Random thoughts.... [Tech Edition]

What do you guys think of this:

A406-1069-mainb.jpg


NZXT apollo. $100AUD

Wouldn't mind moving my current stuff into a new case which doesn't clog up with dust quickly. One of the reviewers said he had issues with clearing the audio components on his mobo with the rear fan though. I have an Asus P5WDH-deluxe, any ideas on whether there would be an issue?
 
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NZXTs are cheap but i havent found any overwhelmingly rave reviews about them
 
My main problem with the Antec 900 is that it just attracts so much dust so quickly. I just spent the past 1-2 days cleaning all the dust from my desktop, and it was such a painful process. No tool-less installation also made things a pain.

The 900 does provide epic cooling though.
 
I've narrowed my choices for a laptop down to these two:

http://www.vandenborre.be/WEB/NL/Laptop/HP-CQ71-450EB/Page77.vdb?Detail=KmqaOqqaQitbbe9nS6qaLudnTmdo
pro: 17.3" screen, okay GPU
con: old CPU, no i3

http://www.laptopshop.be/product/88275/asus-k52f-sx051v-azerty.html
pro: i3 processor
con: no GPU, only the one integrated in the i3 and smaller screen (15.6")

I kind of need some GPU power to use 3D rendering software and play some casual games like command and conquer so I'm probably better of with the HP.

Thoughts perhaps?
 
You can't find a 15.6" with i3 and gpu? Seems that'd be a pretty decent compromise.
 
nsx_23 said:
My main problem with the Antec 900 is that it just attracts so much dust so quickly. I just spent the past 1-2 days cleaning all the dust from my desktop, and it was such a painful process. No tool-less installation also made things a pain.

The 900 does provide epic cooling though.
Click to expand...

If you're willing to spend more on a case...

https://pic.armedcats.net/a/am/amtgman/2010/04/08/k62-sml.jpg

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_30_394&products_id=12171

However, $155AUD may be a little too much for your taste. Then again, it's a Lian Li case, so high quality is kind of a given. And it's completely tool-less, right down to motherboard installation.

Also, dust filters over each potential intake.

Edit: They also have a cheaper version, minus the LED fans, window, and painted interior.
 
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Can't find any in my price range of ?600 euro, otherwise it would be an easy choice :)
 
American TG Man said:
If you're willing to spend more on a case...

https://pic.armedcats.net/a/am/amtgman/2010/04/08/k62-sml.jpg

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_30_394&products_id=12171

However, $155AUD may be a little too much for your taste. Then again, it's a Lian Li case, so high quality is kind of a given. And it's completely tool-less, right down to motherboard installation.

Also, dust filters over each potential intake.

Edit: They also have a cheaper version, minus the LED fans, window, and painted interior.
Click to expand...

Hmm, maybe I can look at some dust filters for my current case.
 
American TG Man said:
If you're willing to spend more on a case...

https://pic.armedcats.net/a/am/amtgman/2010/04/08/k62-sml.jpg

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_30_394&products_id=12171

However, $155AUD may be a little too much for your taste. Then again, it's a Lian Li case, so high quality is kind of a given. And it's completely tool-less, right down to motherboard installation.

Also, dust filters over each potential intake.

Edit: They also have a cheaper version, minus the LED fans, window, and painted interior.
Click to expand...

Hmm, maybe I can look at some dust filters for my current case.
 
Ended up buying these ones: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_9_26_576&products_id=12957

Got home, and realized that they were a bit too small to fit perfectly over the top of the fan guards on the front of my case.....

I think I'll need to exchange for the 140mm ones on Monday.

EDIT: Just tried them on. The height is 120, just that the outer fan guard panel is slightly wider.....Might need to use some tape to cover up that little bit of a gap along the side.
 
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Cold Fussion said:
my i7 runs at 50-60c idle and 80-90c under load with a non stock cooler. I think the cooler might be a bit loose though.
Click to expand...

That is way hot. I have the stock cooler on my i7 860, idle temp is around 40, and up to 60 under load. It's not any loud, either, I don't know what one needs non-stock coolers for :)
 
Cold Fussion said:
my i7 runs at 50-60c idle and 80-90c under load with a non stock cooler. I think the cooler might be a bit loose though.
Click to expand...

That's stock temperatures, so you either need to re-apply the cooler and paste or get a better cooler. What i7 and what cooler?
I'm absolutely satisfied with my Noctua.
 
Most of you people probably don't care because Google Maps exist, but anyway: OpenStreetMap has got high resolution aerial imagery of my home town as a data donation from a local company. And it's seriously cool how much the mapping of my town has improved since - the goal is to map every single building in town. Although that's not achieved yet, people start mapping single trees in some areas... :cool:
I'm looking forward to having my town as the most accurately mapped town in the country, perhaps.... [clarkson voice] in the world [/clarkson voice].
 
AiR said:
That's stock temperatures, so you either need to re-apply the cooler and paste or get a better cooler. What i7 and what cooler?
I'm absolutely satisfied with my Noctua.
Click to expand...

Its an early i7 920 on the noctua cooler. Been to busy to re-apply the cooler. It must have only come loose recently because i don't remember it being this hot when i put it together.
 
I've discovered that if I don't eat out for the next 2 months I could put together the $600 or so required for me to buy:
17 920 - $179
Gigabyte EX58 Mobo - $210
6GB Patriot Viper DDR3 1333 - $160

Hmmm.... *rubs chin*

Everything else I need I already have.

Unfortunately the closest microcenter is an hour away by public transportation (Blue line + bus 44 from the loop) but I think it'd be worth it to get a i7 920 for $100 less than newegg.

In the future I'll add a pair of 5850s, a new PSU, and a heatsink.
 
I've thought about upgrading my system from the Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, HD4890 that I have, but really, what would I gain? A few FPS? At the cost of hundreds of dollars? This computer is blazingly fast for everyday use and I can nearly max any game on the market....
 
I'm starting to have issues with some of the programs I use. I'm maxing out my ram fairly regularly, and I'm starting to use Maya and 3ds Max a LOT more for personal use (I like modelling shit) I think it's worth it for me.

Also I want to max out Mechwarrior 3015

Anyway, if anyone in the continental US is looking for a cheap, good, mobo + CPU + RAM, hit me up.

Only problem is I have a MASSIVE heatsink (Won't fit inside anything but a full tower), but I can get a stock intel one and install it if needed.


Also, anyone got suggestions for decent earbuds between $30-50?

My JVC HA-RX700s are a little bulky and make my ears sweat in the summer, so I'd like some decent earbuds.
 
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