Author Archive

Computer Cases – Pick The Perfect Computer Case

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Choosing the right computer cases for you isn’t always an easy task, there’s lots of factors that you’re going to have to take into account like will my computer case still fit the latest parts in acouple of years, is there enough room for my CPU cooler, fan slots, HDD slots and so on!

You’ve got to start off by selecting a computer case that appeals to your personal tastes, you don’t want it to be an eyesore and being something that you regret. Once you have found one that looks good to you then there are a few other attributes about computer cases that you should be aware of.

Front USB/3.5mm jack

Does it have front USB and 3.5mm jacks? It almost doesn’t make sense to have a computer case without front usb and 3.5mm jacks.They both come in handy for hooking up digital cameras, Bluetooth/wireless adaptors, plugging your headphones and downloading images. This enables you to avoid pulling the computer out to search for ports in the back, especially if you’re only in a tight space say at a Lan. Almost all motherboards have ports for the front and the rear. These days your will also find that there’s hard drives docks on top the latest computer cases, such as the  Thermaltake Overseer Full Tower

Motherboards

How does the motherboard install into the case? If possible try to find a case that has a removable backplane for mounting, you’ll find that most cases these days do have the feature. The backplane is able to be removed from the case to mount the motherboard, having the ability to remove the motherboard gives you more room to work making less percentage of error, you just have to remember that you have to put the backplane back in. Installing a motherboard in a computer case without a removable backplane can be cramped and be hard to see what you’re doing with your head blocking the light finding yourself with a torch in your mouth. Of course, if the computer case is a full tower then it may not be necessary for it to have a removable backplane. The removable backplane feature becomes more important if the computer case is a mini ATX or just really old.

What kind of motherboard do you have? There’s serveral sorts of motherboards that are made to fit certain cases and do certian jobs. The major form factors are: Micro ATX, Full ATX (commonly referred to as ATX), and Extended ATX. Every computer case should denote which motherboard form factors it accepts. If the case doesn’t describe which motherboard form factors it accepts then it’s best to move on; you run the risk of buying a computer case that doesn’t fit your motherboard. Physical measurements of a motherboard are mostly unimportant. As long as the form factors of the case and motherboard match then you should have no problem with installation because lets face it, nobody is going to make a motherboard for a full ATX system that doesn’t fit!

Power Supply

If the case comes with a powers supply, what size is it? You need to ask yourself this important question because most of the time the power supply will be too small for your application, unless you’re running a Mini ATX system then it’s always ideal to find a case with the power supply already in it. Having an undersized power supply can lead to erratic computer operation, most often denoted by frequent rebooting.

Device Bays

How many device bays will your computer need? It is necessary to know how many 5.25″. 3.5″ and 2.5″ bays you’ll need in your computer case. If you’re installing four cdroms in your computer then it will be necessary to have a case with at least four 5.25″ bays. You’ll also need a certain number of 3.5″ and 2.5″ bays, but you can simply buy 3.5″ to 2.5″ converters if your computer case didn’t have enough bays.

CPU Cooler

Will your CPU cooler fit in that case?  These days most cpu coolers are 150mm high, and most mid tower ATX cases are are only 140mm wide, and if you’re also adding in extra case fans it can prove to cause a problem. Simply measuring the width won’t work as you’ll also be mounting it on the motherboard on top your CPU, so it’s best to be safe then sorry and measure it and take at least 3cm off.

Location

Will the physical dimensions of the computer case fit into your location? Be sure to pick a computer case that fits inside whatever space you have designated for your computer. Pay close attention to the overall height, width, and depth. You’ll also want to put your case in a place where it isn’t going to over heat and dust won’t build a new city inside of your case and clogs up all your parts.

Head over to Warcom and take a look at our massive range of computer cases!

-Michael

Buying Computer Parts Online

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Shopping for computer parts has always been a popular pastime amongst us geeks and nerds. But what was once exclusive to retail stores and over priced technology shops, has now be embraced by consumers. With the growing popularity of online shopping, the world of retail has changed. Gone are the days of limited choices and exhausting price comparisons.

Now, consumers have the ability – with just a few clicks of their computer mouse – to find the lowest prices on their favourite computer parts.And while the ability to test computer parts is not available through computer shopping, there is the benefit of narrowing down your choices based on price, specifications and consumer ratings. And if you’re simply re-purchasing a product you have already used, online shopping can be your best friend for savings and especially convenience.

