Issue 32, 30 May 2006
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Resources |
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This
computer
training package is all you need to upgrade, repair or speed up your
computer.
TigerDirect.com is offers a huge variety of computer parts and
deals suitable for all budgets.
Here is excellent tutorial for learning how to build a computer and troubleshoot
PC problems.
Crucial.com offers memory products
with your money back if the upgrades are not compatible.
Verizon Online DSL is offering one month FREE broadband access if you subscribe now. |
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One of the most important but overlooked components in your PC is the
PC case. Selecting a good PC case is an important step in building your
computer, since it determines several things.
It determines the number of PC components you can have, as well as how well
your system's temperature. And heck, it also determines how good your PC
looks!
Now let's take a look at how we can go about selecting a good PC case.
External Space
The first factor to consider is how much space your PC case is going to take
up. Are you placing it on a tight, crammed desk? Or on a large desk? If you
have the space, tower PC cases are a good choice. If you're short of space,
you may wish to consider smaller mini PC cases which are getting more
popular these days.
Internal Space
Another factor to consider is how many components you wish to fit in your PC
case. If you're a computer nut like me, you'll want to fit in a good
motherboard, CPU, a couple of hard drives, video card, LAN card, cooling
fans, a CD-ROM drive and a DVD writer. That's a lot of components to be
cramming into a PC case! Again, a good choice would be a tower PC case.
However, with so many components, you have to watch out for overheating
problems - make sure you deck out the system with a couple of good fans.
Motherboard Support
One thing you must absolutely remember - check that your motherboard can fit
into the case! Some cases are flexible enough to support AT, ATX and Baby-AT
boards, but others only support one of these sizes. Even then, you need to
be careful - some cheaper 'ATX' cases don't really fit ATX motherboards. I
remember buying a wonderful ATX motherboard and it couldn't fit into my PC
case! Imagine my frustration!
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Power Supply
Most PC cases come with power supplies. With more and more components being
fitted into a PC, you will certainly need enough juice to power them. My
advice is to go for at least a 400W power supply. Also make sure the unit is
ATX 2.01 compliant to avoid motherboard compatibility issues.
Cooling
If you're a overclocker or have many system components, you'll need to
ensure you've got enough fans in that case to cool the system. Good PC cases
allow multiple (4 or more) cooling fans to be installed, ensuring good
ventilation.
Looks
Just a few years back, PC cases were boring white boxes. These days, you can
find a plethora of colorful PC cases - if you're concerned about your PC's
'look'. Many PC enthusiasts I know go for good looking PC cases that come in
a variety of colors - red, black, green, blue and what not.
Conclusion
In summary, always remember to consider the above factors when selecting PC
cases. For the average home or business user, a good, simple case is
recommended. If you're a hardcore computer enthusiast, you'll want to pay
more attention to factors like internal space, motherboard support and
cooling. Just consider your budget and your needs carefully - then go grab
that case!
Learn about some of the best methods to backup hard drives
This article shows you some of the best methods to backup hard drives, so
that you can have peace of mind knowing your data is safe.
Tips on 3 cheap gaming computers that you can build
This article reveals the specs of 3 cheap gaming cimputers that you can
build for awesome performance at a low price.
Tips on buying a particular computer part at an online store
Discusses some of the tips you should follow when purchasing a specific
computer part at an online store.
Essential tips for installing an old partition in a new hard drive
This article provides tips on installing an old partition in a new hard
drive.
Learn how to install desktop memory
This guide will show you how to install desktop memory correctly into your
computer.
For more articles, be sure to visit Build-Your-Own-Computers.com .
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Recommended PC Hardware Tools & Services |
Upgrade Your Computer Skills With
This Video
If you want to learn how to build computers or troubleshoot PC problems, you may want to check out this computer training video.
Besides showing you instructions for installing hardware components, this video
also includes great tips like how to create boot disks, configure your BIOs or
format a hard drive.
Where to Buy Computer Parts Online
TigerDirect.com is always my first stop for purchasing computer parts
online. This store offers a huge variety of computer parts and deals suitable
for all budgets.
Backup Your Hard Disk Easily
Acronis True Image
allows you to create an image of your hard disk drive, including the operating
system, applications, user settings and user data. You can then use this image
to restore your PC to a previous working state without any reinstallation.
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