Thursday, March 29, 2007

Weird Add-on to BiTuX ~Dual Mouse~

~Dual Mouse~

Yes, Dual Mouse! O.o! (Nothing to do with Dual core, or Dual channel Ram, or Dual Monitor!)

-Reason: I can use both my both to control my mouse, using the hand is free while the other hand is holding something or doing something, and get lazy to which to the other hand.
-Pro: It allow you to use both your hand to contorl the computer! make you look Pro.
-Con: You need to pay for any other mouse, only few mouse you can use, because most the mouse today is designed for right handed use. And you need to driver progromming to set up the mouse. (It will work fine without it, but it can work better with it.)
-Note:

Monday, March 26, 2007

Naming the Computer ~ BiTuX ~

  • Naming the Computer ~ BiTuX ~

  • BiTuX
BiTuX is what I have named this Computer, Why I want to Name it? It is because it is not a "easy come" computer. It takes me a lot of time to research, calculate each parts, and found them. As I say from start to end it take about three months, people like me, just build a computer is peace of cake, but really, to build a system like this one, do take me sometime because everything I have is so limited. And it has to match up what I need - want. Here is why I name it BiTuX. The capital letters obveriously is because of it is a BTX computer. Bi stands for binary sense all computers are binary in this world. TuX (The Penguin) is the mascot - logo of Linux. So BiTuX means "BTX Lunix Computer". Nice name isn't it. (Sound Weird though)

  • Ioky has few word to say.......

I feel lucky that I am able to build this Pc, however, I also feel sad for this it.
These reason I feel lucky and sad are because a same reason: You almost can not find all the parts anymore!
You still find it today, 03/26/2007, but I can't promise you about the next day and beyond. As many computer builders in the U.S today. Newegg should be one of their favorite. As less to me it is. However, Almost all the parts that related to BTX are no longer can be found in newegg anymore. Here is what happen today. I was first found the Motherboard I am using for the pc at newegg. Two days before I order it, Newegg completely kick it out of thier site. And because of that I need to found it in somewhere else. After Ordering from two Out of Stock Store (They tell me after I order, that they are Out of Stock on this product!). I finally found it at ebay for $95 with shipping. Yeh for that. After a week later!! I look over at Newegg again, this time they kick the Case I bought out of the site!! (Luckily I bought it before the move!) And this is not it. None of the Cooler or Powersupply I need is in newegg. And I end up searching for them one by one!! And order them all of the world! Crazy................. That also mean that BTX is starting completely out of the Market! There is numbers of them left over, but you really need to dig them out. If you are not looking for Building computer yourself, Dell and Gateway do use BTX form factor for their computer. (Better then nothing....)

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Ultra Efficient PC Computer ~ BiTuX ~

There are millions pc computers of there! Nothing special, but really, how many of them are Efficinet! And has what a pc computer such have? Not so many. In fact, close to none!!

  • Some common problems:

- Bad looking
- After years of using it, inside of the computer will become a lovely home of "Dust"
- Noise (because of all the FAN)
- Size, (Big is what I pointing at!)
- Hot!! (I am not saying it looks hot, but it runs hot! In other word, bad cooling)
- Waste of Energy!! (High end computers today mostly will have "at least" 500watt power supply)
- Too much pointless parts. (I understand that Sometime they are needed for the computers to look cool, but as the same time they create problem. In term of making thing to the most efficinet)

  • What a PC should have:

- Cool (In both looking, and Running)
- Silent cooling system
- Size (Small but powerful in term of performance)
- Dust Free system (a system that reduce dust)
- Energy Efficient

So, I start a project to build a Ultra Efficient PC Computer that will meet all the requirement that I have list above. After three month of research, I finally finish this Ultra Efficinet PC Computer! yeh.........!

