I'm going to be bulding a P4 2.4c system pretty soon and have pretty much everything worked out except for the case and cooling strategy. I'm pretty new to this stuff and looking for advice.
My main concerns are first cost and then noise levels. Basically I want a system that I won't notice if I'm studying or trying to sleep for as cheap as possible. I'm not planning on overclocking (if I change my mind I'll beef up the cooling system later), and I'm not a gamer so I won't have an ultra hot video card to worry about if that matters.
Also, I'm willing to experement with ducts or other cheap case mods if it means the system will be quieter or cooler. And I don't care what it looks like, I'm in college and I don't have a wife who might complain. The box will sit on a capeted floor with air flow all around it. Ambient temps should say between 68-74 F all year round.
My main question is what is a good but affordable case that lends itself to being easily cooled? Should I get a really cheap case and just go to work with a dremmel since I don't care about looks? How big of a concern is dust in your case? Could I cut holes in a case and cover them with something like grill cloth to improve air flow? What about fan configuration?
Like I said before, I'm just a newbie trying to learn from the masters. Please give me any suggestions you can think of.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
My main concerns are first cost and then noise levels. Basically I want a system that I won't notice if I'm studying or trying to sleep for as cheap as possible. I'm not planning on overclocking (if I change my mind I'll beef up the cooling system later), and I'm not a gamer so I won't have an ultra hot video card to worry about if that matters.
Also, I'm willing to experement with ducts or other cheap case mods if it means the system will be quieter or cooler. And I don't care what it looks like, I'm in college and I don't have a wife who might complain. The box will sit on a capeted floor with air flow all around it. Ambient temps should say between 68-74 F all year round.
My main question is what is a good but affordable case that lends itself to being easily cooled? Should I get a really cheap case and just go to work with a dremmel since I don't care about looks? How big of a concern is dust in your case? Could I cut holes in a case and cover them with something like grill cloth to improve air flow? What about fan configuration?
Like I said before, I'm just a newbie trying to learn from the masters. Please give me any suggestions you can think of.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
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