New Guy Questions & Hello to all!

[MarchWhelp]

Hey guys. I already did a search on so as to not post redundant questions, so hopefully they aren't.

Question 1: I have been looking at newegg for a decent low priced case and I have come across a Raidmax 350 W case. Does Raidmax make decent powersupplies? If so then I should be in luck because its priced low.

Question 2: Does a 7200 RPM harddrive require fan cooling? Would it be safe not to provide a seperate fan for the drive?

Question 3: Purchasing a P2.4 ghz is fine and dandy, but is it compatible with the ECS P4VXAD?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=ECS+p4vxad

The card seems ok, but will i run into compatability issues with windows XP? I have heard dark rumors that ECS doesn't mix well with XP.

Thats all for now, thanks for any help you can provide. Oh and recommendations on other low costing similar products is much appreciated. See ya :D

[sm8000]

Raidmax isn't a brand name we generally recommend around here, since it's not as well reputed (or known) as Antec, Enermax or Sparkle/Fortron. 7200 RPM is the standard spin speed for Hard drives so it shouldn't need a fan, unless it has no breathing room around it at all. The board should be fine with XP though, haven't heard any bad rumours myself.

[BipolarBill]

Welcome to SysOpt!

As far as cases go, you generally get what you pay for. Here are two exceptions:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16811154012

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16811129117

The Foxconn is a sturdy case with a decent PSU. The Antec is a great case with a great PSU.

[rangeral]

If your looking at ecs because its cheap, what bill said applies, the mobo is one part not to skimp on along with a good psu, intel boards have come down enough to afford I believe.

[intimidator]

Case: the slk2600 which Bipolar suggested is an awesome case but I would look at the next model up (slk 3700) as you will get the 350W PS & (1) 120mm smart fan. the 2600 comes with no fans...price diff is only $14.

7200 RPM HDD does not need cooling as sm8000 said.....the 120mm fan (or 80mm w/the 2600) attached to the rear & set to blow out will create more than enough air flow over the HDD also.

Get the 2.4 P4 that has the 533mhz bus vs the 400mhz.

Ditch that cheapo MB & get yourself a nice Asus P4PE.....sure it's about $85 more but well worth it.

These guys have given you great advice.....DON'T SKIMP

[MarchWhelp]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah skimping seems like a bad idea at this point. The foxconn case isn't even that much more, and you said its decent so that sounds good. I'll think about the 2nd case you mentioned.
Seems asus is the motherboard everyone lives by. Although the recommendation for an Intel board is something I'll check into.

Thanks

[DocEvi1]

Q1: Antec are the same as Cheiftec cases (exactly the same!). The later been slightly cheaper if they are available in the USA. Enermax PSU are also top notch. Have a look at www.quietpc.com for silent cooling as well!

Q2: No a 7200rpm disk doesn't need seperate cooling providing the overal case cooling is sufficent. It wouldn't hurt to install something however.

Q3: ECS aren't the greatest producer ever, take a look at Asus units (www.asus.com) or gigabyte (www.gigabyte.com). I'm an AMD man myself (the price is much more affordable for me) so can't advise on specific boards but these makers are respectible especially Asus.


:t Welcome to Sysopt :t

Stefan