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Society
Mmmm... pizza



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Is building your own PC worth it? ...
#14427466 - 05/09/11 10:56 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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If you aren't interested in gaming?
I already have a decent graphics card, but my power supply unit crapped out. Maybe took my motherboard with it. Dunno.
But I was considering buying a case with my new PSU and putting all my old shit into it.
The thing is... it's obviously incredibly easy to spend $100 on a decent PSU and case off NewEgg or TigerDirect. Fucking ridiculous considering I can buy an all new pre-built HP for twice that with 1000GB HD and powerful CPU.
Thoughts?
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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thodub

Registered: 04/29/11
Posts: 754
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14427488 - 05/09/11 11:02 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I would say so if you know how to build your shit real good and order all your parts from sites like newegg.com you could save possibly hundreds of dollars for a comparable system. Of course if your building your own you got to order the real good shit because this is where you save the most amount of money.
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ghotbijr
Wishes he was tripping


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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: thodub]
#14427506 - 05/09/11 11:08 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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If you know what you're doing you could save fuck loads of money and get an all around better rig. Best part is that later on you can add more things to it with ease because you made it in the first place.
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sandi
omg


Registered: 04/11/11
Posts: 796
Loc: M6 (Butterfly Cluster)
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14427534 - 05/09/11 11:15 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Of course. If you aren't interested in gaming, build a rig off of parts you piece together from NewEgg. You don't have to buy from there, but you can get reviews and see what components work together nicely. Building your own rig is so much better because you get *way* more for your money. I've never had or owned a premade except for my one laptop.
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DieCommie

Registered: 12/11/03
Posts: 29,258
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14427632 - 05/09/11 11:57 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: If you aren't interested in gaming?
I already have a decent graphics card, but my power supply unit crapped out. Maybe took my motherboard with it. Dunno.
But I was considering buying a case with my new PSU and putting all my old shit into it.
The thing is... it's obviously incredibly easy to spend $100 on a decent PSU and case off NewEgg or TigerDirect. Fucking ridiculous considering I can buy an all new pre-built HP for twice that with 1000GB HD and powerful CPU.
Thoughts?
I agree, it is cheaper to buy prebuilt. Especially if you buy windows rather than bootleg it.
The reasons to build your own is, fun, better parts, more knowledge of your rig. Once you buy a PSU and case for 100, you will have those good parts for a long time. Building your own has high overhead cost at first, but after time you just replace a part here and a part there and you have a quality computer for low regular upgrade costs. Plus, for some its fun. Do you think it would be fun for you to build, troubleshoot and maintain your own? If so, go for it. If not, dont bother.
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Dimi
The Mindful One


