The Official PC building thread - 4th Edition

I've got some time to think about it. The real question will be do I need a secondary computer. With a workhorse like my current, or future Bulldozer, I'd have to say no. So how to run multiple external drives will be the task I'll be looking at. What would be cool, is a rack that supports 12 - 20 drives. And somehow be switchable. Lanshare would far too expensive for that many drives. But there has to be a way!

 

A second PC is a great thing to have. A means to interact with IMs or other programs while in game if you hook a monitor up to it (as opposed to just viewing, which is all you can do with two monitors on the same PC), as well as having a thunderbird PC you can use if you have any problems with your current system to help with diagnosis, or in severe cases, use as your primary as a temporary measure. Depending how trusting you are, you can also lend it to your friends at LANs For me, a server is good for running 24/7 when my main PC doesn't need to, to be accessible by other people.

 

I agree. I love having a secondary. Which I already do. But it's highly outdated. It barely runs windows 7. I'll probably run a basic OS on it in the near future. My desk is a bit of a problem at the moment though See, I'm also thinking about the future monitor purchase. I'm not skimping on it this time. I'm not too worried about having two workhorses. I do have multiple PC's at my disposal. It pays to be the "Go to guy". People want to do you favors

 

Sam,

That's why I said that the more you put in tht case, the less effective the cooling becomes, because there is less room for the air. I couldn't keep my CoolIt radiator free of dust and dirt in that case, like I can with my Cooler Master R-534+. It's been over a year now and the Radiator is still clean. Air needs room to expand if it is going to collect heat. The less room you have, the less the air can expand and the warmer the temps. The front to rear HDD bays don't help either.

Russ

 

One of the best looking cases ever is my Tt Armor. Just too archaic to use anymore though. Would like to get one of the new Armors, but then I still have a HAF

May build a new system entirely depending on the success of Bulldozer. Really happy with my current rig though. Also want to wait for technology to force the upgrade.

Funny enough, the Battlefield 3 closed Alpha performed pretty well. It had Crossfire support. But screenies and video were prohibited.

 

Not bad Jeff!
Thermaltake ArmorPlus
More like FRIGGIN NICE!

 

tt armour looks garish aswell!

 

Aside from the horrible look you get from a black/blue windowed case with Tt's orange internal case fans, the Armor is at least more respectable than the Xclio, but the seemingly pointless half-a-door thing is the sort of unnecessary cheap tat Thermaltake are known for, and the 'top vent' is just a waste of space because the PSU has to be mounted at the top, old fashioned style (though I'm not universally opposed to this)
The extra hard drive cages in the area that would be occupied by below-board graphics cards is a good idea in theory, but given the practical implications of covering that lower space (no room for USB headers, bent inaccessible front panel connectors), their use instead of more space in the upper section of the case questionable.
The side fan covers a slot-type vent in the side of the case, which can only be filled by another 230mm fan, and leaves significantly large gaps in the case if it is removed. They should at least provide a dust filter for it, so the hole is blocked if the fan is not used.
It's big, it has questionable, but not ridiculous styling, it costs less than the premium cases in its size bracket, but there are several reasons why this is the case. Thermaltake just don't make cases properly. (I'd even go as far as saying they don't make anything properly )

 

Once again I agree.... The Ear doors are pretty lame, no bottom mount PS, way too many 5.25" bays, too expensive but other than that it's great.

I've seen $40-$80 cases that are much better and have mounts for (3) 120mm fans.

 

It takes a serious case to win you guys over

 

Well not really, it's simply a case of comparing stuff to the majority of what's on the market. If it's twice as expensive as the average case, and isn't really any better, it's not likely to impress.

 

Well, I find it aesthetically pleasing. The swing doors are a little strange, but otherwise I like it. Probably won't buy it, but it is interesting. Fact of the matter is, I'll probably go way cheaper :S

 

There's always an element of personal taste when choosing a case, because you don't look at your internal components much, but you see your case all the time. If you like the look of something, that adds weight to buying it, and vice versa. There is obviously a point at which you have to take specification over appearance though, no point buying something that looks good but is of no use to you!

 

Well now. Look what's available to PC builders. Apparently been around since 2010 too.
Pioneer BDXL Optical Drive
Don't know that I'd trust the technology yet though. Putting that much data on an optical disc is asking for trouble! But I guess the scratch resistant material they're putting on BD discs is pretty good. I have rented some that had nasty scratches though. I really wish people would be more careful with a picky technology.

 

That's a great drive I have one and then to get 5 discs too is fantastic for that price. Whatever you buy if you treat it with respect it will serve you well, if not O'well....

With the old VHS's they were never rewound and your machine might eat them too. With vinyl records scratch, hiss, pop, and crackle. So it is always something no matter how good the media is, nothing is perfect.

 

I have heard good things about pioneer drives. I treat all my stuff with respect. My LG drive is pretty good. An occasional bug will occur, but for the most part I love it.
Perhaps I'll buy one next year Sucker would hold a great deal of HD!

 

It is a great drive I also have the LG but I think the Pioneer is a better drive, however they are both good. You can't go wrong with the 206 and it will burn 4x media at 8x or 12x depending so you got to love it.

 

Has the Nero Scan Thread closed Down?

 

No. It's still up. I've been considering posting a few as a matter of fact!

Post your DISC quality scans here 2

 

Well, I've finally sworn off of buying anything from Asus! They had me send in that ODD with the huge dent in the cover, to see if they could determine what caused the problem. They said that they would look it over and make a determination. They blamed a faulty DVD, and shipped it back to me. Then I noticed that they couldn't have looked at the drive because the original factory seal was undamaged! I took it apart to see what I could find, only to discover that one of the 3 screws that holds the bracket for the spindle motor was missing, and the other two had loosened up a little bit. The damn motor was wobbling around all over the place. I called them and talked to them again, and they refuse to do anything about it, when it was obvious what the problem was to anyone with an ounce of brains. I don't think it took me more than 2 minutes to discover the problem! Of course, one does have actually to look first. All they kept saying was that they do not cover blown disk damage. They've gotten their last penny out of me! Asus sucks!