Building a new computer and scrapping old for parts.

[Chazell29]

Hey everyone. So, I don'tknow if you remember me from like a year ago, I was wanting to build my own computer. Well, by the time I got my job and got money, I just wanted a computer for gaming, and I got a buddy who got me a really good deal on a Gateway and I've upgraded it some and it plays games great and for cheaper than I was going to build it for.

Well now that I've had this comptuer for about 10 months, its time for some upgrading.

I have my current comptuer right now, and I think I want to take some parts from it for my new pc. The specs for that computer are as follows:
-AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 2.2Ghz Processor
-250GB Hard Drive
-Gateway Motherboard
-1GB (2x512) stock RAM and 2GB (2x1GB) Viking RAM [Total 3GB's]
-Evga GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCI-Express
==========================================================
Here is the list of parts that I was looking at for my new computer. This computer,is going to be for everyday use, and must support gaming.

Case- $69.99
NZXT Black Apollo Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025

CD/DVD Rom- $23.99
Lite-on DVD/CD Burner/Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106040

Processor- $186.00
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 2.13Ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115016

Motherboard- $132.99
ASUS P5B-Plus 775 ATX Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131177

PSU- Fortron Source 500W Power Supply- $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037

Video Card- $0
Using my current Evga GeFoce 8600GT

Hard Drive and Operating System- $0
Going to just restore my H.D. and use my Vista that I got (bought my PC with XP, and I got Vista free as adeal when I bought it)

TOTAL- $534

**Just a Maybe. If its not a good idea to use my current HD and restore it, then I'll get this.**
Hard Drive- $72.99
Western Digistal 250GB Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055
=========================================================
Would that be a decent computer for gaming? My computer now is great for gaming, so if it'll be alot better, than thats good.

Feel Free to make any changes you want. Just try to keep the total price under $600.

THANKS!

[Katreat]

For your new system you should really be using 667 (5300) ram to optimize it and get the preformance out of the C2D. Not sure what your old ram is so not sure you would really want to re-use it.

Also, your current HD and CD are probably not SATA. The P5B is does not have native IDE support, it will run them, but it is best paired with SATA componenets.

re-using your video card would work well since you have a nice 7600 to replace it with.

So my suggestion would be to build new and only re-use the video card. It will cost a bit more, but your back up computer will still be very fast with just a bit less video processing.

Kat

[Chazell29]

For your new system you should really be using 667 (5300) ram to optimize it and get the preformance out of the C2D. Not sure what your old ram is so not sure you would really want to re-use it.

Also, your current HD and CD are probably not SATA. The P5B is does not have native IDE support, it will run them, but it is best paired with SATA componenets.

re-using your video card would work well since you have a nice 7600 to replace it with.

So my suggestion would be to build new and only re-use the video card. It will cost a bit more, but your back up computer will still be very fast with just a bit less video processing.

Kat

Thanks, I don't know if I left any of the stuff in there bout keeping my current PC as a back up, but I tried to edit it to just use the parts from my current PC to make a new one, and no worry about making my current (which would be my old) work.

Yeah I just bought my 8600GT yesturday, so thats good. My hard drive probably isn't SATA, and my CD drive I'm just gunna buy a new SATA one. The thing was with the hard drive is save the $75 bucks or so on it, and then save the $200 on the operating system. Because my Vista is an upgrade disc, so I think I need Windows preinstalled, and I think it will only work on a Gateway...so I was trying to save alot of money that way...

Also, if my motherboard I picked is not good, what is a good one? I always have trouble finding a decent, but inexpesensive mobo.

[Katreat]

your mb is great, it is just more geared towards the newer SATA technology. It does support IDE through a third party controller and some have had good luck with that but it is recommended to run it with a new SATA HD.

Kat

[Chazell29]

your mb is great, it is just more geared towards the newer SATA technology. It does support IDE through a third party controller and some have had good luck with that but it is recommended to run it with a new SATA HD.

Kat


Bleh, I want to try keep my current Hard drive cuz of the OS issue. Can anyone please find me a decent motherboard (pref. ASUS but any if its good) for aroudn the same price that I could use an IDE hard drive with? THANKS

[jer888]

You CAN use IDE devices with the P5B's. SATA is just better. It will work though.

