Computer Mods?

ZENGHOST

ZENGHOST

Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
3,834
Anyone out there into computer mods? I'm thinking about putting together my first PC and am looking for advice on where to start. Where's a good place to buy from? Any recommendations on cases and/or necessities? I'm a real beginner at this so any advice is appreciated.

Here's a sample of the kind of stuff I'm looking at from crazypc.com:

pc6xbiowingreenfull.jpg
 
i don't know anything about computer mods myself, but i know dansdata.com is a good site for information.

- Pete
 
Unless you already have the bulk of the components you need, buy a complete system. If you have really specialized requirements, you MIGHT be better off building your own system.

Margins are so thin on computer gear that you need to buy huge quantities to get any real cost savings building a system from scratch.

When you build it yourself, you get no warranty that all the parts will work together. When you want to add that new gadget later, will it work? I know of what I speak. I have replaced motherboards because a video card or another peripheral didn't work with that specific motherboard or, it's particular revision number, etc.

When Dell will ship a 2.0GHz P4 to your door with 17" monitor for ~$600 to $800 (depending on the current AD), how do you build it yourself and compete?
 
Originally posted by Sid Post
Unless you already have the bulk of the components you need, buy a complete system. If you have really specialized requirements, you MIGHT be better off building your own system.

Margins are so thin on computer gear that you need to buy huge quantities to get any real cost savings building a system from scratch.

When you build it yourself, you get no warranty that all the parts will work together. When you want to add that new gadget later, will it work? I know of what I speak. I have replaced motherboards because a video card or another peripheral didn't work with that specific motherboard or, it's particular revision number, etc.

When Dell will ship a 2.0GHz P4 to your door with 17" monitor for ~$600 to $800 (depending on the current AD), how do you build it yourself and compete?
Click to expand...
I'm not in it to save money, I already have a 1.0GHz (Dell) computer that runs really well, and I just bought a 1.6Ghz Sony Vaio Laptop a couple of months ago that I'm happy with. I'm looking at this more as a pet project and I think it's something that I just want to experience.

Thanks for the link, Pete.
 
How much time do you actually spend looking at your computer's case? Mine are all under the desk, so money spend on those "window" cases would be wasted. In addition, unless you plan on cleaning the computer inside and out at least once a week, I imagine you would quickly end up with a window into the dust farm that is the inside of the average computer.
 
I've been a modder for years, although I don't have a windowed case, because if where it sits, my machine is pretty tweaked inside. My mods are all done to facilitate overclocking and reliability. My full tower Antec case has several extra fans, rounded cables, extra heatsinks, etc... It has sruvived a couple mother board swaps and a new power supply and isn't likely to be outgrown soon. If I get time this weekend, I have to pull it apart and install a USB II card. That'll get hooked up to the 4 port front mounted USB thing mounted in one of my drive bays. I'll then add a couple USB headers in a couple slots on the back of the case to bring my up to a total of 10 USB ports (Scanner, printer, mouse, PDA, Digicam, Joystick, UPS trigger, and a little room to expand).

I also recommend SE (sharkey extreme) for reviews and pricing. crazypc is also cool, but IMHO the best place for ideas is:

www.virtual-hideout.net ,

Most especially their picture galleries, but overall this is the most hardcore site I've found for modding. If that doesn't give you some inspiration, you're hopeless.

For all the parts you need to tweak your box, I think the best selection can be found at:

www.cyberguys.com

I skipped building a fan bus or bay buss and instead got some Fan Mates to allow me to quiet my rig down, but keep the air flowing. Are you considering liquid cooling, or is this a cosmetic project?

jmx
 
For parts sources, here are a few that I know of:
http://www.pcmods.com/
http://www.coolerguys.com/
http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/index.html
http://www.phamcomputer.com/
http://www.xoxide.com/
http://www.directron.com/index.html
http://heatsinkfactory.com/cgi-bin/HFAstore.pl
http://www.caseetc.com/cgi-bin/caseetc
http://designcomp.com/
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
http://umaxpc.com/store/default.php
http://arenacomputers.com/
http://www.caseetc.com/cgi-bin/caseetc/F-197.html
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=S
http://www.plycon.com/
http://www.case-mod.com/store/default.php
http://www.colorcase.com/

For modding info see the following:
http://www.pimpedoutcases.net/
http://www.gideontech.com/
http://www.pimprig.com/
http://www.modthebox.com/index.shtml
http://www.mikhailtech.com/
http://www.twistedmods.com/index.php
http://www.overclockers.com/
 
