Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (
More info?)
On 11 Oct 2004 14:52:25 -0700, Zeth22oc@yahoo.com (Seth)
wrote:
>This is the first time building a new computer on my own, and I was
>wondering if everything listed here is compatible with each other and
>if they are a good value.
>
>Case:
>KINGWIN Mutant X Silver/Gray Gaming Case With 420W Power Supply
Power supply in that is junk, not compatible with following
parts.
Case front air intake is poor, overly restrictive front
bezel compounded by poor front fan arrangement as mentioned
a few paragraphs further down.
..
Case side intake is sufficient for flow but due to
restriction in intake size the fan will have to run faster
(louder) for same flow rate.
The dual rear exhaust fans are a VERY poor arrangement.
If you use two fans, the stamped-in-metal grills should be
cut out. If you use two fans with the grills cut out then
the case structural integrity may be compromised due to thin
metal... would help to cut slits and "fold back" flaps of
metal towards the outside of the case, to keep it more
rigid, but it doesn't look as nice (if you are prone to
looking at the rear of the case a lot, some people never see
it for years).
With only one fan installed in rear, the 2nd fan mounting
needs the perforated holes covered to prevent passive
airflow though them, which will defeat the proper and
efficient flow of air, simply drawing in air right next to
the fan and then exhausting back out (and then in again in
circle), instead of higher percentage of intake from bottom
front of case as it should be.
The case front fan intake has a similar/same problem,
compounded by the overly restrictive bezel mentioned
previously. Again the intakes need cut out for two fans,
preferribly structurally reinforced "somehow" or for only a
single fan then the remaining front holes
plugged/taped/whatever (blocked) to prevent local
recirculation.
Essentially the case makes several design mistakes when it
comes to airflow, and while it CAN be modified to work
better it's really not a good choice.
The Kingwin fan(s) in it are junk too, loud and (since
they're one-ball + one-sleeve bearing design), they won't
last as long and can't be relubed without risk of greatly
increasing noise of the ball-bearing. Essentially it's one
of the worse possible fan combinations, but if airflow were
set up better as mentioned above, and fan RPM reduced some
with a controller, they might provide acceptible service
life, at least long enough that they don't need replaced
now, EXCEPT that the power supply fan is definitely a
liability NOW, should be replaced for safer use.
The motherboard tray arrangement is also a bit flimsy, it
would be advised not to life the case with gear in it if the
right-side panel isn't on, the tray might flex a lot and
damage the motherboard. This is true with a lot of newer
thinner-metal cases, but moreso with that one due to how the
tray is designed.
RIghtabout now you might be suspecting I'm not too keen on
the case... if you had it already it might be worth the
effort to mod it, but IMO, it's not a case anyone should
want to use given the other popular alternatives like an
Antec, or just about ANY case can be modded with no more
work than that one would take and have acceptible results.
>
>Mobo:
>ABIT "IS7-E2" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU
>
>Vcard:
>CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit,
>DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "AA6800B1"
Haven't tried Chaintech's 6800, but historically Chaintech
makes the worst cards out there, of any maker popular enough
to be a "brand". In other words, any other recognizable
name-brand card is probably better. Then again, if another
brand breaks the budget then Chaintech 6800 might be a good
gamble contrasted with settling for a 6600 instead.
>
>Processor:
>Intel Pentium 4/ 2.4A GHz 533MHz FSB, Prescott Core, 1MB L2 Cache
>
2.4GHz Prescott is a very poor choice. Choose CPU with 800
"MHz" FSB, and if 3GHz or slower you'd be better off
scouring the 'net for Northwoods which are faster on average
and use less power -> less heat.
>RAM:
>Rosewill 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC3200, Model RW400/512
Generally speaking a P4 box can benefit more from better
memory, mid-grade name-brand is suggested (your favorite
brand). Even so, if you do settle for the lower performance
of a 533 FSB P4, the above memory should suffice.
Then again, it boils down to budget... the parts I"m
suggesting do cost more. The 2.4GHz CPU IS a mismatch for
the video card though, and the power supply is a poor choice
considering the video card too.
>
>Everything else that's not listed I already have from my old comp.
>Thanks for any help anyone can provide. Any suggestions on better
>values would be appreciated also.
IMO, and Antec case which includes at least 350W Antec PSU
is a better value, but if it's the "SL" series PSU then
preferribly at least the 400W version.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram