In the market for a new case

[OS-Wiz]

Are Lian Li mid towers big enough for the new larger sized video cards?

The better cases will, like Lian Li, CoolerMaster, Antec, but a full tower will make for a much easier install.

[Robot]

The better cases will, like Lian Li, CoolerMaster, Antec, but a full tower will make for a much easier install.

Yeah, but those full tower Lian Li cases are $$$

I've head about a case the manufacture called an extended mid tower?

Would that be a good choice if video card size is a concern?

Thanks for the reply, BTW.

[OS-Wiz]

LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112099
Go to pic of case and you'll notice there's room for one oversized vidcard between the floppy cage and HD cage. Room for three HDs too. And the price is right, $80 free shipping.

[xclite]

Even LianLi's mid-towers are quite large. Definitely room for everything you need.

[Robot]

Well, the case you recommended is nice, but I'd prefer one with a slide out MB tray.

Here's what I'd like.

lian li
slide out MB tray
front and rear 120 mm fans
usb and audio on the lower front
deep enough to accept the larger 200 series cards (and maybe beyond)
detachable fan filters
less than 200 dollars, preferably less than 175

Any important features that I'm overlooking?

Thanks

[msukc]

I just picked up a Lian Li (rebadged). Is this an OK case? Sure hope so. Now I am thinking of just building a new computer. ATX MB ideas?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811215010

[tituswolf]

Well, the case you recommended is nice, but I'd prefer one with a slide out MB tray.

Here's what I'd like.

lian li
slide out MB tray
front and rear 120 mm fans
usb and audio on the lower front
deep enough to accept the larger 200 series cards (and maybe beyond)
detachable fan filters
less than 200 dollars, preferably less than 175


Any important features that I'm overlooking?

Thanks

You might like this cause it has all you listed, except the usb and audio ports being on the bottom, they are on the top. I have this case and love it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112154

[tituswolf]

I just picked up a Lian Li (rebadged). Is this an OK case? Sure hope so. Now I am thinking of just building a new computer. ATX MB ideas?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811215010

Thats a difficult question, you would first have to let us know if you wanted to build an AMD or Intel based system. What is your price range, and are you wanting to go with the best out there or is last generation tech good enough. What are you wanting to do with the system? There are many many ways to go with that question.

[msukc]

I could be naive but it seems processor tech has peaked the last few years. My current case ran out of room and I bought a full tower because I dont really care how large the case is. Fits under the desk and can hold a ton of stuff. The case (see earlier post for the exact case) I bought looks good to me and should suit me well for a while.

My current system:

EPoX EP-9NPA7I 939 NVIDIA nForce4 4X ATX AMD Motherboard
ZALMAN ZM-NB47J Aluminum Heatsinks only
3D Fuzion 3DFR66256X GeForce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
G.SKILL Value 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Desktop Memory Model F1-3200PHU2-2GBNT (plus another .62 G of old memory)
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Single-Core Processor
Surepower 430W btx/atx 12v
40 G hard drive
200 G hard drive
Windows XP home service 3
22" ADC LCD Monitor

Future System needs
Not a big gamer and most likely wont be due to my young family
Video editing is definitely a past time due to the young family
I do enjoy having a higher end performing system for quick boot ups, reduced program loads, ego etc...
My dilemna now is should I throw my current system in my new case and add another hard drive or build a new system?
If I go the new system route, I would assume I need a new motherboard, processor and maybe memory and video card?
Maybe this is a better way to put it, assume I have another 500 bucks to throw at this thing, what can I get? Will it be much better?

I really enjoy everyone's input so far. Thanks.

KC

[Nater]

No offense, but you're naive. Processor technology has gone from 2-cores/2-threads in x86 to 8-cores/16-threads with intel's forthcoming Beckton cpu, 4-cores/8-threads if you want to have it now in your hand and not at the begining of next year. That's not counting improved IPC and all the benefits that come from ever smaller prodction nodes (more cache, more cache levels, and higher clock speeds).

I'm not counting non-x86 processors because they don't matter to anyone here for anything other than curiosity. You don't run Photoshop, play games, or work with Office on IBM POWER, SPARC, or Itanium. Before any people point out G5 and earlier Macs, remember that is PowerPC and not a full fledged IBM POWER-series CPU. It's a cut down POWER4.

Anyway, processors aren't the problem now. The problem now, as it was two years ago, is that most software engineers are particularly good at writing parallel code. And, even if every software engineer was a genius and could write code for SMP systems beautifully, some things much remain serial no matter what.

[msukc]

The naive part was redundant; realized my naivete this years ago. That stance was like bass fishing. I knew I would get a bite with the go to lure.
I really have no idea what parralel vs series coding has an affect on my case. Except for the obvious at the same time vs one at a time affect.

More simple question:

Is it possible for me to upgrade my system significantly for under 500 bucks? If so, what is the best set up performance, memory, video and long term capability wise?

What I really want to know is: For under 500 bucks can I upgrade my system enough to justify another 500 bucks? Otherwise, I will stand pat for another 6 months to a year and make my move then.

[tituswolf]

yes you can upgrade significantly for un der $500, you can get and intel duel core (maybe low end quad), mother board, memory and video card for around 400 (I am thinking at least e8400, 4gb of pc800 ddr2 ram, value motherboard, and either a ATI 4870/GTX260 video card). Newegg is your friend.

[Cyber]

Try looking at this one,solid tower I have plenty of room.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133056

[msukc]

I actually picked up this case. It is a rebadged lian li and is really nice and big. Paid 90 bucks with shipping on sale from 159.99

ABS Aplus ABS-Black Pearl Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811215010

I was going to take my existing system and put it in this case and add another hard drive. Now I am looking at just building a new one. Target under 500 bucks (including motherboard, processor, graphics card, ram memory). I will just throw my two drives in for now and add a another drive later.

Any ideas or suggestions? I assume I need to target last generation's higher end gear.

Thanks

[tituswolf]

I got that case while it was on sale too, very nice case but freaking huge! Anyway you have my suggestions a couple of posts up. You should be okay with that budget. Using my second rig as an example, take the gtx285 out and swap in a hd4850 you should hit $500 easy. Just make sure you get a good psu, the PC Power and Cooling 610 watt psu I have in my Main rig does very well and can usually be had for well under $100.

I actually picked up this case. It is a rebadged lian li and is really nice and big. Paid 90 bucks with shipping on sale from 159.99

ABS Aplus ABS-Black Pearl Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811215010

I was going to take my existing system and put it in this case and add another hard drive. Now I am looking at just building a new one. Target under 500 bucks (including motherboard, processor, graphics card, ram memory). I will just throw my two drives in for now and add a another drive later.

Any ideas or suggestions? I assume I need to target last generation's higher end gear.

Thanks