Im building a new system but don't think I want to put the time into customizing my own case.. Anyone know of a really nice case that has plugs for usb, firewire, etc on the top (or near the top) and a side window? Building in November so I have a little time

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_i...roducts_id=3251

I have that one and it has a side window and pop up thingy on top with access to mini jacks for headphone/mic, usb and firewire

Antec P160 FTW!

Sleek metallic finish and all the ports you could possibly require on the front, plus a convenient temperature readout too.

Antec Nine Hundred Case FTW! FANS galore! you won't get a cooler system with the Nine Hundred around


http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08009

Yes this is an excellent case and I've had it bookmarked for some time now Great suggestion and very likely the one I will be going with. However.. I've been trying to find something a little cooler "looking"
I know this case will keep things cool but I'm only going to be running one G9x which will run cooler than the current G8x series(whenever it comes out...) a Yorkfield quad core 3ghz CPU (QX6950), and hopefully 4gb of ram.
In any case, this would work for me and has excellent reviews. I was just looking for something a little more aesthetically pleasing
I only build a system every 5-7 years so when I do I try to go with the best of the best. Of course I still want to keep the cost down but I'm willing to consider anything.

This is a really nice looking case! In the same price range as the Antec 900 too. Hmmm... Not quite the cooling capability as the 900 but like I said above, I'm not sure I will need all the fanage.

Thanks for the replys guys. Any other suggestions out there?

Go with the 900!

Your CPU is a monster and you will be wanting the cooling. What Graphics Card are you using btw?

the thermaltake has decent cooling imho, it has a big ass fan in the front sucking in and a similar big ass one at the back blowing out, as well as a fan on the window right above the cpu pushing fresh air into your heatsink <3

As far as Aesthics go, the Thermaltake looks a million times better than the Antec.

But for me, i would take the Antec for performance benifits

Well, I've been waiting and waiting. I want to get the right combination that will last me the longest so...
The Yorkfield processors are created using a 45nm fab so they should be cooler. Yet to be seen.
I was going to go with the next generation Nvidia card (G9x) but apparently they are only going to release the mainstream part (G92) in November... So.. I'm probably going to build the system and get the video card when they release the G90 part. IF that is the codename for the next high end graphics card from them. It will supposedly be much cooler being made on the 65nm process so hopefully I won't need a crap load of (noisy) fans.
Speaking of which, I'm thinking about going with a water cooler system. Not sure on that either because like said previously, when I build a system it will need to last a lot of years. Not sure I trust a water cooling system to hold up that long. (Pump mainly)

@docmoo
I understand that the 900 is pretty quite. How is Thermaltake Tsunami. And what exactly are you cooling in that system?

@RustPuppet
The P160 is a nice looking case however it doesn't have the side window so I can stair at all the money I've spent.

Another thing I've been contemplating is the new chipsets... The X38 is being released with a FSB of 1333. The X48 is to be released before the end of the year too and it supports up to a 1600 FSB. But, the downfall (if I'm not mistaken) is that the X48 will only support DDR3 which I would like to go with but its too darn expensive right now... Especially the newest (fastest) DDR3.

Decisions decisions....

BTW, I'm not some rich guy who blows several thousand dollars on a system just because he can. I've been saving for 2 years for this build

I wouldn't jump ship to DDR3 yet. DDR2 hasn;t even matured yet. Go with a nForce Board and with some good DDR1000 RAM.

For a Graphics card i would reccomend a Nvidia 8800 GTS 320 MB. Its a mid range DX10 card and has a damn good performance cost ratio. If you have the money than go for a better one, 8800 GTX or Ultra.

Forget DX9, within a few months it will be worthless.

Here's my spec that is housed inside my Tsunami:
Asus A8N-SLi Premium Socket 939 Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 90nm Socket 939
OCZ PC3200 EL DDR Platinum Edition Dual Channel 2 x 512 MB Memory REV 2
XFX GeForce 7800GT 256MB Extreme Edition PCI-Express DDR3 VIVO Dual DVI (PVT70GUDF7)
250Gb Hitachi (IBM/HGST) Deskstar x 3

Never had a problem with cooling etc. so it's worked quite well for me, and at the moment my room is like a furnace

Man, if your room is like a furnace with your setup I can only imagine the heat wave I'm in for.. Compared to my current 1.9ghz P4 with an AIT1650 video card LOL! (can you tell I'm ready for a major upgrade?)

Still kicking it all around in my head.
I've been looking at motherboards that utilize both DDR2 and DDR3. It seems like the most logical way to go except that I won't be getting the x48 chipset and the 1600 FSB.

As far as graphics, I've learned that the better your graphics card is the better you system performs overall. So, I want to go with one of the next gen DX10.1 cards. If DAAMIT would have gotten off the butt and put a seriously competitive card out then Nvidia would be releasing the G90 this November instead of the mainstream G92.... Looks like that wont be happening till the Q1 when ATI finally releases the R700 stuff. Don't quote me on that last part.

Anyway, I 'm still open to suggestions on a case. I want something cool as hell looking but functional. With or without a PS but if with at least a 700WATT. Prefer side panel and top USB/sound/Firewire ports.

I've been saving the suggestions as they come in. I will have to make a decision soon as November is right around the corner! After 2 years of saving I really want to make the right choices and get the absolute best system I can build.

I do a lot of video encoding, video editing, gaming (LOVE cutting edge graphics). I also want to see what this new build will do on some folding at home crunching

Anyone have suggestions about water cooling and or info about there long term dependability?

Still i would say go for the ANTEC 900.

