Buying a Case

Rhett · October 2002

Ok, I have been thinking about getting a new case for my PC. It is a Gateway built computer that I have had for the past two years. I am hoping to get into building my next PC, and while that is not an option now (monetarily) I might be able to get a new case (which I think would be really cool to have). I am looking to get one that has a clear window on the side, probably black paint, and maybe get some cathode lights to put inside.
1) How difficult would this be to do (for a guy who hasnt ever built/ taken apart a PC, only put in a LAN card, and done some other minor stuff inside)?
2) How expensive would this be?
3) Would I have any problems moving the Gateway parts into the new case? (the motherboard is my specific concern)
4) Where would be a good site/place to get it at?
I cant seem to find what the motherboard is. Where would I be able to look it up? (Man do I feel stupid... [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img] ). Well, thanks in advance.

Biggles · October 2002

[url="http://www.motherboards.org"]www.motherboards.org[/url] for all your motherboard hunting needs.

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[url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Never eat anything bigger than your own head.[/url]
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

Random Chaos · October 2002

The biggest problem I can see is with the rear adaptors. You can move the mobo easily (if you get the right case type...most are universal now though). The problem would be with the rear adaptors. Gateway does not provide a custom adaptor plate, instead they build it permently into the case. The result is most new mobos won't fit the adaptor positions on existing gateway cases and if you move the gateway mobo, you will have a big hole there arround the adaptors. Both are not good situations (1 for use, other for air-flow).

I don't know what to suggest really...gatway likes screwing people on cases it seems...

If you're planning on getting a new mobo eventually, go ahead and get the case. You can live with the air hole problem for a few months (just make sure you have enough fans to counteract it). A new mobo should come with a faceplate so you won't have problems once you buy a new one...

--RC

Entil'Zha · October 2002

[quote]Originally posted by rhett:
[b]Ok, I have been thinking about getting a new case for my PC. It is a Gateway built computer that I have had for the past two years. I am hoping to get into building my next PC, and while that is not an option now (monetarily) I might be able to get a new case (which I think would be really cool to have). I am looking to get one that has a clear window on the side, probably black paint, and maybe get some cathode lights to put inside.
1) How difficult would this be to do (for a guy who hasnt ever built/ taken apart a PC, only put in a LAN card, and done some other minor stuff inside)?
2) How expensive would this be?
3) Would I have any problems moving the Gateway parts into the new case? (the motherboard is my specific concern)
4) Where would be a good site/place to get it at?
I cant seem to find what the motherboard is. Where would I be able to look it up? (Man do I feel stupid... [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img] ). Well, thanks in advance.[/b][/quote]

Gateway and Dell usually use propraitary mobo/case design, so you most likely will not be able to jsut pop the mobo out and put it in a new case, HOWEVER, the price for mobo/case combos is really dirt cheap. You could pick up a good mobo and case for maybe $150 or less. (you can get a full machine these days for around $300, for case, mobo, power supply, ram, processor, harddrive)

As for building it yourself, Once you get it built, don't be suprised if it doesn't boot right away, Your best bet is to assemble the case/mobo, and JUST put in the harddrive, Ram and Video card, then boot it up, if you've done everythingg right and it boots, Then add everythign else,

There is nothing worse then spending the time to put a full machine together, only to have it not boot and have to take everything out and put it back one card/component at a time.

I build all my machines now, the only "store bought" machine's i have are my Mac, and my Dell Poweredge server, and that was a gift.

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..And so it Begins

http://www.firefoot.com

Random Chaos · October 2002

Damn...I want to be in your family! I wish mine would give me a Dell server! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

On a more serious note: I don't see how you can get that for $300...the CPU costs more (or are you saying to use the existing CPU?). And if you put in decent memory it also costs more.

One thing you need ot figure out is if you want to use your existing ram type in your new mobo. If its DDR, you probably should keep it [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img].

--RC

psyco · October 2002

[url="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=7&manufactory=1524&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1"]http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&c atalog=7&manufactory=1524&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1[/url]

About halfway down are some nice cases with windows in the side.

edit/
Make that 3/4 of the way down.

[This message has been edited by psyco (edited 10-29-2002).]

JackN · October 2002

Wish I had the money...

