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silk186
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2008
- Messages
- 1,628
grandpa's rig is too old:
1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, Photoshop (or other intensive programs), Web browsing, strictly HTPC/Playback, etc. (If you have multiple things you want to do with the system, make sure you rank them from most important to least important).
editing a book in office 2010 and skype
2. Will you be overclocking? (If so, are you looking to watercool?)
no
3. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?
300USD
4. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?
China, will buy from Taobao
5. What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need (especially if you will need 3.5" hard drives or expansion cards as these may restrict case options).
everything
cpu, mb, ram, ssd, psu, case, mouse, keyboard, lcd
6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. For reused parts, list brands, model #s, and, if applicable, firmware revisions.
speakers
7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Thunderbolt? Crossfire or SLI support? How many USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s? etc. Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature? Make sure you indicate *required* vs. *wanted* for each feature you list.
nothing special, small and quiet
8. What resolution output do you need? 4k playback, 1080p playback, etc for HTPC or give a vertical/horizontal resolution for gaming SFF rigs. Do you need multiple monitor output?
1680x1050
9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive? Think entertainment center shelves, closet space, rackmount, etc. Many modern SFF cases have either removed the optical drive or have been constructed so that removing the ODD increases the configuration possibilities immensely.
behind the screen would be nice if possible
10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have (Screwdrivers/Leatherman, Drill, Dremel, Metal snips, Soldering Iron, Bending Brake, CNC/Welding machines/Plasma cutter, etc...)?
don't want to bother with them
11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem? HTPCs typically want to be quiet while all-out SFF gaming rigs don't care
quiet is better
12. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?
not mobile is fine
13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? Remember that OEM copies of Win7 have issues with new motherboards
i'm in china, i'm not sure between XP and win7
14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Immediately, in a couple weeks, 3-5 years?
in the next few days
So here is the deal, as you can see from above, this rig is about 10 years old. Grandpa is not complaining but it is about ready to die. My fiance wants me to build him one so he can finish his book and skype us when we go to England in 3 weeks. I'm amazed by the prices her, so I want to throw something together. I have some ideas:
So this is my idea so far. I'm pretty happy so far. few questions. Is Soyo ok for this build or should a put more into the mb? Suggestions and tips for the case and psu. What to look for? How large of a psu do I need? I really want to go with the 64gb SSD, if room permits i can through in an extra drive. This is the dilemma between XP and windows 7. Surprisingly this old rig is pretty snappy in windows XP, will windows 7 feel as fast? Or is windows 8 more intuitive? I haven't tried it out yet.
intel celeron 1.7GHz
256MB ram
GeForce4 MX440
40GB maxtor drive
17" Samsung CRT
256MB ram
GeForce4 MX440
40GB maxtor drive
17" Samsung CRT
1. What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming, Photoshop (or other intensive programs), Web browsing, strictly HTPC/Playback, etc. (If you have multiple things you want to do with the system, make sure you rank them from most important to least important).
editing a book in office 2010 and skype
2. Will you be overclocking? (If so, are you looking to watercool?)
no
3. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?
300USD
4. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?
China, will buy from Taobao
5. What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need (especially if you will need 3.5" hard drives or expansion cards as these may restrict case options).
everything
cpu, mb, ram, ssd, psu, case, mouse, keyboard, lcd6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. For reused parts, list brands, model #s, and, if applicable, firmware revisions.
speakers
7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Thunderbolt? Crossfire or SLI support? How many USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s? etc. Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature? Make sure you indicate *required* vs. *wanted* for each feature you list.
nothing special, small and quiet
8. What resolution output do you need? 4k playback, 1080p playback, etc for HTPC or give a vertical/horizontal resolution for gaming SFF rigs. Do you need multiple monitor output?
1680x1050
9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive? Think entertainment center shelves, closet space, rackmount, etc. Many modern SFF cases have either removed the optical drive or have been constructed so that removing the ODD increases the configuration possibilities immensely.
behind the screen would be nice if possible
10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have (Screwdrivers/Leatherman, Drill, Dremel, Metal snips, Soldering Iron, Bending Brake, CNC/Welding machines/Plasma cutter, etc...)?
don't want to bother with them
11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem? HTPCs typically want to be quiet while all-out SFF gaming rigs don't care
quiet is better
12. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?
not mobile is fine
13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? Remember that OEM copies of Win7 have issues with new motherboards
i'm in china, i'm not sure between XP and win7
14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Immediately, in a couple weeks, 3-5 years?
in the next few days
So here is the deal, as you can see from above, this rig is about 10 years old. Grandpa is not complaining but it is about ready to die. My fiance wants me to build him one so he can finish his book and skype us when we go to England in 3 weeks. I'm amazed by the prices her, so I want to throw something together. I have some ideas:
Intel celeron G1610 36USD
Soyo SY-H61L-M 32USD
Kingston 2x2gb 1333 14USD
Kingston SV100S2 64G SSD 45USD
Samsung 2243LN 22" LCD 68USD
case + psu
Logitech MK240 mouse + keyboard 18USD
Logitech C270 webcam 24USD
total is 237 + case+psu comboSoyo SY-H61L-M 32USD
Kingston 2x2gb 1333 14USD
Kingston SV100S2 64G SSD 45USD
Samsung 2243LN 22" LCD 68USD
case + psu
Logitech MK240 mouse + keyboard 18USD
Logitech C270 webcam 24USD
So this is my idea so far. I'm pretty happy so far. few questions. Is Soyo ok for this build or should a put more into the mb? Suggestions and tips for the case and psu. What to look for? How large of a psu do I need? I really want to go with the 64gb SSD, if room permits i can through in an extra drive. This is the dilemma between XP and windows 7. Surprisingly this old rig is pretty snappy in windows XP, will windows 7 feel as fast? Or is windows 8 more intuitive? I haven't tried it out yet.