Hardware Yep, getting a custom-built desktop

[the_randomizer]

Friction and heat are two of the three most deadly forces to electronics. The third is electricity (surges, static, shorts, etc). The fourth is liquids (shorts and rust) but who would be silly enough to let liquids get anywhere near their PC?

For the record, my CPU is liquid cooled and my friend recently spilled tea down the top of his computer (RV02 case, which means it went down the top fan and right into the VRMs and graphics card vents). I still stand by the above statement.

What do you suggest that I do that would be most prudent of me when taking care of it (shut off, sleep mode, etc)? I don't want it end up dying after four years, which I think was pretty pathetic. My parents have a seven year-old machine that still alive and kicking.

 

[the_randomizer]

CPU - Intel Core i5 3570 Ivy Bridge (3.4 to 3.8 GHz)
$214.99
http://tinyurl.com/76u4pn2

CPU Cooler - Arctic Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2
$19.99
http://tinyurl.com/2jevgg

GPU - MSI nVidia GTX660 2 GB
$229.99
http://tinyurl.com/cov6l9k

RAM - Corsair Vengeance 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM PC1333
(Included with Motherboard bundle. woo-hoo!)

HDD - Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Blue
$84.99
http://tinyurl.com/738mm6t

ATX - Cooler Master Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KXN1-GP
$139.99
http://tinyurl.com/m48vb6

LED - Asus VH238H Black
$159.99
http://tinyurl.com/3ohglwd

Fan Controller - Sunbeam PL-RS-6
$39.99
http://tinyurl.com/3n38xky

PSU - Corsair Professional Series HX650
$119.99
http://tinyurl.com/yeedw2t

DVD ROM - Samsung DVD ROM
$17.99
http://tinyurl.com/c92u54f

Motherboard - Asus P8Z77-V LK
$139.99
http://tinyurl.com/7nr7q6q

USB Wireless - Asus USB-N13
$20.99
http://tinyurl.com/3rfm7sn

 

[Celice]

The mobo says it comes with 8GB ram... so you know.

 

[the_randomizer]

The mobo says it comes with 8GB ram... so you know.

Oops. Didn't see that, changed the list. Well, just saved myself ~$50! Now it's <$1200...I'll be darned.

 

[Celice]

Personally, I'd also go for a less-expensive mobo. You can find some microATX (or is it miniATX? whichever are the same width as standard ATX boards, but a tad shorter) boards that should work just as fine (especially as you're not overclocking or going for huge RAM) for ~$90 USD.

 

[the_randomizer]

Personally, I'd also go for a less-expensive mobo. You can find some microATX (or is it miniATX? whichever are the same width as standard ATX boards, but a tad shorter) boards that should work just as fine (especially as you're not overclocking or going for huge RAM) for ~$90 USD.

Well, I'm fine with the motherboard personally, I kinda get wary around smaller components (like micro ATX), but I'm weird that way. With my luck, I'd probably break something I focus way too much on the negative reviews unfortunately, and the gripes people have on motherboards in general. I did see another Asus full ATX board for ~$110 instead. Somewhere between $100 to $120 is fine, so I'll change it to something else. Another thing I noticed is I don't see the controller for the CPU fan.

Not trying to be nit-picky or ungrateful for your suggestions.

 

[Originality]

What do you suggest that I do that would be most prudent of me when taking care of it (shut off, sleep mode, etc)? I don't want it end up dying after four years, which I think was pretty pathetic. My parents have a seven year-old machine that still alive and kicking.

Generally it doesn't matter what you do as long as you aren't excessive (turning on and off multiple times in one hour). For taking care of it, I typically recommend cleaning the dust out once a month and reinstalling the OS (for a fresh start) once a year. That's all really.

 

[the_randomizer]

Generally it doesn't matter what you do as long as you aren't excessive (turning on and off multiple times in one hour). For taking care of it, I typically recommend cleaning the dust out once a month and reinstalling the OS (for a fresh start) once a year. That's all really.

Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to be careful. Naturally, I always feel ambivalence when investing a large amount of money into something like this, so I find ways of dealing with it.

 

[Rydian]

Do you have any pets or smokers in the house?

 

[the_randomizer]

Do you have any pets or smokers in the house?

Nope, I live in an apartment complex, so those two things are banned. If there were pets (like cats) I'd be fine, but I know people who are allergic. Do you have suggestions for a case/motherboard?

 

[Rydian]

Don't have any real suggestions at this point.

 

[the_randomizer]

Don't have any real suggestions at this point.

That's fine, just curious is all. I'm current frustrated and at a loss as to what the most fitting case it, as they all have their +s and -s, but it is what it is I guess. Perhaps I should focus on the fact there are more positive reviews than negative.

 

[urbanman2004]

Nope, I live in an apartment complex, so those two things are banned. If there were pets (like cats) I'd be fine, but I know people who are allergic. Do you have suggestions for a case/motherboard?

This is what I have (full tower ordered in 2010):
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-A...=1361223050&sr=1-3&keywords=Thermaltake+Armor

If you have a mid-size ATX mobo:
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-V...=1361223050&sr=1-4&keywords=Thermaltake+Armor

 

[the_randomizer]

This is what I have (full tower ordered in 2010):
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-ARMOR-VH6000BWS-Window-Tower/dp/B00121UV1E/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361223050&sr=1-3&keywords=Thermaltake Armor

If you have a mid-size ATX mobo:
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-VH8000BWS-Armor-Mx-Case/dp/B00195HT2C/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361223050&sr=1-4&keywords=Thermaltake Armor

Ooh! Nice towers, I'll take a good look at 'em! Hell, I haven't looked at the ones at Amazon either.

 

[Joe88]

they stopped making those cases so you will have to pay alot more to get it

 

[the_randomizer]

they stopped making those cases so you will have to pay alot more to get it

Really? Crap.

What about this CM Storm Scout http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-Scou...KN1-GP/dp/B00243HHNY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Thermaltake V6 Black http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-B...&qid=1361224532&sr=1-22&keywords=mid+atx+case

Or maybe the CM Storm Enforcer? http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-Enfo...&qid=1361224677&sr=1-28&keywords=mid+atx+case

So far, I've seen many good and bad things, like airflow, big fans and easy to install hardware, but on the flip side, I've seen people with these cases that stop working, short out, etc, so it worries me a bit. I want a nice tower, but I don't want go overboard either. But I'd like it to have at least three fans for circulation.

 

[urbanman2004]

they stopped making those cases so you will have to pay alot more to get it

Unfortunately, he would be paying more for those particular cases since I bought mine in 2010 when they were current... I've always like the Thermaltake Armor Series cases. I'd suggest looking for something similar. I've never been dissatisfied with them, especially since do not have to use tools for any of the hardware I add into it.

 

[the_randomizer]

Unfortunately, he would be paying more for those particular cases since I bought mine in 2010 when they were current... I've always like the Thermaltake Armor Series cases. I'd suggest looking for something similar. I've never been dissatisfied with them, especially since do not have to use tools for any of the hardware I add into it.

Ah, tool-less style. I'll keep looking.

 

[urbanman2004]

CM Storm Scout (SGC-2000-KKN1-GP) seems like a winner (from what pics were available for me to see) since it has numerous air holes in various places and you have the option of accessorizing fans on the retractable side panel, etc.... It has nothing to do with what you prefer but personally, my only gripe is that the power supply has to run from the bottom of the case. That's always been a turn off for me when choosing cases.

 

[urbanman2004]

Ah, tool-less style. I'll keep looking.

Keep in mind that the fans you change out on the case and the power supply require you to use screws other than that you're good.