Zenghost,
I know this doesn't have anything to do directly with case modding but since you mentioned CrazyPC I thought I would mention a product that they sell.
See the fUnc sUrface 1030 Mousing Surface.
The fUnc Mousing Surface is basically a really nice mouse pad that has two different surfaces to choose from. One super smooth and the other slightly textured. The surface is placed into a non-skid rubber base for use. It's real quick on reactions even when using an optical cordless mouse. So quick, in fact, that I had to adjust the mouse speed and acceleration to slower settings.:eek:
I had tried about 6 different mouse pads before I finally found this one. It was worth the extra bucks. Very nice. I always recommend this to people even if they're not into games. Myself, I only play a few here and there, but I enjoy the quality and reactiveness this mousepad provides.

If you want more info you can also go to fUnc Industries directly and read more into it.

Have fun....

--The Raptor--
 
I built my own computer for about 321.00; 1.6ghz athlon, 40 gighd, 256 ram. Zip drive, disk drive, cdrom I found in someone's trash. Everything else is onboard biostar motherboard.

Screw that fancy case crap unless you have a lot of money to spend. But wouldn't you rather pour that into your computer, rather than what goes outside of it?

I built my case out of lucite that i stole from my shop teacher. it actually looks sort of cool, but is heavy and not really that great.
 
hey how long have you had the fUnc? Do they wear out like everglides 3m precise?


I would just like to throw my lot in with newegg. great service great prices I order from them all the time.
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
Are you considering liquid cooling, or is this a cosmetic project?
Click to expand...
Can you tell me more about liquid cooling? I stumbled across the term while I was looking up sites, but I don't know anything about it. While it started off as primarily a cosmetic project, I'm looking at performance modifications as well.

Originally posted by Midget
Screw that fancy case crap unless you have a lot of money to spend. But wouldn't you rather pour that into your computer, rather than what goes outside of it?
Click to expand...
I must say that if it comes down to having to choose between performance and looks, I will go with performance. I don't have a lot of money, but stretching the spending over time while I put the machine together will be almost like a layaway plan and the end product will (hopefully) be more rewarding than just plunking down the cash and buying something pre-made. I've had a bunch of computers over the years and I already know what it feels like to order a package online and have it sent to my house, but I don't know what it's like to put one together from scratch. I am still deciding whether I will go through with this or not--that's why I'm here asking questions. Like Throw?, I generally throw (no pun intended) my money at my knives, but I'm looking to expand my horizons. I also work with computers and am currently going for my Master's in Educational Technology and feel that this experience will be helpful in the future.

Thanks to everyone who have provided links--I'm really enjoying all the sites.

Raptor--the mousepad looks pretty interesting. I didn't think a pad would make much of a difference with an optical (I use a cordless optical). I'm curious now, I might have to check that out.

-Z
 
Originally posted by PointyReckoning
hey how long have you had the fUnc? Do they wear out like everglides 3m precise?
Click to expand...

I've had the fUnc Surface for about 7 months now. No wear whatsoever!!

Also, I've noticed less use of batteries as well.:cool:

This pad is THE solution. Period.

--The Raptor--
 
As for case modding I've done a little myself. The mods I've done have been primarily on the performance side, rather than cosmetic.

I originally built my PC for about $500.00. It's a 1.7GHz P-4 that originally had 256MB SDRAM with a 300W power supply. I've since changed/upgraded the case fans (120mm - in & 92mm - out), upgraded to a 550W power supply, installed a harddrive bay cooler, installed a 80mm video card cooler, installed rounded IDE cables, installed a DigiDoc5 system monitoring device, upgraded to 512MB SDRAM, and streamlined the wiring harnesses through careful placement and routing. And for my exterior mods? I cut a 80mm inlet hole in the front bezel and installed a stainless steel laser cut grill guard. And for a filter I used a stainless steel mesh screen.

Oh, and on the inside of the case, I installed acoustic dampening material to cut down on all that damn fan noise I now have.:D

I don't go for the fancy exterior mods myself but I rspect those who do. It's much the same as how many people look down at us knife collector's as crazy for having "knives" as an interest/hobby. They think we're nuts. If modding is your thing, or you're wanting to check it out, I say go for it.

Have fun!!:)

--The Raptor--
 
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