Another build - Need to get the price down.

BurningSkyline · Dec 3, 2010

Before I truly go to bed- Any Antec Units?

Drenlin · Dec 3, 2010

In that general price range, the one I posted earlier is your best bet, but any of their 550w+ units will work fine.

BurningSkyline · Dec 3, 2010

EDIT: I can't find reviews of the StealthXStream II series... only StealthXStream series.

Drenlin · Dec 3, 2010

There aren't very many. Usually between JonnyGuru and Hardware Secrets you can find either a review of the PSU you're looking for or another version of it.

Here's the 600W:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-StealthXStream-2-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1058

It's still based off of the FSP Epsilon platform like the original ones, but it's revised a bit and performs better.

edit- Very good deal here:
PCP&C Silencer 750W- $40
It's a refurb unit, but still has a 1 year warranty. That's a Seasonic-built unit...very good quality.

BurningSkyline · Dec 3, 2010

I'm still looking, LOL. I think we've covered most of it...
I would like two strings of SATA power (One for hard drives, one for optical drives.), two PCI express- 6 pins or 6+2 pins, etc. Just the cables I need, so there isn't clutter. I still want one of those modxstream units, but the cables are so short.

Drenlin · Dec 3, 2010

That describes most PSU's in the price range.

You'll want plenty of Molex, too, so you can plug in whatever accessories you might have.

Extra clutter isn't as bad as you'd think, especially in a case that covers up the hard drive cage. You can tie everything you can behind the mobo tray, and stuff what you can't fit back there under the bottom hard drive bracket.

BurningSkyline · Dec 4, 2010

So is my best bet going with the a StealthXStream PSU? And the reason I hate the clutter is because I once had to deal with a non-modular 850w. What a pain in my ass that was. Also, the PC-k58w has these things you can put in front of the cables, to route them.

Otherwise I think I'm set. Once I get access to my computer (I'm at a coffee shop ATM) I'll post up a couple variations of the parts. (I think they will pretty much be the same, Except with different CPU's, Cases, Motherboards, etc.)

Image from Benchmark reviews... and yes I realize there is a watermark, LOL.

Drenlin · Dec 4, 2010

Unless you're willing to go for that Refurb'd PCP&P, it seems like your best bet.

BurningSkyline · Dec 5, 2010

Hey Drenlin, if you are still following this thread could you take a look at this unit? The guys over at Toms hardware say the 520w will work fine with a Quad core and a GTX 460. I think I've made up my mind about using a Tri-core. I might just switch out the cooler for a cheap one or something. Maybe put AS5 on instead of the pre-applied stuff.

Otherwise the StealthXStream II's cables are slightly longer than the ModXStream. So I don't think that helps very much. But I might not use the Lian Li case because it is back up to $80 again. I think I might go with the HAF 912. Any Sub-$80 case suggestions?

bomberboysk · Dec 5, 2010

The 520W M12II will work fine, pretty much same price would get you a 620W M12II though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

I would place a second vote on that refurb pcp&c though, thats still among the better units on the market, beats the TX750 from corsair among others.

BurningSkyline · Dec 5, 2010

bomberboysk said:
The 520W M12II will work fine, pretty much same price would get you a 620W M12II though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

I would place a second vote on that refurb pcp&c though, thats still among the better units on the market, beats the TX750 from corsair among others.

Rather not go with a Refurb though... Would prefer new. I'm having a hard time picking out a PSU because I'm not sure which case to use. Right now I'm thinking the HAF 912, but I don't know.

EDIT: Here guys, If you want to suggest a PSU, Hard drive, and case go ahead.
My Parts: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12844411

Drenlin · Dec 5, 2010

They've come down a bit on the S12II's prices, I think...I remember ruling them out for being a bit too expensive. Good units.

The HAF 912 is an amazing case for the price. Cable management is great, airflow is awesome, and it comes with plenty of features and space. The only bad part about the basic one is that the interior isn't painted and it only comes with two fans, but two 120mm's is plenty for this and a <$10 can of black Krylon wrinkle paint will fix the rest. There's also a side window on the upscale version of it, so you could buy that side panel later on if you want.

Some other </=$60 good ones. Watch the shipping...it can make a case go over budget really fast. They change which ones ship free/cheap almost daily. I'd say the 912 is a better buy than all of them, but at least you have some options.

CM Gladiator 600 (Essentially a cheaper Storm Scout...you can fit the Scout's window on it.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119206

Antec 300 (It has NO cable management, but I guess it's worth a mention for the good airflow...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

NZXT Gamma (great case, though the Beta EVO is a much better buy since it has more room. Will fit the M59's window.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

NZXT Beta EVO (Great buy, similar design to the Gamma but larger. It's .63" wider, which is more than it sounds like.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059

NZXT M59 (Basically an upscale Gamma)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146058

Rosewill Challenger (basically a Gamma with one less top fan hole and external 3.5" bays. Again, will fit the M59's window.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Raidmax Atlas 298/295 (no top fan, but otherwise impressive for Raidmax models)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156248
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156247

Logisys CS1200BK (basically a Beta EVO with a different front panel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148056

bomberboysk · Dec 5, 2010

Actually if anything the S12II has went up a few dollars since i last checked, a few weeks ago the S12II 620W was going for $59.99, at sub $80 though, its excellent value for money, definitely the best group regulated design on the market.

BurningSkyline said:
Rather not go with a Refurb though... Would prefer new. I'm having a hard time picking out a PSU because I'm not sure which case to use. Right now I'm thinking the HAF 912, but I don't know.

EDIT: Here guys, If you want to suggest a PSU, Hard drive, and case go ahead.
My Parts: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12844411

All of the refurb unit's i've gotten from pcp&c/ocz in the past have been without incident, haven't had any cosmetic damage to any of them and they've worked fine. I realize that alot of people just don't like buying refurbished products though.

Drenlin · Dec 5, 2010

bomberboysk said:
Actually if anything the S12II has went up a few dollars since i last checked, a few weeks ago the S12II 620W was going for $59.99, at sub $80 though, its excellent value for money, definitely the best group regulated design on the market.

Really? I wonder why I'd ruled it out...

BurningSkyline · Dec 5, 2010

Does painting a case void the warranty? My dad has got spray guns an respirators, So I'd just need to buy paint.

EDIT: I like the storm scout, its a nice case. Not too fond of the way the front panel connections are orientated. not too fond of the handle, either. I like the window design, though.

bomberboysk · Dec 5, 2010

Drenlin said:
Really? I wonder why I'd ruled it out...

May have been out of stock, it appears to be a pretty popular unit.

BurningSkyline said:
Does painting a case void the warranty? My dad has got spray guns an respirators, So I'd just need to buy paint.

EDIT: I like the storm scout, its a nice case. Not too fond of the way the front panel connections are orientated. not too fond of the handle, either. I like the window design, though.

Yes, but unless the case arrives already dented or such, there aren't many times you need to use the warranty.

BurningSkyline · Dec 5, 2010

Somebody care putting together a build for about $400-425? I'm having a hard time with this...

Drenlin · Dec 5, 2010

BurningSkyline · Dec 5, 2010

$425 is the absolute max for hardware. It can't go over 525-550 with the peripherals.

Drenlin · Dec 5, 2010

So there's actually a bit of wiggle-room there?

What do you think should be upgraded? I vote putting the extra $5 in for the NZXT Gamma rather than the Beta EVO (or buying it for $40 from amazon...) so you can put a window on it at some point.

Changing the HDD to this would be good too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=spinpoint F3 500GB

Other than that, though...?

Another build - Need to get the price down.

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