The "Help Me Decide on My New Dorm Room PC" Thread ;)

[KnickNut3]

Hello. With college fast approaching, I'm spending the coming spring break building a new computer to take with me to college. (I'm going the good desktop/cheap laptop route.) Since I have new needs I haven't had to worry about before, I figured I'd get the experts' opinions .

EDIT... HERE'S MY ALMOST-FINALIZED SETUP. DOES IT ALL LOOK OK? NO CONFLICTING PARTS? Both mine and the other one I'm building. If price says "$0," I already have it and am taking it out of something else, or it's onboard in the motherboard. Thanks.

Component Vendor Price
CPU Athlon XP 2200+ newegg.com $108.00
Motherboard Epox 8RDA+ newegg.com $108.00
RAM 512MB PC3200 DDR crucial.com $120.00
Video Card Geforce Ti4400 n/a $0.00
Hard Drive(s) Seagate Barracuda V 120 newegg.com $140.00
Mouse Logitech MX700 $$later $20.00
Keyboard Logitech Cordless n/a $0.00
Sound Card Onboard Sound n/a $0.00
Speakers Logitech Z-640 $$later $35.00
Case Antec Mini-tower newegg.com $80.00
NIC Onboard n/a $0.00
DVD-ROM Lite-on 16x newegg.com $40.00
CD-RW PacificDigital 32x n/a $0.00
Misc. Thermalright SLK-800 svc.com $35.00
Smartfan svc.com $8.00
Case fans svc.com $5.00
Artic Silver III svc.com $8.49
Floppy drive newegg.com $10.00


Home PC Vendor Price
Athlon XP 1800+ newegg.com $72.00
Epox 8RDA+ newegg.com $108.00
512MB PC3200 DDR crucial.com $120.00
Gainward GF4 MX440 n/a $52.00
Maxtor 80GB n/a $0.00
Microsoft Cordless n/a $0.00
Cordless Keyboard $$later $30.00
Onboard Sound n/a $0.00
Cambridge 5.1 n/a $0.00
Inwin Case n/a $0.00
Onboard n/a $0.00
Lite-on 16x DVD-ROM newegg.com $40.00
HP 8x CD-RW n/a $0.00
Case fans svc.com $5.00
Thermalright SK-6+ svc.com $9.99
Delta fan svc.com $2.99
Floppy Drive newegg.com $10.00


Sorry if the formatting got messed up.

 

[nolovenohope]

Are you set on AMD? I just say that cuz I was more or less for AMD because cheaper prices and they fit my need, but I just got a P4 1.8a combo and have it at 2.5 ghz with 38c idle with Intel stock heatsink/fan, no case fans, and it is too quiet. And now I don't have any case fans at the moment, I can now hear my hard drive, which is going to be replaced with a 120 gb Barracuda V that I just ordered which many people say it is the quietest hard drive ever across the boards. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Geeyoff]

I just graduated from college last spring. ... Holy crap, that's almost a year ago. Ugg. Anyway, based on my observations of various dorm rooms at various colleges, height isn't really at a premium. It's floor space that you'll be treasuring. Therefore, a full-tower wouldn't have much more of an impact; it may even be just the right height to be your bookshelf/coffee table/nightstand/toothbrush-keeper-space. Personally, however, I've never had any need for a full tower which generally cost more(???) and take more effort to lug between home and school. I'm happy with my Lian-Li PC60 which is solidly built and seems like it'll last through a number of systems over the years, which should make up for the fact that it wasn't cheap.

Likewise, I'm happy with my Alpha PAL8045 heatsink, which Anandtech did a review of. Linky

Also, www.siliconacoustics.com is a good place to find quiet components that can then be purchased for slightly lower prices at other online vendors. Not really stuff for the overclocker, though.

--Geeyoff

 

[mechBgon]

May I suggest something along the lines of my dad's new nForce rig except perhaps with an ultra-quiet Seagate Barracuda ATA V. You can get the very quiet NMB dual-ball-bearing 80mm case fans from www.svc.com, $11 for 5 fans, and the SK-7 heatsink is $20. I picked a Panaflo L1A to provide a little more forceful airflow on the heatsink, since the temps go up quite a bit with the baby-breath NMB on the heatsink. HTH, these are similar to what I build for the office. Oh, and I suggest going with the Crucial RAM and Windows2000.

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: Geeyoff

Also, www.siliconacoustics.com is a good place to find quiet components that can then be purchased for slightly lower prices at other online vendors. Not really stuff for the overclocker, though.

--Geeyoff

Thanks for the linky, good to have something like this around.....

