Cases, help for a noob?

[reynolddog]

Hey all. I'm in a somewhat delima. I have a pretty junky computer (gateway GT5432) and for this christmas i'm getting some equip. for it.


MSI 8800GT (Got it from dell for 208 :yay:)


650W trio power power supply

and 2 more gigs of ram (Totaling of 3gigs, i have vista)

But i still have the stock case(Front part is starting to come off) ... I don't think the cooling will be enough so i think i might need to upgrade (Might as well just have bought a new computer, i know.) But here's the question, I remember on another forum (Befor discovering TGN) that someone asked if he could get a diffrent case for his dell and someone said no, that the computer was built around the case.

So is it the same for mine? Also which whould you reccomend that's under 100 that'll move more air then the gateway one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208021

I was eyeing up this one...

[jubb jubb]

that case is good but what about...

p182

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025&Tpk=antec%2bp182

and

900

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%2b900

[=98=]

I would suggest the Antec Nine Hundred. It moves a lot of air and looks pretty cool. Is a bit noisier than the P182 although.

[Eagle101]

i would go with the 900 since i have it lolz

[signa]

that case is good but what about...

p182

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025&Tpk=antec%2bp182

and

900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=antec%2b900

those are 2 great cases. I have the P180 (pics) very solid and heavy.

I would go with the 900. great case, great cooling, and has a window.

[reynolddog]

Thanks guys, but like i said, will everything go in ok? Oh yah my computer is a gateway gt5432....duh...

that antec 900 looks awsome, but i don't know if i have an ATX mobo or M-ATX.... It's just the one that came with it (You know how it is with buying brand name computers". any reasurrance or anything as to it will fit?

Grrr it keeps double merging... i want to bump it up and get some answers.

[reynolddog]

Woot, after extensive searching and using CPU-Z i found out it's this mobo http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...roduct=3378346

It says its micro ATX So it'll fit in the 900 correct?

[Sniper1432]

ATX and Micro ATX will fit in the nine hundred It's a good case but I find myself running to the store very often for compressed air to clean out the dust :p

[looqas]

For reassurance. A case is just a case. Plastic/metalloid box. Dell or any other such company has no means of controlling the case. The mobo is not wired to some secret part in the case. So in the event of the separation of the innards and the box there is no thingamajig secreted away to send out a signal to local Dell head-quarters and call in the arm-breakers.

If you still need more reassurance take the stuff out to the table and start you computer without the case on. The only problem that comes to my mind is that if Dell has gone to great pains to ensure that the case stays is that they have made unique power switch/front panel LED/reset connectors. You know, those that go from mobo to case. So open up the case. Trace the wires from the power switch on front to the mobo. Then go to net and check some mobo reviews with pics and you'll find out quickly if those you have are different. My guess is that they are the standard since implementing a different mobo altogether just for Dell would rise the manufacturing costs thus making Dell's manager department uneasy.

Any modern case will accommodate either a uATX or ATX board. That's why they have so many screw places there on the back-panel.


EDIT: You still might have a problem. It seems that Dell uses it's own unique power supplies so the mobo and PSU is mated. So check this first that the new PSU you plan on buying is actually pin compatible with the Dell mobo. Those bastards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX#Connectors

[reynolddog]

I don't use a dell so thats just aswell. Never will. "those bastards are right I really never liked my families dell.. even though my parents still have there laptops... Ok awsome guys thanks for the help. Want a peanutbutter choclate cookie for the hard work?

[sgt.collins]

no, seriously check out the raidmax smilodon. it comes with.. hold on let me count... 4 fans that keep it massively cool. and there is a slot for an extra one....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156078

[reynolddog]

no, seriously check out the raidmax smilodon. it comes with.. hold on let me count... 4 fans that keep it massively cool. and there is a slot for an extra one....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156078

Looks cool but im getting the Antec 900

[sgt.collins]

alright.
they're just cases, so the only thing that matters is cooling, and they are both beasts at that