PC mods have two purposes: to get your PC running at light speed and to make it look like it's as fast as it really is. The PC mods market has exploded in recent years, offering up everything from the useful to the cool to the absolutely ridiculous. Come to think of it, it's an odd fact of our age that the two most common types of consumer products that are modified like crazy are cars and computers.

Strange (and Useful) PC Mods

Cosmetic PC mods are certainly the ones that are going to draw everyone's attention. It's not all that difficult (or expensive) to build a computer these days that looks more advanced than most of the stuff in science fiction movies. A few neon lights here, an LCD screen or two there, and you've got yourself something straight out of Star Trek. (Scratch that--the future of Star Trek.)

Lights are probably the most exciting and eye-catching type of PC mod. You can buy neon lights to line the inside of your case, or even light strings that twist and wind around your cables. I've even seen a line of IDE cables that come with electric light wires braided into them, so when you turn your computer on the inside looks like some sort of futuristic brain.

Of course, some PC mods serve a purpose other than looking really cool. High-tech fans, for instance, are a great addition to your case because they can keep your system cooler while producing less noise than the annoying fan you've already got in there. Swappable bay racks are also a great mod that allows you to easily switch drives in and out without having to mess with cables or screws.