Changing My PC Case (Lots of Questions. :D)

[IAIHMB]

I've been looking at cases on Newegg.com and the more and more I look into it the more confusing it seems to get. Here come the questions :

1) The give me a list of manufacturers, are there any you guys recommend or don't like?

2) How big of a power supply will I need?

3) Should I buy a case with a power supply, or should I buy the power supply separately?

4) I'n my current PC case I have 2 3.5" internal drive bays, they are full. Should I accomodate room for another?

5) Should I get an external drive bay?

6) Cases seem to come in steel, aluminum, and acrylic, which do you guys prefer?

7) I don't want to have a small case, but I don't need another shelf. What size are you guys using, and what do you think is averagae?

8) Since I have a firewire card I guess I need a firewire port? (I think I know this one, but it's on the list. :P)

9) Here is where I think it gets tricky. My current PC case has an extra slot for an internal 7-in-1 Media Card Reader. Do new cases usually have these, is there something in particular I should search for?

10) Should I change my PC case myself, or should I have a, uh, PC doctor (? :P) do it? (Keep in mind, the only things I've done to my computer are install more RAM and a second hard disk.)

11) How many fans do I need?

12) Should I buy a case that comes with fans, or should I buy them serparately?

I think that about covers it. Sorry for all of the questions, but this will be the last time in a long time that I will be able to do any upgrading to my PC, and I don't want to **** up.

For ATI Radeon 9800 Pro's, is this a winner:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&depa=0

Edit: Thanks for any advice!

[thecoalman]

1) The give me a list of manufacturers, are there any you guys recommend or don't like?

I have a antec the only complaint I have is the front door is connected with these little tiny plastic nubs for hinges. If you have kids it would be broke in about 5.2 seconds. I had to replace mine from the factory after one week because it was too tight and one of the hinges broke. Been fine since then.

2) How big of a power supply will I need?

There pretty cheap, go with at least a 480w. You'll need that for any new video card.

6) Cases seem to come in steel, aluminum, and acrylic, which do you guys prefer?

Really for looks only, go with the aluminum if you have the cash, there lighter and usually look nicer.

8) Since I have a firewire card I guess I need a firewire port? (I think I know this one, but it's on the list. :P)

You don't need a port unless your MB or pci card has an internal port to connect it to.

9) Here is where I think it gets tricky. My current PC case has an extra slot for an internal 7-in-1 Media Card Reader. Do new cases usually have these, is there something in particular I should search for?

That goes in one of the drive bays, i think? Not sure but that is usually the case. Make sure you have enough drive bays for that and whatever else you need for that size. (e.g. if it's currently in a bay the size of a CD/DVD player get a case with at least 3 bays.)

10) Should I change my PC case myself, or should I have a, uh, PC doctor (? :P) do it? (Keep in mind, the only things I've done to my computer are install more RAM and a second hard disk.)

Go for it, it's not that hard. Just make sure to touch a metal part of the case before you touch any other parts. Also be careful with the screwdriver, your not putting a tire on a car. Snugging the screws is good enough.

11) How many fans do I need?

At the very least two. One in the front and one in the back.

12) Should I buy a case that comes with fans, or should I buy them serparately?

With the case they will be cheaper.

[IAIHMB]

Thanks alot!

[rallynavvie]

Aluminum also dissipates heat faster than other case materials. I have a Lian Li PC-60 variant. Lian Li makes fantastic cases but they're a bit pricey. For my new workstation I picked up an Antec P160 and I really like that for the money. I bought mine at NewEgg for $120 or so (I got the model with the window). It doesn't come with a power supply but I'd look into getting an Antec True series PSU to go with it. That is if you even need to get a new PSU. Doesn't your current system have one you can carry over, or is it not sufficient any more?

Some pics of the Antec case I got:
http://4wheelracing.com/media/dh800/antec.jpg
http://4wheelracing.com/media/dh800/window.jpg
http://4wheelracing.com/media/dh800/side.jpg

The case does come with some case lighting built in which isn't my thing. The 120mm exhaust fan has blue LEDs and then those 3 intake ports on the front have blue LEDs above them that light up the vents. You can disconnect the front LEDs but you'd need a different exhaust fan if you don't want lights at all on your case. I can deal with the exhaust fan since it lights up the interior a little so I can see my CPU fans spinning but I don't have the front lights connected. If case lighting is something you think you'd like this case does have some tasteful lighting for it from the box.

[IAIHMB]

That is if you even need to get a new PSU. Doesn't your current system have one you can carry over, or is it not sufficient any more?

I have had no luck finding out what power supply I have, I guess I will just have to open it up and give it a look.

I don't mind case lighting, but I do believe I am going to go with a window. One other question I have, I notice alot of these cases are directed towards ATX sized motherboards, since an ATX is bigger than a Micro ATX (which is what I have) could I get a case directed towards an ATX?

[IAIHMB]

Well guys I think I've finally decided on a case, but now I think I have a problem. The case does come with a power supply however the power supply is only 420W, will that do?

Here it is:

" Thermaltake Silver XASER III LanFire ATX MID Tower Chassis with 420W power Supply, Model "VM2420AU" -RETAIL"

[808smokey]

Well guys I think I've finally decided on a case, but now I think I have a problem. The case does come with a power supply however the power supply is only 420W, will that do?

Here it is:

" Thermaltake Silver XASER III LanFire ATX MID Tower Chassis with 420W power Supply, Model "VM2420AU" -RETAIL"

Yup, that's plenty.

[rallynavvie]

That's got some great features built in. I like the hidden FireWire and USB jacks and the temp monitor/fan controller. I don't like the 80mm fans and the inside isn't very tidy. Also the hard drive placement is awful, do they really go in that cage above the intake fan? What's that box on top of the intake fan? Looks like a power adapter of some sort, maybe for the fan controller? Oh, it does seem like there's a dedicated 60mm intake fan for that hard drive cage. There are fans all over that thing! Let us know how loud that sucker gets, no wonder it has a fan controller and temp sensors built in

[IAIHMB]

Haha, these are all things I'll get stuck finding out later on. It's between that one and this one:

" Thermaltake Highest Xaser III Blue Case with 420W Power Supply, Model "V1420DU" -RETAIL"

From the looks of things I guess I need cable sleaves.