Computer problem, part 23987987

[Phillip V]

Save yourself some money and pirate Windows.

Get a microphone/headset.

Go for blu-ray burner for the the optical drive; should be backwards-compatible.

[Grey Fox]

#12 should be on #3 and unless you are an audio freak with a 10 000$ system it'll do the job fine.

[Grey Fox]

Save yourself some money and pirate Windows.

Don't even need to, just get Windows 7 RC & you're set for a year.

[Phillip V]

Get a 7.1 speaker system if you have the space; will change your gaming/viewing experience.

One set cost me under $150, but I bought it used.

[DGuller]

Oh, BTW, do I need a LAN card, or are they integrated into motherboard these days?

[Phillip V]

Oh, BTW, do I need a LAN card, or are they integrated into motherboard these days?

Integrated. Be sure to check the motherboard specs for it.

[DGuller]

Go for blu-ray burner for the the optical drive; should be backwards-compatible.

I think for now I'll just buy a DVD burner, they're dirt cheap.  I can always add on blue-ray burner when burning blu-ray discs becomes practical.

[DGuller]

Is it worth it spending $200 on aluminum full tower case rather than $100 on the steel one?

[Josquius]

Does it match your carpet better?
I'm not expert on metals...does aluminium get rid of heat better or something?
Ventilation and aesthetics are all that really matters with cases.

[Grey Fox]

Is it worth it spending $200 on aluminum full tower case rather than $100 on the steel one?

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2919

Get that one. It's god's gift to geeks.

[Barrister]

Is it worth it spending $200 on aluminum full tower case rather than $100 on the steel one?

while a $200 tower probably will be better than a $100 one, you should buy steel (unless you think you need to move it around on a regular basis).  Heavier metal, less likely to warp, better sound absorption.

[DGuller]

Weight is my concern with steel.  In the review section, people were saying that with steel full tower case, their entire computer weighed 50-60 pounds.  That sounds a bit unmanageable even if you're not going to constantly tinker with it, since computer towers tend to reside in tight places, and require careful handling at all times. 

[grumbler]

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2919

Get that one. It's god's gift to geeks.

I'd go full tower if space isn't an issue.  The full tower systems have hookups for two power supplies, and that is handy if you want to upgrade.  Plus, the full tower is quieter and cooler by default, and have more room for future growth.

[grumbler]

Weight is my concern with steel.  In the review section, people were saying that with steel case, their entire computer weighed 50-60 pounds.  That sounds a bit unmanageable even if you're not going to constantly tinker with it, since computer towers tend to reside in tight places, and require careful handling at all times.

I've got a steel-frame tower (Coolermaster Stacker full tower) loaded up, and it weighs maybe 25 pounds.  Great system, and with my GTX260 card, dead quiet (my ATI card sounded like an F-14 on 110% FMP).

[DGuller]

Maybe I'm just looking at a really crappy steel case then.