Replacement computer options/ideas?

[Matt Graham]

From: joe at actionline.com
> I'm looking for ideas/suggestions for a replacement desktop.
> I don't see any need for the latest and greatest high-powered unit.
> I just want strong, reliable, low-heat, low-power consumption

I've had really good luck with a Tyan motherboard.  No BS, 3.2 years, just
keeps running.  I paid more for it than for a cheap board, but I've had cheap
motherboards fail, have bizarre problems, and require all kinds of
time-consuming diagnostic efforts that were worthless.  If you value your time
and your system's stability, DON'T BUY A CHEAP-ASS MOTHERBOARD.  It's been so
long since I've been motherboard shopping that I've forgotten which companies
are good and which are terrible.  I hope someone else can advise.

"Low power consumption" is another can of worms full of Pandora's boxes.  I
haven't put together anything like that as the price premium for low-power
gear seems like a complete waste unless you have special requirements.  I try
to save power by running cpufreqd and putting the box in suspend-to-RAM when
it's not in use.

The main thing you have to keep an eye on for overheating is the fans in the
case, on the heatsink, and in the power supply.  I usually hear them making
odd noises a month or 2 before they fail miserably.  I bought a pack of 4 fans
at Fried Electronics 2 years ago, and that's been useful as you don't have to
make an extra trip for a spare part.

-- 
Matt G / Dances With Crows
The Crow202 Blog:  http://crow202.org/wordpress/
There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see