Need Help Deciding

[Tebore]

Ok I'm gonna be getting a new case because my current case and PSU is not enough for my equipment anymore, I'm gonna be running 3 harddrives and this current case can't provide the heat dissappation I want for the drives& PSU is flaky enough as it is.
So I need help deciding.
Either the SLK3700AMB for $97 cnd + fan costs (gonna switch to stealth)

Or a Chenming ATX-601AE $68 cndLink (http://www.chenming.com/601AEspec.htm)

Now if i go with the Chenming I'll either get a
AntecTruepower 430 for $113 cnd
or ThermalTake 420 with APFC for $75cnd

Guide me toward the light plz.
TIA.

[dalilman52]

i would buy the slk-3700 because it has 120mm fans for low noise and maximum cooling, then i would not

also, if u are spending that much for the true power 430w, u might as well buy the fortron 530w, its cheaper and has more wattage and better voltage rails (12v, the most important rail as new boards derive vcore from 12v, the fortron 530w has more amps on the 12v line)

and btw, do not buy thermaltake psu's they are over-priced and for the premium u pay for them, u dont get a high-quality product, just something thats average (like enermax psu's), whereas if u bought a fortron psu, u pay less but get a very high quality product

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I'll vouch for the 3700AMB being a sweet case :)

Of the two PSU's quoted, go for the Antec. Unfortunately, in Canada, you won't find the Fortron 530w for cheaper... cheapest place of the only 3 places in Canada I know of is www.sonexpc.com for $150. It is, however, worth considering. Your system would also be handled by a 350w Fortron. Here's a list of the Canadian Fortron sources I know of:

www.directdial.ca - search for "fsp"
www.cbit.ca - full line, Winnipeg *
www.ntcw.com - look under Aopen or Ahanix, Vancouver *
www.eglobalci.com - search for "power supply" and scroll down to the SPI models, Vancouver
www.razorcomputers.net - Sparkle, Scarborough
www.dangeo.com - Sparkle and SPS, Calgary
www.shoplci.com - Sparkle, Montreal
www.sonexpc.com - Fortron, Richmond *
www.acctech.ca - Fortron, Vancouver *

I've marked the sources for the 530w with a * - the Fortron based Zalmans can be found all over the place as well.

[PiMpShiN]

I also agree with the SLK3700AMB case. Dalilman52 is absolutely correct about the psu as well. Thermaltake dont make good quality and lasting ones. The fortron 530w is pretty much the ultimate psu for the money as well as the antec 550w psu for a but more money, both supply an ample amount of power to support you computer and all of its components.

[Tebore]

Hmm got it, stay away from TT. I would have listed SPI or Fortron as an option if I could get my hands on it. For now It's going to be the TP430 but, everyone seems to be leaning toward the SLK3700 with the TP430, my budget doesn't really allow that combination but can allow the Chenming with the TP430. I love the SLK3700 as well, I built 2 systems with it and it was a joy to work with, and it has a great finish.

[Tebore]

Bump....
I've decided to go with the SLK3700
I just haven't decided to get either the BQE or the AMB. Which would be the better case. The BQE is about $20 more, is it justified?

[dalilman52]

personally, i would pick the bqe but i dont know if it justifies the extra 20 bucks, the only difference between the two cases is the color right? i i look at the specs of each and looked about the same

[Tebore]

Well I looked at the spec on the case. The difference is in the color, harddrive mount and powersupply. I don't think it's worth the $20. I know a lot of ppl who own the AMB love it but how many ppl can say that same for the BQE?

EDIT: For the ppl who removed the fan grills how did you attach the fans again and did you install another grill? If you did, how? Pics would be very much appreciated.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

The AMB is the better one IMO - has better airflow at least. I'm running mine without a hard drive fan at the moment for quietness, and my Maxtor stays around 40 degrees most of the time (the WD doesn't have an internal sensor). When I had a fan in front of the drives, temps on that drive hit 35 and less.

I really dislike the sideways drive cage on the BQE - impedes airflow and makes it hard to put a fan in there. The PSU on the BQE is the exact same unit with one less fan. Not worth the price difference to me either.

I haven't gotten to doing the grilles yet, but when I do I'll most likely dremel the old ones out and replace them with wire ones. Will have to drill new holes as needed to mount the fans to the case.