building wife a computer

[Nooyawkah]

I'm thinking of building my wife a computer. She's not interested in modding or in the looks of the case. It'll just go under her desk anyway. Here are some questions....

1. I'd like to use AMD instead of Pentium, but I know that for my own computer I needed more cooling for an XP 1800+ than I would for a P4. But the Athlon is a much better value. Does AMD necessarily mean more noise?

2. I'd like to start with a mid-tower because it's easier to work with, but I think she'd prefer a mini, and that would provide enough bays, I believe. Any thoughts on mid vs. mini, cooling, ease of working inside, etc.

3. More fans also equals more noise, but could I get away with 2 fairly quiet ones? Also, even though there'll be no modding, rounded cables would still be good for air flow (yes)?

4. And finally, do you have any suggestions for reasonably priced, vanilla -type cases, either mid or mini? Lian Li would be wasted here, I think. Most regular cases look the same to me.

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They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
---Edgar Allan Poe

[iisbob]

Does AMD necessarily mean more noise?

I use a Thermaltake Volcano 6cu at 4500 rpm's {+/-}, a lot less noisy than my old Global, and it keeps my 1700+ ( even under full load ) at 45*c or less. Loud doesn't necessarily =cooler; just noisier. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif


Any thoughts on mid vs. mini, cooling, ease of working inside, etc.

I would go for at least a Mid-she'll eventually want to upgrade something/add something-and the Mid towers will help you in airflow and ease of work inside.

More fans also equals more noise, but could I get away with 2 fairly quiet ones? Also, even though there'll be no modding, rounded cables would still be good for air flow (yes)?

I use 1 rear fan in my case, it helps draw the air inside & around my components-mind you i have an excellant Power supply, so that a fan, the CPU, another fan-and of course my vid card has it's own fan.

Too many fans can be as bad as not enough. The key to efficient case cooling is air flow-make sure that the case has at least 2 inches of space all the way around ( preferably 4 in the back )-if you use a quality power supply, and a rear outtake fan-that should be more than adequate cooling. One other note-if it's gonna be on the floor, make sure you use some kind of filter on the front intakes to help alleviate dust intake.


And finally, do you have any suggestions for reasonably priced, vanilla -type cases, either mid or mini?

Try Newegg (http://www.newegg.com)-you'll find a plethitude of reasonably priced cases there, and they provide excellant shipping/service.

Hope this helps you a little with MHO's. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif


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iisbob

Computer-Show me the Enterprise; no bloody A, no bloody B, and no bloody C-just the original...Mr Scott { from a STNG episode }

[Rick]

1.NO . If you setup the air flow you don’t need 7200prm 45db cpu fans

2. Most Mini are cramped , Hard to work inside of. Also some are hard to mount extra exhaust fan in

3. one fan in the P/S and One exhaust in the case below that works well with amd’s
Round cables =yes

4.Antec makes some nice ones and already have the fan holes for the AMD air flow