Attempting to build desktop
 

Have an old e-machine (T5048) that I have partially gutted. Plan on keeping everything but motherboard, harddrive and dvd drive. Question about replacement motherboards, is there a particular brand I need to get to insure that all the connectors I have left floating around will have a place on the new mb? Found out that the motherboard was a Intel 945G Cortez model. Who would have info on compatability with a new bigger and better one? Have tried the Intel web site but unable to ask question.

I remember Emachines as having proprietary parts which means it's unlikely that you'll be able to drop in a standard part (That was a really annoying feature of OEMs back in the day.).
Also what OS do you intend to run ?

There are replacement parts specifically for Emachines however : EMachine Parts

If all you're after is an inexpensive desktop for general use give us a budget and we'll put one together for you that you'll be able to upgrade in the future with minimal hassle .

not good news
 

Pam, was looking at windows 8 as os. Thought that if I had a case, power supply, heat sink and cooling fans I would be that farther ahead of the game. Had planned to build an up to date computer with usb 3, blu ray and a large hard drive. guess talking to intel wouldnt help then. ugh. Would a budget from $500 to $1000 be enough to work with?

The last thing you ever want to do is put an e-machine's power supply on new hardware. Talk about your false economies!!! Their power supplies are total garbage with high failure rates. And, for an added bonus, when they blow they take out a lot of other components with them.

You need a new build to do what you want. You will not get an up to date computer reusing your old P4 cpu and changing your motherboard. That would be a complete waste of money and would give you very little improvement in performance.

The budget you've given is more than adequate for a general purpose computer.
No need to reuse questionable parts.

The only question that remains is , do you want a processor from AMD or Intel?

don't know
 

Am not going to be down loading large files or gaming, but would like moltherboard to have hdmi, usb3 and which processor would give me the best blu-ray option. Okay, not going to use old machine, but will practice putting it back together before starting on new stuff. Took it apart in 15 minutes, which will probably translate into days and weeks going back together. Will take your recommendation. I have no preference. And thanks for the input.

Parts list :

Motherboard : ASUS F2A85-V PRO ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

CPU : AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7660D AD580KWOHJBOX - Newegg.com

Memory : CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M2A1600C9 - Newegg.com

(This has a good price and you may want 8 GBs instead of 4)

Now you've mentioned a Blu-ray drive and that will impact the monitor so, will you be watching and/or editing HD videos or doing a lot of photo work?

watching tv
 

Does windows8 have tv cabability? Will start ordering soon. Thank you

If you mean is there a live TV app for Win 8 the answer is yes : Watch television with Windows 8's Live TV application -

Is the above what you're asking about?

We still have more computer parts to list

yes
 

Will be watching tv with an Hauppage video card, not ordered yet

ok, have printed shopping cart for the three items lised from newegg, ready for more items. will the 8g memory model start with CMZ8G.....?

Here :

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 - Newegg.com

Do you have an LCD monitor already?
If not will a 24" size work for you?
That's your next major purchase, the other pieces we can do easily.

went for 8
 

No, monitor have now will be donated to someone. 24 LED with hdmi connection will do just fine.

Look over this monitor : ASUS VK248H-CSM Black 24" 2ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED-Backlit LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50000000:1 Built-in Speakers&Webcam - Newegg.com

This one doesn't have speakers but, since you need blu-ray playback it's a good bet : Acer S242HLbid Black 24" 5ms Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 ACM (12,000,000:1) 1,000:1 - Newegg.com

Basic speaker set up : Creative Inspire T3130 Speakers - Newegg.com

Monitor
 

Will go with the Acer. Had better reviews

Chosing Acer you need the speaker set.
That leaves the case /psu,drives,keyboard and mouse.
How large (Western Digital recommended) for hard drives, primary and USB back up, do you want and do you have a preference in Blu-Ray drives?

I like plain black cases but if you have your heart set on a blinged out model now's the time.
You will need a good quality 500 watt at least psu and there's an Antec case that comes with one but we can put anything else together.

I'm not just being picky, you'll be living with this for a few years and it should fit your needs and upgrade without giving you grief.:)

wow
 

black is good. tetra byte for the hard drive? no preference on blu-ray. Will take your recommendations on all else. Question, the bonding agent between the cpu and the heat sink/fan anything in particular or will a dab of silicone do the job? This is on the e-machine I am attempting to rebuild. Again, thanks for all the help. My wish list on newegg is public under "johns new computer" posted 2/27

You cannot use silicone as a thermal interface in between the cpu and the heatsink. This will more than likely destroy the cpu and render it useless. You will need to get a good thermal compound like Arctic Silver Ceramique.

Also, be sure to remove any old thermal compound using Acetone and a coffee filter. :)

The CPU heat sink/fan unit comes with the compound already there, don't borrow trouble!

You're ditching the eMachine!

I was assuming that John was planning on putting the eMachine back together? That's what I assumed when he asked about thermal paste. He's going to do a new build, but still wants to take apart/put together his eMachine to use.

If he was alluding to the new build, then yes, do as Pam says and don't worry about compound.

We're building a new machine that will get him through the next few years with no need for a rebuild .
If we do it right "Win 9" will be a breeze as well.

Thermal compounds is a whole 'nother argument. Diamond-based seems to be the latest. :) A Ford vs Chevy, Coke vs Pepsi thing. As for removing the old stuff, one can run to a 7-11 and grab a bottle of 70% rubbing alcohol and use cloth, cotton swabs or balls, preferably not paper towels since contain wood fibers and can scratch, and clean just as well. :)

70% will leave residue. Get the 90% ;) probably 50 cents more.:)

90%?? Didn't know it existed. Is that moonshine or something??

To all, preciate the help. and yes rebuilding ole one for pratice. followed pcm on cleaning. alcohol and a credit card.

question. does windows 8 have a media center in it? not sure how to ask question, is the media center a property on the computer or os?

Unfortunately Media Center now comes as a $9.98 add on for Win 8.

i can live with that
 

Pam, you are working under adverse conditions. You are dealing with an old, old male who removed mother board then read article on how to remove motherboard. Missed that little bit at the end that mentioned one should make a diagram of all the connections before removing them. This e-machine crashed and all I hope to do is learn about putting it back together and when I hit the power switch it doesn't go up like the 4th of July. I may buy a fire extingusher or take it outside to power up. Again, thank you for the input.

Pam is correct however, there is a free app called media center but I have not checked it out yet. It is not the Microsoft one. MS was offering a free download of Windows Media Center for W8 pro purchase but that ended Jan 31st.

We've all been beginners.
If you're happy with the parts so far there are just a few more things left to get .
Your case : Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Newegg.com

Hard drive : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136533