Case upgrade advice needed

[COMPUTIAC]

I would like to upgrade the case for my machine and have a few questions before I order anything.
The Corsair 600t is a nice roomy item but, too flashy for me with all the led's.

Want to go with the Antec P280; a couple of reasons why, no led's, good cable management and room for extra fans,plus good access to the rear of the MB for CPU cooler mounting plate.
Video of case: Antec P280 Silent Case Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips - YouTube

It doe's not come with the front fans, which ones would be good for this ?

I want to replace the PSU when I do the switch over. The OEM is driven by a single mouse rated at 250w. What would be a good future-proof PSU ?

Spec's for the machine: HP Pavilion p6720f Desktop PC Product Specifications HP Pavilion p6720f Desktop PC | HP® Support

Not sure if I want to upgrade the video card now or not, not a gamer at all.

In the spec's you can see the CPU is upgradable to various models, what would be the top one to use with the MB I have ?

I'm open to any ideas with all of the above.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would look to the Coolermaster line of cases or lower end Corsairs, I like these:

COOLER MASTER Storm Stryker SGC-5000W-KWN1 Black and White Steel ATX Gaming Full Tower Computer Case - ATX/MicroATX, 9x 5.25 Drive Bays, 8x Converted 3.5 Drive Bay, 2x USB 3.0 & 2.0 Ports, Audio Por at TigerDirect.com

Cooler Master RC-942-KKN1 HAF X ATX Full Tower Computer Case - ATX, 230mm Red LED Fan, 6x5.25 Drive Bays, 5x3.5 Drive Bays, 4xUSB 2.0/3.0 Ports, 2xAudio Ports, 9x Exp Slots at TigerDirect.com

Cooler Master RC-1200-KKN1 Cosmos II Ultra Tower Case - ATX, Micro-ATX, Extend ATX, Ext 5.25, Ext 3.5, 200mm LED Fan, 120mm Fan, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, eSATA, Black at TigerDirect.com

Then there are these:

Corsair 600T Gaming ATX Mid-Tower Case - 4x5.25 Drive Bays, 6x3.5/2.5 Drive Bays, 8 Exp Slots, 2x200mm Fan, 1x120mm Fan, 4xUSB 2.0 Ports, 1xUSB 3.0 Ports (CC-9011020-WW) at TigerDirect.com

Corsair CC-9011013-WW Carbide Series 500R Mid Tower Gaming Case - ATX, mATX, 4x Ext 5.25 Bays, 6x Int 3.5 Bays, 1x 200mm and 2x 120mm White LED Fans, 1x 120mm Fan, 2x USB 3.0 and 1x FireWire Ports at TigerDirect.com

Corsair Vengeance Series C70 CC-9011019-WW Mid-Tower Case - Steel, Carry Handles, 3 x 120mm Fans, USB 3.0, 8 Expansion Slots, 3 x 5.25 Bays, 6 x 3.5/2.5 Hard Drive Bay, White at TigerDirect.com

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Now for powersupplies:

If we don't want to break the bank then:

Ultra X4 Modular 1050-Watt ATX Power Supply V2 - 1050W, 135mm Fan, ATX, 80+ Silver, Active PFC, Nvidia SLI, ATI Crossfire X, Vibration Dampener Included, Lifetime Warranty with Registration at TigerDirect.com

Midrange bank busting:

Corsair CMPSU-850AX AX850 Power Supply - ATX, Modular, 850 Watt, 80+ Gold Certified, 120mm Ultra-Quiet Fan at TigerDirect.com

Then the cream da la cream:

SeaSonic X-1250 1250W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

 

[linnemeyerhere]

For CPU's you choices are fading fast as I'm not sure if a bios upgrade will allow the FX series my guess is no way. That being the likely case then until you toss that whole HP mobo then choice is these:


AMD HDT45TWFGRBOX Phenom II X6 1045T Processor - Six Core, 6MB L3 Cache, 3MB L2 Cache, 2.70GHz, Socket AM3, 95W, Fan, Retail at TigerDirect.com

 

[kbrady1979]

Fractal Design is an innovator in computer cases and they are hard to beat. Here is one of their new models: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2

For a quiet case: Fractal Design Define R4

Here is a great PSU that you can use if you ever do a complete build: SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold

 

[COMPUTIAC]

Well thank's for all the link's.
Newegg had the 965be on sale a couple days ago, I wasn't sure so I passed.

