The Computer Megathread

[Daedalus]

17 x 17 cm?
WHAAAAAAT
I need to see your build. How much did it cost you?

[Ad Bot]

[Fredulus]

yeah mind linking your build? i might be interested in building something like that.

[Sheath]

Its costing me about $1330 NZD. That translates to about $1100 USD, but I think you could do it for $900USD since you get better prices in the US.

I'm yet to buy the CPU or RAM as I wait for funds. I have everything else.

IcyGamma's Gaming Mini-ITX

3.40GHz CPU (4 core Intel i5-3570)
1GB Dedicated Graphics (AMD Radeon HD 7770)
16GB Ram (lol)
1TB Hard Drive
Asus P8Z77-I DELUXE Mini-ITX Motherboard running with 430W PSU (yes, this power supply IS fine wattage, mini-itx handles power better)


INTEL CORE I5 3570 IVY BRIDGE 3.40GHZ 6MB 77W LGA1155  ($285.00 NZD)
Corsair Value 8GBx2 DDR3 1333 PC3-10600 CL9 ($131.76 NZD)
Asus P8Z77-I DELUXE Motherboard ($289.00 NZD)
Seasonic S12II, 430W ATX PSU, Active PFC, SLI Ready, Black ($124.50 NZD)    
Prodigy Mini ITX Computer Case - Black ($135.00 NZD)
WD Caviar Black 1TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6/GBs ($150.00 NZD)
Asus Radeon HD 7770 1GB ($209.00 NZD)

Can't waittt.

[fawkes..]

This case comes in white as well (and strawberry pink and orange according to the site). Its called the Bitfenix Prodigy mini-itx case if you're interested, its the best case you could want for a gaming mini-itx in terms of what you can do with it... often recommended as a good case for a LAN party desktop.

I'd get an orange one, it'd look so good.

[Sheath]

Just found out its called Atomic Orange. Notice the white / orange / pink ones don't have the mesh front, only the black for visual reasons. I don't know what that means for the fan that is at the front in the black one.

[fawkes..]

Not sure about the plain front of it, without the mesh it looks kind of silly.

[Sheath]

Yeah I think the mesh, the honeycomb grid, and the shiny metal logo are really central to the case's overall feel. Although the orange does have a cool sort of industrial feel, it could be a really good canvas for decal mods. I can see danger tape around it in my head lolo.

[fawkes..]

The area between the disk drive and the logo is the bit that annoys me, there's nothing there. Should at the least be a small mesh.

[SPooK]

You can actually buy this. It's a custom mod from Performance-PC's. It's $180 xD

[Nickelob Ultra]

Well you picked a quality case then. I wouldn't worry about being "original" because the best cases always attract lots of attention. You aren't going to find a beautiful, premium case that is under-marketed ever.

For my mini-itx gaming machine that I've currently got most of the parts for, I've got this case sitting in my room...

Mac Pro-esk. One of the biggest, and most flexible, mini-itx cases available. I absolutely love eeet, knew I was going to buy one immediately after seeing it. Though its not to everyone's taste.

I'm much more subtle in my approach to computer cases. I like steel, mesh, and / or brushed metal. I'm very demanding about the look of logos and I prefer no windows or LEDs.

Ooo, now that's cool.  I used to have a Mini ATX computer, like 3-4 builds ago.  Was a real cute old model APEVIA box, no windows though.  They're so cool looking but I can't use them anymore since I have bigger GPUs and PSUs.

[Legodude77]

What intel i5 would be better than my AMD Phenom II X4 970?

[KoopaScooper]

budget was 300-400, not just 300. I've found better parts on pricewatch.

I already had it built by the time you said

My budget is also $300

Besides, after MiR the computer is ~$250 so it's loving awesome for the price

[Jerome]

What intel i5 would be better than my AMD Phenom II X4 970?

pretty much every recent one
i don't know if you like overclocking or not but the i5 3570/3570k is pretty good
i wouldn't recommend the i5-3450, 3470, 3550 or anything like that because the price difference is too small to justify

[Legodude77]

Also, if I get a new motherboard and cpu, do I have to buy windows 7 again or just plug my harddrive with windows on it into the new board and it still work?

[Jerome]

Also, if I get a new motherboard and cpu, do I have to buy windows 7 again or just plug my harddrive with windows on it into the new board and it still work?

with a copy of oem windows 7 i don't think so
i think you have to contact microsoft or something to activate it for a new system