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Old 11-11-2010, 08:52 PM   #1
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Need help with inexpensive build

I need help with parts for an inexpensive computer. My son is going to use it with audio recording software, so it just needs to be a basic system. I have the case, power supply, monitor, keyboard, mouse and XP software from the old computer that just quit. I prefer an Intel processor. Thanks for the help.
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Old 11-11-2010, 09:48 PM   #2
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Is the now-defunct system a brand system (i.e. Dell, HP, etc.)? If so you won't be able to use the copy of Windows XP that came with it.
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Old 11-11-2010, 11:00 PM   #3
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I'd also be concerned about the case and power supply.
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Old 11-12-2010, 07:23 AM   #4
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Hey you two,
This is the build that I did about 8 - 10 years ago. The case is the full Antec case with a 430 watt power supply. This system just quit after my son did some updates. I know the updates didn't cause it? Anyway when he turned it back on, it wouldn't boot up. I have taken everything out and followed the procedure to find the problem. The motherboard (Asus P4PE) light is green, the processor fan turns, but no beeps. I have taken out the RAM (3 sticks) and tried one at a time. The monitor stays black and nothing happens. I don't have a spare graphics card to try. Oh, the mouse would light up, but the keyboard would not. Does that give any clues? We did try another power supply, but the result was the same. It sure would be nice if I could get this one going. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have also replaced the battery. Thanks
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Old 11-12-2010, 08:27 AM   #5
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Have you tried the out-of-the-case troubleshooting?

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

A power supply that old won't be able to handle a new build unless it's ATX 2.0 with a 20+4 pin main connector. All new motherboards have a 24 pin connector, yours has a 20 pin.
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Old 11-12-2010, 09:29 AM   #6
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Looks like a dead motherboard to me.
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Old 11-12-2010, 09:49 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barbrich View Post
Hey you two,
This is the build that I did about 8 - 10 years ago. The case is the full Antec case with a 430 watt power supply. This system just quit after my son did some updates. I know the updates didn't cause it? Anyway when he turned it back on, it wouldn't boot up. I have taken everything out and followed the procedure to find the problem. The motherboard (Asus P4PE) light is green, the processor fan turns, but no beeps. I have taken out the RAM (3 sticks) and tried one at a time. The monitor stays black and nothing happens. I don't have a spare graphics card to try. Oh, the mouse would light up, but the keyboard would not. Does that give any clues? We did try another power supply, but the result was the same. It sure would be nice if I could get this one going. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have also replaced the battery. Thanks
Apparently he did.
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Old 11-12-2010, 10:15 AM   #8
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Yes, it's an Antec Truepower 2.0 and there is an extra 4 pin connector that is not being used. And if the motherboard is dead, would the green light still work? Also, is there a replacement motherboard or do I need to just try to recycle some of the parts and build another system?
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Old 11-12-2010, 10:19 AM   #11
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I have a full size Antec case
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Old 11-12-2010, 10:21 AM   #12
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The case can be recycled.

Barb, the green light means that current is flowing to and through the mobo (hence the mouse lights up), but the mobo itself is dead, as can be told from no beeps at all at POST.
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Old 11-12-2010, 10:30 AM   #13
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Wait, there's no speaker on the motherboard, so I can't get beeps. Just sitting out on the dining room table, I don't have a speaker.
I think you are right, I need a new motherboard.

Newegg.com - ASUS P5KPL-AM EPU LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Would this motherboard fit my full size case?

Last edited by Barbrich; 11-12-2010 at 11:12 AM.
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Old 11-12-2010, 12:24 PM   #14
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Yes, a micro will fit in a full size case, remove the standoffs that are no longer used. If you get that board, you will have to get new ram and a new CPU as indicated. It will be a very inexpensive upgrade. It's not worth trying to find a motherboard compatible with your CPU and ram. You will not be able to recycle your video card, but that motherboard has onboard video. The motherboard does have one IDE controller, but that will only support 2 devices, the new SATA hard drive and DVD burner I linked are also inexpensive.
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Old 11-13-2010, 12:13 PM   #15
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We may have a change of plans. My son has set up the software on his dell desktop running Vista. It seems to be running stable, even better than on the XP system that just died. Now we need a little better system for him to replace the Dell. He wants to make the upgrade to Win 7 and uses his computer mostly for intenet, no gaming. I would need a smaller case and can't I use the power supply that I have. It's the Antec 430watt. He has the keyboard, mouse & monitor. I just need help on the other parts. Intel parts please. Thanks
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Old 11-13-2010, 12:39 PM   #16
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Budget, please.
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Old 11-13-2010, 12:58 PM   #17
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Not sure, maybe around $600 - $700
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Old 11-13-2010, 01:51 PM   #19
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$400 sounds real good, does this have onboard video?
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Old 11-13-2010, 02:02 PM   #20
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Yes, VGA and DVI.
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Old 11-13-2010, 03:04 PM   #21
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And HDMI.

The onboard video is actually in the CPU, the motherboard only provides a conduit from it to the ports. If you were to upgrade to a non-Clarkdale CPU, you would then need a video card.
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Old 11-13-2010, 03:21 PM   #22
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Well, I didn't know that. Two Thumbs Up to Both of You! Thank you so much!
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Old 11-27-2010, 02:28 PM   #23
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I'm still trying to decide on this new computer. I waited until now to see if I could maybe do a little better on the price and get a better system.
How does this look:

Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support

Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Newegg.com - Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750

Newegg.com - ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

This is pretty much the same system that I built a couple of months ago and I am really enjoying it. I cut back on the case and processor to save money. If I need to change processors further, that would be OK, but I would like to keep the motherboard. And if necessary, I could get a smaller hard drive. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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Old 11-27-2010, 02:39 PM   #24
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You could get an i3 processor and bring the price down a mite.

Someone else might recommend purchasing Windows 7 Home Premium to save some dollars, after all "the average user doesn't need Pro" . *I* would recommend to stick with Pro, though.

Other than that, the system looks like a winner.
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Old 11-27-2010, 02:54 PM   #25
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Hey NK......Would there be that much difference in the i3 vs i5 (speed) ?

Yes, I think I will stick with the win pro

and, I have the old power supply, Antec 430watt. Would that be enough for this system? If I used it, could it cause any damage to the computer parts if it were not sufficient?
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Old 11-27-2010, 03:12 PM   #26
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Hey Barb,

I'll let somebody else comment on the speed differences. The benchmarks I looked at shew very little difference in speed 'twixt the i3 and the i5, but I'm reserving my opinion until I've read more.

Regarding your PSU, my main concern is whether it's a 20-pin unit; new mobos use 24 pins.
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Old 11-27-2010, 03:17 PM   #27
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It does have 24 pins, I was using it on the P4PE board and there were 4 pins not being used.
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Old 11-27-2010, 04:52 PM   #28
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The i3 is dual core. The i5-750 is quad core.

A system with a 4670 requires a 400 watt PSU. If you are going to use a quad core, use of a power supply with an 8 pin EPS connector is recommended.
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Old 11-27-2010, 05:46 PM   #29
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Thanks glc,
So if I stick with the i5, I need to go ahead and order the power supply, right?
Also, will this case be OK? Anything else that I need to change or add?
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Old 11-27-2010, 06:17 PM   #30
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Grab this on the Black Friday special:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Excellent case, but this one is a real steal on special:

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
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