better to run with the case on and enough fans in my experience. My system seems to get warmer when I have the cover off. The airflow isn't as constant.

 

just found this at anandtech: high-end computer system buyer's guide

linky

 

my shuttle xpc runs 10degrees(celcius) hotter with the cover on. besides, the xpc doesnt have room for extra fans like a normal mini tower.

 

Sorry wrong quote.. heres the one i intended
Hold on a second there, i just did a 8 page paper about AMDs and Intels, they both have there strengths and weaknesses. AMD is better at more random accessing of data due to there shorter pipe lines, with Intel they are better at streaming data, with there longer pipes and the HT techonlogy, but when a pipe crashes or theres an error in the pipe they have to restart the hole pipe so there for it is less effecitant. With the interface to the bus also has to do with this, the QDR bus is acculy slower in processing the request in clock ticks but makes up for it in speed and the DDR buss is faster in clock ticks anc can proform very well when overclocked. If any one dosent belive me here is a link to a thread i started to help me get information for this paper and it contains just about everything you would want to know about a CPU. AMD VS INTEL
Chris

 

ohhh it's a tiny one. Mine is frickin huge. it's a super tower or whatever. (think thermaltake xaserIII, but generic)

 

and so?

he said what he preferred.

 

Now the Key things you need to look at when buliding a computer is CPU, Mother Board, RAM, Video Card and Hard drive. Now with the Cpu there are many differnt options that you could pick from, if you are into computers and know alot about how to use them i would sugest an AMD 32 bit and than you OC it, if not i woudl go with a AMD 64 FX at a higher speed and be a step infront of everone once 64 bit goes full swing. When looking at a mother board i would get an Abit NF7-s for a 32 bit AMD or and Asus A7N8X Dlx, they are the best in my mind Nforce 2 mother boards. Now for the 64 bit the via chip set is good, at this point most of the boards out now are good boards for an FX just make sure you would get one that is compatable. RAM is extremly inportant to how a computer runs, i would go for at least 512MB to a max of 1GB of RAM, and right now the best company to get RAM from in my mind is Mushkin Menory, it is expensive but it overclocks extremely well and has great timeings and great proformance, i wish i would have gotten it insted of going for the cheaper Corsair at the time...... Now on to Video cards, i would go with a 9800 Pro from Ati, now make use you get the 256MB version and if you wanted go for the all in wonder, the XT isnt nesscary but is nice if you have the money. Now Hard Drives, what you want to look for is how fast the RPM is on the hard drive, get one that is at least 7200 RPM, ans look at the cache rateing on them make use you get a 8mb version not a 2mb it will make a huge differnce when gameing. I sugest a WD, thats becouse i had a great experience with mine but they are all about the same. Also if you plan to have this moster computer you need a case with good air flow and good cooling on the CPU and possably moding to the cooling that comes stock with the mother borad to acheive the best possable OC. If you have any more questions ill be glad to help you out in buliding a computer.
Chris Bakey

 

yea my other computer is in a normal tower with about 5 fans not including the cpu/psu and it runs at least 20-25 degrees lower than my xpc and it has more hardware. the xpc was originally built as just my lan machine.

 

I fixed my first post, sorry about that i had the wrong quote......

 

It helps to have that much when I play solitare and hearts. h: