Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!:)

[Mhurron]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

I've found up to 600W PS's without fans in a very quick search. I also would expect anyone who would try this to be able to remove a fan from a PS since, well, immersing it is going to void your warranty anyway.

[Solymir]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

The liquid is just like the air. Imagine your computer with no fans in it. The air would be stagnant and heat up quickly. Moving the liquid with fans gives it a degree of cooling.

I could have sworn the "oil" projects I have seen in the past had no moving fans. This is just an assumption, but I would think the oil would form a natural flow. Heated oil moving to the top, cooling, and then falling to the bottom. I am not a chemist, and have no extensive knowledge of the properties of different liquids so I'm pretty much talking out of my ass here.

[Kitalrez]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

Couldn't hurt to introduce a current to the oil, though, so you get movement around and heat transfer. What about removing all fans and adding a big old Delta fan or two to one side of the aquarium blowing up? That'd generate a current on that side, and the other would naturally cycle down again before coming into the fan's wake. Cost you less in terms of current, too.

Oh, on the subject of Power Supplies, brand matters to a degree. Antecs are stable, but expensive. The off brands are hit and miss. Sometimes you find a good deal, and sometimes you find one where it's 600W, but only good on the lines you don't actually need power on. Since you don't know what kind of power on each line you need yet, go ahead and spend a little more to get one that's fairly decent overall. Later on when you get more familiar with your current needs for components, you can start looking at the PS specs before you buy.


[Edit] Ok, got distracted and forgot why I wanted to reply to this thread... back on track now.

If you thought Vista was bad, here's the Windows 7 lineup
Same deal as Vista, multiple lineups where you have to buy bigger to get the stuff you do want, and bloatware on everything. I just got my Macbook last week and I'm surprisingly pleased with the thing. It's only got OSX tiger on it, but so far it's compact, works smoothly, doesn't crash on me and was pretty easy to start figuring out. I'm almost to the point where I can troubleshoot my own problems. If I could find more OSX based games, I'd probably switch the desktop over.

[Tipsy]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

I have a question, I've been trying my best to learn how to build a computer and it seems the only tricky part is actually choosing the pieces. So how do you know if your part matches with the other part? Will it say on the back?

Like if I have a case that supports AMD, I can't install an Intel motherboard? And vice versa?

What are the key features I have to look at when deciding what will work with what?

Pin count?
Model?
Manufacturer?

[Raydeus]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

Models and slot types.

- The End -

[Durahansolo]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

I have a question, I've been trying my best to learn how to build a computer and it seems the only tricky part is actually choosing the pieces. So how do you know if your part matches with the other part? Will it say on the back?

Like if I have a case that supports AMD, I can't install an Intel motherboard? And vice versa?

What are the key features I have to look at when deciding what will work with what?

Pin count?
Model?
Manufacturer?

All motherboards tell what type of equipment you need to use with them to get it to work. The problem is finding that information. I buy from newegg and tiger direct and those places list what is needed to install to the MB to make it work. I have never seen a case that was specific to which processor type you use, however motherboards are and there are some cases that will not fit certain motherboard sizes inside of them. Unless you are building a server with a larger motherboard size, the majority of the desktop boards are around the same size (ATX).

For example, this is the computer setup I might possibly be building:

Asus Rampage II Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS Rampage II Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Just looking at the specs, this MB allows you to be able to use the brand new i7 Processor in it. 6 Memory slots for DDR3 Ram Memory, 3 PCI Express slots for video cards. 6 SATA Connectors for SATA hard drives, onboard audio in case you don't have a sound card. What is unlisted in the specs is this motherboard also has a IDE connection in case you have a IDE hard drive or IDE CD/DVD drive and also a PCI slot. Also you'll need a power supply capable of plugging into the motherboard to power the components. The problem with this is, I have a power supply that is capable of running my current Q6600 Intel Quad Core, but I need a new power supply that is able to run the new I7 since it must have a newtype connector on the motherboard for it.

[Kitalrez]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

Yeah, easiest way to do things is usually to pull up the Mobo's manufacturer site and look at the model you want. MoBo specs are usually listed on there. For instance, it'll say something like "fits xxxx cases", or "expansion slots for xx sticks of DDR3 memory". That will usually tell you all you need to know about buying parts. (With the exception of Power supplies, which sometimes feels like you're trying to pry a magic secret out of the magician).

For ram, they used to list it as two combinations, sometimes you'll still see this. Like DDR PC2700/333Mhz. Basically, if you see any DDR stick with either PC2700 or 333Mhz, it'd fit in that setup. I see more of the Mhz now.

Oh, and on the motherboard specs, look up the max ram it supports before you start buying ram. There are setups where you can monkey around with cards and put way more ram into a machine than it actually supports. (For instance, I had a motherboard with 4 DDR slots that could support 3 GB of RAM. I had 4 slots, but they weren't all for 1 GB sticks, it was set up so you could do multiple 512 MB sticks if you needed. Popping 4 sticks in didn't give me more than 3 GB.)

If you're confused as to motherboards, ASUS is a good site to start looking at specs. They're fairly well written, and you can get an idea of what you need from it.

[Durahansolo]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

Oh, and on the motherboard specs, look up the max ram it supports before you start buying ram. There are setups where you can monkey around with cards and put way more ram into a machine than it actually supports. (For instance, I had a motherboard with 4 DDR slots that could support 3 GB of RAM. I had 4 slots, but they weren't all for 1 GB sticks, it was set up so you could do multiple 512 MB sticks if you needed. Popping 4 sticks in didn't give me more than 3 GB.)

THIS^^

I noticed that the newer motherboards that can use DDR3 ram can hold up to 12GB of ram, however you'd have to be running Windows Vista 64 to be able to see it. I think the most regular Vista can see is 4 and XP 3-3.5.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

Oh, and on the motherboard specs, look up the max ram it supports before you start buying ram.

I'd also like to add to check your OS too. Many people still prefer XP and it has ram limitations.

[Raydeus]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

Then again I've yet to find an app where 2 Gb wasn't overkill. But yeah 3 Gb max for 32bit XP, for more just get the 64bit edition.

[Tipsy]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

If I purchase parts at a store--say a motherboard-- will it tell me the compatible components on the back of the package?

[Durahansolo]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

If I purchase parts at a store--say a motherboard-- will it tell me the compatible components on the back of the package?

First mistake purchasing at a store lol, all my stores around here have rediculously higher prices than over the internet... Probably would be easier to go to the manufacturers website and look up the specs. If the compatible components aren't listed on the back of the box, they should definently be in the motherboard's manual inside the box.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

I agree with Dura, do NOT buy from your local shops. The prices in your local stores are ridiculously marked up. Recently my husband needed a power supply for his computer. The impatient old man couldn't wait for it to be delivered so he went looking around town. He could have got a nice high end 600w psu online for the price he paid for the one he got from the local store and it was only a 475w and some off brand crap. Online is the only way I buy my parts, it just takes some time to do the legwork for the information on what to get and a little patience waiting for it to get to you.

[Durahansolo]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

and a little patience waiting for it to get to you.

Or if money seems to be no object, have it shipped overnight or 2 Day. It'll cost more, but it'll break you from being impatient lol. Depending on where you live in conjunction to the warehouse, alot of times you'll get things a day earlier than you should.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Customizing a gaming PC (Not LAPTOP, this time_!

Ya my son does the overnight/2 day crap. I got him once though. We both ordered parts the same day and I used the traditional shipping and he paid for 2 day shipping. My parts got here the same damn day his did. I paid less than $10 and he paid a little over $20 I believe.