Building the Perfect PC

Component Considerations

With our design criteria in mind, we set out to choose the best components for the LPPC system. We took advice from our readers, because Barbara doesn’t game at all and Tux Racer is Robert’s idea of a challenging game. The following sections describe the components we chose, and why we chose them.

Case

Antec Super LANBOY (http://www.antec-inc.com)

We could have built the LPPC in just about any mini-tower case, but as usual Antec had exactly the right case for the purpose. The Antec Super LANBOY is a purpose-built aluminum mini-tower LAN party case. It even comes with a carrying strap.

ALTERNATIVES : CASE

Although we think the Antec Super LANBOY is the best choice, almost any good aluminum ATX mini/mid-tower case can be used for an LPPC. Lian-Li (http://www.lian-li.com) makes several cases that are very popular among LAN partiers. We didn’t choose a Lian-Li case because they sell at a significant premium over the Antec Super LANBOY, and we actually prefer the Antec case. Still, Lian-Li cases have an unquestionable cachet among LAN partiers, so we wouldn’t argue with anyone who chose one.

The Super LANBOY is designed with portability in mind. At less than nine pounds without power supply, it is by far the lightest case we have ever used. In fact, when UPS dropped off the Super LANBOY and we first lifted the box, we honestly thought it was empty. But light doesn’t have to mean flimsy. Although the Super LANBOY has a bit more flex than a heavy steel case, it is more ...