|
|||||||
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Rate Thread | Display Modes |
07-27-2011, 02:29 PM
|
#1 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Another....rebuild, upgrade, or just buy new??
Hello all,
Just found this site and it looks great! I'll get right to the point... What I have now (currently not booting though, hence the reason for thinking of building/upgrading) 1 x CASE ENREMAX midtower w/300 watt power supply 1 x EPoX 6P3D 8KHA+ W/A 462(A) VIA KT266A ATX AMD Motherboard 1 x VGA CARDEXPERT|GF2 TI450 TVGS 64MRT 1 x CPU AMD|1600+/266 ATHLON 1.40G XP 1 x IDE HD 60GB|MAXTOR MX6L060J3 7200RPM 1x IDE 40GB HDD 1 x Creative SB0100 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Blaster Live! Sound Card 1 x ide dvd-rom burner 1 GB memory ( I think) This build is almost 10 years old....yes thats not a typo...10 years!! So all we do is surf the web, email, load music for use on ipods and use Picasa for our photos. No serious photo editing at all, we just use the tools within picasa. Wife says she just wants the PC to run faster, and load pics/music faster. Says programs take forever to open and what not. So do I just upgrade(fix) the current one or build new? It's been about 7 years since I've built one so I'm waaay out of the loop on whats available. Would it be even better to just buy one off the shelf? Two things I don't like about our current PC is the mid-tower case and the fan noise. Would like something smaller/quieter if it doesn't add cost to a new build. Will be recycling the Monitor,keyboard,mouse. Not sure if I would recycle any PC parts if building new. Would it slow things down to use my current HDD and ROM drives in a new build? Appreciate any feedback, Ron |
|
|
|
07-27-2011, 03:13 PM
|
#2 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,525
|
You probably want to give a budget so people have some idea of how much you have to put into this project. I can't see throwing any money at all into what you have. So that leaves rebuild or buy new as options.
|
|
|
|
|
07-27-2011, 06:40 PM
|
#3 |
|
Moderator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 3,794
|
I agree with kilgoretrout. I would not throw a dime at it.
1. What is your budget? 2.What Operating system is she comfortable with? Using Linux can save you 100.00. |
|
|
|
|
07-28-2011, 07:53 AM
|
#4 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Less than $500, preferably closer to $300 if possible. If our currnet PC was working I probably wouldn't even be building one. Tho I was thinking of upgrading before it even stopped working it was not on the priority list.
Ron Edit= As for linux I've heard of it and thats it. Neither my wife or I have any experience with it. I wouldn't be against it I guess. Last edited by rferoni; 07-28-2011 at 07:56 AM. Reason: forgot stuff |
|
|
|
|
07-28-2011, 08:13 AM
|
#5 |
|
Techphile.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 5,959
|
$500 is probably closer to what you want than $300. At $300 you are looking at a used desktop that is a few years old on Craigslist. I do not know if you want to go that route. For $500 you can build a bare bones computer or buy a Dell refurbished computer. That would work for everything you would do with your new computer.
Linux would be something that is totally unfamiliar to you and your family and has a learning curve. It might be something to experiment with in the future to see if you like it.
__________________
Asus P8P67 WS Revolution | Intel 2600K @ 4.7 GHz | Win 7 Pro 64 |8 gigs Corsair 1600 | Two Diamond 6990's in Crossfire| Corsair AX1200 | Thermalright Silver Arrow | Western Digital Black 2TB 64 meg cache | Lian-Li PC-A71B | Logitec Z-5500 | Three Asus 26" VW266H monitors running under Eyefinity | |
|
|
|
|
07-28-2011, 10:36 AM
|
#6 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,388
|
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A88TD-M/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
This motherboard has onboard grahics with a d-sub port(you can reuse your old monitor)and supports two ide drives on one 40pin ata cable. You can reuse your cd drive and your 60gb hdd untill you can afford to upgrade. Newegg.com - Kingston ValueRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/4GR Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX250OCGMBOX #179.97 Reuse your case. Maybe your PSU. I'm not system builder (but I am hobbyist), and I've done 5 or 6 builds very much like this one. If something's out of place the mods will step in and let us know. 
