PC build thread

[noiseredux]

my new setup is so comfy.

[marurun]

Definitely jealous. Except for the keyboard tray on your desk. Is it even wide enough to accommodate the mouse?

[noiseredux]

Haha barely, but planning to rectify that soon. Need a new mouse and will most likely move the mouse and keyboard up top on the desk.

But it works for now. It is on a Steel Series pad I had to cut in half to fit.

[marurun]

Why the hell are most keyboard trays so small, anyway? Does anyone use a keyboard without a mouse these days? And who would want to use the mouse on top of the desk at a weird angle while using their keyboard nice and low and perfect?

Hulk smash desk designers!

[noiseredux]

well the tray on mine does fit the mouse and keyboard, and would do so better if it were y'know a smaller "office" keyboard. I'm sure desks like these aren't built w/ gaming in mind. Honestly, even w/ a small mousepad it works just fine. But I'll prob move the mouse and keyboard up to the desk itself just to have the ability to spread out more.

[isiolia]

Why the hell are most keyboard trays so small, anyway? Does anyone use a keyboard without a mouse these days? And who would want to use the mouse on top of the desk at a weird angle while using their keyboard nice and low and perfect?

Hulk smash desk designers!

I don't think the mouse is always meant to go in the keyboard tray. I've seen a number of desks/trays where there's a separate surface for the mouse to go on. Usually fairly small, but enough room for a classic mouse pad or so.

[Ziggy]

Any one know off the top of their head what a good price:performance CPU is to build around for an internet box?

I told my aunt and uncle that I'd build them a new desktop. All it would be used for is web browsing and nothing more. I know I can find whatever the current cheapest CPU is and that would be more than enough, but I'd like them to get a good 10 years out of it.

Also, I was thinking of going the APU route. I got an i5 with integrated graphics for the internet box that I built for my Mom and it's been more than enough. I never had good experiences in the past with mobos with on board video, and it's nice to save on getting a video card.

I've always been an Intel guy, but I think AMD will be the way to go to get what I want for the cheapest price possible. Problem is, I don't know my ass from a hole in the wall when it comes to AMD, since I don't keep up with them (which socket is newest, which is still supported, which is antiquated).

I just figured if some one knows off the top of their head what current CPUs I should look at, it would save me some time.

[marurun]

Any one know off the top of their head what a good price:performance CPU is to build around for an internet box?

I told my aunt and uncle that I'd build them a new desktop. All it would be used for is web browsing and nothing more. I know I can find whatever the current cheapest CPU is and that would be more than enough, but I'd like them to get a good 10 years out of it.

I would say get 'em a Chrome box, but 10 years? I would worry about drive, power supply, or mobo failure before then.

[Ziggy]

I would say get 'em a Chrome box, but 10 years? I would worry about drive, power supply, or mobo failure before then.

I wouldn't. It's why I talked them into letting me build them a box, rather then just buying another cheap Dell or HP or whatever. My desktop now is 6 years old, and I plan on getting at least another 4 years out of it (I'm counting on more). My desktop before it, the mobo was ~10 years old before it gave up (and I wasn't happy about that since I have older PCs still kicking).

PSU failure is no big deal, that's super easy to diagnose and swap out. HDD failure is no big deal either, just a pain in the ass. One should have all their data backed up anyways, and swapping in a new HDD and reinstalling the OS is easy enough. And that's IF they die inside 10 years. Read reviews and stick to brands that have good track records, you'll just be unlucky if you have a problem. Mobo failure is more of a pain in the ass, depending on timing. If it lasts 10 years, you'd probably just consider building a new PC. If it last just 5 years then dies, you could be in a pickle. Current models may no longer support the CPU/RAM, so you might have to hunt for NOS or even resort to used. But again, that's IF, and that's why you stick to good brand and research.

[marurun]

The problem with having a PSU die, is that it can easily take the mobo with it. Every system I've had die on me has been because of PSU or mobo issue, and sometimes both, because the first contributed to the second.