Parts Needed (Pro&Con):

  • Case: COOLER MASTER CM Media 260 RC
-Pro: mBTX case, small in size, solid build, supply BTX(Which make things run cool).
-Con: PowerSupply is a bit low only 275watt, 350watt will be ideal. (However 275watt should be ok)
-Note: BTX is special design for Balance out the heat that produce by the Motherboard, and it allows you to cool not just the cpu but also the North / South Chip With one Cooler. the cooler suck air direct from outside of the case which can reduce the number of fan that needed. Also with the power supply which blowing out the air from the case, that makes a nice air flow for the system. And this micro BTX case allows you to use a full length Graphic Card which is very un-common. The only problem I have with this case is the powersupply, 275watt seem a bit low to me, however I found a 350Watt Powersupply make by Star tech, known this is a CFX Powersupply the shape is weird. It is not like ATX Powersupply which looks like a box, instead it looks like a L.

  • Motherboard: Intel Desktop Board DG965MQ BOXDG956MQMKR
-Pro: The best mBTX motherboard you can never found, (There are no better out there).
-Con: Ram can only goes up to 677MHz at MAX 8GB, (2GB can run up to 800MHz).
-Note: The reason I use this Motherboard is because it is simply the Best mBTX motherboard out there. It is about $250 when it first come out, however this motherboard lose it market, because it is mBTX, which not much people know there is such thing, I am able to get it with $100. It is really hard to find today.

  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Due E6600 conrose 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor
-Pro: FAST!! Low energy needed, run cool.
-Con: If you pay it for me, There will be no Con! hehe!
-Note: No Question with this little boy! It have 4MB shared L2 Cache, while the 2.13 have only 2MB. It is better if I can get a 2.66 one, but it is like $200 more. Not worth it as this time. And known it, Core 2 Duo only run at 65 Watt at full load(Over Clock not included). It is really nice in term of energy efficient. That also mean it run so much cooler then the others, and it runs really fast.

  • Ram: CORSAIR X MS2 2GB (2 X 1GB) 240-PIN DDR2 SDRAM 800
-Pro: Fast run time at 4-4-4-12! Great compatible
-Con: It can go a bit hot, but it comes with heat sink.
-Note: Nothing much to say about this one, If you don't know how good CORSAIR is you dont' know computer. (Turth for most Case, hehe...). It can be double up with the motherboard, but it will run not as fast. And 2GB should be good for most of the job you do. (Pro Movie/Games Making is not included)

  • Graphic Card: BFG Teach GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express X16
-Pro: Really Nice Graphic with low energy needed (The lowest energy needed PCI Ex16 card out there)
-Con: No long cutting Edge. Only 12 PixelPipelines
-Note: I Choose this one because it is the really the lowest energy needed card out there, it say it need a 350 watt powersupply but it is only true for you if you don't know how energy go in your computer because the company don't want you rough your computer by using thier card. It is not a bad card at all, ATI 1650 can be better, but at the same time it need more energy(Almost double), if you are looking for better gaming, ATI 1650 is a good one for you. Known it!! This case can't handle a double Slot needed card, Because it is not big enough. And it might not have enough energy for it anyway. Even for extra energy needed card, I recommanded not to use with this case. No money to test it out anyway. hehe

  • Hard Drives: Segate Barracuda ES 500GB 7200 PRM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0b/s Hard Drive
-Pro: Big Storage, Server Level Hard Drive.
-Con: Can be a little loudsy sometime, (Loudsy with it seeks, with enble NCQ).
-Note: Hard Drives is the god for the people who have a lot of stuff saved in their computer. Why? Bcause they will pray it NOT to break anytime in their life. So do I. So a good quality Hard Drives is really important. Therefore even it is a bit expansive than the other one, It will worth it. OK Here is one really important Point about this hard drives. This a Server Level Hard Drive, It use NCQ technology, This Techonology reduce the amount of unnecessary going back & forth on the HDD heads, however, the noise this thing make is not little, It can be really really Loud, but, you can disable the NCQ fuction to redue the Noise. You can't kill two birds with one stone in this case.

