Hi folks,

Been wanting to upgrade my PC for a bit and just been researching components here and there, then saw an advert for the new Intel Core i7s. I understand that these new CPUs need new motherboards, like the new Asus P6T Deluxe LGA found on Newegg:

Newegg.com - ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346)

Being a newb at PC components (might build my next upgrade, but will definitely be assisted by a pro), my question is can these new mobo's fit into any ATX type cases?

Thanks for any and all info,

As your description says, it's an ATX board, which will fit into any ATX case.

The problem won't be with the board, but all the other bells and whistles you try to stuff into the box along with it.

How many hard drives? 1? 3? 10?

PSU's? 1? 2?

Opticals? 1? 2? 4?

Firewire/ USB ports?

Fans?

Etc, etc, etc.

I specified a Coolermaster CM Stacker for my last system and will probably use the same case for the next one.

It's got room for about 10 HDD, 2 PSU's, 2 opticals, 6 USB on the front plus a Firewire plus sheds more on the back and enough controlled speed fans (including a massive 12 inch centrigugal) to cool a nuclear power station.

It is, however, massive. No mistake. But what a case!

The closest they seem to do now is this one:

CM Stacker 830 NVIDIA Edition - Cooler Master (http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=1626&product_id=2702)

which doesn't appear to be a slouch in it's own right.

Guess it all depends on just what sort of system you configure and how much real estate you need.

Oh, and what you can afford, too.


CS

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply. Just what I thought about the ATX board/case issue, but want to make sure.

You're definitely right about the other "bells and whistles" I'm wanting to add to the upgrade, and may need the additional real estate like you mentioned. Those Cooler Master cases might be what I'm looking for.

Trying to have a budget of under $2000 (minus the monitor) but may have to shell out a few more bucks to get the "ideal" PC upgrade.

BTW, do you have the model number of the Cooler Master case you're using?

Thanks again,

Yep, just dug out the original quote for my existing system (all 4 pages of it!).

It's a Coolermaster CM Stacker STC - T01, tho' unless I'm mistaken, it's been discontinued.

Not suprising as it's gotta be 2 1/2 years old (practically an antique in the PC game).

It's designed to take a BTX board if need be, tho' I assume BTX has bitten the dust, so such a big case is no longer relevant (BTX is/was about twice the size of an ATX board from memory).

Still, it's a thing of awesome beauty if you have the space for it, and built like a tank to boot.

Tho' if you don't need a system that dims the lights in the entire neighbourhood every time it's turned on (as mine does), it's possibly a tad on the big side.

CS

Hi Chris,

Just been checking out the Cooler Master Stacker cases on Newegg, and they're listed as full tower cases; but again, the extra space might just be what I'll need.

I'm thinking at least a 4 HDD setup, one to use for the OS/programs, and the rest for capture/scratch disks. Still learning whether or not to setup a RAID array(?).

Would like to have a BD-burner, but will wait and settle for 2 DVD burners for now.

Also would like to have just one graphics card, at least running 512MB.

And I'm sure the grocery list will grow in the future :)

Best,

Only you know what you want the beast to actually do.

Mine was set up to be a "good all rounder", based on the available technology at the time.

Twin processor, two 250 gig mirrored drives for the OS, two 500 gig striped drives for the "big stuff", decent graphics etc.

Pretty small beer now but pretty mind boggling in little 'ol Dunedin when I was trying to get it built.

Still runs like a top and as solid as a rock.

Wouldn't want to edit and render Star Wars on it tho'.

Good luck on the new machine.


CS

Hi folks,

Been wanting to upgrade my PC for a bit and just been researching components here and there, then saw an advert for the new Intel Core i7s. I understand that these new CPUs need new motherboards, like the new Asus P6T Deluxe LGA found on Newegg:

Newegg.com - ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346)

Being a newb at PC components (might build my next upgrade, but will definitely be assisted by a pro), my question is can these new mobo's fit into any ATX type cases?

Thanks for any and all info,


Jeff,
Thought I'd toss another suggestion into your hat, based upon my recent first build experience (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/non-linear-editing-pc/135195-my-new-64bit-mid-high-end-editing-pc.html): Lian-Li PC-A70B. It's pricey, but the Cadillac of cases. Very large, extremely well built, non-imposing looks, and ventilated with an air filter.

Steve

My new case is the best I've ever owned for cooling and size, and accoustics. Accomdates large PSUs on top or bottom (or both) and is inexpensive. Not as nice as Stephan's case, but less than half the cost.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160)

Hi Steven,

Thanks for that link! I too will be upgrading from a Dell (Dimension 8400), which has been really good for SD projects and burning SD-DVDs. But like you, I also want to future proof (at least for a couple of days :) for when I want to upgrade to HD (currently shooting with the Canon XL2, but bought an HV30, mostly for vacation/family stuff).

I've been sorta following other poster's lists, plus the Videoguy's DIY 6 list (though it's old in tech time), but will look closely at your spec list.

Currently, we run the Adobe Production Suite (CS2), and would also like to upgrade to CS4 along with the PC upgrade. Will have to find out if Vista 64bit plays along with CS4.

Best,

Hi Jeff H.,

I checked out that Cooler Master case, and I do like that it has an eSata port at the front. (And alot sexier than the Lian Li, might make the wife jealous :)

Best,

I got me a Antec P182. Lots of space and is extremely quiet (very important for me). I bought it from Amazon--free shipping.

I got me a Antec P182. Lots of space and is extremely quiet (very important for me). I bought it from Amazon--free shipping.

