College room PC.

[The_YongGrand]

Hmm... I'm thinking of an experimental build for one's college room PC.

Of course - the PC I'll be using will not be a gaming machine - it's only for two person use only for office programs, listening music and many more basic stuff.

The build would be like this:

Intel Pentium D 805.

Intel D865GSAL motherboard.

Reused Apacer DDR1 Sticks = 2x256MB RAM.

Video card? Nah - not gaming there. No time for that. Using a built-in will be sufficient.

Will it become an ideal PC? And I heard that with using Pentium D processors, I might be able to split the computer into 2 computers - like two monitors, two keyboards, two mouse but one PC. Is it going to work anyway? :eek:

[glc]

And I heard that with using Pentium D processors, I might be able to split the computer into 2 computers - like two monitors, two keyboards, two mouse but one PC.

Not possible.

[faulkner132]

Honestly, for something like this, look on Dell Outlet and get the cheapest they have. It comes with an OS and really everything you will need at a price of, usually, under $500.

The URL is: http://www.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb

[hobey19]

there was an article awhile back on tom's hardware about using one computer for two people, figure you may want to give it a read. its old, so there may be newer technology out there, but it does apply

http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/19/jetway/

craig

[newbuilder14]

Go with a 945p chipset. Upgradable to Conroe in the future. P5L-MX is what I used for both my Pentium D 805 systems.

[blue60007]

I'd try to grab something that uses DDR2. DDR1 prices are starting to go up (don't know what it's like in your location though).

[The_YongGrand]

Yes - in my place the DDR1 prices are increasing too.

But fortunately I have two sticks totalling to 512MB in my hands now, so I don't have to change it just yet.

For the college PC, I don't have to upgrade much. I'll save up the money for my home PC for the Cores. :)

[The_YongGrand]

Sorry to bump up the thread. :o For a Pentium D, what's the optimal PSU's railings and voltages must I need? I know the pentium D drinks up lotsa power, and is a 400W enough for all that? :)

[newbuilder14]

400w should be plenty. I used a 350w Smart Power for one of my builds.

[piasabird]

Dorm Rooms in College tend to be small. Sometimes the rooms have no air conditioning either. Last thing you need is a giant P4 blowing hot air on you. Might consider a Shuttle or A Open barebones with a P4-M or a low-end Conroe Core Duo. You may not want a box that makes a lot of noise.

Here is another caveat. Many dorm rooms have Cable TV and Cable Internet, so maybe a TV Card would be a good option. Either that or maybe a LCD Monitor with a TV Tuner built in. My son had one of those ATI All-In-Wonder video cards. They are a little expensive but you can download TV programs or watch live TV.

[The_YongGrand]

Fortunately the dorm room is quite big, so at least I can put a Micro ATX casing there. The TV's already there, so no need for a TV card.

Thinking of reusing back my old Athlon PSU but will it work on Dual-Core PCs? :D

[blue60007]

What are some specs on it?

[newbuilder14]

If the power supply is around 300-350w and doesn't feel cheap (weight), than it should be fine.

[The_YongGrand]

Oh, I think it's a basic one. :eek: Just medium-heavy.

Been searching for the compatibility lists - the 865 chipsets board (775) DO actually support the Pentium D 805 and the 820. Strange as it seems, some of them requires a BIOS update, some of them must require later PCB revision...

Will it be safe to operate a Pentium D on a 865-chipset based boards? Anyone tried that before? :rolleyes:

[whubbard]

I haven't tried it...but if its compatible it should be fine.

[Cricket]

Will it be safe to operate a Pentium D on a 865-chipset based boards? Anyone tried that before? :rolleyes:This Intel web page (http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/D865GSA/index.htm) indicates the D865GSA does support the Pentium D...but...this Intel web page (http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/products/box_processors/desktop/proc_dsk_pd/technical_reference/216415.htm#865) says the Pentium D was not tested on that particular motherboard.

:) Cricket

[The_YongGrand]

Thanks. I've seen the MSI 865GM3-V in the shops, still being sold. It'll work 100% on the Pentium D since the webpage said so. Well, gotta ask the Intel people about the D865GSA first... :)