Registered: 05/09/11
Posts: 190
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: DieCommie]
#14427798 - 05/10/11 12:55 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Pre-Built systems are nice because they have a "blanket" warranty that covers the whole system. If anything breaks, it's covered. Also, you know when buying a new system that everything will work together just fine, and if you aren't tech oriented, matching up parts can be a pain.
That's not to say when you build your own system, it's not covered under warranty, it surely is! Each individual component will be covered under it's own warranty.
Building your own system is great because you will know everything about your system first off. Second, you will usually get more for your money if you build it yourself. Lastly, big manufacturers will sometimes use inferior quality components (such as no-name power supplies).
Things that have to match:
1 Motherboard CPU Socket and the CPU (ex. socket 775) 2 Motherboard RAM Slots to RAM Speed and Type (ex. DDR2 533Mhz) 3 Motherboard expansion slots to the expansion cards you want to use (ex. I have a modem and sound card that are both PCI, so I need to make sure I have two free PCI slots on my new motherboard) 4 Case size to motherboard size (ex. ATX)
Your power supply be high enough wattage to meet the demands of your hardware, and meet the demands of the future if you plan to upgrade later!
Things to know about building your own:
You may be able to scavenge your old CD/DVD drives, as well as the hard drives. Most motherboards supply the necessary connectors for older IDE type drives.
Learn about the graphics card you now own. Two types of slots exist for modern cards. The older is AGP and it is not compatible with modern PCI-E slot motherboards at all. Make sure you research what slot your card uses. If you have the older AGP slot video card, it may not be worth it to save the card for a new system, since the AGP type cards are already outdated.
(For any techies, yes I know video cards also used to come in the old, OLD, PCI flavor too!)
TIP- if you have a PCI-E 2.1 card and buy a motherboard that has PCI-E 2.0 specs, you can have a nasty issue with the BIOS. So, if you plan to build your own, research that video card you have now!
Next, know that your new hand made system doesn't automatically come with Windows at all. If you build it, make sure you buy a copy of Windows. Since your building a modern system with new parts, go for Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit. Windows 7 Ultimate has an XP mode emulator, and that may be something you need, I don't know.
If you build your own system, start with a case and power supply. Next, get a motherboard that fits in it. Then, get a CPU and the RAM for it. If the motherboard uses DDR2 memory, make sure you buy two sticks of RAM for it to operate properly.
Don't forget to buy fans for the case if they don't come with any. More fans is usually better, too. Thermal paste for the CPU is an absolute MUST.
To get you started if you want to build your own:
The Antec 300 mid-tower case is nice, and has excellent reviews. It is 60 bucks or so, and offers good cooling and room to grow.
The Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 is 650 Watts and costs 50 bucks on newegg right now
A Intel Core i3-2120 "Sandy Bridge" CPU offers great speed if you aren't a gamer for $150 bucks.
Match that up with a Socket 1155 motherboard of ATX or mATX size along with DDR3 1066 RAM and you're already on your way to a new system.
Don't Forget Windows 7!
Edited by Dimi (05/10/11 01:09 AM)
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,672
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Dimi]
#14428013 - 05/10/11 02:16 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Dimi said: Pre-Built systems are nice because they have a "blanket" warranty that covers the whole system. If anything breaks, it's covered. Also, you know when buying a new system that everything will work together just fine, and if you aren't tech oriented, matching up parts can be a pain.
This. If you're not very interested in the technicalities of PC hardware, you don't have very specific requirements and you're not convinced that anything you build yourself is better than anything store-bought, then just buy a ready-made configuration. Other than the fun, there's no really good reason to DIY these days, especially if you're essentially looking for a run-off-the-mill office rig.
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: koraks]
#14429019 - 05/10/11 09:35 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
koraks said: Other than the fun, there's no really good reason to DIY these days, especially if you're essentially looking for a run-off-the-mill office rig.
Agreed.
However, it sounds like OP just has a bad PSU. I'd try to replace that first to make sure you actually need a whole new computer. If it doesn't work out then just return it and get something prebuilt.
Also, you don't need to spend $100 just for a PSU and case.. Since you have low requirements, you don't really need anything that heavy duty.
Here is a $30 case with a PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148044
The hardware doesn't need to be insanely awesome.. software is where the real action is.
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guywiththegun
Shroom Chewer/Beer Brewer



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14430925 - 05/10/11 05:32 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I built an entire, functioning computer off of NewEgg.com for about $200, but I had an HD laying around (two, actually). I think it would have been closer to three bills otherwise.
Also, I'd never put a computer together from scratch before. I pretty much trial-and-errored it until it worked, and now I have less problems with this $200 PC than I ever did with my $1000 laptop from Dell.
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Jeerix
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: guywiththegun]
#14432378 - 05/10/11 10:33 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Depends if you want to obtain the skillset associated with putting together a computer IMO. Really I doubt it's going to work out to being any cheaper than having some factory robot or sweatshop worker put it together for you.
How valuable is your time?
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Dimi
The Mindful One


Registered: 05/09/11
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Jeerix]
#14433440 - 05/11/11 05:24 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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One note about $30 dollar power supplies. It pays to get a name brand with decent cooling, like the one I recommended earlier. Tomshardware just had an article about cheap power supplies EXPLODING
If that happened you'd really be debating a new system :/
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sandi
omg


