you're quite right, Wizard. the computer is running fine (mostly) for over 2 years. on an 80-wire cable for HDs, 40-wire cable for optical drives.
it's just that i'm going to purchase some hardware through a friend in the US and thought to myself 'why not throw a copule of rounded cables into the bag'.
my computer is indeed running OK for 2 years but it's running HOT!
it's an Athlon Thunderbird 1400MHz - the hottest Athlon chip AFAIK.
and the computer (built by a system integrator) came with a shi**y Spire heatsink, and a thermal pad! i think the morons didn't know anything about thermal grease...2.5 years ago AMD was very scarce here in Israel and not many companies worked with AMD products or knew how to do it right...
my normal operating temperatures are 65-75 degreec Celcius - very hot i'm sure you'll agree (too hot?)
so i thought i might buy some Arctic Silver Ceramique or the newer stuff that came out a short while ago, forgot its name, and maybe rounded cables, to help out with the cooling a bit.
small measures until i can do some more serious upgrades (which i'd really like to do but can't afford just yet): a new case; along with proper cooling measures - a few silent fans for inteake + exhaust; a new CPU + heatsink + fan etc.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie
-- JRRT
M.C. Escher - Reptilien