Originally posted by: Tostada
Just to make sure we're on the same page here... You're talking about this case?
http://www.supergooddeal.com/Broadway_C..._Micro_ATX_PC_Case_5_b_p/bcc204sga.htm
A $27 case. Not a single thing is mentioned about the PSU other than "350W". It has no fans. It has almost no ventilation whatsoever. It has tiny little holes on the back. And you're talking about overclocking with it?
Yes. I'm not sure what the problem is, here. I use nothing but cheapo cases, mostly because I don't care what my PC looks like on the outside. Only one of them has a case fan--ironically, the one that isn't overclocked--and I've had no problems, ever. In fact, let me count how many $20-$40 case/PSU combos I've used... 1, 2, 3... seven generic case/PSU combos. The only problem I've had with any of them is that I left one of the PSUs on the floor one day and my cat chewed through the wires. Now, I know seven is too small of a sample to make sweeping judgments, but I am a believer in at least trying the cheap-o route before upgrading.
I just ordered my seventh case/PSU combo from supergooddeal.com last week--that $29 LCT 400W number. Works like a champ so far. Check it out
here.
I can absolutely appreciate trying to get the best deal, but not a case with no fans that isn't even going to let air in over the CPU, and not 1987 beige (but I guess the black one's only $1 more).
I don't have any case fans, and my Sempron is overclocked to 2.4 GHz on retail cooling. I've also got two hard disks, two opticals and some ATI GPU. Yeah, it gets a bit hot in there, but nothing outside of the CPU specs.
Looks have to matter at least some. $400 might be dirt cheap for a computer, but it's still $400 and you don't want something that looks terrible.
I don't think it looks bad at all.
Keep in mind that you're also suggesting a "non-overclocker" model motherboard with a smaller north bridge heatsink and a totally missing south bridge heatsink. That's pretty much the only complaint anybody has with that motherboard is heat. Probably not the best choice of board/case.
Maybe I've been misinformed, but I was told the M7 was a fantastic overclocker, with voltage controls, FSB to 300 and adjustable RAM and HT ratios. With a 2800+, you'll have the HT at 900, which should be fine without a heat sink.
I just don't see why you would get a totally generic keyboard/mouse when you don't have to. Generic keyboards usually feel terrible.
They do? I like them just fine. I don't have that exact model keyboard, but the one I do have is also a cheapie. And those three mice are several years old. I've never have any problems with anything--except I ruined a keyboard once by spilling alcohol all over it. Go figure.
You don't need a floppy drive to flash the BIOS. You can use WinFlash. And I don't think he'll be running a RAID. I haven't had a floppy in any of my systems for 7 years. I think we've gotten to the point that it's a waste.
I still use mine for school. And isn't WinFlash somewhat less reliable?
You really can't say "it's only $10 or $11." That money would be much better spent improving something like the case.
See, I disagree. All the case does is improve looks, and I would much rather have greater functionality. I guess the OP can decide for himself.
Ewiz.com has a 2.79 out of 10.
SuperGoodDeal.com has a 3.06 out of 10.
Sorry; I wasn't clear in my last post. What I meant to say was that ewiz.com and supergooddeal.com seem to have good overall ratings. Any return process is going to be a hassle if the vendor is dozens (or hundreds) of miles away.
Well, I really don't think you should emphasize overclocking too much. Obviously you're going to have to run the memory asynchronously when you've got the FSB over 250, which is only going to hurt the onboard graphics performance, and that's the weakest part of the system.
Are you sure about that? The 2800+ runs fine at 2.4GHz, FSB300, HT900 and DDR200.
It's really pretty unbelievable that you would suggest turning up the FSB beyond 250 with no case fans, no legitimate ventilation, the stock CPU heatsink, generic RAM, and a motherboard that runs hot and needs a BIOS hack to even overclock at all.
With the exception of the motherboard--I have an Epox EP-8KDA3J--I have done just that with my system.
