Unofficial "Other Components" Thread

There are plenty "check out this rad build!" threads, but they all only list motherboards, cpus, gpus, ram, harddrives, and sometimes monitors in the cost of the build. Many other components, such as keyboards, mice, speakers, wifi cards, cable signal capture cards, cd/dvd writers, hdmi/dvi cables, and sd flash card readers receive little attention. There are good reasons for this: (1) many people just carry over these items from their previous builds; (2) some of them are nominal in price; (3) not everyone wants a wifi card or cable tv in their pc; and (4) some of these items are just too subjective for there to be any consensus (like keyboards and mice).

Even so, as I'm quickly learning, other components combined add several hundred dollars to a PC; they are deceptively pricey and somewhat important to get them right! So without further ado, please welcome the Unofficial "Other Components" Thread:

(1) Keyboard:

I went with the Logitech Dinovo Edge b/c I got it for under $100 dollars, and it's definitely spiffy. I am so far happy with my purchase.

(2) Mouse

I plan to get a bluetooth mouse. Any recommendations?

(3) Bluetooth card (?)

Noob question -- My keyboard comes with a usb bluetooth dongle; can I use the same dongle to connect a bluetooth mouse, or do I need to add a new dongle for each item? Will my computer end up looking like a pin cushion with dongles sticking out of all its usb ports? If so, does it make sense to just buy a bluetooth card and stick it in an empty pci slot?

(4) Wifi card

I am facing a bit of dilemma: I don't know where to place my PC! I plan to run an HDMI cord to my tv, next to which is the cable modem. My desk is around the corner in the same room, with two doors (one being the main entrance to the apartment) in the way. So I need to place it in such a way as to minimize cables. If I also plan to get a cable tv capture card, then I will need to place it next to the cable box, and buy wireless speakers for my desk (see #5 below). If I forgo the cable tv capture functionality, then I need a wifi card because I don't want to run an ethernet cord along with an HDMI cord. (1) Any recommendations for a solid card? (2) Anyone know if there's a wifi card with built in bluetooth?

(5) Speakers

I don't need a 7.1 channel beastly system. Just a solid 2 speakers, and maybe a woofer to annoy the neighbors. If I stick the comp next to the tv, I will need a wireless speaker set. If not, I am happy so long as the price is under $80 or so. Any suggestions?

(6) HDMI Cord

Two points: (1) I learned this after I purchased my GPU -- Sound does NOT pass thru a DVI-to-HDMI cable! (2) But you're fine if your ATI card has two DVI outputs, because you can use the DVI/HDMI converter to get sound on your LCD. All that said, I now need either a 25ft HDMI/HDMI Cable or a 25ft DVI/DVI cable, depending on where I put my computer. There seems to be about a 20-30 difference between 22awg and 24awg with the former being thicker and pricier. Any suggestions?

(7) SD Card Reader

I am kind of liking the 3.5" Ultra 7-in-1 reader with built in floppy. I only use SD Cards, so I really don't care about all that other sh-tuff, and I figure ya never know when you need a floppy drive (although I haven't used one in some 7 years). Anyone have any experiences with any other multi-readers?

(8) Cable signal capture card

Hauppauge seems to be the best brand here, but their card all get torn apart on newegg, as does every other card. If all I want to do is use my PC as a DVR for my HD channels, what's the best card for my money? I don't want a remote control or satellite feed hook-up or anything else fancy. Anyone have any experience with this?

(9) LCD Mount/ARM

So my 24" LCD isn't actually saving me any desktop space. I'd like to clamp it to my desk and have it hover at just the right spot. Problem is very few of the popular desk clamps are compatible with it. Anyone can recommend other good brands?

(10) CD/DVD Writers

I just went with whatever NewEggers loved (the top-rated Pioneer). They all seem to have the same specs.


Hope you all enjoy this the thread, and please feel free to give much deserved attention to any "other component" I missed above.