[HPFGU-OTChatter] Build your own computer?

[Dina Lerret]

On 10/27/05, (Mrs.) Lee Storm (God is the Healing Force) <n2fgc at arrl.net> wrote:

> Remember, too, fans are your friends; lots of fans...one for your main
> processor, and two for your tower.

I actually leave off one side panel and have an oscillating fan
blowing on the computer. {g}  It probably does help with the cooling
but also blows in dust as well. :-\


On 10/27/05, Tammy Rizzo <ms-tamany at rcn.com> wrote:

> transistor, were I handed a jumble of them.  For me, it's all just a matter
> of reading the directions five or six times before I touch the parts.  ;-D
> There's still a lot of, "Oh crap, what is THIS supposed to plug into?" but I
> do learn something new every time.

Yeah, from what I've read, it's suggested I go with some good name
brands (versus generic and also OEM) because they often have proper
documentation... in English. ;-)


> One thing I've learned is that it's very wise to keep your data files on a
> separate harddrive than your system/program files.  This way, if (WHEN) you

Interesting advice. {g}  I do know I want a set-up with *at least*
500gigs (harddrive space is first priority and then RAM and then
processor), not including any USB HDD hook-ups that I'll add on,
because I'm still into video editing and those buggers take up
*massive* amounts of space, and if you're doing series vidding and you
really don't have episodes memorized, it's just easier to grab the
clips once and store them.  Movie vidding (e.g. LOTR, HP, etc.) is
easier and why I've been doing it for the past... 2-3 years.  With an
estimate on a starting 2-3 harddrives, I'll need a decent power supply
too.


> My suggestion, though, would be to look at places like
> http://www.tigerdirect.com for cases and parts.  Make up a wish-list of what
> you really want your system to be, and shop around for the best prices for
> the parts.  Add them up and see how that price compares with the pre-built
> systems that meet your requirements.  Also, don't be afraid to ask for

Aye, I've been specking out Dealnews and they have various discounts
going on and coupons.


> way.  Then again, though, you can't blame the unknown technician when
> something goes wrong . . . .

Heh, yeah, the only warranty would come from the *individual* parts,
but I've only had one problem computer and that was a 'turd on a
stick' Compaq where the motherboard needed replacing after less than
three months and it still frequently 'blue screens [of death]' on me.

My computer buying history: Compaq (1995 good computer), Compaq (1999
piece of crap), Gateway (2000 'my baby' I use all the time), and a
'generic' vidding computer (2002 - my only Athlon processor).

I'm thinking of trading in my two Compaqs for parts.  I'll keep the
Gateway but I'd like to eventually retire it for light usage because
my video capture board only works in it.

Gah, I still don't know why I'm into vidding because fanfic gives you
more interaction with other fans (vidding is very... isolated), and
it's not like I ever intend on using the knowledge as a career.  If I
only needed a computer for 'surfing the internet', I'd have a newer
computer sooner--ironically, my boss gave me a bonus that coincided
with the cost of a mini-Mac - though, I used that money for repairs,
instead--but I know that isn't the only use I'd want for it.

Dina