Have a few questions about a system i am building.

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mikef208

Banned
Nov 30, 2000
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This system will be used a sa computer, but also as my entertainment system. I will tell you what I am thinking about going with so far. Any suggestions would be appreciated. So far I am going with an Abit Kt7a Raid with a Tbird(any suggestions on what speed to get?). I still haven't decided on RAM, I need something that can hit a high FSB(at least 145), Virtual Channel RAM is looking pretty good right now, but I can't seem to find a good manufacturer of it, and I'm not sure if it is good for overclocking. I have the pioneer 105s DVD drive. I'm not sure if that is the right name of it. It is the 16x slot loading drive. I am going with the TDK CDRW either the 12x or 16x, haven't decided yet. I have a 250MB zip drive as well as a LS 120 drive. Sound blaster Live Platinum 5.1, ATI AIW Radeon, Videologic Digitheater DTS. I haven't decided on a hard drive configuration yet. But when i do I will likely go with IBM Deskstar's. I think I also want to use the NewQ platinum(does anyone know if it works with a 5.1 speaker setup). I'm sure I am forgetting some other stuff. LMK what you can think of.

Aside from the stuff above i also need help with a few more things.
1. I can't decide what case to use. I was thinking Antec 1030B, but I don't like the fact that it doesn't have a removable MB tray.
2. What cooling options should i think about. I want this to remain relatively quiet, so i need help with what fans to use, how many and what HSF. Also I have seen some things like the Card coolers(especially the ducted ones, I have also seen stuff like this for a CPU) I was wondering if they work very well.
3. What display should I use for this. I have already gotten a lot of ideas on this, but am still looking for more. What do you think of projectors, I have heard they have very good quality, but the bulbs are expensive.
If I think of anything i will edit this post. thanks, for your help.
 
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regalztt

Junior Member
Jan 16, 2001
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I have a similar setup (see my specs), but probably running cooler with PIII instead of Athlon. GOrb is fairly quiet and so is the IBM HD. Also the AIW Radeon runs very cool so you may not need too much active cooling. Since you are spending some decent cash you may as well add some rounded IDE cables ($15) to facilitate airflow.
 
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mikef208

Banned
Nov 30, 2000
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Yeah I already planned on rounding my cables. I understand that the components run somewhat cool save for the Tbird, but with overclocking it will make them all run a little hotter, and i want to make them last as long as I can. So far i am looking at panaflo's for the case fans, cause they seem to be the quietest. Thanks for the info though.
 
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2336

Elite Member
Feb 11, 2000
4,665
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You said you wanted quiet fans. Go to 2cooltk's site and they list db levels. That's the best I can do for you there. As far as cooling goes, I'd recommend an 80mm fan up front and at least an 80mm at the back of the case, maybe two. I strongly recommend more fans at the rear of the case blowing hot air out! If you're going to be overclocking and airflow through the case may be a problem, work around it! Take a decent 60mm or 80mm fan, cut an appropriately sized hole in your side panel and mount the fan in the panel, then run tubing/hose directly to the HS/Fan unit. Go to Loew's and get plastic plumbing hose of 1 1/2'. Making sure that you have some slack so you can close the case, run the tubing from the fan in the case panel(can you say cool outside air? I knew ya could) to the center of the HS/Fan unit. That will take care of your CPU. Now for the RAM issues, are you going to really be overclocking that radically? Why not just go with a halfway decent brand of PC133, like Infineon? Beside, the current crop of decent MoBos allow you to clock the RAM at a different speed than the the main FSB. Just my 2 cents worth.

 
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mikef208

Banned
Nov 30, 2000
3,227
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Well I plan on doing something with my heatsink to keep it and the CPU cool, I will take your idea into thought. I read a review of the Hewlett Packard Pavillion 9720 in the Feb '01 issue of maximum pc, it wasn't all that special except for something i noticed, they have a little plastic duct on there computer that vents the heat out the back of the case, looked pretty neat to me. It would be a lot better than having to build my own. Using something like that and something like the 2coolpc turbo card cooler you would be able to direct airflow very easily throughout your whole case. I am getting some interesting ideas. Thanks. As for the Ram and overclocking, I don't think 145mhz is all that extreme, but even if I get a good quality Ram if it's not rated at that speed it might not run at that speed. But thanks anyway.
 
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JJDyn0mite

Golden Member
May 25, 2000
1,292
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Mike, you might want to check out this place, they sell stuff designed for computer home entertainment systems, including black accessories, etc...

I have the hydraulic case, and I think there is a full version of it available that might do the trick for you. It is one SWEET looking case, it would definitely look at home in the living room. I'm thinking about doing something similar to what you're thinking about, so lmk if you find any good sites or info. Good Luck!

OOPS, here's the link: HERE!
 
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JJDyn0mite

Golden Member
May 25, 2000
1,292
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I was just looking there and they also have a Toshiba DVD/CDRW combo with a black bezel. I know that it probably wouldn't be the best you could get at either function, but it would save you a slot and match a black case... Just another idea..
 
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