New Case?

Disaster1Disaster1
edited December 2003 in Hardware
I bought an Emachines W2785 from Wal Mart a month or 2 ago. I got it because it seemed like the best comp for the price, and I wanted to save enough money to get a decent video card. I am running:

AMD 2700+
350W Antec Power Supply
FIC AM39L Motherboard
80 GB WD Harddrive
Radeon 9800np (Want to Flash to Pro)
DVD +RW/-RD CDR drive
DVD Drive
Floppy Drive

I am considering now upgrading to a new case. I am afraid to flash my Radeon because I don't feel that I have enough cooling. My 2700+ is around 52-54 when idle and 57-58C under a full load. I don't know if this would be a good idea or not. I was going to upgrade to something with a side fan and a bigger case in general for better airflow. The only fans i have are the CPU Fan, the fans on the Power supply the fan on the Radeon, and an Antec Cyclone blower that pulls the hot air out of hte case. The only problem I have is that I have never mounted a mother board before. I have done just about everything else but that. Does anyone know of a website with step by step instuctions? Will I hurt my CPU if I take out the motherboard with the CPU still attached? I know i will have to disconnect everything else. Also what is a good case? I don't need a new PS as mine is brand new...

Comments

  • XenogearedXenogeared
    edited December 2003
    Oh do I get first crack at this? Ok, I'll give it my best shot.
    Will I hurt my CPU if I take out the motherboard with the CPU still attached?

    No you will not hurt the cpu by removing the motherboard while it's still attached... well just as long as you don't apply direct pressure to the heatsink, that could cause you to crack it if you put too much on it.
    Does anyone know of a website with step by step instuctions?

    There are many websites with instructions, hell even someone here can probably give you them. Since I am lacking the time to do this right now, I'll just put up the first site i get from google.

    http://www.gamespy.com/articles/november00/diymotherboards/
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited December 2003
    "AMD 2700+
    350W Antec Power Supply
    FIC AM39L Motherboard
    80 GB WD Harddrive
    Radeon 9800np (Want to Flash to Pro)
    DVD +RW/-RD CDR drive
    DVD Drive
    Floppy Drive"

    You got those components in an Emachines box? Those are better components than you'll find sometimes in much higher priced 'off-the-shelf' computers.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited December 2003
    Just disconnect everything, unscrew the screws, and reverse the process to put it in the new case (although you'll want to put any standoffs in first)

    What would you be looking for in a case? That is, how important are:

    Size
    Noise
    Weight
    Color
    Features (case windows, front USB, Firewire, etc.)

    ?
  • Disaster1Disaster1
    edited December 2003
    I would like to have the front USB like my case has now. The main thing I am concerned with is cooling. My CPU is at 51 right now (Idle) and goes up to 57 sometimes with heavy gaming...Is that normal for a 2700+? I would like to have the clear side window also but I am more interested in function over appearence. Oh and another thing I am looking for is easy removal/addition of hardware. Emachines did a REALLY nice job as this is the easiest computer I have ever had to work with!
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited December 2003
    Define "normal"?

    Is it acceptable? Barely.
    Is it about right for a typical AMD OEM or other cheapo heatsink? Yes.
Sign In or Register to comment.