NSK 3300 or 4400. Help me decide

Torch · Post by **Torch** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:54 am

Hello all. The title pretty much says it all. Both cases have the necessary drive bays to suit my needs but I'm trying to decide which case to buy for a new Core 2 Duo system I plan on building.

I don't believe SPCR has done a review of the 4400 and I'm really liking what I see in the 3300. My problem is I need somebody to tell me why I should pay $35 more for the 3300 than for the 4400.

A quiet box is my primary requirement.

Thanks

p.s. - Please don't recommend something other than a 3300 or 4400. I've got an Antec Solo who is lonely and I promised him that I would get him a little sister soon.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:07 am

Hello,

Well, the replacement for the NSK3300, called the NSK3400 is coming pretty soon, and it improves on the 3300; with a standard ATX power supply, among other things.

Torch · Post by **Torch** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:32 am

I've read here about the 3400. Quite frankly, I think the 3300 is just fine but the ability to use a standard ATX PSU is a plus. Can you define "pretty soon"?

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:36 am

I think your decision depends on the use of the C2D system. The NSK3300 (and NSK3400) is/are micro-ATX cases. The NSK4400 is regular ATX. If this system is a low to midrange system, I would stick with the NSK3300 or 3400. If this system is to house some sort of gaming system, a high end config, or one that requires an ATX mobo use the 4400.

I personally have the NSK3300. I love it! It has a Athlon 3200 and a 6800XT. The CPU is cooled by an AC Freezer 64 and the video card has a VF700 (AlCu). The tri-cool exhaust is set on low, the Freezer is run at 60%, the VF700 is run at 5v and an intake fan is controlled by a fanmate. The system is very close to being inaudible at more than two feet. (I included this to give you a reference point for your system.)

As for the NSK3400, I can only detect two differences: it can accept standard PSU's and it looks slightly wider. (because of the PSU) Otherwise it looks identical. I have not had any problems with the stock PSU (in terms of loudness). Others have, so the ability to change the PSU is a huge upgrade.

Mike_P · Post by **Mike_P** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:02 am

id go for the 4400 as it uses a standard sized PSU so replacement (for sound or failed) is alot easier.

Torch · Post by **Torch** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:53 pm

This is a great help, thanks.

angelkiller, this system will be low to midrange. Are there any decent micro C2D mobos on the market that will allow for moderate OCing?

How permanent is the 3300's PSU? Is there no way to swap it for a new one?

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:01 pm

Torch wrote:Are there any decent micro C2D mobos on the market that will allow for moderate OCing?

None that I know of come to mind. This might fit your needs. Some of the reviews claimed slight overclocks. (One guy got 33MHz FSB increase.) I don't know if that is enough for your needs.

Torch wrote:How permanent is the 3300's PSU? Is there no way to swap it for a new one?

Not very. It is held in by 3 screws on the back. (I have never removed it though.) It looks removable, and I would bet that it is. As for replacing it, I'm not so sure. You could get another micro-ATX PSU. (But how will that help?) I don't know how large an ATX PSU is. Assuming that it is six inches acrosss, it WILL NOT work. I measured and there is less than six inches. It is really close though. I'm talking milimeters here. Unless you are able to find a really really (near silent) micro-ATX PSU, I would not change it. But that's just my opinion.