Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread

[Genocidicbunny]

Ive had around 5, no problems either. In fact, I have 2 in my pc right now.

 

[lndm]

the more exhaust(that's more import than intake right?) so the only issue is if it's big enough really.

Normally I'd think bigger intakes, assuming you're putting the fan on the exhaust. The exception is when you want to use an oversized fan with a speed controller so you can run it slow. That would be my preferred choice.

I'd also go with a single fan unless you can engineer the fan and inlet locations so they work constructively.

 

[Ulyaoth]

So would you suggest the 690 or the 300? The 690 has one 120mm in the back, 2 on the side(one over graphics cards, one over the cpu), and one in the front. The 300 has one 120mm in the back and a 140mm on top, with spots for one on the side and 2 in the front, but is a little smaller length wise and doesn't have toolless stuff.

So that and this last issue is what's holding me up on ordering now, I'm not sure if I should get the AM3 version of the board I picked already, and get DDR3 1333 RAM, which would cost $30 more for the board and another $5 for the RAM over 1066. I've heard there's issues with the AM3 cpus and DDR3 right now, so I thought I'd rather just minimize any possible problems I may have since I just want to put it together and not have to go and finding compatibility issues or whatever. And if I get DDR2, would 800 be fine over 1066, that'd save me another $15 if it shouldn't matter, I do plan on overclocking a bit at least.

 

[lndm]

Well, if it were me I'd use an oversized fan under the power supply and I'd duct tape closed all of the other fan holes leaving selected inlets toward the front beneath the hard drive, and maybe one beneath the graphics card.

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

My favourite case quality is silence, second is ease of disassembly.

 

[Ulyaoth]

Yeah, that's one of my issues, I don't want my computer to sound like a damn jet, but I also want good cool temps to make my parts last well. Both cases have the power supplies at the bottom I think.

 

[lndm]

Having the power supplies at the bottom is contrary to the ATX specification. It probably means you need more fans.

As far as temps are concerned, as long as you're under 55C (130F, I think) you're fine. Parts will last until they're a paperweight. FWIW I've (in the past) overclocked my processor, FSB, RAM, and graphics with only passive (no fan) graphics, processor and mobo cooling, no case fan and a single oversized power supply fan, and maintained 55C.

I'm not suggesting you should try this, it took a fair bit of planning. Just trying to ease your concerns.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

In stores, sometimes I see computer desks with compartments for the tower, but that compartment has a door. Wouldn't that be bad for the ventilation?

Also, whats the proper name for the tower? Because not all of them are towers. I've seen CPU, cases, tower, and chassis. Any others?

 

[Ulyaoth]

Well, my GPU is supposed to be good up to 80C I'm told, yet it's incapable of doing anything(crashes my computer in any games I try that are more demanding than say EU3) because it gets up to around 65C at load.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Sorry if I missed, but did you try temperature monitoring? This might tell you if it's actually temperature or perhaps some physical damage or even a weird driver.

 

[Ulyaoth]

Yes, that's how I got that it maxes at like 65C before it crashes my computer. I've gotten it working in anything but steam now, for some reason any steam game no matter how undemanding the graphics may be.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Unless the internet card (wait, isn't it called the ethernet?) is sending shocks to the GPU. But that's ridiculous. Do you use games to connect to internet other than Steam?

 

[Cutlass]

In stores, sometimes I see computer desks with compartments for the tower, but that compartment has a door. Wouldn't that be bad for the ventilation?

Also, whats the proper name for the tower? Because not all of them are towers. I've seen CPU, cases, tower, and chassis. Any others?

Yes, the air flow sucks in those things. But it's often sufficient. And sometimes it's not. Most computer desks just suck.

 

[lndm]

80C sounds like a typical limit. It's a silicon thing and a chip package thing. Internally, the junction temperatures can reach 150C.

Perhaps you have uneven flow on your card and a secondary chip is frying. Or a localised supply of power issue or a sensor or driver issue like aimee suggests.

@aimee: Regarding the cabinet, some computers have a blank fan hole in the centre of the back panel. This is bad for air flow as it reduces the air flowing in through the front vents. These cabinets would make this worse. A properly set up system should be OK.

Ideally you could cut a fan sized hole in the front panel and screw a fan guard (metal grille) front and back of the door, and stuff the space between them with pillow stuffing.

As far as what the case is called, if anyone asks me this question I say it's the computer. If I'm talking to someone that is never likely to open the box, that's all it is.

I think that calling it a CPU is a hangover from mainframe days. There seems to be a subculture of basics training people (I think you'd call it 101?) that spread misnomers, myths and so forth (apologies if I'm talking about anyone here, not everyone's the same )

When I use the term 'case', I'm either talking about an empty case or talking about opening the case etc.

When I'm talking about a tower, I'm just talking about an upright case.

 

[Ulyaoth]

Hey, why come Newegg charges you for items that it says are free gifts from other items? The motherboard I want now is giving some crappy mouse with it and Newegg is adding $15 to the price of my order, WTH.

Also, my order is either $658 with a CM 690, or $637 with the Antec 300, anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Hey, why come Newegg charges you for items that it says are free gifts from other items? The motherboard I want now is giving some crappy mouse with it and Newegg is adding $15 to the price of my order, WTH.

Also, my order is either $658 with a CM 690, or $637 with the Antec 300, anyone have any recommendations?

They're taking it off the price of the other item.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Yes, the air flow sucks in those things. But it's often sufficient. And sometimes it's not. Most computer desks just suck.

The one I had (before it collapsed) was good. The tower compartment had a LOT of room. Like 6 inches clearance between the tower and the side of the compartment. And the back was open.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Well, the question is, how big is your tower? Because that makes a difference. And where one tower may be properly cooled, another may not be. For instance, my case has an exaust fan at the top, a big ol' 200mm one. If I stuck that under my desk, it would have 1" of clearance, but it wouldnt be effective at cooling, lots of resistance.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

This was my old one, which was pretty big but not as huge as my new one. I think it was a standard ATX case. The new one is a few inches bigger both width and height and deep.

 

[Cutlass]

You really are better off with a desk that has has reasonable air flow. And a door is not good for that. But watch the temp monitor in any new physical layout, and you can see if that possition is reasonable for the needs of the pc.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Currently my desk has no CPU compartment so the tower's on the floor. Except for accidentally kicking the plug and knocking out power, it's good.