2011 Upgrade!

[Tick3r]

Hi, for 2011 I've decided it's time to upgrade my already beast mode computer.

2 things I need accomplished:

 

1. a much larger case - and a convenient one - to fit all my stuff in. My HD5850 is WAAYYYY too big for my Thermaltake Armor MX case, so I decided to upgrade that.

2. a computer based on sound. What I mean by this is a better sound card, better speakers, surround sound etc. etc.

 

I also want my computer to be bright and vibrant full of colors. So I'm looking for components that light up in-sync with my music. I know they make keyboards and speakers like this. I have yet to find those, but I probably will.

I am going to continue using my Raedon HD5850, but I'm going to upgrade my RAM from 6GB to 8GB, my Memory to 1TB, my case, and my sound card. My budget is about $500-$600. Can someone point me into the direction of a good case?

[bben46]

I am using a Cooler Master HAF 922 (High Air Flow) case. I got it for the same reason you are looking for a new case, my new video card was just too tight a fit in the old one. The HAF series cases - there are several heights, are all wide enough and deep enough for any video card I have seen. The size differences are in the height only. You may not like it because it dosn't have lots of lights and no clear side panel as front, top , back and entire left side are perforated metal for higher air flow. The red light inside will be easily seen through the perforations though. It has a huge fan on top, and several other fans, plus spaces for even more fans. The power supply mounts in the bottom so it is more stable than most other cases.

 

It has holes in the motherboard mounting plate to allow most cabling to be run behind the motherboard for a cleaner interior.

 

Here is a link to the product page: http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6606

[Tick3r]

@bben

 

I've looked at Cool Master cases and decided they were just too overpriced. I know money = quality, but I've also found another case on NewEgg, ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156078 ) now I'm going to check TigerDirect.

So Far...

 

-Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty (Top of the line sh*t eh?)

-ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm (Got sick of the maintenance and space my water cooling needed)

-RaidMax Smilodon

 

Any one have experience with RaidMax? Are they reliable?

 

EDIT:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836183035

[Erik005]

I think i had that case but it was sold by recom.

 

I had some mayor issues with it.

 

1. Cable management is non existing this means reduced airflow.

 

2. The door gets annoying and will break with heavy use.

 

3. You can not fit a large cpu-cooler because in the side-panel there is a small fan and it is simply not wide enough.

 

The coolermaster HAF 922 and the cm690 advanced II are both a lot better in airflow and general use, both are not really expensive.

[Thor.]

Hey i have a suggestion for you, this is the case i have, and its dream. It cools everything just nicely, never goes over 70c when on full load with my gtx470, even when overclocked, and its massive inside. Will fit anything you throw at it.

 

http://www.techworld.co.nz/images/005/1200_front_q_lights.jpg

 

The Antec atx full tower game case

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

 

Also the surround you where wanting i would go with this awesome surround sound setup.

 

http://peripherals.about.com/od/speakersandheadphones/fr/logitechz-5500.htm

 

The most realistic sound you would ever come across from a 5.1 surround, it almost boggles the mind, no joke. Note the amp is a beast, its big.

[cacophany]

Coolermaster are not overpriced. At all. They are usually on par if not better then cases hundreds of dollars more expensive then them. I personally have a thermaltake case at the moment and I hate it. I'd suggest the Coolermaster RC-690 II Or CM-690 II Advanced (They are the same case but often vary between these two names and slight other variations) Or something from the HAF series.

[mcole254]

+1 for the HAF series cases. Also on another note, you are going from a watercooled setup the that little cooler? I mean if you aren't OC'ing then ok, but if you are get something better.

[Tick3r]

+1 for the HAF series cases. Also on another note, you are going from a watercooled setup the that little cooler? I mean if you aren't OC'ing then ok, but if you are get something better.

I don't OC. Water cooling has not been worth the troubles imo, but I definitely won't be getting rid of it all together. I want to just do air cooling for now until I upgrade again. (Besides my w.block is made by Thermaltake.)

Thanks for recomendations on cases, I'll be looking into more cases soon once I'm done with all my damned homework. :P