__________________
Gigabyte 880GA-ud3h / 3.1 Phenom II x2 550 BE Callisto(4 cores and OC to 3.4) / Corsair Vengence 2x4gb DDR3 1600 / 640gb WD Black 2ea./HIS 6870/ 650 EarthWatts / Win 7 64bit |
|
|
|
|
07-28-2011, 12:04 PM
|
#7 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Thanks for the input so far everyone. Still pondering what to do. Wife mentioned maybe just getting a new laptop(ours is 8 years old
 ).On a side note...what the heck can one do with an old PC? We have another thats about 13 years old w/Win98 on it thats been sitting in the basement for years... Ron PS....I mentioned earlier our PC won't boot. Not sure if it's the motherboard or the HDD or a software issue. If I upgrade to Sata only capable motherboard is there a way I can trouble shoot the IDE drives on the new PC? Like some type of adapter or something? There are pics and music I want to get off the HDD's. |
|
|
|
|
07-28-2011, 12:33 PM
|
#8 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,525
|
I'm sure someone will have a link to a better priced unit, but one of these allows you to access any ide or sata hard drive throught usb:
Sabrent USB 2.0 to SATA and IDE USB-DSC5 Serial ATA or IDE 2.5 inch and 3.5 inch to USB 2.0 Cable Converter Adapter Power Supply-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com |
|
|
|
|
07-28-2011, 02:48 PM
|
#9 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Thanks kilgoretrout
Sometimes I forget there are better suited areas within the forum to post certain questions... an update... In the last few hours I have...taken non-booting pc to the gee-rage and used my air compressor to blow out the dust(I do this every few years or so). Also disconnected and double checked all connections and moved the single 1GB stick of RAM to another slot. Brought Pc back in house, plugged it in, turned the power strip on and POP. Something blew in the PSU and some nasty smelling smoke came out. So that was the end of the PSU. Took PSU out of an even older PC and plugged it in to our current one and whaddyaknow....it booted.. Anyway I still have the build new/upgrade-itis so I think I will look into building a new system. Things that matter to me... Smallish- tower quiet...I understand I may not get dead silence but I don't want to hear the constant whirring of fans either. fast usb transfer and it needs to be capable of handling multiple usb media. I have a 4 usb adapter hooked into our current PC but we can only plug two things into it without something messing up Around $500 would be good, cheaper would be even better..... Thanks all! Ron |
|
|
|
|
07-29-2011, 10:56 AM
|
#10 | |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,388
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
07-29-2011, 11:56 AM
|
#12 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,388
|
I stand corrected.
jdeb, that even leaves room for a monitor.
|
|
|
|
|
07-29-2011, 12:45 PM
|
#13 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Looks good to me, thanks.
One thing. Unless I'm missing something I would have to add a video card to that build right? I don't think the MB comes with on-board video... Ron |
|
|
|
|
07-29-2011, 01:59 PM
|
#14 |
|
Member (7 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 80
 |
You are correct. There is no on-board video.
|
|
|
|
|
07-29-2011, 02:43 PM
|
#15 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,525
|
I believe the graphics processor is on the cpu with intel's sandy bridge processors. If that's the case you won't need a separate graphics card.
|
|
|
|
|
07-29-2011, 04:40 PM
|
#16 | |
|
Moderator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 3,794
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
07-30-2011, 12:07 AM
|
#17 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 1,388
|
You'll notice the motherboard does have video out ports. One DVI and one VGA. So you can take advantage of the on-chip graphics without having the added expense to the motherboard to have onboard video. The hardware is on the board but it is controlled by the cpu not a chip on the board.
You can not use a cpu without onchip graphics unless you buy a video card. Last edited by rwest; 07-30-2011 at 12:10 AM. |
|
|
|
|
07-30-2011, 12:11 PM
|
#18 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Thanks for the info so far everyone..
I want to add that I would like to stream the PC to the tv(eventually) and we do use it for skype on a rare occasion.. does that change anything? Would I also be better with the posted 640gb HDD or getting a few smaller ones? As mentioned above all I currently have is a 60gb and 40gb and they are no where near full. I've never partitioned a drive but I guess that's what I should do If I go with the 640gb drive right? Put the OS on one partition, music/photos on another and programs in a third? Thanks Ron |
|
|
|
|
07-30-2011, 04:37 PM
|
#19 |
|
Moderator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 3,794
|
The smallest WD Black is 500gb. sure you could buy one for OS and applications and the other for data. You could also go for a smaller SSD drive and put the OS and APPS on that for fast boot and application load times and use the caviar black for data. Drives the price up though.
ADATA S596 Turbo AS596TB-128GM-C 2.5" 128GB USB 2.0 & SATAII Internal / External Solid State Drive (SSD) Newegg.com - ADATA S596 Turbo AS596TB-128GM-C 2.5" 128GB USB 2.0 & SATAII Internal / External Solid State Drive (SSD) |
|
|
|
|
10-17-2011, 07:19 AM
|
#20 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Changed my mind on a few things and ready to buy!
All,
It's been a little bit since I posted. Just want to say thanks to everyone for there input so far. I am now ready to buy the components for the new PC but have decided I want to purchase the whole rig new. Monitor, case,keyboard,mouse, etc. I would also like a seperate video card instead of the on board video on the chip. As mentioned previously in the thread the computer will be used only for email, web surfing, occasional skype and youtube and photo stuff. I would like the PC to be on the quieter side if possible and be able to transfer pics/data/music as fast as possible. Also would like it to be relatively fast when browsing thru our photos. Our pc now is s-l-o-w when loading anything graphics heavy. Budget up to $800 but I don't need top of the line stuff just good ole reliable components. I will need: Monitor 19" to 23" keyboard mouse case motherboard psu 2 HDD..one for os/misc downloads and one for music/photos video card soundcard(?) processor RAM cd/dvd rom burner os-probably win7 I think thats it. Thank you all again for suggestions... Ron |
|
|
|
|
10-22-2011, 08:05 AM
|
#22 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Thanks glc, all,
Coulple questions. Would the graphics integrated into the CPU easily handle my needs(email, occasional skype, streamlining video to TV?). Would consider this to save a little bit of money on the video card and to save on fan noise from video card. How do the wireless keyboards fair? I love the wirless mouse but have never used a wireless keyboard. May consider one to keep the clutter down. Everything else looks good to me, thanks. Ron |
|
|
|
|
10-22-2011, 08:30 AM
|
#23 |
|
Techphile.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 5,959
|
I never cared for wireless mice. They are heavier and there is that periodic lag which I find annoying.