I'd get one of these pretty ones:

[img]http://oakhurst.net/~alien/MISC/nob.jpg[/img]

[img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img]

Rogue Trader · October 2002

how much is that? i saw some cool ass cases for 45 buckaroos.

Rhett · October 2002

[quote]Originally posted by JackN:
[b]Wish I had the money...

I'd get one of these pretty ones:

[img]http://oakhurst.net/~alien/MISC/nob.jpg[/img]

[img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img][/b][/quote]

Thats so ****ing tight!

Rhett · October 2002

Censors are now on?

Bekenn · October 2002

They've always been on.

So far as I know, it's just for that word and the J-word.

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We are here to place President Grenewetzki under arrest!

Vertigo1 · October 2002

[url="http://www.coolerguys.com"]www.coolerguys.com[/url]

They have some NICE cases.

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[b][url="http://www.savefarscape.com/"]SAVE FARSCAPE![/url][/b]
"Isn't the universe an amazing place? I wouldn't live anywhere else! Love to stay! Can't, have to go! Kiss! Kiss! Love! Love! Bye! *kiss*" - G'Kar

JackN · October 2002

[quote]Originally posted by rhett:
[b]
Thats so ****ing tight![/b][/quote]

Somebody here on this board went to work for the people that make and sell this brand in the picture...

Speak up! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

Ranger1 · October 2002

Not gonna pry me away from me Lian Li pc70 fulltower. [url="http://www.pc-beyond.com/"]PC-Beyond[/url] has some dirt cheap Lian Li's compared to wha tI paid for mine when they first came out here.

[url="http://www.cstone.net/~jasondan/pics/desk/desk-4.jpg"]Mine[/url]. Yes I actually cleaned off my desk last week. Filled up an entire trash bag. And no this shot isn't from a digital camera Sanfam. I still haven't picked one out. Gonna watch Fresh Gear tonight on TechTV since they have a camera special tonight.

[This message has been edited by Ranger1 (edited 10-30-2002).]

Rogue Trader · October 2002

THE SCREEN SAVERS RULE HARD!

Entil'Zha · October 2002

[quote]Originally posted by Random Chaos:
[b]Damn...I want to be in your family! I wish mine would give me a Dell server! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

On a more serious note: I don't see how you can get that for $300...the CPU costs more (or are you saying to use the existing CPU?). And if you put in decent memory it also costs more.

One thing you need ot figure out is if you want to use your existing ram type in your new mobo. If its DDR, you probably should keep it [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img].

--RC[/b][/quote]

It wasn't a gift from my family, It was for some network administration work that i did, the guy couldnt afford to pay me cash, so he gave me the server instead. heh,

As for the price.. The processor alone more than that? Umm no i can get an Athlon Xp 2000+ (1.67ghz) for $105.

As for a complete system its a little more than the $300 i said, But how does this sound? for just a basic system.

Mother Board Mainboard w/ Lan Card on Board
AMD Duron(1.2GHz)
128 MB PC-133 Memory
40.0GB 5400RPM
ATI Xpert2000 32MB AGP Video Card
52x Max CD-ROM
AC97' Sound on board
Intel PCI V.90 56K Fax Modem w/ voice
7Bay ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 300W Power Supply
1.44 Floppy Drive
Win 98 104Key Keyboard, High Power Speaker, PS/2 Mouse
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition CD
$375

Now personally, i would go for one of the others that this place does, but you can get an Athlon XP basic system for around $415

Granted if you want PC2100DDR memory, you're going to pay a tad more.

But if you just want a case/mobo/processor and not the rest of the stuff, and use current parts. then you'd be looking at the $109 for the XP 2000+ processor, say $106-$150 for a decent Motherboard (i like Abit myself, the KD7 goes for $106) and a decent ATX-300 watt case for $30, so you'd be looking at around $245.

Not too shabby since i paid $2,700 for my first 8088, and another $600 for a 110bps modem for it.

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..And so it Begins

http://www.firefoot.com

Biggles · October 2002

Get this one:

[url="http://www.nvnews.net/images/news/200211/ak_clearcase5.jpg"]http://www.nvnews.net/images/news/200211/ak_clearcase5.jpg[/url]

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[url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Never eat anything bigger than your own head.[/url]
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

Rhett · October 2002

Another question (havent had a chance to browse around much) but if the components have gotton dust on them, is there anyway to get it cleaned up (without doing damage)? One reason it sucks to live in the desert.

psyco · October 2002

Canned air does wonders.

