basic questions about graphics cards and wifi, my build, etc

[rskm137]

Well, NZXT makes **** imho

QFT

I have never heard of the brand you have, but I certainly dig the case!

 

[adamsmasher]

Good god that thing is huge.

 

[thelostswede]

Well, NZXT makes **** imho

QFT

I have never heard of the brand you have, but I certainly dig the case!

Lian-Li? That's most likely cause they're stupidly expensive, but it was the first company to start making aluminium cases. All their cases are still made in Taiwan, rather than China.
$180 on newegg... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112248&Tpk=PC-B25F

The few NZXT cases I've touched have been utter cheap crap, same goes for most Thermaltake cases, but then again, I am very fussy when it comes to cases (and motherboards and and...)

And yes, the old fashioned full towers were huge, hence why I said no-one's really using them any more, although I guess the terminology is now applied to the biggest cases you can get.

 

[hapa17]

so uh...back to my original concerns...any opinions on my question about wifi: better to go b/g/n recognized as 3rd party, or b/g as airport? or if there's a solution known to do both, that would be great i guess.

also, what's with the mobo thing. why shouldn't i get the UD2? sure, there is a database of DSDT's for a buttload of other P55 boards, but why do the UD3? or the UD5? or the UD4P? perhaps if there's a source someone could link me to for this information, i could read that instead of someone having to explain it to me?

as for cases, seems like these mid cases are the most common. i'm inclined to take my chances with one of those. and sure, i'd like a fancy one with a neon light, a window, a unicorn, and a rainbow, but i'm really fine with whatever's the most sound functionally. any recommendation along those lines? and considering the parts i'm leaning toward (the GTS 250 rather than the 9400 GT), should i be loading up on additional fans or anything like that?

once again, thanks for your advice!

 

[thelostswede]

I still can't advice on network cards, but one or the other D-Link thing is meant to do the job, someone posted about it in another thread.

In terms of case, this isn't much more than the cheap crap one you picked, if you can be bothered to send in the MIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161 (you also save on shipping, as it's got free shipping)

As far as motherboard is concerned, you get more slots on a larger board, but it depends if you need them or not. If you're going with the mATX board, then I'd get a mATX case, as it makes no sense to get a big case for a small board. This is one of the best mATX case I've ever built http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119088 again not a lot more expensive.

As long as you're not going to overclock the system you shouldn't have to worry about any extra fans unless you live somewhere extremely hot.

 

[hapa17]

thanks for the recommendations!

a couple more concerns. would an mATX case be adequate for the UD2, all the components i mentioned, and a GTS 250 graphics card? i imagine so, right?

also, i haven't seen a lot of people endorsing mATX cases on these forums, at least not in their signatures. yet i have seen instances where someone claims to have an mATX mobo with a mid case. would i be wrong in thinking that this might serve the same purpose as using a full tower with a regular mobo like rskm137 suggested? meaning, a micro board in a mid case might open up air flow nicely?

i'm tempted to mirror auntyjamima's build in his signature, as it seems to be kind of where my head's at (GTS 250 graphics card, UD2, dual monitors, i7 core).

 

[thelostswede]

Only advantage of a tiny board in a big case is that you could add more hard drives, but how many are you going to use?

There just isn't any point with getting a bigger case than you need.
The little CM case will hold a full-size PSU, it will fit all the bits you're going to use with it and you're not going to have any problems, except possibly the fact that it takes up too little space...

 

[tonymacx86]

I use a small case for my UD2- although I wish I got a higher quality one, this one is adequate for my needs, and not too shabby looking. I stuck a white apple sticker on both sides Nice large power button and reset on front, mic in and headphone on front with 2 usbs. Fan is semi-quiet, but the whole thing is kinda rickety- I mean thin metal, and weird spacing for hard drives. If you're looking for more than 2 or 3 hard drives, it will be very cramped. Especially if you're planning on overclocking or a large graphics card. My build was originally spec'd as a super low cost venture, so hence, a super low cost case.

I really like the size.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147126

Although it's not available anymore, you get the idea of the pros/cons.

 

[thelostswede]

Another "quality" Rosewill product I see...

If you want to splash out, then go for this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811129041 although the white version is a lot cheaper http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129044

Or you could go for something really compact http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163157 but I've heard that that one is a bitch to build

There's also the slightly more feminine alternative http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108064

Or you could try something different http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144162

Newegg seems to have a bit too much Rosewill gear, is that an in-house brand?

 

[hapa17]

thanks for all the information everyone! i've ordered all the parts from newegg, sans the case. it cost an extra $15 in shipping for the case, so i decided i'd just buy locally from fry's. i found the post that thelostswede mentioned about the d-link solution, so that part was also ordered. i await delivery in eager anticipation. hopefully the cpu components don't arrive before the monitor (i don't have a spare monitor at home at the moment!), or else i'll just be staring at a tower for a day or two. i will report back in the post-installation forum once i'm up and running.

thanks again!