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

[ultimatebob]

I'd also recommend the Shuttle. It takes up 1/4th the amount of space of a standard ATX case, without any loss in performance. The heatpipe that they use is also very quiet, and does a suprisingly nice job of cooling the case.

Match that with a nice 17" flat panel LCD, and you'll still have some room in your dorm for other stuff.

 

[everman]

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.

LOL, you make good joke! 😉

I highly reccomend an antec/chenming case which has a lockable front and side panel, no window. "highly"

Depending on gaming (the amount of gaming you do is inversly proportional to grades you want so keep that in mind) I'd get around a P4 2.4 and a large heatsink with a low rpm fan. And since you're using a large case with great ventilation you can use very low rpm fans in front and back (2 each + PSU) and you'll have a very silent system.

But I'm sure your room-mate will have his O/Ced at least 50% with 5 screaming Deltas 🙂

 

[KnickNut3]

Originally posted by: everman
But I'm sure your room-mate will have his O/Ced at least 50% with 5 screaming Deltas 🙂

If that's the case, a "smart kid with high morals" just might snatch it 😉. Yeah, I know it's pot luck and people can be jerks... I gotta just hope I get lucky, I guess...

 

[KnickNut3]

Can anyone give me a link on the Shuttle case(s)? Pricewatch comes up empty, and shuttle.com doesn't have them... very weird...

 

[bgeh]

Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Can anyone give me a link on the Shuttle case(s)? Pricewatch comes up empty, and shuttle.com doesn't have them... very weird...

link

do a search on google for 'Shuttle XPC' and you will find more

🙂

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If you can scrounge up a 1000$ there are always hot deals on notebooks for that much or less with 15" TFTs, DVD/CD-RW combo drives, P4-M or XP t-bred mobile CPUs, 30-40gb HDDs, 512mb memory, and ATI or Nvidia graphics that will handle moderate gaming.

Otherwise the Shuttle XPC based systems are ubersmall and powerful enough for most anything.

If you are a serious gamer, well then, stop THAT! and study! no more goofing off 😛

 

[lumen]

I'll go ahead and suggest a Vantec AeroFlow for your processor cooling, after a LOT of research my choice in that particular sink/fan has been a pleasure, this thing is very quiet and is exceptionally efficent for it's noise level... Also, I'll suggest an Antec Lanboy $99 @ Newegg which includes a high quality Antec psu.

 

[KnickNut3]

Hmm... I like small, but since I'm piecing this together from what I already have, and I'm sure some parts from this one will make it to my next one in approx. 2005/2006, I don't think I want one of those Shuttle ones, although they are cool 🙂.

I like the Antec Lanboy. Any other suggestions? More support for that one?

 

[KnickNut3]

Bump for almost-finalized lookover...

 

[mechBgon]

Power supply is important both for noise and stability purposes, what were you planning to get exactly?

 

[KnickNut3]

ANTEC PERFORMANCE II BLACK Model# SX635BII (BLACK) ATX MINI TOWER CASE w/ Antec 350W POWER SUPPLY - RETAIL
Special features include the Smart Power ATX12V P4 compliant power supply that runs cooler and quieter, front USB/Firewire ports, washable air filter on the front, & quick-release drive bays with release lever.
Specifications:
Material: 1.0mm SECC
Drive Bays: External 3 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" Internal 3 X 3.5"
System Board: Fits standard ATX / Pentium 4 Up to 12" (W) x 9.6" (L)
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
USB/IO: 2 Front USB port, 1 Front IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port
Standard Fan(s): 1 X 80mm (rear)
Optional Fan(s): 2 X 80mm (front)
Dimensions: 18.6" (L) X 8.1" (W) X 17.25" (H)