Building your own tower.

bigmck · 30 Jul 2014

SevSaint said:

Interesting.
How can i tell if i can use my current case. I have a 650w supply i just bought and my AMD 7850 Radeon is just been upgraded and runs most games. Its just my cpu that is causing issues, mainly in Planetside 2.

Cases are pretty cheap, under $100. Since you are building your first one, get a nice case to go with it. If you decide to keep the HP case, post here the model of your current PC and we can tell what size motherboard is in it.

linnemeyerhere · 30 Jul 2014

I see the NZXT 410 on sale for around 79.00. I built a rig in this case and its outstanding. You can then reuse your PSU and GPU. Look to Corsair, CoolerMaster, Antec, Thermaltake as well.

SevSaint · 30 Jul 2014

Model: HPE-400z
MOBO: Foxconn H-RS780-uATX

is see my motherboard says ATX and so im guessing its an ATX case..
aprox 16-18 inches long
8 inches across
14 or so high

ignatzatsonic · 30 Jul 2014

That's a 2010 era PC with a micro ATX motherboard.

I looked at HP spec page for it and could not find case dimensions, but looking at pics of it I'd guess it is also a micro ATX case that probably would NOT accommodate a full size ATX motherboard.

That small u signifies micro ATX.

Just as well you get a new ATX case. Older OEM cases can have non-standard connectors that can cause surprises when working on them. So I'd plan on 50 to 80 for a decent new case.

NZXT makes some good inexpensive cases. Look at the Antec 300 models, usually around 50 or 55.

Here's a list of mid tower ATX cases under 75 bucks from decent brands. I'd try to avoid any that have fans smaller than 120 mm if noise is a concern to you.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...deId=1&name=No

bigmck · 30 Jul 2014

I also have a NZXT mid-tower case and I do like it. I got one with a clear side panel. I have lit up the inside and it makes for a nice view. You might consider that.

SevSaint · 30 Jul 2014

So with my 600w power supply and my 7850 radeon what kinda motherboard should i get..
since im taking those out of my current rig and installing in new..also what kinda companies give the best customer service.. i heard that can matter as much as anything

200 for cpu
150 mobo
100 case
100 os

ignatzatsonic · 30 Jul 2014

Have you ever overclocked a CPU?

Do you have any intentions of doing that?

What is the primary purpose of this PC?

Do you need hard drives? You should have an SSD for all but very cheap builds.

How much total storage space do you need?

bigmck · 30 Jul 2014

You will need to decide on the case first so the motherboard will fit. The link given in message 14 are mid-towers. That is a good size. They will accept a ATX motherboard which is what I would suggest. It gives you a lot of room for expansion. They are not that much more expensive that smaller motherboards. Then when you get the motherboard you can find a CPU that fits that motherboard. Those three things are the ones that need to all fit together.

SevSaint · 30 Jul 2014

NZXT Source 220 Mid Tower Chassis with 3x120mm White LED fans, Window, and USB 3.0 - Newegg.com

i just bought this.. i like the led fans

ignatzatsonic · 30 Jul 2014

Overclocking or not??

Do you need hard drives?

You ought to get an SSD of maybe 120 GB size for Windows and all applications and then put everything else on a regular hard drive.

SSD price maybe 80. Samsung 840 EVO or Crucial MX 100.

You'll need RAM. Probably 8 GB of DDR3, 1600 speed; 1.5 volt; around 80 bucks; two 4 GB sticks.

You probably did good on the case. Good brand, you like the looks, cheap; more money to spend elsewhere.