Big day is almost here!

[glfredrick]

Well, my build date is likely tomorrow night (Thursday) if Newegg gets my Conroe chip to me on time tomorrow...

I've had to purchase a part every so often in order to afford this new build, but it has come in nicely, and below what I expected to spend when I first started researching a new build.

My system specs are in my sig below. I've had to scrimp on a couple parts to get this up and running, but it should still take care of my needs very well. I can always upgrade... Intel is scheduled to make another drop in processor prices this fall, and in the mean time, I'll probably OC this thing to around E6600 speeds.

I'll be retiring my Compaq Presario w/ Athlon 1400 Thunderbird (yup - originally a 750 -- we're talking mHz here, not gHz!) I'm on my last MB and it is half fried. That old girl has made me a LOT of money, especially since my kiddo worked for Radio Shack and he and I stacked together rebates, employee discounts, and a refurb discount to get matching machines for $75 each. The software we got with these old Compaq systems was worth multiple times what we paid for the computers, not to mention the thousands of dollars this machine has brought in through my editing and formatting service. I've pushed that system as far as it can go... Currently running it sans side cover, with a huge CPU cooler, a couple of case fans, etc., just to keep it running. Surprisingly, the original factory PS (like 250 watt!) is still cooking away, even though I have 5 drives and 8 USB lines all running off of it.

Wish me luck (and a few prayers won't hurt) as I finish my build and send power coursing through her pretty dark red RAM... Pics as soon as I get it together.

[glfredrick]

Question...

I'm about to spread the MX 1 paste and I don't have instructions (my Arctic Cooler was a used piece that I happened into and the original paste is gone).

Any particular best way?

I'm checking the Arctic Cooling site also right now...

Thanks

[glfredrick]

Found the factory instructions here:

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downlo...mx1_retail.pdf

[glfredrick]

Well,

This system has now been up and running (flawlessly w/slight OC) since I started it up in May. Couldn't be happier...

I'm thnking about phase 2 now, and will likely upgrade soon to 6850 CPU and 1300 FSB. That ought to be fun.

Also thinking now about dual flat screens -- have already moved to dual CRTs and I love the capability of having two screens to bounce back and forth while editing projects.

Just thought that I'd share an update. Temps still great. No hardware issues at all... I'm a happy camper.