Advice on PC Case, Cooling, Overclocking

[Hushed]

Well, I figure my standard case isnt cutting it any longer!

Everything is stuffed into the small, standard case. It gets a tad bit hot when I run games, but otherwise it stays fairly cool.

Now, onto my questions.
I do want a new case. Have any recommendations for cheap cases? ($0-$100) Should I just try and build a case, I am thinking not.

Once I get a new case is the process as simple as move parts from case A to case B? I figure ill need to buy a standard PC repair kit for the tools needed (Already have a cheap one in mind).

Onto cooling! I don't overclock (Not to my knowledge at least. . .). What kind of cooling system do I need? Currently my computer has one fan, and it hasnt had any heating problems. . . I figure a bigger case would spread out the parts of the computer so they wouldn't get hot from other parts getting hot. Do I need a cooling system? Should I use water cooling, or stick with air? Is 2-3 fans sufficient? What other cooling options are viable?

The third thing is why and how would I overclock my computer?

Thanks for the help

[BrokenHalo83]

Are you looking for just a good case? Or do you want one with the "bling" factor (ie; Led lights)?

If youre going to be using the same board from your Dell, you most likely won't be able to overclock. AS for the reason for overclocking, people usually do it to squeeze a bit more performance out of their computer. There's more to it than that but that's just the basic explanation

if you want an aftermarket cooler, you can just go with air. It should be more than able to handle your requirements. I had just a 300mhz OC on my E4500(from 2.2Ghz to 2.5Ghz) and my Zalman 9500 did a fine job at keeping good temps

Also, I was just looking around and found out that your motherboard type is Micro-BTX so tjat will limit your choices in terms of cases and I also read that switching the board from one case to another. Here is a LINK to what the swap is going to be like

[Capper]

Your best options are modifying your current case (I would say popping the side off and cleaning up the cable mess with some zip ties would help tremendously). Then you might add a fan or two, one at the bottom front of the case possibly....then use a hole saw and cut a 120mm hole in the side panel, adding a 120mm fan......thats the cheap and easy way.

The other option is to replace the motherboard completely with a standard ATX board and then invest in a standard ATX Tower case......you can get away with doing this for $100 or so, but in replacing the motherboard, you may have to buy another copy of Windows.

[gvblake22]

What case do you have now? What size are the fans? Would you be able to take some pics or your system?

I've always just used air cooling and never had any serious problems, what are your temperatures like anyway (quantitatively). I've built systems in everything from the half-height mATX case to the full sized ATX full tower system.

[oldman_gamer]

I agree with Capper.....if cooling is your only concerne.My house isn't the cleanest in the world and with a dog and cat here with hardwood floors makes for a dusty atmosphere,especially with burning wood.My Compaq would run HOT at times and I would have to clean it.When I would take the cover off....well lets just say,I dont know how the fans even went around.Major tedious cleaning job about every 3 months.Also...as was stated above,add a fan or 2.That should be rather easy to do.If I was to go that route,I would also get a section of thin foam that is kind of see thru,the kind air can pass but will stop alot of dust.Add that to the front intake fan area of the case.The case I am using now,has the foam filter covering the complete front and works like a charm.Zip ties are also in the forecast for your situation.I used velcro ties for the simple reason,if I want to changeout anything,I dont need to be cutting in there.Dynex® - 8" Cable Ties - DX-C102191 These ties are color coded,hold well,and look good.

[Hushed]

Alright, ill try and fix this case up.

Heres what my case looks like, though Ill post pictures of the inside later.
http://ascii-business.com/news/0609/...0913dell-2.jpg

Any other tips for fixing up this case, or a link?

[Capper]

You might also replace the stock cooler, depending on which stock AMD cooler you have, if its the all copper one......no, if its the all aluminum one, I'd recommend replacing it with a decent aftermarket cooler......combined with cleaning the system, cleaning up the wiring job, and adding a fan or two, you should see a dramatic improvement in cooling.

[Yellowhello]

Can you even fit an aftermarket cooler in that case? Doesn't look like there's much room in there...

[Capper]

You shouldn't have any problems.......depends on the cooler, a Tower 112? Not a chance....but a Zalman HTPC cooler? Definitely, and it'd be a much better solution than the stock cooler.

When you take the pics tonight, measure from the board surface to the edge of the case, so we can see how much room you have to work with.

[drew and not u]

How about some LN2?