Registered: 04/11/11
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Jeerix]
#14433579 - 05/11/11 06:36 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Jeerix said: Depends if you want to obtain the skillset associated with putting together a computer IMO. Really I doubt it's going to work out to being any cheaper than having some factory robot or sweatshop worker put it together for you.
How valuable is your time? 
If you put some time into researching parts, you can easily know ahead of time if the parts are going to work together or not. Most people on Newegg and computer forums have sigs with their builds/rigs on them. It can be as easy as an hour looking at these or googling reviews, test rigs, etc.
The problem with a "warranty" is that let's say your computer goes dead. Sure, it's covered. But you have to bring it to a repair center. Sooooo many of my friends have laptops or computers that are constantly in for repair and the return times are completely random. If you build your own rig, you fix the part that's broken. No waiting months for your computer to get "fixed". If you fix the computer yourself and they find out, there goes your warranty later.... And once you have a computer built, you can just upgrade as you please, if you even want to. My computer is still going strong 3 or 4 years later.
I did, however, forget all about the cost of an OS. So there goes savings.
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Edited by sandi (05/22/11 05:03 AM)
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,672
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: sandi]
#14433610 - 05/11/11 06:53 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Sandi, you mention the unpredictability of return times at PC OEMs, but it would be fair to include in your argument also the unpredictability of any problems you might encounter when integrating the system yourself, and the time it takes to troubleshoot such system integration issues. Anyone with some experience (say, >10 systems) knows what I'm talking about. Sure, everything might go as a breeze and stuff might work all perfectly the first time you turn the PC on. But you might as well run into problems while installing software. Suppose you can get the new machine to run fine, but it keeps crashing at random moments during OS install. You need some experience and structured thinking to sort such an issue out and to identify and validate the cause.
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: koraks]
#14434823 - 05/11/11 12:56 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Thanks for all the input.
Compatibility is my biggest issue. I have a HP m7590n shown here:


I bought it back in 2006. I wouldn't mind just replacing the power supply, but I have no idea how I'd be able to find one that will fit in the same HP case.
And I wouldn't mind buying a case to get started at having a customizable PC, but I have no idea if my motherboard would be too small.
The PSU is HIPRO HP-D3057F3R aka 5188-2625. Here's the type of PSU I have:
It's no longer available on newegg because it's an outdated peice of shit. What can I replace it with? Any ATX 12V? Newegg link
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: ghotbijr]
#14435156 - 05/11/11 02:22 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
ghotbijr said: If you know what you're doing you could save fuck loads of money and get an all around better rig. Best part is that later on you can add more things to it with ease because you made it in the first place.
you can save some money, i don't know about fuckloads. i mean think of it like this, if you wanted to buy a $2000 pc with windows 7 already installed on it, you are paying for the hard ware and the software.
ok so now you decide you want to build your own pc so you buy all the parts the motherboard, cpu, graphics card you want, ram, hard drive you want, usb ports etc. etc. etc. power supply etc.
sure, on the hardware you end up saving money, you'll probably pay $1000-14000 for that, saving $600-1000.
but also, then you have to buy windows 7, which is going to run you about $300. so add that on, and you are really paying $1300-1700. so yes you are saving some money, but definitely you aren't going to pay half price or something ridiculous for building it yourself.
on the other hand if you want to buy a computer that costs $4000, you will probably be paying for something lucrative like whatever replaces the i7 now, or 16 gigs of ram, or a terrabyte storage hard drive. or all of it together plus windows 7. none the less, building THAT yourself, would probably only cost you $2500 give or take. so in that case yes you would be saving $1500.
but you don't need all that for gaming. for gaming you mostly need graphics capability, and yes that will run you a bit, because you need the ram and cpu that will support a graphics card that processes that much memory. none the less it still won't cost you $4000.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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imachavel
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14435174 - 05/11/11 02:26 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: Thanks for all the input.
Compatibility is my biggest issue. I have a HP m7590n shown here:


I bought it back in 2006. I wouldn't mind just replacing the power supply, but I have no idea how I'd be able to find one that will fit in the same HP case.
And I wouldn't mind buying a case to get started at having a customizable PC, but I have no idea if my motherboard would be too small.
The PSU is HIPRO HP-D3057F3R aka 5188-2625. Here's the type of PSU I have:
It's no longer available on newegg because it's an outdated peice of shit. What can I replace it with? Any ATX 12V? Newegg link
that looks like a great computer, dual hard drive, dual core cpu with 3.4 ghz processing. i'm guessing you want better graphics capabilities?
let me look around and see what type of graphics card you need to buy. you'll need to update the drivers for it as well.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14435243 - 05/11/11 02:41 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: Thanks for all the input.
Compatibility is my biggest issue. I have a HP m7590n shown here:


