It seems as though every company out there wants more and more of my money. Recently, I have been spending more of it lately on my water-cooling system. Most of the money spent is from me being an idiot, burning out my pump, and not from experimentation.

In my adventures these last few weeks, I have managed to burn out a pump, torque down the screws in my water block too much, find ways to make tubing leak, and spend lots of money. Well, I swore I would do it right this time and not make any mistakes while assembling my latest water creation. Read More...

While PC system manufacturers have routinely included speakers as part of the package, the quality and reliability of the provided audio units has been spotty at best. Those who desire a more robust, fulfilling sound and those of us in the DIY sector feel the need to upgrade those components. Your choice of acoustical accessory will depend on your needs, your space restrictions, and your wallet.

The audiophile among us may opt for the full blown 7.1, studio quality Klipsch or even the ever popular 5.1 surround sound from a variety of vendors. Others, like me, are bound by our particular work arrangements to no more than the 2.1 arena. For the uninitiated, the designation of 2.1, 5.1, 7.1 etc. describes the number of speakers and their respective types. The first number corresponds to the number of satellite, i.e. smaller, speakers in the setup. The number after the period refers to the woofer or bass unit. This is the largest of the speakers and provides that resounding thump that rattles your teeth and awakens the neighbors from their slumber. Read More...