Upcoming PC Upgrade - In Need Of Suggestions.

decisions update:
Because the prices where I live are a lil' higher, I decided to go with i5 3470
since I don't intend to overclock, and the 0.2GHz differnce doesn't worth the 65$[where i live] from 3470 to 3570k.

So now I have a few more questions(Low noise is important):
1) The motherboard. I looked at the differences and could see features differnces,
non seemed crucial, but still I'm being told there will be a PERFORMENCE DIFFERENCE between different boards.
is that right?
2) Which PSU brands/models can I trust?
3) Which CPU fan brands/models can I trust?
4) Which RAM brands/models can I trust? (although if I go 2X4GB DDR 3 1600 and choose a good brand like kingston or crossair, it doesn't really matter that much exactly which I choose right? BTW - it doesn't matter if I get 1X8GB or 2X4GB right? almost no price differnce so I figure why not?)
 
Hey Guys, I'm about to make a purchase, but I need to know if either of my cases will fit ATX size motherboards. I know the 1st one in the pics(which is relatively newer, and smaller) has a Micro ATX(9.6") right now, andI wanna know if I can buy an ATX(12") motherboard.
 
if either of my cases will fit ATX size motherboards.
Well, how tall am I?:D

Stranglehold has the best build here for the budget, and even allows enough for a new case. We could guess what cases you have, but it might take a while since we don't see any pics ;)
 
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I posted 2 pics of each case days ago... it's in the previous page.
here they are again:

"I know the 1st one in the pics(which is relatively newer, and smaller) has a Micro ATX(9.6") right now, andI wanna know if I can buy an ATX(12") motherboard. "

here's a pic:
http://s8.postimage.org/meyjkvpok/IMG_0001_1.jpg
http://s12.postimage.org/txtv2wl2k/IMG_0002_1.jpg

An older case I have(8 years...) that is bigger, maybe it will do?
http://s17.postimage.org/w0u3b3l0d/IMG_0004_1.jpg
http://s17.postimage.org/uhyp64efy/IMG_0003_1.jpg
 
@ Newegg
CX600 is on sale now so might as well get it for a couple $ less.
This 6300/Rj X 2133 combo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1200796
Same 970A UD3 mb.

Time for a new case. Those w/ top mounted ,esp w/o back exhaust fan, = rising heat passing through the ps's cooling fan + the other components won't be cooled as well. Not to mention makes it top heavy and hampers cable management.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1200508
Or something like Zalman Z5 and there are others in that price range.

Are the optical and hard drives your reusing Sata?
 
You really don't think either of the cases will do ?
I wouldn't put my new hardware in there. Esp when the budget allows for a new, wayyy better one. Even if the board fits one of the old ones you'd have to buy fans and install them, then still have an inferior case. And besides that, a new case will run quieter but it depends on the case and it's fans. I saw one on the Egg a while back in the $40 price range that has a high/low fan speed switch and it seems I had to watch the review video to know that it had that switch. Could use low speed when recording.

Edit:
If you live near or know someone you trust, you can get this board and the FX6300 for 200+tax.
GA-990FXA-UD3
http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/amd_bundles.aspx
 
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I'm not being stubborn, I just want to understand:
What's the difference between an old case, and a new one ?
Depends on the cases. In your situation a new(different) would mean,
Better 5.25 bay design.
" 3.5 hdd cage designed for better cooling and cable management.
" cable management due to cutouts in the mb tray and possibly features behind that tray.
" power supply placement that lends to best cooling of the ps as well as everything else in the case, and better cable routing.
More fans, fan size, and strategic placement along with filtering of the intakes to help keep all that dust out, might have filtered mesh in the front for clean air flow.
Up to date I/O ports and jacks on the front panel, including USB 3.
You know all the case connectors will fit.
 
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Will a cheap one like this will do ?
link

Is there any differnces, like I asked between cheap cases and more expansive ones?
like I said: I do care about quiet, but fancy decorations of any kind is not something I'm willing to pay extra for...
 
@ Newegg XFX 550w is on sale right now. I'd get that over the CX600.

With a case like linked, w/no cutouts on the mb tray, you'd want to use zip ties or velcro or something to keep the cables ran around edges, corners, and up between the mb and drive cage so as not to impeed air flow. Also it only comes with 1 fan so you'd have to get another. Buying a fan with 3 wires(3 pin) and connecting it to the mb would allow you to use software to control that ones speed, thus run quieter. The pre-installed fan is probably a 2 wire which would run full speed all the time, and I don't know what fan they use or how quiet it will be but considering the cost of the case I'd assume it's louder than average.

If you want cable management features, and know it's going to run quiet, you'll have to pony up a little more $.
 
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