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pentool
10-31-2005, 05:47 AM
Hello, I'm planning to build my first PC, however, I'm confused about which case to buy. To be exact, I'm confused how do I match the output/connector ports on the motherboard to the back opening of the case. Look at this image to see what I mean:

http://www.geocities.com/bocibocitarka/misc/case_mb.jpg

The casing is: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1366574&Sku=D15-1042

Now, look at the red areas I outlined. If you look at the outpu/connector ports of the motherboard, they do not match to the ones outlined on the casing. So I'm confused that if I order all this stuff online, how am I supposed to know that the casing holes will match to the stuff on the motherboard?

TX
--LES
Mike RB
10-31-2005, 05:50 AM
the motherboard comes with a backplate that fits it. The one that comes with the case pops out. I just bought some systems and I'm using the Antec sonata 2 case. Very nice case, super quiet, decent price.

Mike
SatoriGFX
10-31-2005, 05:57 AM
I wouldn't buy a $40 case that includes a power supply. I wouldn't even buy a power supply for that much. Do yourself a favor and buy the Sonata II (minimum) as suggested by fluoride. It comes with a decent power supply (though it's only 380W). Depending on what other components you are using I might recommend going a little higher end when it comes to case and PSU.
Mike RB
10-31-2005, 06:08 AM
the sonata 2's I bought have 450's in them.

Mike
pentool
10-31-2005, 06:21 AM
the motherboard comes with a backplate that fits it. The one that comes with the case pops out.
Oh, I see. That's reassuring. Thanks!
SatoriGFX
10-31-2005, 01:32 PM
the sonata 2's I bought have 450's in them.

Mike

My bad. It's the Sonata I that has the 380W PSU.
GregHess
10-31-2005, 01:51 PM
When purchasing a case, try to avoid the cheapest solutions. With just a bit more money you can usually get a very user friendly case, that won't cut your hands up, and cause you to swear and curse everytime you have to fiddle with it.

One of the best budget cases I've ever seen come from the antec lineup. (Also chieftech and a very other manufacturers).

They usually go for around 50 bucks, and come with easily removable 3.5 drive bays, external 3.5 bays, sliders for the 5.25 bays, clip in 80mm fans, easy remove side panel, filter for the front fans (its removable), front sound/usb/firewire ports (depends on model), and generally plenty of room to work in.

I can't quite find the cheap example of what I'm talking about (newegg doesn't have one in the database right now), but here's the more expensive model to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?image=11-129-158-01.jpg,11-129-158-02.jpg,11-129-158-03.jpg,11-129-158-04.jpg,11-129-158-05.jpg,11-129-158-06.jpg,11-129-158-07.jpg,11-129-158-08.jpg,11-129-158-09.jpg,11-129-158-10.jpg,11-129-158-11.jpg,11-129-158-12.jpg&CurImage=11-129-158-08.jpg&Description=Antec%20PERFORMANCE%20TX%20TX1050B%20Black%20Steel%20Server%20Computer%20Case%20500W%20ATX12V%20v2.0%20Power%20Supply%20-%20Retail

They make a mini-tower thats quite similar internally, but for around 60 dollars.
ya3
11-01-2005, 12:28 AM
Antec P180. Best case ever. Really.
I got one a couple of weeks ago... It's the biggest, heaviest thing ever, but it's got all the separate cooling chambers (a la PowerMac G5) with 4x slow-spinning 140mm fans, slide-out drive compartments, 3-layer aluminium/rubber/aluminium sound-deadening case material, washable front air filters, a big cooling duct above the VGA card, and room for 4 5.25" drives. Psycho case.
lots
11-01-2005, 12:37 AM
I have a LianLi V2000B, its quite nice..
Peddy
11-01-2005, 03:56 AM
expensive cases are nice but just make sure that it has enough bays for multiple drives (you never know) and good ventilation. a shiny case is nice but after a while you kinda forget about it =]
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