Custom PC Purchase Questions

[Ten]

I'll just edit this as I run into more questions. Thanks for your patience and help! ^^;

Question 1: The case.

Alright, once you're done laughing at me for wanting a pink case, I seriously need help. It's not a big deal, but I'm working on a budget and this will help me out a little. The fan at the back of the case is 120mm, and I'd like to order a fan for the side cover - however, my weak eyes can't really tell if the mount on the side cover is for an 80mm or higher. Damnable newegg and not listing the size!

What would you guys say? I know fans are pretty cheap, but I'd much prefer to save the extra $6 and not have to buy both sizes just to be sure I get the right one. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: What the heck? TigerDirect says that the rear fan is an 80. Now I'm really confused...

Question 2: Upon further shopping, I have decided to purchase Windows XP SP2 OEM. Now, what's different between the OEM and Retail versions? I know retail hardware is missing cables, drivers install discs, etc. - but what about an OS? My sister's pc runs windows xp, but it's just XP, and nothing else. It doesn't have Word, Paint, or like, anything other than the OS itself. Is this OEM?

Question 3: Motherboard. I'm new to the SATA scene, and am picking up an OEM Seagate 'cuda 300GB. This means it won't come with cables. Are the yellow cables I see listed with the mobo SATA cables?

 

[DQuaN]

Can't find much on it. But it seems that the rear fan is 120mm and the side is just a vent. No fan. I can't find anywhere that lists its size though.

 

[Ten]

Oh, I know it's just a vent. But it has mounts and the tunnel thingy for mounting a fan on the side. I'd like to buy one for it, but damned if conflicting information between sellers isn't making that hard.

No biggy, thanks for the help!

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I'll just edit this as I run into more questions. Thanks for your patience and help! ^^;

The case.

Alright, once you're done laughing at me for wanting a pink case, I seriously need help. It's not a big deal, but I'm working on a budget and this will help me out a little. The fan at the back of the case is 120mm, and I'd like to order a fan for the side cover - however, my weak eyes can't really tell if the mount on the side cover is for an 80mm or higher. Damnable newegg and not listing the size!

What would you guys say? I know fans are pretty cheap, but I'd much prefer to save the extra $6 and not have to buy both sizes just to be sure I get the right one. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: What the crap? TigerDirect says that the rear fan is an 80. Now I'm really confused...

EDIT THE SEQUEL: Upon further shopping, I have decided to purchase Windows XP SP2 OEM. Now, what's different between the OEM and Retail versions? I know retail hardware is missing cables, drivers install discs, etc. - but what about an OS? My sister's pc runs windows xp, but it's just XP, and nothing else. It doesn't have Word, Paint, or like, anything other than the OS itself. Is this OEM?

EDIT THRICE?! Motherboard. I'm new to the SATA scene, and am picking up an OEM Seagate 'cuda 300GB. This means it won't come with cables. Are the yellow cables I see listed with the mobo SATA cables?

Pink, whatever. Go with your desire.

Wait until you get the case (try ordering it a few days ahead of the rest of the kit), measure the gaps, then buy the fans off eBay, where they're much cheaper than retail.

The OEM version of Windows XP has no product support from Microsoft, beyond their Windows Update service and the generally-excellent knowledgebase. On this basis, you are fine. Also, the OEM version is linked to the computer through the hardware algorithm that is widely discussed both here and everywhere else. The general upshot though is that if you get a whole new computer, or make wholesale changes to the hardware on your current installation, your license will invalidate. Disks, RAM and Graphics cards appear not really to affect validity. It is a full copy of Windows, however, and the "extras", such as the games, Paint etc are included.

Yes, the yellow cables do look like S-ATA cables, although it was nice of the photographer to photograph them in such a way that you can't really see them! I got S-ATA cables included with my Asus motherboard, so I would expect the Gigabyte to be the same. If the cables are inappropriate, just buy replacements on eBay.

Oh, and I'm changing the thread title...

 

[Ten]

Thank you very much, GG! I greatly appreciate your help. And sorry about the thread title, must not have been thinking clearly. Wasn't sure if the word I used would be counted an innapropriate or not. Guess now I know!

As for eBay, I'm pretty skeptical about buying from the service due to past experiences. I've ordered two import CDs from eBay, and both were horribly scratched and scuffed, contrary to the statement made that they were "like brand new". Fans are only about $3.00 on newegg, and I like the comfort of knowing that they're brand new. Though I suppose I could just look for users that have higher satisfaction ratings. Either way, thank you for the suggestion!

With 3 day shipping, ordering the basic machine first and little things like fans and cables a few days after (should I need them) isn't a big deal, and I totally wouldn't mind doing it that way. Again, thanks for the information and suggestions!

 

[KieranMurphy]

The general upshot though is that if you get a whole new computer, or make wholesale changes to the hardware on your current installation, your license will invalidate. Disks, RAM and Graphics cards appear not really to affect validity.

I had an argument with someone on another forum who insisted that upgrading your PC motherboard would mean you'd have to buy another Windows licence, but I tried explaining that I've a copy of Windows that's been through 2 complete PC rebuilds and had no problem reactivating them when I tried.

The difference between the retail and OEM versions is probably the explanation of why our experiences were different.


KM.

 

[sucahyo]

I had an argument with someone on another forum who insisted that upgrading your PC motherboard would mean you'd have to buy another Windows licence, but I tried explaining that I've a copy of Windows that's been through 2 complete PC rebuilds and had no problem reactivating them when I tried.

Well, I know its possible to use the same activation code for as many computer as you want, but I think the EULA forbid us to use it on second motherboard, even if the first one dead. If we do that they say it's an EULA violation.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Thank you very much, GG! I greatly appreciate your help. And sorry about the thread title, must not have been thinking clearly. Wasn't sure if the word I used would be counted an innapropriate or not. Guess now I know!

As for eBay, I'm pretty skeptical about buying from the service due to past experiences. I've ordered two import CDs from eBay, and both were horribly scratched and scuffed, contrary to the statement made that they were "like brand new". Fans are only about $3.00 on newegg, and I like the comfort of knowing that they're brand new. Though I suppose I could just look for users that have higher satisfaction ratings. Either way, thank you for the suggestion!

With 3 day shipping, ordering the basic machine first and little things like fans and cables a few days after (should I need them) isn't a big deal, and I totally wouldn't mind doing it that way. Again, thanks for the information and suggestions!

The word you used in the title was just unnecessary, that's why I removed it. Had it been relevant, it probably would have stayed.

If you can get fans for $5 new from newegg, then the return from a cheaper eBay purchase is insignificant, and I would recommend that you purchased from the established retailer. I bought four fans off eBay for less than the price of one from an established retailer, so I went the eBay route.

You also find that people selling stuff using "Buy it now" are often professional traders, and so are established, but without the overheads. I've had particular success buying cables and other bits & bobs - nothing major - from the site following this principle.

 

[Ten]

You also find that people selling stuff using "Buy it now" are often professional traders, and so are established, but without the overheads. I've had particular success buying cables and other bits & bobs - nothing major - from the site following this principle.

Ahh, thanks again for the heads-up, GG. 👍