In dire straights...please help

[MHat]

Ok I'm not dying or anything, but here's the deal:
My gfx card that I got brand new 7 months ago (eVGA 6600GT 128), blew out 2 weeks ago and I RMA'd it to Newegg. Or I thought I did. Newegg emailed me yesterday saying they're out of stock, and are refunding me instead of sending a replacement etc etc. I had to edit a film for school and have it in by this week (due to the mishap) but now I can't even meet that deadline because of Newegg!!

So, now I just got back from a repair place that tested my comp to see if it was my gfx card that was the problem, or if anything else was broken, and it was the gfx card like I thought.

I talked to my friend and he thinks (since I told him my gfx card was running at temps of 66 C [or higher] under full load and 48-50 idle) that my card was running too hot for too long which caused it to blow. I think I have a sh** case (Antec Super Lanboy) with poor airflow, which added to the overheating.

Now I need to overnight a new gfx card to me, and hopefully it will get here Monday (or Saturday?). But I was thinking of getting along with it a new case and new PSU (my current one an Antec SmartPower @ 450w).

Finally my question: What would be a smart case to get (with good-excellent airflow), and what PSU should I get if I want a 7600GT? I was thinking of a 550w from FSP and this case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133154), but I don't want to pay $145 for a case. Maybe $100-110 max.

other current main components:
2 GB Corsair RAM
2 Maxtors: 160 GB, 300 GB, IDE
AMD Athlon 64 3200+

[AC3421]

Is that brad?? cause that situation sounds awfully similiar. lol.

Dude, you will not be dissapointed if you get the Armour case. you will be fully satisfeid that you payed the extra 30 bucks for the case. Plus you get what you pay for. And it has excelent airflow. i know you want someone elses point of view too, so just wait and see what some others come up with. And you definatly need a better PSU. If im correct i think the one you have came with your current case, wich is a big no no for PSU's. Get at the least a 500 watt.


EDIT: Antoher thing, with the armour case, you have tons of room to upgrade in the future (and not jsut physically) this case will last you forever and you can do alot with it.

[MHat]

Yeah it's me. The psu I have I actually got seperate, but it died too lol. I'm on my 2nd. I want to get a new one because this one is obviously crap, and I can't afford my PC going down again in any way.

[maxfly]

i would definately check this case out at svc.com
COOLER MASTER STC-T01-UBK BLUE CM STACKER FULL TOWER CASE
you cant get much better than that.

[OkydOky]

Case bad?
I dono.. I have a Super lanboy.. and it's just fine. There is good airflow with the 120mm intake and out take... But then again... I am watercooling... and didn't use it on only air for very long: only a few days :p

I personally feel the Antec Super Lanboy is a great small case, with good airflow, it has a few issues with wiring, due to it's size.. but I can over look that..

A new PSU might be a good Idea. That FPS look all right, might want to look in a lil more juice, for upgradability... but otherwise should run what you have and that new card fine.

Otherwise the Armor is a great BIG case aswell, but a lil expensive for my taste...

[AC3421]

i would definately check this case out at svc.com
COOLER MASTER STC-T01-UBK BLUE CM STACKER FULL TOWER CASE
you cant get much better than that.


Ewww, that case is nasty looking. bad design inside too, and only a slot for a 25cm fan, doesnt come with one, that means 2 purchases. And only one rear 120mm exhaust. No bueno at all. Not very likeable and not as future proof as the TT Armour. Yes a case CAN be future proof.

I can and have already got much better than that case. :)

[Hey_Its_Cole]

Ewww, that case is nasty looking. bad design inside too, and only a slot for a 25cm fan, doesnt come with one, that means 2 purchases. And only one rear 120mm exhaust. No bueno at all. Not very likeable and not as future proof as the TT Armour. Yes a case CAN be future proof.

I can and have already got much better than that case. :)


You just bashed one of the most popular cases on the forum..... thats pretty funny.

[AC3421]

I dont know why its the most popular, that thing looks cheap to me, not many inovative features.

[AC3421]

ok Brad, i just found the thermaltake even cheaper than newegg on http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-armor-case-black.html

130 bucks plus shipping instead of 150 plus shipping on newegg.

I think the ONLY gripe I have with the TT Armour case is that it doesnt have side mounted HDD bays, there the standard left to right fit, but thats because of the design of the case so I guess it balances that negative out itself.

[MHat]

Oh well. Everything has been ordered, I gave in, and my pockets have been emtied, ripped out, and burned. I have a rebate for the case it so it's almost the same price as that. Also have a rebate for the card.

What I got:
eVGA 7600GT 256
Seasonic S12 500W psu
and the Thermaltake Armor V8k.

The review on the 550w FSP I was looking at said it started whining after some time. My Antec that died whined or chirped rather. And despite FSP being a good company, I don't want that chirping ever again.
We'll see how things work out when it all gets here hopefully Monday. I swear making that purchase, or rather any purchase on Newegg is so difficult. You can never find a part that doesn't have something bad happen to it. Ever!

[nvidiaOCmaster]

You made a good choice. Enjoy your 7600GT and stellar PSU.