geocacher's new rig - need help

geocacher · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2002 8:03 am Post subject: Thanks, Jadison

I bought this system new, 4 years ago for $2200 bucks. I 've learned enough, about computers, just to be dangerous

I feel that I can get more bang for my buck, and a much better system, by doing it myself! I plan on using the case again, and doing a minor mod for better air flow. Does anyone see a problem with this? All components are standard ATX (motherboard, etc.). I'm not a big gamer, I use the machine for entertainment, digital photography, downloading and burning mp-3's I just got broadband, and that has been the greatest upgrade I've made so far! Budget? I know I would like a P-4, and an Asus mb, nvidia based chip vid card. Thanks, Geo P.S. sorry if I was suppose to put this post somewhere else

Google · Sponsor

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Hey bud!

Could you tell us what you have now in your current system?
_________________
Owner & Administrator
www.Tweaknews.net
www.Pocketbookpinch.com

geocacher · Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 4:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Nathan! Look at second page of Post your system specs here, under general hardware. Thanks, Geo

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Go for an AMD system bud coupled with some DDR ram.

With the savings going with the AMD , you could pretty well pay for your ram.
_________________
Owner & Administrator
www.Tweaknews.net
www.Pocketbookpinch.com

geocacher · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2002 9:54 am Post subject:

Thanks, Peer, Nathan! First, Peer you didn't say whether I should use the case again? I just ordered a Antec true430w ps for it. My 235w sparkle is going bad. Second, I don't want to start a Chevy vs. Ford War, but I was watching Tect TV, last friday, Call for help, with Chris Pirillo. He had a call in question, asking whether the caller should install an AMD Athlon XP or Intel P-4 in his new PC? His answer was:" Traditionally, gamers like Athlon processors. In my opinion, Intel processors are more stable, especially when run in conjuntion with an Intel mobo." So I was steering towards the P-4, cause I don't plan on upgrading every 6 months, as you can well see with my old system. Once I finish with my machine, I'm going to have to do the same with my wife's machine! Thanks for any imput you have.

Geo

geocacher · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2002 12:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much for your help so far, but you guys aren't mind readers, and don't know how much money I have in the bank!

Anyhow your right, ultimately the decision is mine. I won't bother you guys anymore, unless I have a real problem. When the system is complete, I'll let you know what I did. Take care and have a great holiday! Geo

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Dude,

You are not bothering us. Don't go! I hope you did not get the wrong impression. We will answer any question big or small.

Stick around, you ARE a part of the community.
_________________
Owner & Administrator
www.Tweaknews.net
www.Pocketbookpinch.com

jadison · Guest

So, geocacher - how goes the new rig?

geocacher · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 12:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jadison for thinking of me! Right now the upgrade is going slow. I just got a WD1000jb hard drive, and a promise sata-150tx-2 controller card which is a hybrid 2 serial drive, and 2 ata-133 drive, so I can use the new drive with my current mother bd. I wanted to get the seagate's new serial ata 80gb drive, but it's still not available. I think they are having problems. Talking of problem, when I installed the Antec true power430w ps, The system would see my cd-burner drive but not my dvd-rom drive. Went into device manager,and the drive wasn't there. Opened case again and checked cables. Went into safe mode, device manager, and drive shows up twice! So removed 1 and boot up. Still no dvd! This time I restart instead, and drive shows and works? What is the difference between a cold start and a restart? This is what I have to do to use my dvd drive. And how did this happen just changing power supplies? Sorry reply is so long. Os is win98se Thanks, Geo

geocacher · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2003 9:49 am Post subject:

Hi All! I have a few questions. I'm going to order my new system upgrade parts today! First off, I not much of a gamer, nor a oc'r. I may like to try over clocking in future though. (1) Which one would you get on temp basis? Celeron 2.0 128k, 400fsb $84.00, or P-4 2.0 512k, 400fsb, $163.00. I'm waiting for the P-4 3.06 to come down in price. This is what I'm ordering: (1) Asus P4PE/r/l/sata, (2) Crucial/Micron 512MB PC2700 Ram, (3) Prolink Pixelview GeForce MX440SE 64MB DDR Video card, which I also plan to upgrade in near future. Depending on CPU, everything comes in under $400.00. This has to be a great improvement over the system I'm using now. My second question is, never building a system before, I'm Going to have 5 IDE devices. A new 100g WD HDD, old 10g seagate drive, 48x12x48 CD-R, DVD-Rom,and a 100mb Zip drive. In what order would you install these devices? I understand that the P4PE/ Serial controller, has an extra IDE channel. Can this be used with the fifth device? Thanks for any and advice you can give me. Geo

geocacher · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 4:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Peer! Thanks again for advice! Am driving myself crazy with this project. I did not order parts yet. Now I think it might be wise to get the p-4 2.4ghz 533 fsb @ $192. As far as 5th ide device, It's not important, just a internal 100mb zip drive which I can do away with. I sort of like the p4pe. I also have a external usb 100mb zip drive if need be. Never doing this before, how would you configure the 2 hdd drives, and 2 optical drives, on this mobo? I would think that the 100gb new drive would be primary master, and 10gb old drive would be slave. Cd-r drive would be secondary port master, and dvd-rom drive would be slave. Does this sound right, or wil this slow down the 2 optical drives? As far as video card, that will have to wait. The BOSS said so! :>( Thanks again for the help! Geo

geocacher · Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2003 3:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Peer! Well I finally did it! Grand total: $525.00. Asus p4pe, P-4 2.4ghz 533 fsb, Crucial 512mb pc2700( Samsung same price at Newegg), Found a great all-in-one video card $81.00. Leadtek Winfast a180 ddr thd MyVIVO. 64mb. It does everything and cheap! It's a G/force4 mx440 with dual monitor support, video in, with s-video, dvi, and composite. So I can import my old vhs tapes and edit them. And it comes with games and editing software! I feel at ease with this purchase, not to much money compared to a Dell, that is not as good and almost 3 times as much! I'm sorry your dissapointed about your system. I will never spend big bucks on computers again. This should hold me for about 2 years, and I'll start over again. At prices like this I can afford it! Thanks for ide advice. I should be getting parts next week, and I'll let you know how it's coming.Take care,Geo P.S. This card also turns your machine into a PVR!

geocacher · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2003 12:23 pm Post subject: Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I fired my first build(born) up last nite! Believe it not no errors. I want to thank everyone here for help and support. Peer, your reviews convinced me to get a Chieftec dragon alum silver color case/ side window. All I can say is this is awsome, after using a P2 400mhz. It is still intact, and will still be used, and will become a senior member of my computer museum! Thanks again, Geo

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

No problem, keep coming back and we will keep giving you answers.

_________________
Owner & Administrator
www.Tweaknews.net
www.Pocketbookpinch.com