[Chazell29]

You CAN use IDE devices with the P5B's. SATA is just better. It will work though.
Will it be like really slow? Or would it be like the same as my PC right now?

[Chazell29]

Will it be like really slow? Or would it be like the same as my PC right now?
anybody anybody?

[Cricket]

The Intel chipset on the P5B does not have native support for IDE devices, that's handled by a third party controller that some people have been having problems with. It's recommended that you use all SATA drives with the P5B motherboards but if you must use IDE drives you'll either have to deal with the issues of the third party controller or you could use a PCI IDE controller card like the ones from Promise Technologies (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001119&Description=PCI+IDE+Controller+cards&name=Promise+Tech.).

:) Cricket

[LeftyAce]

IDE won't be slower than SATA (the theoretical bandwidth is higher for SATA, but as of yet most harddrives are about the same speed inside).

IDE just might not work at all....it's worth trying and seeing though.

[Chazell29]

IDE won't be slower than SATA (the theoretical bandwidth is higher for SATA, but as of yet most harddrives are about the same speed inside).

IDE just might not work at all....it's worth trying and seeing though.

Meh, I guess I'd wrather not risk it....just sucks because my Vista won't work on a new hard drive, so I gotta spend the $72.99 for the Hard Drive and $215 for Vista, so It's going to cost me $300 more. Yeah I can't do that...

Can someone please find me a decent motherboard that will work with the IDE Hard Drive? Thanks so much!

EDIT:
How about one of these motherboards?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121314
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131188
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131142
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131184

Would any of those work well with the IDE hard drive?

Or the same board i have above and get this thing...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816102007
(That would make the IDE hard drive work with that board? Or if the P5K would work with the IDE ill go with that)
Please tell me the best option between the boards above or buyign that PCI card thing to get my IDE hard drive to run

THANKS

[LeftyAce]

Those ASUS boards all have the same problem; a non-native IDE chipset. If you're willing to spend the time, get the P5B and try it. If the IDE drives misbehave, get the PCI card you listed.

The P5B is worth the extra hassle for its reliability and stability. (with the exception of the IDE issue, of course :-)

[Chazell29]

Those ASUS boards all have the same problem; a non-native IDE chipset. If you're willing to spend the time, get the P5B and try it. If the IDE drives misbehave, get the PCI card you listed.

The P5B is worth the extra hassle for its reliability and stability. (with the exception of the IDE issue, of course :-)

What about the Intel board?
If I got with the P5B, I'll just buy the PCI IDE card anyways, its only 30 bucks.

[Chazell29]

The Intel chipset on the P5B does not have native support for IDE devices, that's handled by a third party controller that some people have been having problems with. It's recommended that you use all SATA drives with the P5B motherboards but if you must use IDE drives you'll either have to deal with the issues of the third party controller or you could use a PCI IDE controller card like the ones from Promise Technologies (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001119&Description=PCI+IDE+Controller+cards&name=Promise+Tech.).

:) Cricket

Would one of those cards make it work for sure?

NEED HELP!

I'm reading the guide to buildng a pc on http://www.mechbgon.com, and it keeps talking about installing everything and drivers when installing windows. Will I run into any problems with all the new hardware with my hard drive? Or I thought I read somewehre that I will probably run into problems because my hard drive is set up with my current mother board and processor. I was planning on erasing everything, reinstalling Vista over, so its like brand new, then putting my hard drive in, and just have Vista on it while I"m building it, then starting it up and installing the drivers. Will that work? Please tell me how to navigate this...THANKS A TON!

[Chazell29]

anybody know?

[Katreat]

I dont think what you are planning will work. I think when you change mobos you have to re-install windows. But, I have never even considered trying it so maybe someone will respond with a work around.

Also, if Gateways vista is like Dells vista recovory disk then by changing the mobo you are placing it on a new computer and that is not allowed. You can change just about everything else but changing the mobo generally starting over and you can not do that without a real microsoft copy of the OS.

Anyway, like I said I have never tried it, this is just how I understand it to be so be patient and a real expert will come along and give you a definate answer. Good Luck!

Kat

[Chazell29]

I dont think what you are planning will work. I think when you change mobos you have to re-install windows. But, I have never even considered trying it so maybe someone will respond with a work around.