  • Powersupply: Star Tech CFXPOWER350 350Watt Powersupply
-Pro: The only 350Watt CFX Powersupply out there anyway (Biggest one).
-Con: Really hard to Found. (So did the others parts)
-Note: This is again the only one. What can I say. --.--! It shoule be fine with case powersupply, however I don't want to playing such games to try that out. With this System, It just can't not go over 303 Watt with +3.3V at 12.4A, + 5V at 15.9A, And +12V at 15.2A.

  • Cooling System:
Thermaltake Type I cooler CL-P0191
-Pro: Super Heat Sink with Dual healpipe, and 57Al fins with Cupper Base
-Con: The Fan doesn't SUCK! (In term of Air, about 15000 RPM in real time running)
Thermaltake Type I cooler CL-P0030-03
-Pro: The Fan DO SUCK! (In term of Air, up to 45000 RPM)
-Con: The Heat Sink is not as good.
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound CPU Thermal Paste
-Pro: Drop CPUtemperature from 3-12 degrees
-Con: None period. (The Most expensive one out maybe?)
Thermaltake A2374 Fan Filters
-Pro: Keep the DUST out!!!
-Con: None for itself. But need to do something about it in my case.
-Note: Cooling=EVERYTHING! Truth, Without cooling No PC computer can be run, at least I haven't saw one yet! BTX cooling is the BEST! That sound a bit crazy but hey, it's truth, at least better than ATX. Cl-Po191's need to replace with the CL-P0030-03's fan because C1-Po191's fan is not powerful enough for me. (Hello, this is like the only one cooler in the whole system, IT HAS TO BE GOOD!!!) Also the Thermal Paste come with it is not good enough, it needs to replace with Artic Silver 5 Thermal Compound. Combine all three of them. The cooler should keep the CPU run at room temperture. +20 degrees at full loaded. This is very important, because this is the only cooler in the whole system beside the Powersupply fan. It has to be perfect! and because the air is draw directly from out side, a filter MUCH needed!! However there is not place are made for Filters, So you need to use some creative ideas to make it happen, it is Do-able! After you done, The system will be 99% Dust FREE

  • DVD Burner: SAMSUNG 18X DVD R With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA
-Pro: LightScribe, SATA Burner!! Fast reading and writting.
-Con: It is not a Blue Ray. hehe
-Note: Wow! SATA DVD Burner! How Sweet. You can only put one Optical drive with this case. So get a good one, it is not expensive too. hehe!

  • Card Reader: Ateach Flash XM-28U Black 28 in 1 USB 2.0 internal Card Reader
-Pro: Nice Card reader that supply a lot of difference kind of flash cards.
-Con: It has two cable to connect the USB header, (Cables make Mess)
-Note: Card Reader! really help if it is a good one, Useless! if it is a bad one. This is the best card reader I have found. It can read all the card I have, good enough for me. If you dont' like it, you can get a other one. You can get a floppy drive too, but I wouldn't, I haven't use Floppy like 4 years, but that is just me.

  • PCI/Ram Slot Protector: VANTEC Model SPK-08uv-Bk UV Black RCI/RAM Slot Protector Kit
-Pro: Keep Dust out from kill my un-use Slot
-Con: doesn't have PCI- EXpress.
-Note: Talk about Dust Free, How can you not have this little thing to protect the motherboard! it is not expensive at all, This simple thing makes a great matter!

Other Parts (Optional):

  • Monitor: SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
-Pro: Fast response time (2ms), high Contrast Ratio(1000:1), Big (22"- Widescreen).
-Con: None!!!
-Note: I am a half gamer, and Photographer, who sometime do 3D graphic and graphic design. A great monitor will make me happy! (I do Progamming too but that doesn't have anything to do with my monitor.)

  • Keyboard: HIPER HCK- 1S 18-A-XX Silver USB + PS/2 Slim Clavier Keyboard
-Pro: IT IS A AI Keyboard!! Nice looking, No driver needed, Small in Size
-Con: The LED is kind of too bright for me
-Note: AI Keyboard, it is REAL "COOL" to me, I don't need milions of unless Key, This Keyboard takes Heavy duty and timeless design(it is really simple looking), Nothing fancy but really, when you look at the "Cool" keyboard you once have is no long cool today, because all the color comes off, and the surface get wear off. But this one will look good forever because it is make of AI with a simple design. (I am really picky in term of getting simply cool looking thing because I understand that fancy looking thing can not beat time. As time pass by fancy will no long fancy. But simply will always be simply. Therefore something looks good and it is simply will alway looks good.)

