Time to offically upgrade. (Part 2)

Hi all,

It's almost christmas time so, that means I get to buy the rest of my upgrades!

If anyone would like to view the previous topic that I posted, well it't there.

First of all, i'd like to thank every single person who helped and contibuted to my first computer build. It was a sucess.

To get to the point, the first and most important thing I would like to get rid of is the noise factor of my graphics card. It's fan is very very annoying. It's only annoying when i'm playing games other wise it's silent. So, I was wondering what kind of cooling thing I can get that is fairly silent and can cool well at the same time. (fanless?)

Secondly, is the hard drive factor. I have a crappy *** 80g hard drive in this beast. I'm assuming its bottlenecking my other components. So, assuming i'm on a budget, what is the best hard drive out there(SATA) that I can hook up RAID 0 on. I will be buying two of them.

Thirdly, I need a new mouse and mouse pad. How about that MX1000? The problem with mine is that it's old and the batterys kind of slip out of the charge so, my mouse often gets dissconnected.

Thanks,
Zeeg

P.S.: I had a really good write out of this last night but I accidently closed the window and lost all my writing.

__________________
Temp signature

I still recommend the GPU cooler that I posted in the other thread. There really isn't a (good) fanless solution for your video card If you were to buy a fanless cooler, you have to have really good airflow in your case (which results in more noise). I have a Zalman cooler similar to the one I posted and I assure you that it is totally silent when it is in silent mode (unless you put your ear a couple of inches away from the fan).

I have never been a huge fan of Logitech mice. I like Microsoft more. That is really up to you though. Maybe stop by an electronics store and see what you like.

I will let someone else handle the hard drive question, I am really not that familar with SATA hard drives and RAID 0 configurations...

__________________
Minnesota Genocide Intervention Network

It's been silent even when your playing games? I dont care if it makes a tiny noise but the one I have is extremly loud.

Thanks again.

__________________
Temp signature

Yes the Zalman GPU HSF is pretty darn quite even when you are gaming.

For a HDD that will last past the money value for price would be a Maxtor, if you want a quality hard drive that will last (in theory) who knows how long would be Seagate. Now if you want the ultimate raid 0 sata setup get two Raptors from Western Digital, but that will cost you.

The mouse is up to your feelings. I personaly like the G5 from Logitech, obviously Dave like the MS mice.

__________________
You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!

You can go with the liquid cooling option.

__________________
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."-Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."-Ken Olson, founder of DEC, 1977.

So long as you use a non-conductive fluid.

__________________
You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!

Good point. Make sure you use the non conductive radiator fluid they sell.

A friend of mine made blue smoke with water cooling when it sprung a leak. He lost his video card (smoked), motherboard (fried), 2 of 3 512 RAM sticks (fused to the motherboard) and processor (fused to the motherboard).

__________________
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."-Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."-Ken Olson, founder of DEC, 1977.

Yup, I know people that use WATER for their water cooled computers and have lost sooo much, and I know some people that havent lost anything yet, but that doesnt mean it wont.

__________________
You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!

Thats why I call it "liquid" cooled instead of "water".

__________________
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."-Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."-Ken Olson, founder of DEC, 1977.

I don't think I'm going to do "liquid" cooling but I think I'll defiantly get the Zalman cooler for my G-card. As for the hard drive, I still don't know. I might just save a bunch of money for them and get them later. My MX900 is outdated. They aren't selling them anymore, which is a bummer. I prefer wireless mouses but I suppose a corded one wouldn't hurt. The MX900 is the best wireless mouse I have ever seen.

__________________
Temp signature