PC Tech Thread

Does such a thing as a wireless usb hub exist?

I want to be able to plug something into a usb port and then plug usb controllers into a hub or something on the other side of the room to work with a projector.

Yes. I don't recommend this one (read the comments for yourself) but here's an example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Adapter-Ultra-Wide-Band/dp/B000UU46W8

"UWB" is good to include in the search.

You're probably better off with a long cable. fnarr

There a lot for sharing USB sticks, HDDs, etc but not seen many for other peripherals.

This could be an option http://www.amazon.co.uk/iogear-GUWIP204-Wirelessly-Through-Warranty/dp/B0058DN1Q4 but when I came across it previously it wasn't what I wanted (was looking for just sharing storage) so I have no idea if it's any good.

Damn looks like extension and usb hub with lots of routing around the room would be better.

There is a limit as to how long you can have a USB cable before needing repeaters or some such jazz (that's all I can remember there).

This may be of use, an active USB cable
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180749053359?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Any suggestions for a Micro-atx HTPC style case? This kind of shape

Seems to be a massive variation in prices and I'd prefer not to spend top whack. Doesn't need screens, volume knobs and what have you, just something reasonable that will fit in with the rest of the hi-fi cabinet. Also needs to fit a full-size graphics card.

Might need to be longer, need to measure stuff will be going down from a shelf I put up high then under the bed to a usb hub at other end of the bed so I can lay in bed playing games on projector. I would do wireless controllers but I can't find any in the old styles/shapes.

More of the issues are around using a full size psu and cooling stuff.

Will it actually be in a cabinet(restricts airflow more)?

Yeah, I'd be using a full size ATX PSU. Shelves rather than cabinet so open airflow to the sides and most of the back.

http://silentpcreview.com

Stuff like this is a regular issue with them.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/silverstone-milo-ml03b-micro-at-black-slim-htpc-case-with-usb-30-w-o-psu-%28std-atx%29

+

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5698/rosewill-capstone-450w-and-650w-80plus-gold

=

Try find reviews for whatever you plan to buy or just builds in them already that show stuff fitting. If not, find the dimensions of the case and the components and mark out if they will fit.

|------------| case length
|--hdd--||--psu--| hmmm that can't be right?

Hmm, that doesn't look too good. That was one of the cases I was tempted by. I already have all of the components, I'm just looking to change from mini tower to something that looks decent in a living room.

I looked at silentpc but that seems to be mainly the spendy cases when you find the UK version.

How old style/shape are you looking for on controller? Wireless Xbox 360 work nicely, or if you are looking a bit more retro there are various Wii or Bluetooth controllers.

2x megadrive 2x nintendo 4x ps2

So, I'm giving this PC building lark a go... building up a dual boot media server thing. Might chuck in a decent GPU if all goes well.
Trying to do it o na super budget as I have no real need for it.
Anyone have a spare SSD or 1600Mhz DDR3 240-Pin dual channel memory kicking about?
Going Micro ATX size.

I built a gaming mini ITX pc (3.2 ghz i5, 650Ti 2GB, 8GB ram) with coolermaster elite 120 over a year ago; it was my first PC building experience; lots of regrets of cable managements and other things so I decided to give it a mid life refresh.

Drilled out the HDD cage and squashed 1x 3.5 optical drive and 2x SSDs into this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IA63JQ8?camp=1634&creative=6738&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_3&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=buro9

Improved cable management; got rid of redundant cables that made the case very 'empty' so got rid of dinky 80mm case fan and replaced with the OG 120mm case fan.

Turned the PSU on its head so now it blows air towards the motherboard.

Installed water cooling for CPU; coolermaster seidon 120v.

Upgraded RAM from 8 to 16GB.

Now it overclocks under 70 deg!!

Instead of 1x 120mm and 1x 80mm case fans it has 1x 120mm radiator fan, the OG case fan on the side and the GPU fan. The noise level has gone up .. I tested without the OG fan and its the main noisy culprit .. are silent fans worth it? It wont be mounted to anything given there are no mounts but it sits very snug.

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Wow. What case is this? Might have to pick your brain/plead for help.
Think I have secured the last part of my puzzle (CPU) and getting ready for dual boot build...

This is coolermaster elite 120; the choice is much better now .. coolermaster themselves have updated this to 130 and brought out a smaller 110.

If I was buying today I'd get one of these:
http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/core-series/core-500
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=536
http://www.corsair.com/en-gb/obsidian-series-250d-mini-itx-pc-case
http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-q04/

There are more obviously.

Given how liquid cooling has gotten cheaper its a no brainer.

That's after you sorted the cables?

Nice, just remembered I have a Micro ATX mobo which I was always confusing with Mini ITX. Have found a 30 quid case that looks good plus is the same size as Mini ITX (but is actually Micro ATX).
Thats getting me confused again.
Cables confuse me.
Any build tips? I know I have to put thermal paste on my CPU, thank god I learnt about that...

haha yeah well I ran out of patience .. they are neater than the photo now; that was before I managed the PSU cables. Glad I got a modular PSU then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2ZT1P9lVkE

Building is fairly straightforward, just like putting a load of lego together. My top tips would be:

Make sure you have all the required cables and screws. I always find that I'm missing something halfway through resulting in a trip to Maplin's for something like a molex to 6 pin power plug or a SATA cable that is actually long enough.

Have a think about where everything is going and the best order to install bits. Discovering that the gap to plug your USB sockets into the motherboards is narrower than your figures because you've already fitted the CPU fan that blocks it is frustrating.

Try and keep the cables a bit neat (think cable ties). Helps with the airflow and also helps when you're trying to work out what's what if you upgrade or whatever.

Don't force things. There's not much that won't neatly clip into place. If you're having to force a card, cable, whatever in then it's probably wrong.