When is it really even necessary to go through the extra expense of water cooling a pc?
121762
Water cooling is a good alternative if you're looking for a quiter system.  Plus it keeps your components running cooler so there's less risk of overheating and more overclockability (is that a word? - oh well).  There is a risk that it will leak and ruin the PC's components, but that is somewhat rare.  A good advancement is the phase change cooling method.  This is superior to all other cooling methods.  This is the same method used in refrigerators and AC units.  I'm not sure of any specific sites, but if you do a search for "phase change cooling" you should get plenty of informative results.  When you shake a can of compressed air, the bottom of the can get's very cold, and when you release it by spraying, it gets even colder.  This is a demonstration of the method phase change cooling uses.\n\nUmm, the answer below this is completely untrue.  Many home users have water cooled systems, especailly gamers and hardcore performance freaks.  I work part time at UPS and deliver many water-cooling units to home PC users.
134691
I second that, WOW!  But, I'm guessing you are ordering this system and not building it yourself, for shame.  Build it yourself, get better quality components and save yourself some money.\n\nSpeaking of building one yourself, I put together a pretty nice system as part of one of my answers I'll list it below:\n\n600W Power Supply ($42.50), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817167010\nAMD Athlon FX/64/x2 Motherboard ($54), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186085\nAthlon 64x2 3800+ ($297), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562\nGeforce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 Graphics card ($320), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130015\nOptical Drives (dual DVDRW drives $80), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827101642\nWestern Digital 320GB SATA drive ($130), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136003\n2GB PC3200 Memory ($134), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150011\nWindows XP Professional ($145), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102062\nCase, Cooler Master Centurion 5 ($50), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102062\nCreative X-Fi Sound Card ($107), http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188\n\nA few notes, I went with a plain case and I cannot gaurantee that the holes with the power supply will line up with the case (it's always best to buy a power supply and case made by the same company but NEVER buy a case with a power supply).\n\nAnd all of this comes to about $1360, feel free to substitute any of the components I listed for something similar.  I picked the least expensive ones possible (but by no means cheaply made), these are top quality components that you WILL NOT get in any off the shelf system, custom or not.\n\nOh, those prices don't include shipping but I don't want to add $1300 of merchandise to my cart to find out.  But you can, you're under no obligation to actually buy it.
188996
In an age when building your own computer is more expensive than going out to buy one, building a server will be even more expensive.\n\nIf you're not computer savvy, I would recommend going with the 20 bucks a year deal. It isn't that expensive.\n\nHowever, if you still wish to persist in building a server, keep in mind this takes time and dedication. Visit this site for instructions: http://www.pcmech.com/byos/
502558
You do not need it. Hewlett Packard installs it whether you like it or not, whenever you buy one of their machines. I usually reformat the hard drives on them and reinstall Windows Xp from a Microsoft CD whenever I get a HP (or a Compaq), as it irritates the crap out of me, as well. Dell used to do that stuff, too, but they're getting better these days.
290335
They remove heat from the bottom of your laptop.  Your computer works best at a cooler temperature, and having a cooler under it will help it run faster, and last longer.
90752
Nobody uses that much horsepower. Unless you are using the pc for a database that is accessed by thousands or something. Or into animation graphics. There is no need for 2 gigs of ram either. But if you are content on having it you should check out the Mushkin ram or Corsair best out there!
171117
My advise is avoid all the big brands.\nEverything is built in to the motherboard.\nGo to a local small shop retailer.\nTell them what you want to do on the PC.\nThe great thing is if something goes wrong you'll not be on the Tech support premium rate number for hours on end trying to sort it. You just need to take it back to the shop.\n\nIf you want let me know what you plan to do on the PC.\nI'll tell you the Spec. you will need.\n\nHop his helps
578735
With as cheap as components are, it's easier just to build a new machine.  If you are not sure how, there are many articles on the internet and it is quite easy for anyone.  It would probably be a cheaper to build a new machine to your own specs then to upgrade out of date components.  Typically the performance upgrade you would get would not be worth the money spent.  Check out www.newegg.com for components.  I build high end gaming and server platforms form medium sized enterprises and have used newegg on many occasions.
314554
Keeping in mind that you are specifically not interested in cooling stations and the like:  A fan can become noisy over time due to age.  Replacing it with a new one will often result in less noise.  W/regard to the frequency with which it turns on and duration it runs - this is controlled by the internal temp of your laptop, and you don't want to override this.  If your laptop gets hot enough to need the fan, and you override it, your internal mechanisms will overheat and can become irreparably damaged.   \n\nAlmost all laptops seem quiet when new, so recommeding one on that basis would not be smart - it would come back to bite me in a few months!  That being said, Acer laptops and Toshiba laptops I have worked on have been noticably quiter than the Dell Inspiron and the Averatec's I have used.
660757
CPU is only one source of heat.  If you're doing something graphically intensive, you can generate heat on the GPU, especially if you have one that steals/borrows system memory.  Also, there could be some background process using the hard drive, so check if it's spinning.\n\nThe only other thing I can think of is a problem with your fan or heat sync.  If the fan's getting old or clogged it may not push as much air so it won't cool as well.  Similarly, if your heat sync has gotten dislodged somehow that may be causing heat problems.  Unfortunately, both of those are warranty problems.
101981
No, I did once, and it cost $100 to come out and $100 an hour, no joke. Nothing is that important, cheaper to buy an new hard drive (as I learned MY lesson...)
204558
the computer you build yourself is always the best one.  other then that its mostly personal preference.  All the major components except maybe the mother board are the same.
310129
if you're certain you'll always have a separate card, then absolutely get the one without an integrated vpu/gpu. i'm sure you're well aware of windows' wacky handling of hardware... it's not worth all the possible headaches of hardware conflicts and so on.
25770
I agree you need a nice power supply id suggest something around 500+ watts..and a good quality power supply not a cheesy cheapy.. try www.newegg.com here is a link for a nice coolermaster.\n   \nhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171008\nyw\n\nBig Kat Pc
219130
get a cooling pad, it's a base you put your laptop on with fans in it that keeps it cool.  You can get them anywhere, and they're relatively decent priced.  I got one at the local computer store for $40
415874
If you are adding RAM that is one thing.  If a Laptop needs much more -- forget it.  It will be too expensive.  Most every component in a laptop is more expensive.  If you are on a budget, put the money into a desktop or save for an inexpensive new laptop... You will be much better off.  Laptops also do not have the life of a desktop -- rebuilding a laptop is not the best use of money (besides adding RAM to a good one)
275306
I think an assembled pc will always be better. You can change things as you want, you can upgrade as needed, warranty is per part and not per entire product, etc.