|
|
Part5 -- Case selectionOct 02 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I've already covered three major components in other articles-CPU, mobo and RAM. Now what? Well, we need a place to put that stuff! Actually, you don't--computers are just fine sitting out in the open air with no case. Just don't drink a coke nearby (don't ask). Problem with that is that it's very easy to knock the expansion cards out of their slots, drop/spill things on it and generally get yourself into trouble. For those of you like me, it doesn't rate too highly on the all-important SpousalApprovalRating scale, either. So. We need a case to house our newly-forming hotrod, don't we? Case choice is *purely* subjective. I've had pure poop cases, I've had outstanding cases, I've had cheap cases, I've had cases that were almost more than the CPU and mobo that I put in it...it's up to you. The important things to look for in a case for overclocking (and in general) are things like; does it have enough drive bays? Does it give adequate cooling? Is it deep front to back? Are things easy to assemble and get to? Does it look nice? (you'd be surprised at how far you can boost your SpousalApprovalRating just by having a nifty case...). *BUT* by far the most important factor is--what is the power supply like? Now, if you've got a case that your eyeballing that doesn't have these qualities, you can pretty much mod the heck out of it into what you want. Personally, I'd rather try to get as many desirable features already built into the case as possible as I've got alot of work ahead of me already putting a system together to want to spend alot of extra time cutting holes, installing fans and extra power supplies. If you are planning on active cooling via peltiers, just give up on finding a case for a reasonable price with a 400w powersupply--it's just not that common. Either buy a powersupply from a company like PCPower&Cooling http://www.pcpowercooling.com/(highly recommended) or get a full tower and install 2 powersupplies -- one for the mobo & one for the cooling system. If you want a kick butt case that actually matches your furniture, go here http://www.techstyle-com.com/-- sweetest stuff I've seen in a long time. But for the money, I could build 2, possibly 3 more PC's =P There's also cases made specifically for the overclocker--3dCool makes one called the Tornado, but by the name alone, it's gotta be noisy. There's two other companies that make chilled units--One has an A/C in the base and the other runs the coolant through a waterblock on the CPU. Both are reported to work great, but they both cost well over $600. Eeek! Kinda goes against why I'm overclocking in the first place... My current favorite is the FutureCom Illusion ATX -- it's only got a 250w PS, but 8 drive bays and 7 slots in the back mean I can stuff most everything inside. It's very high quality with no sharp edges anywhere and goes for usually $45 or so on uBid--the wife likes the blue on the front too!(bonus SAF points) I prefer mid-tower ATX's to the full towers--less room, but it keeps the thing from becoming a peice of furniture and saves me from hernias when I go to LAN parties, ya know? Bottom line; get any case that you can afford, that you think looks good, has the features and usability that you want and has ample power. If the first three are met, but you come short on the fourth--don't worry, just buy a second power supply. Now you are asking, gee Psyk, how do I turn on that second ATX power supply when I can't hook it to the mobo?? Hhmm. Maybe I'll write an article on that too.  |
| Write the first comment on this review! |
|
Ads by Google
|
