Decent MB for Q9550?

[Rapid]

The CM Storm Sniper, Stacker and most Lian-Li are expensive.

The Cosmos is great looking but runs hot and loud and lacks the space for the Thermaltake (even though I could go for a complete 2-fan Noctua solution).

The profile of my future case includes:

Great cooling is most important! Quiet running is very important. The no front-door is a must. Spacious also an important factor. A led out option would be great but not so important, If i get bored of them I'll just crash them

So I'm between HAF 932/922, Antec 1200/902, CM Gladiator and NZXT Tempest. At least these I remember right now.

[Mul.]

Any chance the Silverstone FT01 Fortress can be squeezed into the 120EUR budget? It's looks are somewhat minimalistic but in person it really does look like a quality build. It's fans should be reasonably quiet and will perform well in terms of cooling and airflow. It's built a bit better than the above cases but it is more expensive.

The HAF 9x2's are great cases and so are the Antec Gaming Series. I don't rate the Tempest as highly as the Antec.

[Rapid]

You have understood exactly what I ask from a case! This Silverstone is a great case. Beautiful and has everything I want, except of one problem. It's cooling. All reviewers write that the hdd cage restricts the airflow from the front fan, leading to the GPU struggling to get some air. I don't know if the GTX-285 would like that... but otherwise this is a dream-case! Unfortunately, the additional cost when added to this airflow problem makes me look away, even though I like this case very very much.

If a similar case comes across your mind I 'd love to take a look to it, because this suggestion of yours was excellent except of that airflow problem.

e.g. The reviews didn't mention if it is possible to free the fan leaving the upper cases but I suppose if that could be done it would have been mentioned.

[Mul.]

Theoretically it can be an issue and I agree. However, if I may suggest googling around as there's plenty of Silverstone FT01 build logs featuring some amazing system specs. I haven't noticed anyone complain about temperatures in actual use but I see where you're coming from.

Few examples

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums...ic.php?t=50554

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...highlight=FT01

[Rapid]

I think I might give the extra cash and buy it, because I think with the top hdd cage out of the way the GTX won't suffer so much. Great case!!! Insulating foam, nice cable routing, black interior, quiet, very good looking... it's only drawback is the cheapy side panels (but I can live with that.)

Its only competitor would be the HAF but then that case has its flaws too...

Thanks! :hands:

[Mul.]

Also, may I ask what Thermaltake Heatsink you're looking to buy is?

[Rapid]

don't know yet. I intended to go to a Thermaltake one, but I forgot that plans have changed and I won't buy an i7. So I'll have to see what fits best. (the research I did on heatsinks was for i7)

[Mul.]

My personal recommendations would include

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=1003507

or

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=768118

or

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=967448

with

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=532626

[Rapid]

Hexus.net declared the Thermaltake Big Typ VX the best among 25 coolers. And its cheaper than others too. The article is dated back on 2007 so I don't know if any new better ones are out. I'm googling right now...

[Mul.]

The Big Typhoon VX is also a very good cooler and actually very few seem to buy them as of late as it's been around for a while now. I still remember the original Big Typhoon being on sale (The heatsink block itself is the same as the VX IIRC) when I was building my Athlon 64 Socket 939 setup in 2005. That's not to say of course that it's not a capable cooler as it is. Some research should reveal what the best option is for you