Also, if Gateways vista is like Dells vista recovory disk then by changing the mobo you are placing it on a new computer and that is not allowed. You can change just about everything else but changing the mobo generally starting over and you can not do that without a real microsoft copy of the OS.

Anyway, like I said I have never tried it, this is just how I understand it to be so be patient and a real expert will come along and give you a definate answer. Good Luck!

Kat

Yeah it just I'm hoping to purchase my parts by Friday, so I want to get everything to the good to order stage.

Quetion though, if I do go ahead and buy the new hard drive and another copy of vista, can i get this OEM vista for $111, it says its for system builders?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202

Total after that OEM Vista and a Hard Drive- $734.82 [200 more =( ]

that would be alot better, but if i have to buy a new hard drive, ill be waiting till next friday, not this friday =(

[flanzig1]

Since you are building a new system(PC), then you are a system builder. Your OK to get the OEM Vista.

[BeepBeep2]

It has an exclusive license for System builders....I built my vista 8800 gaming rig with that Sys Builders Pack. As long as you build the system> which you are...you are fine like me:)

[Chazell29]

It has an exclusive license for System builders....I built my vista 8800 gaming rig with that Sys Builders Pack. As long as you build the system> which you are...you are fine like me:)
alright thanks that helps alot...i guess I'll have to do that way then. Iguess its better anyways.

Edit:
I have an olddd pc its like 5 years old, its pretty crappy and the hard drive just took a dump. So basically since its so old and crappy, we aren't going to do anythign with. So, I was thinking, what if I took it all apart, and tried to assemble it together again. That way I will have done it once, or twice, or maybe three, before I do my real system. I know it will be a bit different because its all IDE and stuff and the parts are older, but I think it might be good. What do you thinK?

[Alaron]

Can't hurt to give it a practice run.

[LeftyAce]

If anything the old one will be harder. I bet the case it's in isn't designed to be easy to get stuff in and out of.

Great idea, this practice run :-)

[Chazell29]

If anything the old one will be harder. I bet the case it's in isn't designed to be easy to get stuff in and out of.

Great idea, this practice run :-)

Yeah I'm going to do it tommorow. So excited for my new build lol. I just keep looking at new parts on newegg.

Still kinda bummed about my hard drive, but ill get over it. the SATA will work better anyways.

[Chazell29]

What arethe chances of me running into a problem, for example computer not starting, not getting any power, no video, etc. im reallynervouse about that.

[LeftyAce]

If you take your time and build the core components outside the case, there's a small chance of the whole thing not working.

The chances of us not being able to figure out what the problem is? Pretty much zero :-)

The chances newegg will exchange the part w/in 30 days, no questions asked? Guaranteed.

The manufacturer warranties on your parts? Between 3 and 5 years :-)

Again, take your time and you'll do just fine.

[Chazell29]

If you take your time and build the core components outside the case, there's a small chance of the whole thing not working.

The chances of us not being able to figure out what the problem is? Pretty much zero :-)

The chances newegg will exchange the part w/in 30 days, no questions asked? Guaranteed.

The manufacturer warranties on your parts? Between 3 and 5 years :-)

Again, take your time and you'll do just fine.

haha yea that makes me feel better lol. So, assemble the whole thing (right up until i install the drives) outside the case? then just put the motherboard in? Because the guides I read i don'tthink told me to build it outside the case.

[Alaron]

Follow our procedure as you start to be sure your components are good before you load it all into the case. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409 Saves a lot of time if there is an issue with a component.

[Chazell29]

Follow our procedure as you start to be sure your components are good before you load it all into the case. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409 Saves a lot of time if there is an issue with a component.

Thanks man will do! Any other tips you got would be appreciated! :)

[flanzig1]

Read the manuals that come with the parts. The motherboard manual will be your bible,read it several times. If there is something in the manual you can't figure out, post your question.

[Chazell29]

im actually thinking about this Antec Neopower 550W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941

My friend says to go with a real highend psu like this one. I also like the modular cables. Would that be a good one to go with? Over the Fortron Source?

[Chazell29]

Final List!

