Help me choose parts for new PC!

[mcchowder]

going to build from scratch. will run vista premium. I surf the web alot, use MS office, d/l music/videos, but never play any games. Want video card to be hdtv and blue-ray compatible, but i wont get blue-ray drive til it gets much cheaper.

Step 1: which case should I buy? I want to get a mini-atx tower, since i only need a dvd-writer, and possibly memory card reader. I was thinking about getting this one: LIAN LI PC-A06B Black Aluminum ATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Retail from newegg, but the fan is only 80mm.

 

[arcticap]

Read all of the spec.'s and reviews and consider this Coolermaster. The metal mesh provides really good airflow and they also offer a similar mid-tower model.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Manufacturer's product page:

Cooler Master - Ultimate provider of Computer Chassis | Cooler | Power Supply

In-depth review & sample build with a lot of pictures:

Cooler Master Centurion Micro ATX 540/541 Casing :: Articles :: www.hardwarezone.com®

 

[mcchowder]

Thanks for the help, but that coolmaster case is for micro-atx motherboard. I want to use a regular ATX since it is more compatible and widely used.

 

[35g700]

This is the case I use, it has good cooling and it is ATX:

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases $69

another good one, ATX: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

But those are mid-size towers...

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I just built a system using the Cooler Master Elite 330 and was very happy with it.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

 

[mcchowder]

Thx for the info. I actually was wanting a mini-tower ATX case. I know that the selection is very limited, but i want to keep it small since i will only use a dvd-writer, harddrive, memory card reader, and graphics card. i really don't need extra slots/drive ports.

 

[35g700]

Yeah, just make sure the case you pick has good airflow that and the selection is tough to get...