New PC build- are these components good?

[linnemeyerhere]

I built a killer rig in this case and it's amazingly feature laden and a great value. It's available in a whole host of color schemes!

NZXT Phantom 410 Series CA-PH410-W1 Black/White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

 

[whs]

Very pretty. I miss the spoiler though, LOL.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Very pretty. I miss the spoiler though, LOL.

No need for spoilers as the bottom fan is placed as a intake and it creates excellent down force for the turns just like Jim Halls 2J Chaparral !

 

[Tomtom111]

I built a killer rig in this case and it's amazingly feature laden and a great value. It's available in a whole host of color schemes!

NZXT Phantom 410 Series CA-PH410-W1 Black/White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

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As nice as that case looks, and it does look damn good, it would probably be pushing my budget a bit too far unfortunately. I looked through the NZXT website, but there was nothing that caught my eye in that is within budget. Any other cases to suggest?

Thanks once again.

 

[whs]

I would not use this NZXT Phantom case - not enough USB ports. One can never have enough ports. That's on reason why I don't use laptops.

 

[Tomtom111]

I would not use this NZXT Phantom case - not enough USB ports. One can never have enough ports. That's on reason why I don't use laptops.

True, but I don't use that many USB devices, the maximum I usually use is four, and if I every needed more I could use a USB hub or USB PCI card. So it's not a massive issue for me personally

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Most all cases will have two usb ports and many like all of mine have 4 on the front and then the rest are up to the mobo in the back.

 

[whs]

Hmm, I use 8 USB ports plus a 4-port hub and a 2-port hub that is in my monitor. That makes a total of 12 available ports (the hubs eat 1 port each on the box) of which 10 are used permanently. The problem with the hub is that there is not enough power for certain devices. Then you also want to be flexible betwenn USB2 and USB3 ports. Just 2 USB2 ports is really not enough.

The PCI card is an option. But that gives you just 2 more ports.

 

[Tomtom111]

Hmm, I use 8 USB ports plus a 4-port hub and a 2-port hub that is in my monitor. That makes a total of 12 available ports (the hubs eat 1 port each on the box) of which 10 are used permanently. The problem with the hub is that there is not enough power for certain devices. Then you also want to be flexible betwenn USB2 and USB3 ports. Just 2 USB2 ports is really not enough.

The PCI card is an option. But that gives you just 2 more ports.

I've seen plenty of PCI cards that have 4 extra ports. But regardless, if I need any extra I'll either get a PCI card or a hub and put the lower powered devices on those and let the high power consumers directly on the mobo. Have you used any cases in my budget, whs? Recommend any of them?

Thanks for the replies

 

[whs]

Have you used any cases in my budget,

Not recently. Because of my poor eyesight I cannot build my own systems any more. That is regrettable, but what can you do.

 

[Tomtom111]

Sad times I'll try to enjoy the time I have! Thanks anyway, I think I'll go with the Fractal Define Mini as it has gotten good reviews and when talking to my friends they all said they would get it if they could.

Thanks for all your advice on everything, its really helped me out.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Have you used any cases in my budget,

Not recently. Because of my poor eyesight I cannot build my own systems any more. That is regrettable, but what can you do.

Wolfgang, you can invite me over to assemble the components you buy for you !

 

[linnemeyerhere]

My reference system has a powered (8) port USB 2.0 plus (4) USB 3.0 in the front and the mobo has seven (5) 2.0 and (2) 3.0 for a total capacity of 18 external USB ports.

 

[kbrady1979]

Sad times I'll try to enjoy the time I have! Thanks anyway, I think I'll go with the Fractal Define Mini as it has gotten good reviews and when talking to my friends they all said they would get it if they could.

Thanks for all your advice on everything, its really helped me out.

Are you looking at the first generation Arc Mini or Arc Mini R2?

 

[whs]

Have you used any cases in my budget,

Not recently. Because of my poor eyesight I cannot build my own systems any more. That is regrettable, but what can you do.

Wolfgang, you can invite me over to assemble the components you buy for you !

Thanks for the offer. I bit far though from your place to Florida or Germany.

 

[whs]

My reference system has a powered (8) port USB 2.0 plus (4) USB 3.0 in the front and the mobo has seven (5) 2.0 and (2) 3.0 for a total capacity of 18 external USB ports.

That's the way to go - I like.

 

[Tomtom111]

Are you looking at the first generation Arc Mini or Arc Mini R2?

Sorry, I should have been more specific, I was referring to the Fractal Design Define Mini (not part of the Arc series), Fractal Design
I think its fairly new, so you may not have seen it.

 

[kbrady1979]

Are you looking at the first generation Arc Mini or Arc Mini R2?

Sorry, I should have been more specific, I was referring to the Fractal Design Define Mini (not part of the Arc series), Fractal Design
I think its fairly new, so you may not have seen it.

Oh, my mistake......I thought the whole time you meant the Arc Mini series. Yes, I have seen that case.......good choice!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You can shop for great cases on sale as this is what I just found !

NZXT Phantom 410 ATX Mid Tower - 3 x 5.25 Drive Bays, 6 x 3.5 Drive Bays, 7 x Exp Slots, 2 x 120mm Fan, 1 x 140mm Fan, 4 x USB Ports, 2 x Audio Ports(CA-PH410-W1) at TigerDirect.com

 

[Tomtom111]

Right, I hate myself for asking this- but Intel or AMD? (And I know I said Intel's were out of my budget but I'm interested to see if it'd be worth it) More specifically do you think I should get an Intel i5 3470 or an AMD FX 6300? You already know what I'm going to be using it for, but is it worth a £50 premium for the Intel? Would it be worth the extra? (Bearing in mind I'll have to get another motherboard (so another £10 or £20 gone))

Thanks