With this Antec case, I managed to squeeze in $967 everything. It’s honestly wild how much fits in here... just look at these little things. I think it'll fit perfectly right in my cargo pants pocket. It's a total mini beast 😬
The only catch is that I'll need to go into the BIOS and cap the CPU at 65W... my power supply just can't handle anything higher than that. Maybe I should just wait for a more efficient manufacturing process?
It’s got R7 graphics and a quad-core processor. You just mount it right behind your monitor and you're good to go. Honestly, it's a brilliant little setup. My only gripe is that it feels way too pricey for what it actually is.
I think I’ve finally cleared out all the malware, which took forever since once you lose that technical edge, it's hard to get back. I've come to the conclusion that my router is compromised. It seems like code is being injected into absolutely everything I download. I have no clue if it arrived that way or if someone breached it later, but I could really use some advice on next steps. I'm currently using Xfinity.
steelsailor3 said:I was browsing through some tech gear online today and stumbled upon this 2-port USB 3.0 hub. It’s one of those little things you don't realize you need until you're staring at a laptop with only one available port and a pile of peripherals waiting to be plugged in. It's pretty straightforward. You get two extra ports, and they're running on the USB 3.0 standard, which is a big deal if you're moving large files or trying to run an external hard drive without waiting forever. Honestly, for anyone working from a home office in a place like Austin or Seattle, having a reliable way to expand your setup is just common sense. The build looks solid enough for daily use. It isn't anything fancy or flashy, but that’s usually how the best utility gear works. It does its job and stays out of the way. If you're tired of playing musical chairs with your USB plugs, this is a simple, cheap fix. It's a small investment for a lot less frustration.
I was browsing through some tech specs online today and stumbled upon this 2-port USB 3.0 hub. It’s one of those little things you don't realize you need until you're staring at a laptop with only one available port and three different peripherals begging for attention. It’s pretty straightforward gear. You get two ports that run on the USB 3.0 standard, which is plenty fast enough for most everyday tasks. I’m talking about moving files between thumb drives or plugging in a mouse and a keyboard without feeling that annoying lag. If you're just looking to expand your setup slightly without cluttering your desk with a massive docking station, this is a solid, no-frills option. Honestly, these small hubs are lifesavers for anyone working from a coffee shop in Seattle or just sitting at a cramped desk in an apartment in Chicago. It’s simple, it works, and it solves a very specific, very common headache. No bells or whistles, just pure utility.
These are the ones you need for the floppy drive (3.5-inch).
EDIT: If you're still feeling a bit unsure about this, just head one thread down to "Conrad Tech Support." You can ask them there to get the exact dimensions.
Thanks... I've gotta admit, though, this guy is really getting on my nerves. $36 I see two cables in this photo, but I was really hoping for just one. Ideally, it would have had that wide USB 3.0 connector since that’s exactly what my motherboard uses. I'm trying to avoid a situation where I end up having to go out and buy some extra adapter just to get this thing working.
George Watson56 said:I’ve got an NZXT Phantom sitting around from when I first bought my rig. I actually have a similar setup with the ports located on the top panel, or maybe it was that MS Falcon Pro model. Honestly, I think you might be able to find one of those over at Best Buy or maybe even Target if you look around. $110 I think you're looking for those ports on the top side. If I remember correctly, you need two 3.0 ports, though I'm a little fuzzy on whether it's three or four of the 2.0 ones.
The Phantom is way out of my budget, but this MS Falcon Pro is exactly what I’ve been hunting for. Honestly, I have no idea how I missed your post earlier.
The build quality is top-notch. It’s completely toolless, which is great. You get four solid 120mm fans pre-installed with built-in potentiometers, plus hot-swap support for 5.25" and 3.5" drives. It also features two USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports, spaced out nicely so they aren't crowded. The design looks a bit old-school, but it's incredibly efficient.
I bought a Chieftec case once—some Dragon model or something—and it was a nightmare. Trying to install a drive meant mounting the cage upside down because the power cables and SATA lines were routed on the wrong side of the bracket. To make matters worse, the front bezel had this little dust filter door that arrived broken. When I tried to fix it, I snapped another little plastic tab. Since I bought it at Best Buy, they wouldn't even touch it for a warranty claim. Just a total headache.
Looking at the dimensions in the specs (and I spent some time digging through the entire Amazon catalog), nothing seems to fit a standard floppy slot...
Searching for front panel parts on eBay isn't turning up anything useful either. And I'm not looking for a hub. I probably need to search specifically for a faceplate insert or something similar. I'll have to keep looking.
analogtiger19 said:If you really need six USB ports staring you in the face on your case, just buy a USB front panel extender. You can slide one right into an empty 5.25" bay and call it a day. It’s much easier than overcomplicating your build.☕
That was my first thought, too. But since I can only pull one single plastic piece out of my current case—and that part is already brittle and ready to snap—I’m going to have to grab a whole new chassis anyway. If I'm going through the trouble of buying a new case, I might as well get something actually designed the right way. One thing that would really make it worth it for me is finding a front panel that replaces that old floppy drive slot with two USB 3.0 ports. Ideally, they'd be spaced wide apart or stacked vertically. I'll have to go hunting online and see what's out there.
Look, my dream setup would be a case with two USB 3.0 ports and four USB 2.0 ports on the front panel. Honestly, I’d even settle for just two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, provided they aren't laid out like a complete disaster. They can't be side-by-side horizontally. If they’re stacked vertically, we're good. But if they’re lined up horizontally right next to each other, you try to plug in a slightly wider thumb drive and you're totally screwed. If that Zalman Z9 had all four USB 2.0 ports, it would have been perfect... or if that Spire Simba just had one more USB 3.0 port.
Who are these idiots actually in charge of designing PC cases?
I feel like I've looked through pretty much everything available, and I can't find a single one that works for me.
Timothy Kim60 said:You should have told them. They need to give you a brand new replacement under full warranty. If they just repair it, they’re basically just extending the time it was out of your hands while it sits in their shop.
BTW, which one is the "Black" version and which one is the standard one? 🤷 I know there's a laser and an optical version available.
There wasn't an optical one back then—that was probably ten years ago... but I remember one that was solid black with some fire design on it. I bought a plain black one that eventually died, and they gave me this one as a replacement. Not really complaining, honestly. It still works perfectly and it's great, but I didn't get the full warranty coverage I expected.
Honestly, I picked up a Sharkoon Fireglider Black from Best Buy... the thing died on me, and they just handed me a standard Sharkoon Fireglider as a replacement. To make matters worse, they only gave me about eight days of warranty left on it. If I remember correctly, under consumer protection laws here in the States, I should be getting a full two years of coverage on a replacement. So now what? It feels like I'm just stuck with nothing.
Hold on, hold on... I haven't even plugged the card into my motherboard yet. What happens if I buy a GPU in October and find out the slot is dead when I finally go to install it? What’s the point of having a warranty then?