Need advice on parts for comp

[McRhea]

Hey people. I'm ordering parts for my Athlon 750 computer. I've already ordered the Mobo and CPU. Now all I need advice on is the case and a couple other things. Ummm... ok

I'm going for an Addtronics case. It's this one... http://www.addtronics.com/6896a.htm

Paulcs recommended it to me, and it looks good. Now all I need you guys to tell me is whether or not the 300 watt ATX P/S version of that case will go with my Abit Ka7-100 mobo. Am I getting enough power?

I'm trying to order everything today, so let me know as soon as possible.

[Brian R.]

Since they don't specify the PS to be included, I would assume they allow themselves the flexibility of shipping different PSs as they find good buys. I would suggest you call them and find out which PS they are currently shipping with their case and check that with the list on the AMD website of approved PSs.

I have that case also (from Supermicro). They shipped a Sparkle 300 W with mine.

[Pace]

Do Supermicro do that case? What do they call it - it don't look like the ones I saw!
It sounds similar to the SC-750A - have you got that Brian? And where do you live?

And this should really be in General Hardware btw!

Paul.

[Brian R.]

No, the Supermicro SC750A case is the Addtronics ET-6890A. I have that case and like it alot. I have modified it for increased cooling. I think your case resembles a different model of the same case. There are at least two variations.

You can compare the differences between the two versions Supermicro has sold of the 750A in the first link below.

I notice that there are some differences in fan placement, between your case and the SC750A, but I don't see much difference overall. Notice that the engineering drawing they provide is not the case on the front page. It is a mid-tower of similar design.

(I live in Maryland)

For some references, see:
http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/Chassis/sc750.htm

and
http://www.flipchip.net/case.htm

Note that Addtronics provides their power supply specifications on: http://www.addtronics.com/ps300a.htm

You can compare them with others approved by AMD for Athlon use.

[This message has been edited by Brian R. (edited 29 June 2000).]

[Helevitia]

Take a look at this thread:

http://forums.murc.ws/ubb/Forum3/HTML/002066.html

[mj12]

The best case to get is the Fong Kai. Why? Because it is easy to access, nice design, and very very quiet. Get a Antec PP-303X, it is the best PS for Athlon users. Anand did an Athlon PS review, <a href="http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1128&p=1">Review Here</a>. It is the PS that most Athlon/Geforce people use because the GeForce is a power hog. I use it with my Athlon700 o/c 800 and with a GeForce2, SCSI, etc. no problem. As for the Case, get the Fong Kai 603, you will not be disapointed. <a href="http://www.arstechnica.com/reviews/1q00/fk603/fk603-1.html">Here's a Review</a> and you can buy it <a href="http://store.yahoo.com/directron/fk603atxcase.html">here</a> and the best part is the price has dropped. When I bought mine it was 95.00.

[ALBPM]

I got the Addtronics 7896A awhile ago and love it. I have 11 80mm fans in the thing.

Paul

[paulcs]

Addtronics makes cases for Supermicro. Supermicro is an OEM.

Antec (through Channel Well Technology) *used* to make cases for Addtronics (according to Anand and others). My power supply has a part number that started with CWT, and that's a pretty big hint. However, the unit currently advertised on Addtronics site has a different model number.

I compared the specs of the Addtronics power supply with the Antec, and they're a little different.

Chris, I don't think you can go wrong with an Antec (purchased separately). They're relatively cheap and widely available. You can probably pick one up in Sacto.

Paul
paulcs@flashcom.net

[Dyre]

<a href="http://www.tweak3d.net/reviews/addtronics/6896a/">Tweak3d Review Of Addtronics 6896</a>
Check this out.
This case is VERY COOL! Built very well, and is roomy.

[Brian R.]

I agree, all the Addtronics (Supermicro) tower cases are very easy to keep cool and easy to add/change drives.

Upon closer inspection, the case you guys are looking at does not have the upper fan above the PS like my SC750A:
http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/Chassis/sc750.htm

If you have a hot-running SCSI drive (as I do), all you have to do is place a drive cooler on the HD (such as the Little-hddHO from 3Dfxcool), mount it in the movable HD bracket, and then mount the bracket above the PS, right in front of the top rear fan. Sucks the heat right out without heating any of the case. Lowers the case temperature by 10 degrees.

If you have a hot HD, get the SC750A or the Addtronics equivalent with the fan above the PS. Looks like it has two additional external 5 1/4" drive bays also. http://www.addtronics.com/7890a.htm

[This message has been edited by Brian R. (edited 29 June 2000).]

[McRhea]

Well... I just went ahead and ordered the thing... one question though... do you have to order the fans seperatly? Or do a couple come with the fan... When I ordered the Athlon, I ordered a Golden Orb fan with it, so I think that should be sufficient. I'm not going to O/C the thing... not yet anyway.

Here's what I've ordered so far:

Abit Ka7-100 mobo
Athlon 750
Addtronics 6896a case with 300 watt PS
128MB PC133MHz ram from Mushkin (Damn expensive!)
Sound Blaster X-Gamer (got it retail from Staples for $83... got a discount from PriceWatch... Staples matched the price... )


Now... I still haven't decided on a HD, CD-WR and a DVD.

I'm looking at a WD HD, Quantum FireBall, or a Maxtor. Lets forget about quietness... I live in a college dorm. My life's never going to be quiet now... But anyway... lets go with the fastest search speed. The Quantum FB has a 8.5 MS, while the WD and Maxtor have 9.0. Oh, I'm looking at 20 gig tops. Right this moment, I'm leaning HEAVILY towards the Quantum... so if no one can convince me why not to get one, then I'm gettin it.

As for a CD-WR... what about Creative? I want a CD-WR that is something like 8x/4x/32x+. Again... quiet isn't an issue... that doesn't mean that I'll live with a jet engine... it just means that it doesn't have to be the quietest CD-WR.

And finally... speakers. 4 point surrond sound looks tempting... but I probably won't need it. But who knows? The only thing that I want is a BIG ASS Subwoofer!! That'll show the fools around here who's BOSS!!! *Evil laugh* MUUUUUUUWWWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

*ahem*..............

I thought of just getting a sterio system and hooking the sound up to that... but NAHHHHHH.
So... anyone that knows a place that sells good BIG speakers, speak out.

That's all for now guys... Have a great 4th of July!

(by the way... college is great! No parents to bug you or anything! I'm now in Washington... in a little town called Walla Walla. I'm taking computer science... and my parents are paying for my education... so that's why I'm here. LOL. Anybody on these boards live in Walla Walla? )

[Brian R.]

As an alternative, consider an IBM HD. I have had no problem with them at any buss speed I've tried (124 MHz) with the HPT366 controller. Just before I bought my most recent IBM drive, I read up and found a review saying the IBM was a bit faster than the Quantum.

I just bought a Plextor 8/4/32 for around $180. Great writer.