I bought it back in 2006. I wouldn't mind just replacing the power supply, but I have no idea how I'd be able to find one that will fit in the same HP case.
And I wouldn't mind buying a case to get started at having a customizable PC, but I have no idea if my motherboard would be too small.
The PSU is HIPRO HP-D3057F3R aka 5188-2625. Here's the type of PSU I have:
It's no longer available on newegg because it's an outdated peice of shit. What can I replace it with? Any ATX 12V? Newegg link
ok I believe this is what your motherboard has:
PCI Express x16 compatibility socket 775
I think most of these graphics cards will work with pci express x16:
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_buycomponents_us.html
as for your cpu, i think 3.4 ghz is the fastest that will work with socket 775, I could be wrong. ram? i don't know you'll have to tell me those specs yourself
download cpu z id. it'll tell you everything you have in your computer. then post what you want to know more about, and i'll see if i can help. if not someone else probably can
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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Dimi
The Mindful One


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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14436172 - 05/11/11 06:02 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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What a coincidence. We have nearly the exact same computer. Mine started as a Dell with those same specs.
Here is a link to buy a new power supply, it's less than $50. It's in stock right now, and ships in less than 1 day!
http://goo.gl/UgZWq
Don't buy more RAM or a CPU upgrade, the money you spend won't make much of a difference. Your BIOS is going to limit you to a Pentium D, even though better processors exist for that socket type (Because it's a Intel 945P chipset)
Save any money you were going to spend on this system and start a fund to make your own new system!
By the way, I have that same chipset in my computer, and I used a ATI HD 5670 1GB video card from Sapphire. It's PCI-E 2.0 and I had no issues at all. It consumes little power, so your power supply will adequate with it. It has multiple display outputs as well. Any faster of a video card will just bottleneck in your system anyways.
I hope this helps a little
Edited by Dimi (05/11/11 06:05 PM)
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14438063 - 05/12/11 12:13 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: Compatibility is my biggest issue.
[...]
I wouldn't mind just replacing the power supply, but I have no idea how I'd be able to find one that will fit in the same HP case.
[...]
What can I replace it with?
99.99% of the time nowadays manufacturers use standard parts.
a power supply is a power supply. doesnt matter what machine it goes in, unless it is a more unique design like a home theater pc or a server. you have neither of those. you have a normal, off the shelf, mid-tower computer.
any PSU will be fine. heres a decent one for $30: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14438389 - 05/12/11 02:13 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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i think it is a home theatre pc. when i looked it up it said it's a windows media center theatre pc. although a lot of pcs have windows media center installed, i don't expect them to be called windows media center theatre pc's.
i don't know for sure, look up the motherboard, i think i posted it. you're probably right
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14439385 - 05/12/11 10:01 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
imachavel said: you're probably right
i am.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14439874 - 05/12/11 12:04 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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about what? it not being a home theatre pc?
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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DieCommie

Registered: 12/11/03
Posts: 29,258
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14439881 - 05/12/11 12:06 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I believe what windows media center is on all windows 7 machines. What makes a computer an HTPC or not is simply if you have it plugged in to your TV. I have an HTPC, but dont use windows media center.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: DieCommie]
#14439894 - 05/12/11 12:11 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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i didn't know you could have a computer that hooked up to your t.v./xbox/entertainment center in any way shape or form if it didn't have windows media center.
very interesting. How did you do it?
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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DieCommie

