GENERAL INFO

Welcome to the NightOwl's Hardware Selection List. Whether you plan to buy a completely assembled computer system or whether you want to build a system yourself, a personalized selection of components suitable to your specific needs is important. To get maximum performance, any computer system must be build up of high quality components with a perfect match, otherwise the overall system's performance will go down, 'cause of one or more weak links in the component chain.

The selection below is based on personal experience, testing and comparing technical charts, combined with other opinions and lots of reviewing information. All featured components are of high quality. They are not necessary the latest "state of the art" series, but they will meet almost all common needs when building a fine and powerful all-round home computer system.

As this list is meant to be an easy and just practical guide to novice users, no detailed technical specifications are included. The remarks at the top of each item can be considered as a little overview of some important features. Full details, actual info and component specifications can be found at the manufacturer's sites indicated below.

Concerning price/quality, these components will give you lots of computer for your money. Also, the system will be a long lasting system, maybe several years with or without important upgrades, as far as this is possible to predict in a fast changing hardware market.

Still, every selection is -more or less- personal and much depends on the use of the system. So -although they're all of high quality- the performance of some of the listed components may be to low for some specific needs (such as hardcore gaming), while other components maybe a little to performant, or not absolutely needed for some specific, only basic use (although some extra power will make computing easier for everyone and the system will be better prepared for future needs). Also, it's obvious that besides the manufacturers listed here, many other companies also produce top-level components.

As the hardware market is changing day by day, this list does not pretend to be complete, nor it is constantly updated. Component series and actual types and images are provided only as a good reference point from which the user can decide to search for higher or lower performance components, all meeting the same high quality standards and his or hers personal needs.

Click the button for some assembled system images

SYSTEM CASE 

Remarks

- maximum extensibility and flexibility, making upgrading and/or changing of components possible without to much hassle

- support for different motherboard sizes/form factors, eventually also supporting dual power supply, ATX/BTX

- maximum cooling performance

- a strong chassis; anti-vibration build

- a full-tower design will help to achieve these goals

- a timeless design

Coolermaster Stacker Series - STC-T01 - ATX/BTX

POWER SUPPLY (PSU)

Remarks

- very often, too little time is spend on the selection of a good power supply, while a well-designed power-supply is simply a "must"

- the PSU must meet high-efficiency and safety standards and provide power in a very stable manner

- it must comply with the latest ATX12V Version and support the latest CPU's, as well as the latest graphic card systems

- it must be equipped with an effective cooling

- a quiet, low noise operation

- all power cables and connectors must be high quality, and designed for easy handling and connecting

Zalman ZM600-HP

CoolerMaster RS850-EMBA

MOTHERBOARD 

Remarks

- must support latest CPU's, chipsets and memory

- very good cooling capacities

- enough connection possibilities

- all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors

               Asus P5K                                                        Asus P5E3 Deluxe (X38 Chipset)

PROCESSOR

- energy-efficient performance, multimedia power

Intel Core 2 Duo              Intel Core 2 Quad

COOLER (PROCESSOR COOLER)

Remarks

- silent operation

- eventually equipped with an adjustable fan speed controller

Zalman CNPS9500 LED

RAM MEMORY

Remarks

- one of the most important parts of the system, making a great difference in system speed

- maximum memory performance and stability

- each module must be built using carefully selected top quality RAM's

Corsair Memory

VIDEO CARD

Remarks

- the video cards of the different vendors are merely build around one of the common graphic chipsets

- depending on the use of the system, the video card must deliver a high level of graphics realism and performance

- an effective cooling, as silent as possible

        XFX-nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS                  EVGA-nVidia-GeForce 9800 GTX+

SOUND CARD

Remarks

- many motherboards already have "sound-on-board" (a build-in sound chip), which will do for standard (business) computer use

- as "sound-on-board" already provides a relatively good performance, a separate sound card must add top level quality

- whether or not to install a separate sound card, depends on the user, e.g. as an essential audio upgrade for PC gaming

- for a more realistic surround sound, top quality audio, MP3/WMA, DivX, DVD movies, streaming audio/video, TV and radio

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

Fatal1ty Professional Series

FLOPPY DRIVE

Remarks

- it's still a good idea to install a floppy drive, at system level and troubleshooting, it can be very handy

- must be reliable, industry standard, quality construction

- eventually with a build-in memory card reader, bringing the "floppy" back to everyday use

Mitsumi 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive / Card Reader

HARD-DISKS

Remarks

- SATA norm hard drive

- must be top quality, running fast, cool and quiet

- must be very reliable with "state of the art" build-in features to protect the drive and the data stored on it

Western Digital HD - Caviar SE16

CD/DVD WRITER 

Remarks

- must be very reliable and must support (read and write) the different cd/dvd formats (CDR, CDRW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM)

- double/dual layer compatible

- eventually support for LightScribe technology (disk labeling with laser printing technology on a LightScribe disc)

LG - GSA-H54LI - Internal Super Multi DVD ReWriter

CD/DVD READER

Remarks

- an extra cd/dvd drive (writer or just a simple reader), makes it possible to create a fast cd/dvd-copy "on the fly"

- supporting the different cd/dvd formats (CDR, CDRW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM)

XTRA'S - CASE MODDING 

Remarks

- just a little personalization, brings light in the darkness of your computer case

- not necessary of course, just for fun...