Now lets talk about the cases you listed, most of them are loud and brightly lite ! What is wrong with the one I picked ?

Also, your reason for the PSU's ? Is there something in the range of "lets not blow up the Bank" ?

 

[kbrady1979]

There's nothing wrong with the Antec P280........I have the Antec Eleven Hundred and it is built on the same platform and is almost identical to it where it matters. It's a great case......if I had it to do over again, I would probably go with one of the Fractal Design cases.

Also, what exactly is your budget for a PSU?

 

[COMPUTIAC]

kbrady,
For the PSU, pricing near the SeaSonic X650 if not that one.
The CPU, the 965be and the 1045T are both priced the same, so which is better ?
I believe newegg has both in stock.
The fractal Define R4 isn't a bad second choice.

 

[kbrady1979]

According to my research.....the 965 Black Edition has a TDP of either 125 or 140 watts depending on the stepping, and your system can handle up to a 95 watt TDP CPU. The 1045T would work as it has a TDP of 95 watts. Let me ask you this......did you know that your AMD Phenom II X4 840T could potentially be unlocked, turning it into a six core cpu? If not, I would look into it. Here is an article, linked directly from the Wikipedia resource list: AMD Phenom II X4 840T unlocks to six-core

Here is the wiki page where you can look for yourself and find the CPU's that would work: List of AMD Phenom CPU's

 

[COMPUTIAC]

No, did not know it.
Read the two link's and do not see how to unlock it.

 

[ganjiry]

I'd recomend this case Corsair Carbide Series 500R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com
For a mid sized case it has tonnes of room inside, Not much less than the 600t internally but not as much space behind the motherboard tray. It does have led's in the fans but it also has a on off switch. Newegg are giving a $20 rebate too.

 

[COMPUTIAC]

Realized I have a Galaxy GeForce 210 since 12.24.11 never installed it.
Spec's require min. of 300 PSU.
If I add it to this machine would there be much of an improvement ?

Galaxy: product

Exact one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162093

 

[linnemeyerhere]

It's better then onboard graphics so yes.

 

[COMPUTIAC]

linnemeyerhere,
Thank's for the quick reply.
What would be a modestly priced PSU for what I intend to assemble ?

 

[Layback Bear]

Cooler Master HAF X - Extreme Buyer's Guide (NCIX Tech Tips #67) - YouTube

 

[linnemeyerhere]

linnemeyerhere,
Thank's for the quick reply.
What would be a modestly priced PSU for what I intend to assemble ?

This what I use and this for $139 after MIR just kills. it's silent, powerful, efficient, all Japanese cap's

and Ultra holds all the patent rights for modular designed PSU's. Oh and the biggest feature.......lifetime warranty!

Ultra X4 Modular 1050-Watt ATX Power Supply V2 - 1050W, 135mm Fan, ATX, 80+ Silver, Active PFC, Nvidia SLI, ATI Crossfire X, Vibration Dampener Included, Lifetime Warranty with Registration at TigerDirect.com

 

[COMPUTIAC]

Can the Ultra X4 PSU be installed upside down safely in a case with a bottom air intake with a filter ?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

No worries it works in either orientation and also comes with a nice rubber gasket to keep it even quieter!

 

[COMPUTIAC]

Thank's for the quick reply.

Yes, I also saw the gasket. Seems pricey but the warranty easily negates it.

Kinda torn between the Fractal Design Define R4 Case and the
Antec P280 Black Case.

Anyone have pro's or con's for either one ? or own either ?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Antec