Click HERE to see this thread with all of the graphics, features, and links.

As you know from "The Savings Thread", I've been saving up money for a PC. I'm not sure if this is a good set up though and I need help from people who are more adept with computer hardware than I am.

Here are the parts, as of so far.

CHASSIS:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29853

HARD DRIVE:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31000&promoid=1043

RAM:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28306

MOTHERBOARD:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30297

PSU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26415&promoid=1190

VIDEO CARD:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34161

OS:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22438

CD/DVD DRIVE:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35349

PROCESSOR:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30576&promoid=1190

EXTRA CHASSIS FAN:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14259

Video card Pfft, Get a Nividia GTX285.

I hear those cards can get hotter than hell itself, particularly when overclocking.

-I wouldn't spend the $220+ on the box, you're paying mostly for just aesthetics. A much simpler aluminum case will work just the same or better, as those lights add up to the heat-soak.

-I'd wait until Windows 7 comes out (if you have the means for the extra cash). Supposed to be a stream-lined version of Vista. I'd also install Ubuntu (or Fedora, Mint, Open-Suse) as a dual boot, as Linux is better/faster/safer when you're just on the web surfing/looking at porn.

-The money you save from getting a basic (aluminum) case can go into a second hard-drive and use it as a raid set-up, as you'll likely not need two terabits of storage. Make the system bulletproof.

Originally posted by Robtard
-I wouldn't spend the $220+ on the box, you're paying mostly for just aesthetics. A much simpler aluminum case will work just the same or better, as those lights add up to the heat-soak.

Do you have any case suggestions?




Well, once I have vista, I'll get a free upgrade to W7.



A raid wha'?

Originally posted by Genesis
Do you have any case suggestions?

Well, once I have vista, I'll get a free upgrade to W7.



A raid wha'?

As long as the case is aluminum and is large enough to hold/support you MB. powersouce etc, you don't really need anything else. Those cases with the windows, lights and monitors are just for show. Nothing wrong with that, but you're paying more for just the look.

I did a quick google for 'aluminum computer case', this was the first hit. It's $60.00 and should support all you need. Mind you, it's boring, but I'm totally a utilitarian kind of guy. http://www.directron.com/ssttj01s.html

Oh, wasn't aware the Windows 7 was a free upgrade, I thought it cost. Interesting, I'll have to look into this as one of my laptops is Vista powered.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID

Basically uses two (or more) hardrives as one drive, it stores bits of info on each, so if you ever have a complete crash, it's able to built itself back-up and you lose nothing or very little. So while you'd have 2 terabytes (1 per HD) total, the storage capacity would only be 1 in real-time, but you have the luxury of being uber-stable.

Probably isn't for you, if you're not tech savvy. You can also just spend $120.00 on an large external USB storage drive and keep your music, pictures, documents and porn on there as back-up, it's what most people do.

That case you showed me looks like it has one fan and contains improper air flow. Also, there's no dust filters. That shit will build up like mad.

Originally posted by Genesis
That case you showed me looks like it has one fan and contains improper air flow. Also, there's no dust filters. That shit will build up like mad.

It was just one exmaple, like I said, was first on the google.

You can buy extra fans for cheap, even the ultra-quit ones aren't that much any more. Dust filters are easy to make(don't really need them though), you go to the arts and craft store and pick yourself up $4.00 worth of thin foam and a roll of double-sided tape.

Or you can forget the dust protection and just buy yourself an air-can for $3.50 and clean/dust your comp every 3-6 months, which is something you should do regardless. (Haven't done mind in 1.5 years)

All in all, you're still saving $120+ (which can go to a 2nd HD) and the only thing you're missing out on is some fancy lights. But if you need those fancy lights, by all means get a case with them, just make sure it's aluminum.

why is this thread on otf?
shouldnt it be in the computer area?

Originally posted by Robtard
It was just one exmaple, like I said, was first on the google.

You can buy extra fans for cheap, even the ultra-quit ones aren't that much any more. Dust filters are easy to make(don't really need them though), you go to the arts and craft store and pick yourself up $4.00 worth of thin foam and a roll of double-sided tape.

Or you can forget the dust protection and just buy yourself an air-can for $3.50 and clean/dust your comp every 3-6 months, which is something you should do regardless. (Haven't done mind in 1.5 years)

All in all, you're still saving $120+ (which can go to a 2nd HD) and the only thing you're missing out on is some fancy lights. But if you need those fancy lights, by all means get a case with them, just make sure it's aluminum.

Hmm. Why is it you suggest aluminum? Heat absorption? Protection? Both?

Heat mainly. Protection a bit, but plastic will protect pretty much from anything your comp would logically take.

Ah. Thanks for the help.