What's more important to you?

As the title and question say 

Actually, both.
I can't stand having LEDs and flashy cases or components on show, so if I had a choice between a more powerful PC that I couldn't change the LEDs etc on or a slower one with a more sane design, I'd pick a slower computer.
In other words, I would and do pay more for less ... can't think of the right phrase ... "showy" things.

[Global Moderator]

Personally, I don't care what it looks like. As long as it has good hardware and good cooling, I'll get it.

For laptops though, the whole point is to get something that looks good.

How do you personally define "something that looks good", Carbon?

[Global Moderator]

Actually, I should have thought before posting that.

What I meant was, I like a laptop that is convenient, for example, I don't want a laptop with random and unnecessary lights put in stupid places, yet it sill looks 'sleek'.

I'm actually very picky when it comes to laptops. I want to make sure it feels right when I hold it, see if I like the way the touch pad feels, if I like the keyboard, how glossy the screen is, ect....

So.....In conclusion, I want performance in desktops and both performance and convenience in laptops.

Now......hopefully that made sense....*yawn*

Form follows function.

'nuff said. 

Components. Although I'm starting to find the noise level of the computer to be another important factor.

components by a mile...As long as it holds together... I can use it in the dark.  My son might have a different opinion though...He'll get over it he's 5 years old (starts talking about things being "cool". LOL

Components. Of course I love the leds and such but i would rather have a better computer

I've been using ugly basic aluminum cases for as long as I can remember. Usually with some "cooling modifications". (aka Poorly cut holes so I can add more fans)

Eh, the LEDS and flashy crap is a waste of time and electricity.  How often do you have people in your room admiring your computer?  Components are deffinately more important because they can get you somewhere, and it is easier to share with the world, via computerhope

Not many poeple like lights

Well, it is a waste of time(and electricity, especially in these hard economic times)

I would rather have the ugliest case and a working computer (without ati) then a really nice case and a nonworking computer (which I have now dont buy amd or ati)

I would rather have the ugliest case and a working computer (without ati) then a ... (which I have now dont buy amd or ati)

may as well not use Nvidia either. I had those BSOD. in fact that computer was intel that it BSOD'ed on. better not get those either.

I wouldn't care if it was built in a cardboard box as long as it worked like a charm.

Components. Although I'm starting to find the noise level of the computer to be another important factor.

I so agree! I've got a Shuttle with a laptop brick type PSU, a heat pipe cooler which has a very quiet fan, rubber mounted HDDs, and you have to listen hard to tell if it's on.

I would pay for a good Micro Refrigeration if it would speed up windows xp, hoping Thermaltake will start to sell them.
Thermaltake Xpressar - World's First DC Inverter Type Micro Refrigeration Cooling System
http://www.xpressar.com/product/rsc100/rsc100-features.html

It wont speed it up you would just get better overclocks. 
Its kinda like those phase change cooling except smaller
http://www.crazypc.com/products/cooler_express-92801.html
I still think phase change is cooler though but I dont know

Visit Silent Pc forums. There is a whole website dedicated to quiet, quieter, and silent PC's. They sell high quaility fans and controllers too.

Components. Although I'm starting to find the noise level of the computer to be another important factor.

Visit Silent Pc forums. There is a whole website dedicated to quiet, quieter, and silent PC's. They sell high quaility fans and controllers too.

Yep. Familiar with the site and other sites like it and have gone with a few other quite solutions. Right now I think my highest noise maker in my office is my Drobo (fist gen) and haven't had the time to try opening it and switching out the fan.

Components are more important because I want a Core 2 Duo/Quad PC for $600 with a ugly case instead of a modded case but only a Celeron CPU.

I don't care what it looks like, unless the screen is trashed.  I want solid reliability, and some damned good performance.