Referencing this thread, it looks like my kids' "gaming" PC is in need of some repair(s). I'm looking for advice, so let's start with the given questions:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? My kids play some older FPS and strategy games (MoHAA, Portal, Half-Life (the original), Command & Conquer: The First Decade, etc.). The now-dead PC also did double duty as a HTPC, streaming content from my server via XBMC to my living room TV. I'd like to keep the HTPC aspect, but it is a low priority. This is also my main Folding@Home rig so it stays running 24/7.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included? Sub-$500, out the door.
3) Which country do you live in? Raleigh, NC, USA
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? Mobo, probably CPU, probably RAM, possibly HSF, possibly SATA optical drive (depending upon replacement mobo if no IDE port)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Possibly Phenom x4 9150e, possibly 4 x 2GB G.Skill DDR2, Corsair TX750 PSU, generic ATX case, IDE optical drive, GTX 460, Coolermaster TX3 HSF w/ Noctua fan, SATA HDD, SATA OCZ Synapse cache SSD, PCIe 1x Intel Wireless-n card
6) Will you be overclocking? Oh ya. Mostly the GPU, as the CPU got flaky when I tried to drive it too hard.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it? ASUS ML239H, 23" @ 1920 x 1080
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? ASAP
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? If I'm sticking with the GTX 460, I'd like to eventually pick up another one for SLI. PCIe 1x slot for reusing existing wireless NIC. I don't need: RAID, Firewire, USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, eSATA, Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU), UEFI, etc.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? I have legit keys for Win8 Pro and Win7 Ultimate. Both x64.
If I want to reuse the CPU, I will more-or-less be limited to mobos based on either the AMD 785 chipset or the nForce 980a. Either of which would also allow me to reuse my RAM (assuming the RAM and CPU are all working). A more modern chipset would require CPU and RAM upgrades. The dead mobo is mATX, but the case will take a full sized ATX mobo.
I am also considering saving the CPU & RAM for a future dedicated HTPC build. All I would need would be a case, PSU, and mobo (assuming onboard video).
Also, I have a Newegg Preferred Account, so I may be able to increase the budget somewhat by relying on the deferred interest & monthly payments. Yes, I know how we [H]er's now feel about the 'Egg. If Amazon had a similar gimmick, I'd switch in a heartbeat.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? My kids play some older FPS and strategy games (MoHAA, Portal, Half-Life (the original), Command & Conquer: The First Decade, etc.). The now-dead PC also did double duty as a HTPC, streaming content from my server via XBMC to my living room TV. I'd like to keep the HTPC aspect, but it is a low priority. This is also my main Folding@Home rig so it stays running 24/7.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included? Sub-$500, out the door.
3) Which country do you live in? Raleigh, NC, USA
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? Mobo, probably CPU, probably RAM, possibly HSF, possibly SATA optical drive (depending upon replacement mobo if no IDE port)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Possibly Phenom x4 9150e, possibly 4 x 2GB G.Skill DDR2, Corsair TX750 PSU, generic ATX case, IDE optical drive, GTX 460, Coolermaster TX3 HSF w/ Noctua fan, SATA HDD, SATA OCZ Synapse cache SSD, PCIe 1x Intel Wireless-n card
6) Will you be overclocking? Oh ya. Mostly the GPU, as the CPU got flaky when I tried to drive it too hard.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it? ASUS ML239H, 23" @ 1920 x 1080
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? ASAP
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? If I'm sticking with the GTX 460, I'd like to eventually pick up another one for SLI. PCIe 1x slot for reusing existing wireless NIC. I don't need: RAID, Firewire, USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, eSATA, Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU), UEFI, etc.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? I have legit keys for Win8 Pro and Win7 Ultimate. Both x64.
If I want to reuse the CPU, I will more-or-less be limited to mobos based on either the AMD 785 chipset or the nForce 980a. Either of which would also allow me to reuse my RAM (assuming the RAM and CPU are all working). A more modern chipset would require CPU and RAM upgrades. The dead mobo is mATX, but the case will take a full sized ATX mobo.
I am also considering saving the CPU & RAM for a future dedicated HTPC build. All I would need would be a case, PSU, and mobo (assuming onboard video).
Also, I have a Newegg Preferred Account, so I may be able to increase the budget somewhat by relying on the deferred interest & monthly payments. Yes, I know how we [H]er's now feel about the 'Egg. If Amazon had a similar gimmick, I'd switch in a heartbeat.