Building the Perfect PC

Component Considerations

With our design criteria in mind, we set out to choose the best components for the Mainstream PC system. The following sections describe the components we chose and why we chose them.

Warning

Although we tested the configuration we used to build our own Mainstream PC, we did not test permutations with the listed alternatives. Those alternatives are simply the components we would have chosen had our requirements been different. That said, we know of no reason the alternatives we list should not work perfectly.

Case and power supply

Antec Sonata Mid-Tower Case (http://www.antec-inc.com)

The Antec Sonata is our favorite case of all time. In fact, it is so good that we recommend it unless there’s very good reason to use something else. There may not be such a thing as a perfect case, but the Sonata comes closer than any other case we know of.

ALTERNATIVES: CASE & POWER SUPPLY

Many, but none we’d choose. The Antec Sonata really is the standout choice for a Mainstream PC case.

The Sonata seems larger inside than outside. Although it’s standard mini-tower size, the Sonata provides nine drive bays—three 5.25” external, two 3.5” external, and four 3.5” internal. The internal bays use rubber grommets to absorb hard-drive vibrations and minimize noise.

Fit and finish are excellent. All edges are deburred and/or rolled, with no sharp edges anywhere. You don’t have to worry about cutting yourself when you work on a Sonata. The Sonata also provides numerous convenience features, ...