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2011, 09:53 AM
|
#24 | |
|
Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 37,767
|
For your use, you would undoubtedly like a wireless keyboard and mouse combo. I have never experienced lag, but I'm not a gamer. I do prefer Logitech but Microsoft is good too.
Quote:
Newegg.com - ASUS P8H61-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32105 We also have issues with both recommended hard drives now - the 500gb is sold out and the 1tb has had a major price increase. What I'd do for now is just get one of these, it will take you quite a while to fill it up: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive Your choice on whether to treat it as one big drive or to partition it. |
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2011, 07:22 PM
|
#25 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Thanks glc. Couple more questions.
Could I get by with a fanless PSU or is the PSU you listed above already pretty quiet? Would I need any case fans? Is USB 3.0 worth having for transfer of photos/music? I'm thinking this PC is probably even overkill for us as we are rarely even on it now with having smartphones. If there are any other areas that cost could be trimmed without sacraficing what we need the pc for please advise. Our budget is still in the $800 range just don't want to spend money where not needed. Thank you all for your help, gettin' close to orderin' time! Ron Last edited by rferoni; 10-22-2011 at 07:25 PM. Reason: forgot stuff |
|
|
|
|
10-23-2011, 12:26 AM
|
#26 |
|
Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 37,767
|
That PSU is pretty quiet, and a fanless is considerably more expensive.
Newegg.com - SeaSonic X series SS-400FL Active PFC F3 400W ATX12V Fanless 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply The case comes with a fan. USB 3.0 is considerably faster than 2.0, but do you have any USB 3.0 devices? To get 3.0 would cost you a bit more for a motherboard. For futureproofing it's probably worth the extra $20. This would also get you SATA 6.0. Newegg.com - ASUS P8H67-M LE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard I dunno what's going on, but hard drive prices have jumped considerably recently. |
|
|
|
|
10-29-2011, 05:42 AM
|
#27 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
hey glc I have some more questions....
After checking out the build specs you and others have posted I was wondering a few things. Could I get costs down by going with an amd processor? They seem so much cheaper. Seems I could get a faster amd processor for the money. Is is better to let the processor(amd or intel) handle the graphics or the motherboard with a chipset? Do amd processors have integrated graphics? I am also thinking of buying a flatscreen tv(we don't have one yet  ) to use as our monitor. Would that change anything in the build?Lastly, are there good black friday deals on Newegg or other PC parts sites? Since we are close I may wait to see if I can get the parts on sale.... Thanks again, Ron |
|
|
|
|
10-29-2011, 07:45 AM
|
#28 |
|
Techphile.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Francisco Bay
Posts: 5,959
|
If you play games or do other graphics intensive applications then you will want a dedicated graphics card.
If all you do is browse the internet or watch movies or videos then a CPU with its own graphics will work fine for that. Graphics chips on the motherboard tend to be a little less powerful than CPU based graphics. The lower end AMD's are less expensive than the Intel's but the pricing is pretty closely ranked to the performance for both manufacturers. AMD has a Llano CPU with onboard graphics that is faster than the Sandy Bridge graphics. The processor though is weaker than the Sandy Bridges. Last edited by David M; 10-29-2011 at 07:48 AM. |
|
|
|
|
04-06-2012, 08:20 AM
|
#29 |
|
Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 25
|
Ordering today....FINALLY!!!!
Well I am finally ordering TODAY after almost 9 months from when I posted this...lol. Of course some of the parts are out of stock and possibly not going to be restocked.
Not sure which MB to get now. I've narrowed down to these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...131%2D783%2DTS based only on 1. Asus being a good brand(according to these boards) 2. I want the latest fastest transfer speeds hence usb 3.o and sata6(just for ease of loading pics and stuff from camera) 3. Hdmi for streaming video. 4. These are the cheapest boards(by Asus) with these features I don't know what all the other jargon means in a motherboard description. Not sure which HD to get now though. Any recs? I just want to thank you all for your advice and please know even though I posted long ago am just now ordering your help has been tremendous! Ron Last edited by rferoni; 04-06-2012 at 08:24 AM. Reason: forgot to add link to newegg |
|
|
|
|
| Bookmarks |
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
| Display Modes | Rate This Thread |
|
|
Linear Mode
