The Case of low noise and cooling

[mongoo13]

Hi, I'm looking at Cases for a computer.

Here's what I need:

1) Enough power for 2 HardDrives, DVDRW DL, CDRW/DVDROM, good cooling, AMD 64, GeForce 6800, RME Hammerfall 96/54, Maybe a second sound card, and what ever else it may need to power that I can't think of.

How much power is that? or WATTS I mean.

2) LOW noise. I want to record audio with this thing and need the computer to be as quite as possible, I don't know how much the case affects this but any info on low noise componets would be helpful.

3) Good Cooling, I'm leaning in the AMD 64 range, I hear they run hot and need good cooling so my computer runs for years and years to come. Also there will be alot of expensive hardware inside it, I need every thing to be safe as can be in terms of cooling.

How does the material the case is made from affect everything?

I also require USB2, firewire ports and enough room for DVD burner, CD burner, and 2+ Hard drives.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[IAIHMB]

Antec cases are nice, they don't come with all the bells and whistles, they let you upgrade. I'm actually putting a computer together with an Antec SOHO 1000AMG, it's amazing. 430W will do for a power supply. Sorry for being vague, AC is out and I'm working on two computers. It's a little under 100 degrees.

[xxgriff]

are you buying a boxed retail CPU? if so you will get a heatsink/fan. i admit there are better heatsinks, but if you are not going to OC the AMD heatsink/fan will work fine. if you buy OEM then you will have to choose a heatsink fan.

a 430w or better power supply would be a good start. while lower rated PSU's may handle the load, it is a good idea to have some headroom.

again there are reviews that will provide useful info on every component, powersupplies, and cooling included.

some cases will come with a power supply, and some do not. i have a Antec 430w in a Lian Li case for my main box (i got a great deal on the combo), but also have used Antec, Enermax, SilverStone, and In-Win on occasion for myself and when building for others.

research every component, and decide what you want/need, and can afford.

some sites that review:
www.anandtech.com
www.tomshardware.com
www.aceshardware.com
www.hardocp.com

there are many, many more sites to read more.

[Jayhawk]

I bought my last two cases from these folks and have been very happy with the price / service. They aslo offer a section on "quiet PC's".

http://www.directron.com/

They carry just about every case made at fairly resonable prices. They ship fast. I strongly recommend aluminum cases with a good power supply in the 400 - 450 watt range. Antec and Enermax are great. I use the Enermax because they offer dual directional cooling and variable power supply fan speed.

Here's a link to a PC watts calculator:

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

[redwudz]

I like the Antec cases. I use a medium server case. Two exhaust fans in the rear and an intake that blows over the HDs. Lots of room inside. Rounded IDE cables help, also.

I run 4 HDs, CD and DVD burner, DVD ROM, ZIP drive with a quality 300W supply. I would recommend a 350W - 400W, though. I've seen cheap 450W supplies that put out way too much heat. Buy quality.

If noise is really an issue, you can get a case that uses 120mm fans that turn slower, also quiet power supplies and quiet CPU coolers. As long as you aren't overclocking, heat is usually not a big problem.

I too recommend the sites xxgriff listed.

As far as steel VS aluminum; Steel is generally quieter, but with a quality case, probably not that much difference.

[rallynavvie]

Easy. Antec NeoPower 480W power supply coupled with either a Lian Li PC-1000 or an Antec P160. That combo should pretty much do you for quiet, cool, and powerful.