What you pay for in shipping is most often made up for by the discount you receive by shopping online. Some stores (like Warcom) even offer free shipping on certain computer parts. So keep your eye out for deals of this nature as well as for daily offered through online stores.

Best of all, shopping through online computer stores allows you to skip the crazy chaos of the retail stores and complete your shopping in a few minutes in the comfort of your home. Your computer parts will then be quickly and efficiently shipped straight to your door.

I can’t speak for our competitors, but with the different choices of shipping options we offer, you can even have your computer parts order by the very next day!

Online computer parts stores are just one of many, many shopping experiences offered through the Internet today. The computer has transformed the world of commerce, allowing consumers to find all that they need with the push of a button.

Give us a go today, we’re certain you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the experience.

Thanks,
Michael.

Monitor Stands. Single, Dual, Triple, Quad. How big can you go?

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

The world has changed from back when we had massive CRT monitors taking up precious space on our work desks. A 17″ monitor is now the lowest end of the spectrum. We have evolved into bigger and better things. LCD, LED, DVI, HDMI, 1080p, these are the new words you’ll find when you purchase a monitor these days. For gamers, the bigger the better. We love to immerse ourselves in the details. For office use, multiple monitors provide us with a way of having a lot of different programs open on screen at the same time, improving productivity.

Thinner is better and we reclaimed a little bit of that desk space back. But then something happened. We weren’t satisfied. We wanted more. So we purchased a second monitor. Or a third if we had the extra dollars. We had the extra space so why not? Now we had a monitor solely to display emails on, while we were gaming or surfing the net on the other. Productivity increased but desk space real estate decreased once again.

monitor stands

Fortunately some bright spark invented monitor stands. This revolution allows us to do so many new things. Rotation, pivot, ceiling mount and the ability to join monitors side by side allows us to increase productivity and even extend the resolution of the desktop beyond the standard. Aside from the obvious solutions this offers, there are other factors that some people might overlook. The ability to raise/lower or pivot a monitor can be used as a security measure by allowing or disabling certain people from viewing your sensitive data. Positioning the monitor at correct eye level increases ergonomics which helps your posture and allows for more comfortable work (or play) in front of your computer.

Some things to look for when choosing the correct stand for your needs include materials used, design, weight restrictions, adjustments (raise/lower, pivot, horizontal/vertical), and lastly cable management. If you are looking for a way to enhance your viewing pleasure or even just to tidy up some of the clutter on your desk, I recommend checking out monitor stand range. We have a large selection so please feel free to take a look around and find something that suits your needs.

Michael.

Check out our revamped Home Theatre selection.

Monday, October 24th, 2011

There is a lot of new Home Theatre products coming out to help make viewing all of your media on your TV so easy your mum can do it. We know what it’s like to be inundated with computer hassles so we’re here to help you streamline your needs and get you up and running in no time. Watch recorded TV, Live TV, as well as Photos and Music, right from the comfort of your couch.

My name is Michael (known around these parts as Mr. T) and I am the newest member of the Warcom team. I have the privilege today of making my first blog post! I’ts great to have the opportunity to be part of this team with all the exciting advancements we are making here (aside from just hiring me of course).

After checking out the Boxee HTPC OS a little while ago I was excited to hear about the introduction of D-Link’s new Boxee box. With the addition of setting up a US VPN you can tap into things we’ve yet to see here in Australia. Check out our guide here for more info on how you can view HULU and NETFLIX on your TV now! For all of you Apple fans out there you can also get Boxee on your iPad.

I’ve accepted the task looking after one of my favorite sections, Home Theatre.  If you are serious about your TV/ Media integration, you have come to the right place. Keep an eye out for some great new gadgets and tips to streamline your viewing pleasure. You’re probably aware of the great, ready to go systems from AverMedia, Asus, Western Digital and  feature packed Boxee box from D-Link, but if you’re more a DIY person we’ve got everything you need to build something just as powerful. From All in one Remote Controls to HDTV tuners if you are looking for a great deal give us a call and let us help you out.

We will have a few new announcements to bring you in the future including some exciting new products we’re adding to our range. Many of you know us best as the “Network Know It All’s” and we’re keeping true to that name with a whole new look on Networking gear! I hope to bring you many more posts in the future, so keep hitting that F5 key so you don’t miss a thing.