Need suggestions for Case/Power Supply Combo

[FuzzieDice]

I have built a computer a few years back, and at the time didn't have a lot of money so I went with a nice, big, yet cheap case. An AsiaPro (now ASYS) with two blue lighted tubes on the front, blue side fan and 450W Power Supply included (which recently went spazoid and died on me).

The case is very flimsy and the power supply is extremely light - hardly weighs anything. The MATX motherboard (A-Bit IS-10 with P4 2GHz Intel CPU) sits on the side and the power supply almost sits on the CPU heatsink/fan assembly (just like maybe 1/8" to 1/4" of room if that between the two). I can't use a heavier power supply as it'll bend the back of the case, and sit on the CPU fan/heatsink assembly.

So, I'm in the market for a good case. I would like to keep my existing hardware (2 hard drives, 1 3.5" Floppy drive, 1 DVD burner) 2 PCI cards - modem and TV Card, and an AGP Video Card, motherboard, CPU, etc.) All I'm looking for at this point is the case and power supply.

I've been reading reviews on newegg.com for cases under $150 US and found many people saying some are "flimsy". The case should be sturdy enough to hold up even the most heaviest (in weight) power supplies these days.

I'd like some room to grow, maybe for eventually a couple SATA drives added on and maybe another DVD reader/burner. Maybe some more lights if the case doesn't have enough already.  

I like the cool looking gamer stuff. Also would want a side-window as it is helpful for seeing how the fans are doing and when it's getting dusty in there and time for cleaning. I liked the "X" look cases and also the Gaurdian though I don't think I'd buy a Gaurdian as I heard they are not all that great (anyone know for sure?)

As for a Power supply, whatever gives me room to grow and has some power protection built in. My motherboard needs a 20-pin ATX12V (it also has a 4-pin ATX12V as well). I have an A-Bit IS-10 motherboard and it's a good board so far. I might upgrade  the nVidia video card I have (AGP) at some point so having power for all that stuff would be needed. I do some 3D stuff sometimes, plus video creation, editing, flash, etc. I like to watch a lot of streaming video and listen to internet radio stations.

I don't have a lot of money but I probably would go over $150 for a good case, but not too much over. Power Supply can or doesn't have to be included (if no P/S, suggestions would be appreciated).

Links to where to buy and/or manufacturer and model #s are also greatly appreciated.

Anyone have any suggestions on what I should look into?

[GX1_Man]

Antec makes nice cases and power supplies. Hard to go wrong there.

Sometimes the "bling" factor gets you some other nice extras - poor airflow and noise. You do, indeed, get what you pay for.  

[sneakers]

I just purchased and recieved this case

http://cgi.ebay.com/Logisys-Clear-Acrylic-Gaming-Computer-Case-w-LED-Fan_W0QQitemZ230019779826QQihZ013QQcategoryZ80168QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Was delivered fast and is very strong.

Building my new amd fx62 system with this. Has  some good looks to it if you can keep the dust out of it.

[FuzzieDice]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Sneakers - How did the acrylic case hold up to scraches, etc? I was always wondering if also it can hold heavier components ok without cracking/chipping, etc. I've never seen an acrylic up-close before.

I've narrowed my choices down a little (but am still open to suggesions). At NewEgg.com I found these:

• Cooler Master Centurion (No P/S)
  
• Xion Solaris XON-401 (w/ 450W P/S which I wouldn't use)
  
• Xion II XON-101 (w/ 450W P/S which I wouldn't use)
  

For a Power Supply (I learn now not to use those that come with the case), I've chosen this as a good candidate:

Cooler Master 500W (includes SLi support, Active PFC, rated for 500,000 hours use)

Of the cases, the last one, the Xion II seems to be my personal favorite. Hoping that the case will be sturdy enough to hold the Cooler Master 500W P/S. I love the look of the Xion II but really wouldn't mind the Xion Solaris either. I'd get the Cooler Master case only if I really REALLY needed a case and couldn't get one of the other two. Or if the other two weren't known to be very sturdy to hold a P/S.

Suggestions/comments on above are still welcome. Anyone have any of these and can attest to quality, etc?

[sneakers]

Have not finished building. The case is rigid. the supports for the drives are thick enough that they send longer screws for the install.  have not taken the protective wrap off the case yet. still waiting on m/b video card and other components to come in.  I ordered a separate 650 watt power supply. to put in it.  Try to post you a picture in a cpl of days

[zzaio]

I recently built a computer with an Antec P180 and an Antec True Power 2.0 supply.  It has Zero Bling factor, but it is very sturdy, very quiet, and very well ventilated.  The PSU sits at the bottom of the case in a separate comparment from the MB so the heat from the PSU gets sucked right out the back of the case without contributing to heating the CPU.   It has plenty of drive bays for pretty much anything you need, and I don't remember exactly what I paid, but I think it was close to what you are looking at.

Good luck with your choice,

Daniel

[honvetops]

I just purchased and recieved this case

http://cgi.ebay.com/Logisys-Clear-Acrylic-Gaming-Computer-Case-w-LED-Fan_W0QQitemZ230019779826QQihZ013QQcategoryZ80168QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Was delivered fast and is very strong.

Building my new amd fx62 system with this. Has  some good looks to it if you can keep the dust out of it.

  I saw a girl standing in one of those in Amsterdam once~

[sneakers]

Just wondering, what does that mean honventops?

[honvetops]

Just wondering, what does that mean honventops?

*please don't take offense to my I guess perceived rude comment*
I was just waking up and saw that nice pic of the case and the first thing to enter my mind was a large open um... window shopping in Amsterdam << I've only read about those things.  Actually it's pretty cool looking , I was just waking up and needed a personal joke. Sorry.

[zzaio]

That's funny!

[FuzzieDice]

Well, now I'm wanting the XION Solaris and not the XION II. They have a photo on Newegg.com of it lit up in the dark. Sweet! For $60 that isn't bad. By the sound of the reviews, it should hold even the heavier supplies (I won't use the one that comes with it, of course).

The P/S, I also been looking at the Ultras as well. I hear they are pretty decent. Like the 600W Ultras I hear are a good, stable P/S.

I've got  choices, but I like that Xion Solaris case!