Hey guys, thanks again for the help on my build. After alot of thought, looking at parts and taking all your tips, I have compossed my final list. If you could please go thruogh, make sure the parts I have chosen are good, are compatible with each other, and will work all together.

Case-
NZXT Black Apollo Case- $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025

CD/DVD Rom
Lite-on DVD/CD Burner/Drive - $23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106040

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 2.13Ghz- $186.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115016

Motherboard
ASUS P5B-Plus 775 ATX Mobo- $132.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131177

PSU
OCZ GameXStream 600watt Power Supply- $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341001


Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM- $111.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116202

Hard Drive
Western Digital 250GB Hard Drive- $72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055

Video Card-
Evga Geforce 8600GT
Already Have

Memory-
1GB (512MBx2) RAM
2GB (1GBx2) Viking RAM
Already Have

Subtotal- $707.94
Shipping- $ 28.62
Tax- $ 51.33
Grand Total-$787.89

[Alaron]

That list is solid. My only suggestion is to get a DVD Burner instead of just a CD Burner. This is a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072 You might even get both for on the fly copies.

[Chazell29]

That list is solid. My only suggestion is to get a DVD Burner instead of just a CD Burner. This is a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072 You might even get both for on the fly copies.
Ok cool I'll swap it out! I can't wait haha I'm going to order some of the stuff probably today...like the case because I heard it takes a little longer to ship. Then next week I'm going to order the rest of the stuff.

[Chazell29]

Horray, got my money finally for everything on eBay, payday Thursday, then I'm ording it!

I have direct deposit, so I get my money Thursday at Midnight. I'll probably order at about 6am Thursday (i have work at 7:30am), so do you think Newegg would ship it Thursday? Or Friday? Ive never used Newegg and I'm onlly 17 so i rarly buy off the internet and don't know much about shipping stuff.

[LeftyAce]

That early, and newegg will certainly process the order on Thurs, and either mail it Thurs or Fri (they're operating on Pacific time, so if you're EST, then your 6am order is waaaaaay before they start the day).

Depending on where you are, newegg shipping times can be pretty amazing. I'm in PA, and stuff shipping from their New Jersey warehouse takes 2 days (using standard 3-5 day UPS ground). Not sure where their other warehouses are (other than the ones in California).

[Chazell29]

That early, and newegg will certainly process the order on Thurs, and either mail it Thurs or Fri (they're operating on Pacific time, so if you're EST, then your 6am order is waaaaaay before they start the day).

Depending on where you are, newegg shipping times can be pretty amazing. I'm in PA, and stuff shipping from their New Jersey warehouse takes 2 days (using standard 3-5 day UPS ground). Not sure where their other warehouses are (other than the ones in California).
I live in Caifornia, maybe it will come REALLY quick then?
I just ordered my case, cd/dvd drive, and an antistatic wrist strap, i heard the case takes longer to ship, so i ordered it a day in advance, and i bought a few more thigns too. I'm so excited hahaha.

[Chazell29]

removed. so sorry.

[Chazell29]

horray all my stuff is coming from Newegg, in La Puente, Ca. I live in Orange County, CA an La Puente is about 50 minutes away. So i ordered my case, antistatic rist strap and cd/dvd drive yesturday night, shipped today, shoul dbe here tommorow. My other stuff I'm ordering tommorow morning (early) and will ship tommorow (hopfully) and be here friday! horray! sorry im excited.

[Chazell29]

So, after some money issues (me only being 17 and not getting as much $$ as i expected) I had to change my parts. Here is the final list that I have already purchased.

Case
NZXT Black Apollo Case- $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025

CD/DVD Rom
Lite-on DVD/CD Burner/Drive - $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 Allendale 2.0ghz- $126
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115014

Motherboard
ASUS P5B-Plus 775 ATX Mobo- $132.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131177

PSU
Fortron Source 500W Power Supply Instead- $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium OEM- $111.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116202

Hard Drive
Western Digistal 250GB Hard Drive- $72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055

Video Card-
Evga Geforce 8600GT
Already Have

Memory-
1GB (512MBx2) RAM
2GB (1GBx2) Viking RAM
Already Have
============================

I had to downgrade my processor and psu, no big deal to me. I ordered my case, antistatic wrist strap and cd/dvd drive tuesday night, and it will be here tommorow. I'm ordered the rest of my stuff already, so it will be here tommorow. (im 1 hour away from the Newegg warehouse)

[Freakitchen]

Good luck with the build. I've just had a quick review of the thread, and notice that you never provided us with specs on the RAM that you already have. Don't forget that it needs to be DDR2 and not the older DDR to be compatible with this system. It should also be rated at 667 speed for optimum performance.

