rig? It's my sister's rig, with XP2100+ (maybe OC'd to 2400+ or 2700+ speed, maybe not), A7N8X-X, 2x256MB RAM sticks, 1 HDD, 2 optical, 3 case fans(?)
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    i dont have a FS thread lol I did a while back but someone bought it then retracted the offer then it happened again People over at [H] can't make up thier mind! lol
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    GHoosdum wrote:
    Does anyone know if that Antec 300W PSU in the Antec SLK1600 case is capable of powering a semi-decent rig? It's my sister's rig, with XP2100+ (maybe OC'd to 2400+ or 2700+ speed, maybe not), A7N8X-X, 2x256MB RAM sticks, 1 HDD, 2 optical, 3 case fans(?)

    Actually, the LanBoy should have a (approximately) 400 W with it. You will eat most of 400 W with what you have, probably about 350 minimum when the CPU is cranking to its max under full load or at boot\POST time when everything is active at once while being detected. I AM allowing for PSU inefficiency with that figure.

    Look at Chieftec cases. Then a Just4PC PSU, the OEM 425 W one. Chieftecs cool as well as Antecs. Plain Chieftecs are fairly cheap. You could also pick up a mid-priced Just4PC case, they are relatively inexpensive for the construction that is in them. Note, they will come with a 425 Watt PSU if you buy the right case.

    I have Codegens right now, will be getting in a few Just4PCs to study more closely. Note, bigger is better for overall cooling air flow.

    John D.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Maybe I wasn't clear. I'm looking for something cheap. The 300W in the SLK1600 is just a bonus, that I'd be replacing the generic 420 from my sister's rig with (if the PSU can handle it and I decide on the SLK1600... I still need more input on the decision). I have an Antec SL350 that will go with my rig in the cheap case. That PC will be a Soyo KM400 motherboard with 2x256MB RAM, two HDDs, one optical, a Radeon 9600 non-pro, and a stock Barton 2500+.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited April 2004
    An Antec 300w PS is MORE than sufficient to power a normal system... unless it's going to be running like 4 hard drives, dual athlons, and a 9800XT, it shouldn't be an issue.
    Keep in mind that a generic PSU cannot be trusted to reliably power an AMD/P4 system; if you buy a cheap case, you'll have to buy a separate power supply.
  • Omega65Omega65 Philadelphia, Pa
    edited April 2004
    Ghoosdum - Put a dollar figure on "Cheap"

    are you looking for something like this for $22 +S/H

    4 80mm front
    2 80mm rear
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    Geeky - it's just that reason that I wanted to upgrade this generic "420W" PSU that is in her PC to a real 300W Antec.

    Omega,

    A dollar figure on cheap would be, say, less than $40, but I can make an exception for the Antec case since it has a decent PSU with it.
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    the superlanboy didnt come with a psu when i got it and it sells for i think 75 or sunting like that
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited April 2004
    I was referring to the Antec SLK1600AMB that I posted a link to earlier.

    You're right; I haven't found a LanBoy online that has a PSU with it.
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