Registered: 12/11/03
Posts: 29,258
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel] 1
#14439900 - 05/12/11 12:13 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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You just plug it in, using DVI or HDMI or whatever you want.
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: DieCommie]
#14442491 - 05/12/11 09:46 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Goddamnit. Things are just getting more and more complicated.
Took apart my PC to find out that's got a 24 pin PSU socket, and not a 20. Guess I have to get an adapter. And this is still all with the hope that my motherboard has not crapped out, as well.
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14442793 - 05/12/11 10:52 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: Goddamnit. Things are just getting more and more complicated.
Took apart my PC to find out that's got a 24 pin PSU socket, and not a 20. Guess I have to get an adapter. And this is still all with the hope that my motherboard has not crapped out, as well.
have you looked at any new PSUs yet? or even read this thread?
i posted this:
Quote:
frith said: any PSU will be fine. heres a decent one for $30: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003
the first thing mentioned in the 2nd paragraph of the description says:
Quote:
One main connector (20 + 4 pin)
that is a 24pin connector.
id be surprised if ANYONE makes 20pin only PSUs anymore. there is usually a 24pin connector with 4 of them that can be detached for old computers. 24pin has been the standard for maybe 6 or 7 years now.
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14444973 - 05/13/11 11:15 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I have read the entire thread, don't jump to ignorant conclusions.
You don't understand at all. This is a 24+4 pin. Not a 20+4 pin. Hence, they make 20-24pin adapters.
I have read that some 24 pin motherboards support a 20pin PSU and vice versa. But I'm not sure how I would know that, so I might need to purchase an adapter.
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,672
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445001 - 05/13/11 11:21 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I'm not aware of the specifics of this HP machine, but I do know that e.g. Dell used to (and AFAIK still does) have custom header blocks for PSU connections. If your HP mainboard indeed requires a 24+4 (=28) pin connector, then it is possible that you can only get away with using a proprietary HP power supply unit. Again, I don't know if this is the case with HP, but I do know that it has happened with other brands, including Dell.
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14445006 - 05/13/11 11:21 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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there is no such thing as a 28 pin PSU. even the PSU you originally linked is 24 pin.
when it says 20+4 it means that there is a 24 pin main connector where 4 of those pins are detachable. that gives you the option to use it with a 20 pin mobo if needed (which you dont).
again..
Quote:
frith said: any PSU will be fine. heres a decent one for $30: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003
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Edited by frith (05/13/11 11:22 AM)
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14445068 - 05/13/11 11:32 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
koraks said: I'm not aware of the specifics of this HP machine, but I do know that e.g. Dell used to (and AFAIK still does) have custom header blocks for PSU connections. If your HP mainboard indeed requires a 24+4 (=28) pin connector, then it is possible that you can only get away with using a proprietary HP power supply unit. Again, I don't know if this is the case with HP, but I do know that it has happened with other brands, including Dell.
Ugh, this is such a fucking pain in the ass now. I can see why so many people don't go through the trouble of building their own PC.
Quote:
frith said: there is no such thing as a 28 pin PSU. even the PSU you originally linked is 24 pin.
when it says 20+4 it means that there is a 24 pin main connector where 4 of those pins are detachable. that gives you the option to use it with a 20 pin mobo if needed (which you dont).
again..
I pulled a 24 pin connecter AND a 4 pin connector out of my motherboard. I don't know why you insist on arguing about this. Run a google search on 24+4pin PSU/motherboards. Look ATX up on wiki. They exist.
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445113 - 05/13/11 11:42 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Well, to be honest, I just did a quick search, and couldn't find anything on a 24+4 pin ATX pinout. Could you snap a (sharp) pic of the connectors on the original PSU? It's important that we can see what color wire goes into which pin, so we can determine the pinout.
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frith
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445130 - 05/13/11 11:46 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: I pulled a 24 pin connecter AND a 4 pin connector out of my motherboard. I don't know why you insist on arguing about this. Run a google search on 24+4pin PSU/motherboards. Look ATX up on wiki. They exist.
when people refer to 24 vs 20 pin PSUs they are only talking about the main mobo connector.
there is another 4 pin connector for the CPU on all mobos whether they are 24 or 20 pin.
ive built hundreds of computers. i know what im talking about.
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guywiththegun
Shroom Chewer/Beer Brewer



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445139 - 05/13/11 11:47 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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If you ask me, you're having all this problem because you're starting a build from an HP. The HP I had required a few parts that were HP specific, and the case was a fucking mess, I couldn't figure out that complicated erector set shit for the life of me. A cheap ATX/mini-ATX case is like 30 bucks, just build from there and swap your own parts in, and you'll come out ahead I think.
I am by no means an expert, I have done this exactly once, so if someone else sounds like they know better, they probably do.
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frith
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: guywiththegun]
#14445144 - 05/13/11 11:49 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
guywiththegun said: If you ask me, you're having all this problem because you're starting a build from an HP.
i think its more of a problem that OP is just over-thinking things.
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,672
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14445151 - 05/13/11 11:50 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
frith said: ive built hundreds of computers. i know what im talking about.
You've never built a proprietary HP computer though
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guywiththegun
Shroom Chewer/Beer Brewer



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: koraks]
#14445303 - 05/13/11 12:33 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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That's what I mean. I'm not saying it can't be done, I just had an easier time cannibalizing the old computer and putting it all in a micro-ATX midsize case. Works great, man.
But that was definitely a case of me not wanting to search around for proprietary parts and stuff.
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frith
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445311 - 05/13/11 12:35 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
koraks said:
Quote:
frith said: ive built hundreds of computers. i know what im talking about.
You've never built a proprietary HP computer though 
the power supply is not proprietary. OP posted the power supply that is in the machine.
Quote:
Society said: Newegg link
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445368 - 05/13/11 12:49 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said:
Ugh, this is such a fucking pain in the ass now. I can see why so many people don't go through the trouble of building their own PC.
building your own pc always seems so simple, like it's a 10 step process. once you have to start trouble shooting though, it turns into a 200 step process, and not knowing just one step makes you feel like you don't know a god damn thing, as you get completely stuck and have nowhere to go if you can't figure out that one step. some people theorize that bill gates couldn't fix his macintosh when it breaks, as he only knows windows