[Chazell29]

Good luck with the build. I've just had a quick review of the thread, and notice that you never provided us with specs on the RAM that you already have. Don't forget that it needs to be DDR2 and not the older DDR to be compatible with this system. It should also be rated at 667 speed for optimum performance.

Thanks, im real excited. I think it should all go smoothly. I hope...ive done ALOT of resaerching

Yeah, i actually checked that yesturday to be sure. I have 2x1GB sticks, and 2x512mb sticks. ALL of them are DDR2. I know for a fact the 512's are 667, and the 1GB's are either 533 or 667. My dad said they'd work, will they? =/

[Chazell29]

Great Success!

Great news, the rest of my components came today, I was a little nervous when I was installing the first screws, after that it wasn't that hard. People said the CPU was the hardest, i dropped it in and that was it, the fan and heatsink did have me worried though, I had to push realloy hard and I thought I was going to break the Mobo.

I got everything installed (followed that video that i posted) and the initial boot was a success, went through the BIOS, and installed windows. I'm currently installing drivers right now, then the guy on the video said to do a defrag before you download anything, so I"ll be doing a defrag.

I didn't run into a single problem, and so far the PC is running great. Huge thanks to everyone here at PC Mech for helping me with the selection process. Thanks!

[LeftyAce]

the fan and heatsink did have me worried though, I had to push realloy hard and I thought I was going to break the Mobo.

Yep, the C2D heatsink/fan is REALLY hard to get on :-)

Congrats on the new build!

[Chazell29]

Yep, the C2D heatsink/fan is REALLY hard to get on :-)

Congrats on the new build!

Yeah i hope i got it on all the way haha...it hasn't fallen off, and my cpu hasn't burned up =/

if it was on (and felt stable i could pick it up and the case from the fan and it didn't slide or move, do you think its good?

Gah, installing games/programs/drivers suck lol. I'm on the new build right now! I took pics so I was planning on posting em on here if anyone cares lol.

[Chazell29]

This is sweet, just Installed Battlefield 2, playing on all high with Antriscopic thingy at 8x (highest) and I'm getting an average of about 80FPS!!!! :D

[LeftyAce]

do you think its good?

Install Core Temp to monitor the cpu temperature. Depending on your room temperature, that processor should idle somewhere in the 30s (centigrade) and not go above 50 at full load. If it gets to 60 you know something's not right :-)

[Chazell29]

Install Core Temp to monitor the cpu temperature. Depending on your room temperature, that processor should idle somewhere in the 30s (centigrade) and not go above 50 at full load. If it gets to 60 you know something's not right :-)
kk

[Chazell29]

Um.........
this is what is says....
Transjunction: 100*C
Core 0: 40*C
Core 1: 39*C

When I run Battlefield it gets to:
Core 0: 50*C
Core 1: 47*C

Core 2 Duo E4400 Allendale is my CPU
=======================
When I was watching this viddeo while building my PC, his CPU had some paste stuff on the top of the processor, mine didn't ahve that. could that be the problem? Are my tempatures a problem?

[LeftyAce]

Was there a grey square on the bottom of the heatsink? If so, that was the thermal paste, and you're ok.

Those temperatures are good, assuming your room is warm-ish. What's your room temperature?

[Chazell29]

Was there a grey square on the bottom of the heatsink? If so, that was the thermal paste, and you're ok.

Those temperatures are good, assuming your room is warm-ish. What's your room temperature?

I don't know if there was a sqaure, i didn't look.

My room temp is like 70.

[Freakitchen]

If you're using the retail-boxed heatsink, then it will have come with the Thermal paste pre-applied. Your temps look fine to me - keep in mind that motherboard sensors give only an approximate reading. The accepted figure for ACTUAL processor temps is plus or minus ~10degrees C from those reported. If your system is fully stable, then it's not something to worry about.