For water cooling if you get a good set up then you won't have any trouble with long term use (providing you maintain it). For your rig, unless you are going for something monster like an 8800 GTX or above then you wouldn't need it too much. All that fanage will suffice

urm P160 does have a see thru window...

as for DDR2 + DDR3 combo = shitty implementation and you'll have issues

it's all good to get a system with case and all but you have to remember HDD, CPU, GPU, RAM and mobo make up the system... looks mean nothing when your quad core is running like a snail because your HDD cannot process the files fast enough to utilize the CPU... and games as well... given a good GPU with a shitty CPU your CPU will bottleneck your GPU and one of the important aspects is the RAM too! without decent ram and low timings then what's the point in having a good system... and finally the Mobo... given that you bought everything decent but a shitty DDR2+3 combo you'll have serious limitations on the board... NOT a good idea!

Good luck with the waiting on the next generation GPU's... the chip hasn't even taped out yet and Nov you say? you'll more than likely hear about the new chip coming then then you must wait for it to tape out then the wait for the chip to be distributed to builders who can manufacture a new pcb board to go with the GPU... so I guess you'll be looking around may 2008 and then the shipping to SA

( at )Fishfly
How do you know that the DDR2/DDR3 combo boards will be shitty? Is there even any X38 DDR2/DDR3 boards out yet?
As far at the graphic card goes I'm looking at the Nvidia D8E. But I just read that it has now been pushed back to Q1 08.... I've been waiting a long time for this build and I really don't want to wait till then to do it... Prolly build with a cheap GPU and add the monster in a few (6?) months.

I was planning on going with the fastest available DDR2 possible because of the price of DDR3. Then upgrade later. It sounds as though I should not go with a combo board if I take your advice. But DDR3 is 3 times the price(or more) and is not any faster(at the moment).. So, If I build now I will probably go with a DDR2 board if what you say about combo boards is true.

Have you considered the silverstone series of cases?

www.silverstonetek.com

You haven't owned a case untill you own a silverstone

I could also highly reccommend the Lian Li's and the Antec P182.

Fishy is correct, the P160 does have an optional side window.

Hmmm the Silverstone and Lian Li cases are also decent, bit too plain for my taste though but quality stuff nonetheless.

From my understanding DDR3 has no significant benefits as yet... DDR2 has been out for the last year, it's stabalized now and can still get better... intel comes with their crap yet again moving to DDR3, new mobo, etc because amd is catching up...

As for cases, Lian-Li's makes a nice case and the plus side of things is it's light enough to carry around.

The question is what are you looking to do with this system? Leave it at home? or lug around to lans?


P.S Slick can organise some naais stuff here

The P160 is a really nice looking case and I REALLY like the digital display with the usb/audio/power/reset/etc. at the top. I still haven't seen anything about it having an optional side window though.. hmm.. It's not a deal breaker though.
This box will not be making it to any LAN party's. Its going to sit under my desk for its entire life

I've been reading a lot of reviews and DDR3 is catching up very quickly. However... I'm not sure it will catch up in time for this build let alone its price.
I was thinking of holding off till the X48 chipset comes out seeing how it supports 1600 FSB. But I also read that the X38 will most likely have a BIOS update to allow it to support 1600 as well but for now its "only" 1333. So... what to do what to do... I want this system to last a very long time and have as little trouble with it as possible. Hence my concern with liquid cooling. Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. I am taking everything into consideration.

Fishfly, you said Slick can organize some naais stuff here. Do you mean he sells parts/systems?

Yes he does. And with some very nice prices to go with it

PM'ed him, thanks RenegadeNukes

AND Fishfly! LOL!

sure not a problem...

anyhow what system did you settle on? you in sa right?

Since I live in USA the shipping would be more than the system! LOL! So, I wont be going this route.
But, as far as the system it will consist of the following.

1 Intel QX9850 Quad core processor
1 Either a Gigabite or ASUS motherboard (X38 chipset)
2 GB OCZ DDR2 PC11200 RAM
2 WD Raptor 150's
4 250GB Maxtor drives to go into Drobo
1 Drobo
1 Case (still not sure lol)
1 Next high end graphics card. Not sure on this either as I want to see if ATI is going to come out with a surprise or not in Q1 or 08. If not then probably the newest Nvidia kick ass card.
2 20X DVDRW's
1 Corsair 620HX power supply

I might get a few more HD's for in the box itself. Also, I know that using an X38 chipset with DDR2 is pretty much a waste but I want the PCI-E 2.0 for that next gen video card. Not that it will even need the bandwidth but more so for future proofing the system. All the over clocking abilities is nice too
I plan on this lasting a very long time

You considering a 8900 / 8950 Card. Absolutely Kick Ass GFX, but don't think it justifies the price inho

good luck waiting for the next generation cards... but however if you looking for something now... this is a great deal:

http://forums.vault9.net/index.php?showtop...view=getnewpost

OK, I have built my machine Still waiting on the processor but that should ship in the next day or so

Ended up with the following.

Antec 900 case
ASUS Maximus Formula SE motherboard
Intel QX9650 processor (coming soon)
4GIG of DDR2 OCZ REAPER PC2 9600 RAM
2 400GB Western Digital drives
1 150GB WD RAPTOR drive
2 DVDRW's
Corsair 620HX power supply
BFG 8800 GT OC 512 video card
Vista Premium 64BIT
WindowsXP Pro 64BIT

I think this should do me for a while but I'm still looking at the new cards coming in the 1st quarter of next year

I'm starting another thread because I have some questions about setting up this thing and which would reap the best results.