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Help to get a Frankenstein-PC chugging

A

antipunt1

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 30, 2008
Messages
170
Hi Hardforum; there's so many PC-help threads that you might not recognize me, but a couple of months ago (and years before that), you guys helped build my two computers. (my new one is running great, by the way. Thanks again! :D )

So I'm not foolish enough to wing this without checking here first, so here it goes. My brother's birthday is soon, and I wanted to throw together my old parts for him, because his current computer is from the stone age.

My goal is simply to make it run; I'm not trying to do anything beyond the bare essentials, so parts that I'd have to buy would preferable be the cheapest possible (that'll work, lol). He doesn't need it for anything more than League of Legends currently.

My brother's friend dug up some random parts, that may be able to help a little bit. I'll list all the relevant stuff I have, and hopefully it'll help as much as possible

I'll answer via the template provided in the sticky:

1. Given the power of my old parts, the PC just needs to work.
2. Budget: preferable cheap as possible
3. US, California. I think Danny gave me links via Amazon last time
4. This is guesswork. At the moment, I may need a new DVD (readable) drive, because I suspect the old one is nonfunctional. I'll explain this. I -may- also need a new case.
5. The old parts from my PC are sitting here, so I'll relist them. Also, I'll say what are the new random parts that may or may not help
Guaranteed old parts that'll work together:
4 GB DDR2 Corsair RAM, 750i SLI mobo, x2 GT9800 in sli, E8400 processor,
A part in question:
A random Dell 750W-max power supply. Model: N750P-00
Parts in super-ultra-sketchy question:
-A 2006 DVD writable/CD-RW. It's so old that it isn't SATA, which means it's all greek to me. to make things worse, it's missing it's 'sata equivalent' cable, so I have no idea what the heck it's supposed to be anyways, nor whether it's worth saving/compatible at all.
-Parts from an old dell, model: Dimension E520. -This- has a Sata DVD drive, but last time I tried to boot from it (tried to reformat harddrive a couple months ago with new windows), it wouldn't, so I think it's broken. Tried BIOS and everything (even disabled HD via bios to try to boot from it; wouldn't detect it, yet it reads in windows, weird); pretty sure it's damaged or I'm overlooking something. Might need to toss it too.
-All the other parts from that dell. For example, I'm planning to use its hard-drive. Also...the case. I don't know about this one. Call it a gut feeling, but I'm scared the system is going to 'overheat' or something, because it isn't designed to hold x2 GT9800's?
6. no overclock
7. old 1650X1050 acer monitor
8. building it asap, as soon as it gets the ok here
9. mobo provided
10. going probably install windows 7. Not sure if 32 bit or 64 yet. Probably 32 to be safe, I'm guessing?

I think that's most of everything, tell me if I missed something. Thanks in advance!
 
As long as the dell 750 watt power supply actually works at its marketed wattage it should be fine. Dell might not put in the most expensive components, but if it says 750 watts I'm going to assume that it'll run the 9800gts just fine. I googled the model number and saw that it shows 18amp +12v rails, and if I remember correctly it's mostly combined rails that matter, though I could be wrong (9800gt listing shows it needs 28amps on the 12v rail but that may be combined, which the dell power supply has more than enough of).

If it's not a SATA dvd drive it's an IDE (parallel ATA drive), or atleast I would assume that it is. A lot of 775 motherboards have ide connectors, including yours.

As for the case, it depends on how many fans it has, what size they are, and where they're at. If it's just a generic dell case with no side fans or front fans, just one at the top in the back, then i would say you may have some heat problems.
 
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Definitely the 4GB DDR2, board, CPU, 9800GT combo as the core of the build. That is already going to handle League and a lot of other games well--nothing cutting-edge, but think any Call of Duty or Mass Effect title, a lot of highly-sought games will be playable. I specify one (1) 9800 as part of that starting point because you seem uncertain about your power supply. Going by its specs, it's more than enough to SLI those cards, but I don't know anything about that PSU's reliability.

Do you have a photo of the case? A case that would fit that stuff could be had for $25-30, but expect to need powerful fans either way; I wouldn't expect Dell's OEM solutions or cases with only a couple 80mm fans to do the job with the two cards. Is your brother by chance one of those people who always keeps the side of the case off? That'd probably be a working, if not glamorous, way to cool cheaply...

Also, go for Windows 64-bit if you're using the 4 gigs of ram. Compatibility problems are over exaggerated.

You really have everything right there, except the optical drive and case if those won't cut it. Most of your problem is solved; I'd focus on evaluating whether your case can, in its current state or with more powerful / plentiful fans, blow enough air. If it can, you could spend nothing or near-to-nothing. DVDRW drives are dirt cheap, and there's a chance you can use that power supply... even if you need to buy a psu, a good 700-ish Watt supply could be had for well under a hundred, esp. if bought used as well.
 
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Go 64bit just in case he upgrades the RAM later on. Nowadays it's a little rare to see commonly used consumer apps from the last five years or so not work on 64bit.

Anyway, just buy a new DVD burner. They only cost $20 shipped:
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-24xDVD-R...2BAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333924067&sr=8-1

As for the PSU, it should be enough power. The OEM is basically Delta IIRC and they can make good PSUs when asked to. Case wise, as Highwind noted, please post a pic of it. But a new and good case is only $50:
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite Black ATX Case
 
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Dell's powersupplies are typically pretty reliable so as long as it works it will have no problem powring a 9800GT even in SLi.
 
Thanks for your help all. Truly appreciate it.

All of you are basically pointing towards the same conclusion(s), making it so easy to follow. And thanks Danny, I'll definitely get that DVD reader, especially since it's only 20 bucks!

As for case, I'm also leaning towards going for Danny's suggestion. After reading this entire thread, it seems like the current case would indeed be a heat-trap. I'm going to the post the pictures anyways, because it might put the last nail in that coffin.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Antipunt1/IMG_0006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Antipunt1/IMG_0005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Antipunt1/IMG_0004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Antipunt1/IMG_0003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Antipunt1/IMG_0002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Antipunt1/IMG_0001.jpg

Gimme the 'affirmative', and it's a go. :cool:
 
Yeah you wouldn't be able to reuse the case even if you had a low power system: That dell uses the old BTX design. You can tell that by the fact that the I/O ports are on the right side of the case but the expansion slots are below the I/O ports. The BTX isn't compatible with ATX. So yes you will need a new case no matter what.
 
Alright, then case closed, I'm going to go ahead and buy the two parts that you suggested Danny.

Thanks very much, as usual Hardforum! :)
 
Guess you got it covered, but FWIW, I am also using that NZXT Source 210 Elite... worth every penny. :cool: Enjoy
 
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