Bits and Bobs.

[mediaboy]

I need a 7.1 sound system (onboard sound FYI) or a soundcard and a set of speakers.

I also need a new monitor. I don't particulary care what size, but I'm running on two HD3650 512mb GDDR3 graphics cards, so whatever will do nicely with that .

Also need a keyboard and mouse. Need to be wireless, preferably optical mouse rather than ball mouse (I hate ball mouses.)


Other stuff that would be nice is a new wireless network picker-upper thingy, a new LAN wire (yes, both), headphones (pref with mic, but I can manage without), a PC carry case (for this case: and possibly a second monitor.

Any suggestions welcome.

I was thinking something like this for carry case:
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

7.1 sound seems to be something like this:
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK because the other alternative is approximately 4 times the cost of this one...

[kmac]

1) What's the monitor mainly for? Gaming, Office work, multimedia, professional photo editting? Makes a difference as not all monitors are good for all tasks although there are some good all rounders. Also you'll find larger ones can cost a lot more.

2) Wireless network picker-up thingy - I guess you mean a PCI wireless network adaptor. I would get a good brand like Lynksys, Buffalo or Draytek, or Airlink I think owned by Cisco

3) "Lan Wire" - do you mean a CAT5e patch cable - they are a utility and can be had for 50pence for a 1 meter cable. Just get the cheapest for the length you want.

4) Headphones - for what purpose - listening to music or using Skype etc? A good mid-range headphone is the Sennheiser PX100 about £25 - good for musci but not Skype etc

I don't know much aboput 7.1 speakers or carry cases so can't comment there sorry.

[format]

I think this offers a better alternative for a carry case, i just ordered one tonight.

KustomPCs.co.uk - Hama Full Tower LANBag Black

[mediaboy]

Answering those questions:

1) gaming with a bit of office work.
2) Yes, a Wireless adaptor. I wasn't sure what to call it.
3) I have no idea. is that the one that has a rectangle, then another rectangle on top with a thing that clips it into a computer.
4) again, the best answer is probably gaming. I don't listen to music on a computer. That's what a CD player is for. They're for when I want to play computer games... and it's 1 in the morning and the rest of the house is asleep.

7.1 speakers are for the rest of the time.



thanks for the idea of the carry case
It's a little big though, as I'm using this case:Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK which (for those that cba to click the link) is 22.1cm by 41.2cm by 45.0cm (WxHxD)

Does it matter if I've got a 1-5cm clearance gap around the outside of the carrycase?

[kmac]

1) Monitor - 22": LG L227WT, 1680x1050 (16:10) excellent for gaming as listed by AnandTech as their top gaming screen. Cheap too
other options are:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
22": LG L227WT, 1680x1050
or

19": LG Flatron L1960TR, 1280x1024 (5:4)
or
24": BenQ G2400W, 1920x1200 (16:10)

2) As for wireless adaptor tr the Roll Royce option:
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
or still pretty good:
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

3) Network cable
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
or
Plexus Cat5e UTP Patch Cable (Black) 3m - Ebuyer

4)I would go with the Sennheiser PX100 -

[format]

They also have a smaller version -
KustomPCs.co.uk - Hama Midi Tower LANBag Black

[format]

Oh and you can get that 22": LG L227WT for £170 rather than the £231 at Scan - here:
LG L227WT-PF 22" wide format TFT Screen (2 ms)

[Salazaar]

They also have a smaller version -
KustomPCs.co.uk - Hama Midi Tower LANBag Black

There's no way a skinny guy like that could possibly stay upright with a fully kitted out PC in that bag!

[mediaboy]

Dunno.. Might be a strong skinny guy.

I'm skinny, but dont' stop me from carrying "fully kitted" PCs around.

anyhow I'm not looking at the pictures, I'm looking at the specs. As long as it can carry the PC and keyboard/mouse I'm happy. This one can also carry headphones, so it saves me a problem and a half.

Now I just need to find a way of attaching a monitor to my computer...
Joking.

I don't really want to attack my montior to the computer.

Anyhow, thanks for all the comments, but I think I'll wait a few months before a monitor.

But a sound system would be nice

Any suggestions for 7.1? Or should I buy myself a different soundcard and get speakers for that?

[Pob255]

Might be an idea just to get some 5.1 headphones
eg Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK (don't know what they are like off hand, but it mainly depends on how much of an audiophile you are.

Go for a laser mouse not an optical (they are the same sort of thing as optical but have less problems with differnt types of surface)
While older optical mice had very few problems the higher scanning rates often used in current optical mice are less reliable on differnt surfaces.
Personally I'd stick with wired mice/keyboard nothing worse than running out of charge on a wireless mouse/keyboard in the middle of playing a game.

[format]

There's no way a skinny guy like that could possibly stay upright with a fully kitted out PC in that bag!

It's ok, im 6ft4!

[mediaboy]

just over 6ft.. not quite 6' 1" though.


anyhow - it's better to get 5.1 headphones than 7.1 speakers?

suggest some?

[format]

I have these and they do the trick.

[Salazaar]

Dunno.. Might be a strong skinny guy.

I'm skinny, but dont' stop me from carrying "fully kitted" PCs around.

Alright Hercules I'll rephrase it. He wouldn't be lifting around my fully kitted out PC like that!

[mediaboy]

why? how much does it weigh?

[format]

I got my LANbag, kind of wish I'd went for the smaller one ( I might have been able to squeeze it in)
However, it does mean with enough bubblewrap I can fit my 17in monitor and possibly even my 22" monitor(when I get it) along side my tower, there's so much extra room!
The keyboard and other pockets are great aswell, plenty of room.