Vertigo1 · October 2002

You can also use a vacuum cleaner if you're careful enough. Just make sure the comp isn't on.

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[b][url="http://www.savefarscape.com/"]SAVE FARSCAPE![/url][/b]
"Isn't the universe an amazing place? I wouldn't live anywhere else! Love to stay! Can't, have to go! Kiss! Kiss! Love! Love! Bye! *kiss*" - G'Kar

Biggles · October 2002

Vacuum cleaners are good, but it helps if the dust is loose first. What I do is use a soft brush to brush down the case/components, then vacuum up the dust afterwards. Canned air would also work to get the dust loose.

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[url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Never eat anything bigger than your own head.[/url]
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

JackN · October 2002

[quote]Originally posted by Biggles:
[b]Get this one:

[url="http://www.nvnews.net/images/news/200211/ak_clearcase5.jpg"]http://www.nvnews.net/images/news/200211/ak_clearcase5.jpg[/url]

[/b][/quote]

Looks like a 70's USAF Nuclear Device! Hah Hah! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

Believe me... I know! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

Biggles · October 2002

They looked like transparent computers?

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[url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Never eat anything bigger than your own head.[/url]
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

AnlaShok · October 2002

That was me. I no longer work there, sales isn't my thing. However, they're still good people, and their website is
[url="http://www.customcases.tv"]http://www.customcases.tv[/url]

I have the Nest Black.

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AnlaShok, Captain of the Gray Hand of Fate Squadron
Sidhe-1
Wielder of the Big Heavy Hammer of Obvious Truth
"FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC!"

JackN · October 2002

[quote]Originally posted by AnlaShok:
[b]That was me. I no longer work there, sales isn't my thing. However, they're still good people, and their website is
[url="http://www.customcases.tv"]http://www.customcases.tv[/url]

I have the Nest Black.

[/b][/quote]

Oh the Blue Nest is pretty...
[img]http://www.customcases.tv/images/home2/bluenesttn.jpg[/img]

as compared to

[img]http://www.customcases.tv/images/home2/NOBLESSEBLACK-TN.jpg[/img]

[yoda]If only the money I had...[/yoda] [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by JackN (edited 11-01-2002).]

Vertigo1 · October 2002

[quote]Originally posted by Biggles:
[b]Vacuum cleaners are good, but it helps if the dust is loose first. What I do is use a soft brush to brush down the case/components, then vacuum up the dust afterwards. Canned air would also work to get the dust loose.

[/b][/quote]

Guess I'm lucky to have an air compressor in the garage. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img] Blasts that shit out in record time. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/tongue.gif[/img]

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[b][url="http://www.savefarscape.com/"]SAVE FARSCAPE![/url][/b]
"Isn't the universe an amazing place? I wouldn't live anywhere else! Love to stay! Can't, have to go! Kiss! Kiss! Love! Love! Bye! *kiss*" - G'Kar

Biggles · November 2002

Does the rest of the computer survive? [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

Jack: [url="http://www.nvnews.net/images/news/200211/ak_clearcase2.jpg"]This blue[/url] is prettier. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

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[url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Never eat anything bigger than your own head.[/url]
"Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras

Alec M · November 2002

[url="http://www.coolerguys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=DS840556033035&Category_Code=CS-CMS"]I'm getting this one[/url] [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

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[url="http://www.alecm.com/"]Alec McClymont[/url]
"Something is only impossible until it's not."

JackN · November 2002

[quote]Originally posted by Slade:
[b][url="http://www.coolerguys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=DS840556033035&Category_Code=CS-CMS"]I'm getting this one[/url] [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

[/b][/quote]

It is nice. Has that 2001/2010 movie look. It's too subtle for me at that price though...

[img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img]

Alec M · November 2002

It's definitly one of the classiest cases out there. Simple, clean lines always look best.

Price is a b**** though, you're right about that.

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[url="http://www.alecm.com/"]Alec McClymont[/url]
"Something is only impossible until it's not."

Random Chaos · November 2002

Anyone know how to make holomorphic cases? [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

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