- easy installation

LAPTOP

Remarks

- customized systems

- graphic performance

- extensive connectivity

- improved battery life

- rock solid design

- fashion style

Alienware                                   XXODD

Asus                              Panasonic                            Toshiba                                  Lenovo

PERIPHERIALS 

MONITOR

Remarks

- wide format 16:10

- 22 inch monitor

- gives plenty of room for all applications and multiple images

- high contrast ratio, easy-to-view images and gaming graphics

- without ghosting or blurring

- advanced dual interface for both analog digital video signals 

SyncMaster 226BW 22" widescreen

KEYBOARD

Remarks

- excellent performance, a comfortable feel and unmatched durability

- compact, elegant design

- durable, spill-resistant design

Cherry J82 Business K-1 Keyboard                 Logitech Classic Keyboard 200 (USB)

MOUSE

Remarks

- advanced laser mouse for extreme accuracy and flawless tracking on nearly any surface

- wireless design with rechargeable Li-Ion battery

- precision scroll wheel, preferably operating in two distinct modes as a free spinning wheel and as a clicking wheel

- eventually equipped with extra buttons, functions and software

- comfortable ergonomic grip for a natural hand position

Logitech MX Revolution

EXTERNAL STORAGE (EXTERNAL HARD-DISK)

Remarks

- Plug and Play Storage : Just plug it in, connect the cable to add high-speed storage

- Compact for both desktop and notebook computers

- Rugged durable case for extra data protection
- Large capacities possible (e.g. 1 TB)

- High-speed connection for maximum performance (USB 2.0 or/and eSata or/and Firewire)

- Backwards compatible (USB 2.0 backwards compatible with USB 1.1 ports)

- An almost necessary storage medium for external backup's

Western Digital Elements and MyBook External Hard-Disks

PEN TABLET 

Remarks

- the tool for all graphic application input

- an A4 format tablet size is perfect to provide a 1:1 mapping ratio for most monitors

- ideal for artistic styles that need full arm motion

- possibility to accommodate left- and right-handed people

- cord- and battery-less pen and mouse

Wacom Intuos 3 A4

SOUND BOXES

Remarks

- powerful, distortion-free bass, clear highs, and rich mid-range

- a remote control can be convenient

- eventually multiple source–ready for easy connection to players or consoles

Altec Lansing VS 4221

Logitech Z-2300 / 200W RMS

PRINTER

Remarks

- nowadays, an "all-in-one" printing, scanning, copying and eventually faxing solution will do for most computer applications

         HP Officejet 6310 All-in-One               HP Officejet Pro L7780 All-in-One 

SCANNER (PHOTO)

Remarks

- photo scanner to digitalize all photo negatives, positives and eventually prints

- useful to digitalize old photographs, or images taken with analog camera's

- top quality and easy handling for best results is a "must"

Nikon CoolScan V ED

ROUTER (MODEM-ROUTER-SWITCH)

Remarks

- a combination of a wireless router / modem / switch

- specifications depends on the system, regio and use

Philips Wireless ADSL Modem-Router

CAMERAS - WEBCAM - PHOTO-CAMERA - PHOTO-FRAME - VIDEO-CAMERA

WEBCAM

Remarks

- 1.3 megapixels

- video resolution of 1280 x 1024

- frame rate of 90 frames per second

- this specifications make the webcam of today

Philips WebCam Series

DIGITAL PHOTO-CAMERA

Remarks

- Digital SLR Camera : best results and endless possibilities

- possibility to shoot in easy automatic mode using the presets and shooting in advanced mode

- possibility to use and change (high quality) lenses

- this combination makes it possible for both novice and expert users to create fine digital images

- Digital Compact-Camera : small camera body, handy and easy to use camera with

- many automatic preset modi, making it easy to shoot good looking photos in varying circumstances

Nikon D-Series (D200)                        Canon Eos Series (300D)

Panasonic Lumix Series

DIGITAL PHOTO-FRAME

Remarks

- PC independent Digital Photo-Frame
- High quality LCD screen
- IR-remote control

- an easy to use screen menu
- Internal memory
- supports nearly all different types of memory cards

- supports USB memory sticks
- supports digital photos in JPEG-Format - (support for other media types)

- slide show mode with transitional styles and variable speed
- other functions as zooming and rotating photos

- brightness control
- use in landscape and portrait format
- USB interface for PC connection

Braun DigiFrame                                          Philips Photo-Frame

DIGITAL VIDEO-CAMERA

...

DISCLAIMER

All info provided here is for educational purposes only and on an "as is" basis without any warranty and/or further responsibility whatsoever.

Images may differ from the actual products and/or models. All manufacturer's names, ® trade marks, component names and types, descriptions, images, website-links and other materials are only provided here for informational purposes, to clarify and describe the subject, without any commercial purpose. NightOwl's site is not in any way affiliated with any manufacturer.

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