  • Mouse: Logitech MX400 2-Tone 5 Buttons Tilt Wheel USE + PS/2 Wired Laser Mouse
-Pro: Simple but cool looking, Tilt Wheel, 5 Button make things happen faster, High performance Laser Mouse with no stupid red light.
-Con: It is not the best out, not wireless.
-Note: Logiteach Mouse are nice, It does what I need to be done. It would be nicer if it is a chargable wireless mouse. Nothing much to say about this one. I simply like it with no reason?

  • Mouse Pad: RAZER PAD Mouse Pad
-Pro: Pro Mouse Pad, Fast React, good for games, and protect your mouse (The bottom), it all come with dust filter (The material that use to protect this mouse pad in parkage).
-Con: Nothing to wish more.
-Note: Finally, I can have a Mouse Pad!!! I have use computer for many yeas without Mouse Pad. No Matter what it takes, I have to get one this Time! Really! It is a perfect Mouse Pad, you just can't wish for much! Looks Nice too.

  • Speaker: Logiteach X - 140 5 Watts 2.0 Speaker
-Pro: REAL nice Sound
-Con: Huge!!! Not a 2.1 Speaker, need extra power
-Note: This is the only mistake I have made. EVEN this is a really Nice Speaker. But You just can't believe how big it is. I thought it is small as it shows on the pictures, so it can match the system but it is really 3 Times as big as i thought it is. AH........... I shouldnt' buy speaker online anyway! It is like the Biggest 2.0 Speaker I have ever saw in my life! (In term of computer) If I know it is that Huge! I will just get a 2.1 speaker instead. (It is so big that doesn't make any different --.--! And it needs extra power connect --.--!)

  • OS: LINUX OpenSuse Or Ubantu - Kubantu!!
-Pro: Free OS, stable, You can take over 90% control with your computer. (Linux is just better)
-Con: It is harder to learn. Not much game can be play with linux, but you can use software to play it.
-Not: Vista? Come on, Why Vista? Stupid OS need 512 Ram to just run it? Is that a Joke? 3D desktop which can't even do 1/10 that Linux can do in term of 3D desktop. $200 to just get the System!! + all those softwares need to be pay!! Hello, I am not Bill Gate. While Linux give you everything for free, free OS, free software, free upgrade, and free support by the others. Even you want buy a linux Distru that have more package, it is only $60 with all the software you will ever need. Only linux can match up such Efficient Computer! (But really! you can run window if you really want to. I mean in term of game I will too. But just for Games? NO NO NO, I can buy a PS3, Xbox 360, and a Wii with a lot of games with the money I pay for computer.)

Power Supply Calculator: (350 watt is not enought?, Let see!)
  • MotherBoard(including Keyboard and Mouse) - 38 watt
  • CPU: Core 2 Duo conroe 2.4GHz - 65 watt at 100%load
  • RAM: CORSAIR X MS2 2GB two slot - 10 watt (5 watt for each)
  • Graphic Card: BFG Teach GeForce 7600GT 256MB - 36 watt
  • SATA HDD: Seagate Barracuda ES 500GB &7200 RPM - 27 watt
  • DVD Burner: SAMSUNG 18X DVD SATA - 30 watt
  • CPU FAN: BTX COOLER - 3 to 5 watt
  • Card Reader: Atech Flash - 10 watt
  • USA all 9 in use: - 23watt (2.5watt each)
  • FireWire all 2 in use: - 16watt (8watt each)
  • Total: = 257 Watt with +3.3V at 5.7A, +5V 15.3A, and +12V at 13.4
Power Supply Calculation power by: eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Pro (I pay for it--.--! Well is only $4 can save me $400 or more).