I have the earlier P180 and also like it very much. I've got eight hard drives in there and it's still very quiet.

(And alot sexier than the Lian Li, might make the wife jealous :)

Well, that is certainly a matter of, um, personal taste. My editing "bay" is a little alcove, where I intended to expose only my monitor, desk, and case. All of them are black, so as to not provide distractions. Real clean and simple. I just wasn't into green neon doo-dads inside of my case. Even so, my wife missed me for an entire weekend while I stuffed components into the case. :)

Steve

Well, that is certainly a matter of, um, personal taste. My editing "bay" is a little alcove, where I intended to expose only my monitor, desk, and case. All of them are black, so as to not provide distractions. Real clean and simple. I just wasn't into green neon doo-dads inside of my case. Even so, my wife missed me for an entire weekend while I stuffed components into the case. :)

Hi Steven,

I want the special-cool looking blue led fans to hypnotize me whilst I wait for my Star Wars epic to render (big ups to Chris S. for that one)!

How do I balance form vs. function? On a budget? I gotta keep shopping...

Well, that is certainly a matter of, um, personal taste. My editing "bay" is a little alcove, where I intended to expose only my monitor, desk, and case. All of them are black, so as to not provide distractions. Real clean and simple. I just wasn't into green neon doo-dads inside of my case. Even so, my wife missed me for an entire weekend while I stuffed components into the case. :)

Hi Steven,

I want the special-cool looking blue led fans to hypnotize me whilst I wait for my Star Wars epic to render (big ups to Chris S. for that one)!

How do I balance form vs. function? On a budget? I gotta keep shopping...

I got me a Antec P182. Lots of space and is extremely quiet (very important for me). I bought it from Amazon--free shipping.

All I have to say is that I've been buidling computers for almost 20 years... I own a Antec P182 and it is BY FAR the best case I've ever seen..... This case should *seriously* be on your radar... I would pass over all others... honestly..

Jon

What would you guys choose:
CM HAF932 or CM CosmosS?

Hi Jon,

Thanks for your advice! I was hoping you'd chime in and lend me your much needed 2 cents :)

I'm going to wait until after the new year to make the upgrade. For one, I'm hoping to get some money during the holidays; and second, I'm hoping I'd get a good deal on the Intel i7 CPUs. (Hope to get 'em down low enough to buy a matching mobo :)

Also, would you mind terribly if I email you with my PC laundry list, so you could comment on them?

Thanks again Jon!

i7 processors are now $599 at Newegg, and Gigabyte has an appropriate MOBO for under $300. It's the memory that will kill ya., DDR3 is all you can run with those MOBOs.

Well, according to this web site:

Cooler Master - Ultimate provider of Computer Chassis | Cooler | Power Supply (http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?language=en&act=detail&tbcate=17&id=4)

the CM Stacker that I have is still available (tho' whether I really believe that is another matter).

Depending on what sort of beast you are thinking of creating, still feel it's the bees knees if you want to "go large".

For the first time in over 2 years I have had to work on my beast - just adding the originally supplied (additional) rear panel USB and Firewire ports, it's a gem to work on and in.

Cannot believe just how much crap had built up on the internals in the intervening time tho' - the CPU cooler was a solid block of crud, took ages with a fine brush and vacuum cleaner to free it up again.

Not a case issue, I hasten to add, just what happens when you have a machine with this much fan power running nearly 24/7 for well over 2 years and not a jot of maintenace.

I am firmly of the belief that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Good luck in you quest.

CS

Just throwing this out, as it might not have been considered yet -- a rackmount case.
iStarUSA D-407PL is an example.

Also consider "iStarUSA BPN-350SAS-Black 3x5.25" to 5x3.5" SATA/SAS Trayless Hot-Swap Backplane RAID Cage " This allows five drives in the space designed for three. Also supports SAS drives. Despite the not so glowing reviews on newegg dot com, I've been running it and not seen the heat issues they are complaining about. However, it's a bit nosier than I would like. Supermicro makes a similar version if you're put off by user comments about IStar.

You may also want to consider the Antec 1200. Huge tower case that is very affordable. I currently in my 900 have 8 drives(6 harddrives and two burners), RTX2 HD and full length gpu. The 1200 is much larger and has even more space. Because it is longer, if you decide you wanted to do say Crossfire, SLI or editing cards, etc, you would not have to edit the case at all. The downside to these cases like most other quality cases is that they weigh like 50 lbs when fully assembled. But for the price and what you get, it really can't be beat. The only thing close IMHO is one of the nicer Lan Lai towers with wheels.

You also have full fan control on the actual case, and the cooling to say "cold" is an underestimation! Nothing has ever gotten hot in my case and I only run the fans on medium. The 1200 is the evolution of the 900 with a few extra twists!

Good luck in your decision....

Hi Jon,

Thanks for your advice! I was hoping you'd chime in and lend me your much needed 2 cents :)

I'm going to wait until after the new year to make the upgrade. For one, I'm hoping to get some money during the holidays; and second, I'm hoping I'd get a good deal on the Intel i7 CPUs. (Hope to get 'em down low enough to buy a matching mobo :)

Also, would you mind terribly if I email you with my PC laundry list, so you could comment on them?

Thanks again Jon!

Absolutely, I do think it makes some sense to hold off for i7... For an application like video rendering the horsepower offered by that processor/platform should be worth the added expense...

Jon

Another vote for the Antec, i just built up a new PC using one of these cases, very stylish looking and super quiet once I swapped my standard cpu & vga coolers for aftermarket ones. Its hard to believe I have 7 fans running in this case!