New ideas for my Micro ATX Gamer

[Jonsta]

I've recently built a very small computer centred around gaming. The parts are great but the power supply is a little....lacklustre. Three-hundred watts isn't going to power an AMD 4000+ as WELL as an HD3870.

Either way. I'm in the market for a new Micro ATX Case.

You may be wondering "Why don't you just upgrade your power supply?" See, the problem is, this computer takes a Micro ATX power supply as well. As far as I know, the best Micro ATX power supply I can buy is a 420W unit, and the only people that can deliver to me (Australia) are Compuvest. (They don't sell uATX PSU's here!).

I did just that, however, was I in for a surprise! Not only was the "quiet" dual fan power supply as loud as a weedeater, it also vibrated the shit out of my case and, get this, BLEW my video card! My video card will be replaced (depending on what the problem is with the video card) but this power supply isnt going to be seated in another computer again. Compuvest are bastards to deal with and they sell shoddy products, atleast my first impressions swing that way.

Enough of my fickle rant.

My current case is the X-Sonic 1007 uATX case with an included 300W power supply. Yeah, not very good and its as cramped as the inside of a Tennessee trailer park.

My first two choices are:

The Antec NSK-3480; This has an included 380W PSU, however I think once i upgrade to a faster CPU, it may not have enough juice to run the whole system.

The Coolermaster Centurion 541 series, coupled with a ThermalTake TR2 RX 450W modular PSU. This attractive bundle is easy on the wallet and will look great. The extra power will definitely help on those cold winter nights, too. (Forget I said that.)

I'm aware of the space issues of these BTX-derived cases, and I really dont have enough wires to clog the computer up at all.

Can anyone tell me why the decision I'm making is right/wrong, and if so, suggest any better alternatives to these cases/power supplies?

If so, one available in Australia! I'm already sick of buying from American stores!

EDIT: Needs to be able to fit an HD3870................X2. Not now but I'm probably going to sell the HD3870 and buy an X2. Will this 26.67cm long video card fit in either of these tiny cases?

EDIT: I HAVE A HACKSAW

 

[Grings]

Another one to look out for is the coolermaster elite 340, im not familiar with aussie shops, but they can be found here in the uk with a bundled 460w coolermaster extreme power supply for around £10 less than the antec you mentioned, the cheapest ive seen with a bundled psu (well, the cheapest one that can be trusted at least)

I recently built a rig for a friend with the cm elite 330 (midi tower version, same psu) and it seems fine powering a g35 board, core 2 at 3.3ghz, a hd3850oc and 2 hard disks

http://www.coolermaster.com/products/product.php?act=detail&id=2541

 

[choppy]

could you specify a budget? and secondly any australian stores that your prepared to buy from then i can take a butchers at em

 

[Jonsta]

That case looks great, but in most of the stores in Australia, the case is sold without a power supply. The best you can get included is a 420W generic model, but there are none in this state (QLD). I've been looking around and the coolermaster bundle may be my best bet. Other cases are either too expensive (lian li, so wonderful, so pricey) or just plain crap (omni? who the hell are they?).

Thanks for the help though.

EDIT: Choppy, any store in Queensland, and my budget for both is about 250 dollars. With that I'd like to get a Micro ATX case and a modular power supply.

EDIT: Oh god, I'm 59% addicted to Counter-Strike.