 

[Lore]

Just wondering, have you thought about those small Shuttle cases that people have been using for the HTPCs? One of my floormates has one and it's done wonders for saving space. I had a full-tower case for the last three years and it was an absolute bitch to carry home and back.

 

[KnickNut3]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry, I was away for a bit and let this thread die without replying to it. I like the Alpha PAL8045, although it is a bit pricey. The NMB fans look nice, although they kill you on shipping unless I get something else from there too. I'll probably suck it up and shell out the dough for the Barracuda V.

Any more specific suggestions on case? Small, light, reliable, cheap? Also, any suggestions on a CPU fan? Thanks.

 

[Markfw]

It's not cheap, but quiet, and cool, a Vantec C7040 at $25-$33. My 2700 OC'ed to 2380, runs ar 38c.

 

[Novgrod]

I've been busily suggesting antec cases to everybody for their quality/quiet power supplies so i guess i won't stop now. Get an antec

picture

first 'un

good luck with your build.

 

[Dijay]

hey, what are you going to get for a moniter? also, are you going to buy a TV?

I start college may 12th so I'm kinda doing the same thing here

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Like metnioned earlier, think about the Shuttle cases. They are pretty small and even better if you have an LCD monitor which can make them really portable.

 

[KnickNut3]

Thanks. I'll look into them. Is 300W enough? I thought 350W should be minimum now, if not 400W.

Crap. I forgot all about a monitor, since my 20" deep CRT flat tube screen right now ain't gonna cut it, I guess. I've been a little out of touch, but is there a newer technology coming out? Apparently LCDs are torture for hardcore gamers. I know you can't get the best of both worlds, but I need my games haha. And with LCDs already being too expensive, I'm only afraid of what my other options could be...

 

[Dijay]

hehe yeah its kinda pointless to get a small case when your getting a moniter that weighs twice as much.

 

[KnickNut3]

Hmm... any affordable specific model suggestions for case, cpu fan, and lcd monitor? The more I investigate, the pricier this gets... hahaha

 

[Novgrod]

how much money are you willing to spend?

 

[henmaster]

Get a tv tuner card so you don have to bring a TV. I'm not sure which one is the best right now... I have a TV wonder and I like it but some people have had problems with it.

As far as LCDs are concerned, expect to pay $500+ for a 17", 16ms response time monitor. The problem most LCDs have with games is that their response time is too high and they can't update the screen fast enough. The 16ms response time screens have basically eliminated this problem. Take your pick from:

Hitachi CML174
Planar PX171M
NEC 1760NX,1760V
BenQ FP767
and a couple others I can't remember right now...

 

[Novgrod]

i'd submit that many people never notice ghosting with a 25 ms response time LCD; it's important that you look at 'em though before you decide. You would probably like DVI on it though.

 

[Kartajan]

I use a viewsonic LCD through DVI, and unreal 2k3 demo looks GOOD. (too cheap to buy the real thing..)
TV out is nice, but hard to deal with for non- FPS gaming use.

<<ding- here's a thought. Small LCD for normal use, and if you need to - use TV out for FPS games.. Best o' both worlds...>>

see sig for details on what I have ..

edit: spelled good wrong.. just not my day...

 

[KnickNut3]

Hmmm... interesting, thanks. I may go the more expensive lcd + tv tuner route. Either way, I'll wait until July for those things, and this field may be totally different by then.

The money I spend is kinda hard to define since I'm breaking up 3 old machines and creating three new ones out of it, so I couldn't give you a number at this point.

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[Oric]

Bigger the case, harder to steal

 

[KnickNut3]

You have a point there, unfortunately. Any PC locks? Heh... like bike locks?

 

[butch84]

Dude, keep the huge CRT!! I know they are horrible for desk space, but i simply cant take using an lcd . . . CRT all the way! Besides, they are so damn expensive. As long as you already have the monitor, i would try to make it fit in the dorm!

butch

 

[Dijay]

ugh.....theft sucks

I hope that isn't an issue for me when I go to college. Maybe I should buy a 200lb tv...no one would take that

 

[KnickNut3]

Well, I'm going to a really good college, so I'm hoping the "smart kids have better morals and values" stereotype holds true. Also if I decide on a single room, I won't have to worry if I keep it locked whenever I'm not in it.

I love my monitor, but how am I going to keep it in my dorm room? If I get one of those desk one side open to work one side bookshelf/drawer, I won't be able to put it on my desk and still have room for a keyboard, let alone to work...


EDIT - apparently you don't need to be able to spell to get into a good college

 

[paralazarguer]

Well, I'm going to a really good college, so I'm hoping the "smart kids have better morals and values" stereotype holds true.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !
OW! My sides hurt! Okay, seriously, that was the best joke I've heard all day!