yes its a joke
i don't think the 20-24 pin connector is as big of a pain in the ass to figure out as buying the wrong hard drive for a motherboard. the motherboard has an ide controller, with an idea connector cable, and you buy a sata hard drive. will make you feel absolutely stupid. with the 24 pin cable, it's just like legos you just have to fit the right end correctly and it snaps into place. like someone else said, pc's these days rarely have power supply cables that are different versions, therefore uncompatible.
remember like anything else you do 1000 times it'll seem so easy once you know it all.
how about putting a hard drive into a computer and it won't recognize the hard drive, because the jumper isn't on cs? or what about, you need to reinstall windows, because you have a blue screen from hell that can't be fixed, but when you restart to boot from the cd drive, the cd drive won't read the disk. so you try a different disk, no luck. replace the cd drive. no luck. replace the connector cable to the cd drive(which should match your hard drive connector cable usually, unless your motherboard has dual connector motherboard controllers) no luck. so fuck it, replace the controller, AND get a an entirely new connector cable and cd drive. finally it works. if that doesn't work truthfully i don't know what tot tell you. finally you can install windows. but wait, your friend burned you a copy of windows 7, but your pc had windows xp installed on it. the activation code on the sticker on your pc obviously won't work. and he forgot to write it down for you when he gave it to you. so you call him up and he gives you the install code over the phone. only he forgot to tell you that since he activated his copy online, when you activate your copy online, instead of chosing not to, microsoft will recognize the same code is activated twice, and will shut down your windows in 7 days. great, start over all over again. now THAT'S a pain 
anyway, my point is this power supply 24 pin connector should be easy enough to figure out once you realize you are probably missing a piece, or inserted it the wrong way. heh.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
Edited by imachavel (05/13/11 12:50 PM)
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imachavel
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14445380 - 05/13/11 12:52 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
frith said:
Quote:
koraks said:
Quote:
frith said: ive built hundreds of computers. i know what im talking about.
You've never built a proprietary HP computer though 
the power supply is not proprietary. OP posted the power supply that is in the machine.
Quote:
Society said: Newegg link
ok yeah i didn't read this. now I'M confused. the op's power supply was broken, so he bought a different one and it isn't compatible? i'm sorry i'm so confused, i'm just not understanding why there is SO much trouble over a power supply. thanks
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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Society
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14445511 - 05/13/11 01:23 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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All things considered, I'd love to be just over analyzing things here.
The is the issue(s): -My power supply (one in that link) seems to have crapped out. -So I'd like to initiate the process of building a new PC with a new PSU and case. I'd also like to salvage my old motherboard, sata drives, fans, cd/dvd, graphics, etc. -But I am confused about the power supply issue...
The main connector is a 24pin. But there's another 4 pin that connects to the motherboard. Here's a pic:
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imachavel
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14445537 - 05/13/11 01:29 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
frith said:
Quote:
guywiththegun said: If you ask me, you're having all this problem because you're starting a build from an HP.
i think its more of a problem that OP is just over-thinking things. 
perhaps so.
ORIGINAL POSTER: THINK ABOUT IT LIKE THIS
you have a 24 pin set of cables running out the back of your power supply, 20 of them lead straight to a connector on the motherboard right? the other 4 should lead out to your hard drive, and then possibly the cables double back out from your hard drive, to give you a set of connectors to connect to other things, cd drive etc.
at least this is how my computer looks yours might be a bit different. but what is for sure, is that you have 20 cables running from you power supply to your motherboard, and 4 running to your hard drive. correct? ok now from here, where are you getting stuck. how is the power supply hooked up? do you have it screwed in to your case correctly? it should be raised about a centimeter up from your motherboard screwed into your case, with the power adapter cable fitting into the back of it, fit nicely into the back of your pc correct?
the reason for this thing being raised a centimeter off the motherboard is the same reason your motherboard is raised a centimeter off your computer case, so it won't fry. metal on metal. now if you have gotten this far, please tell everyone the rest of what is troubling you. thanks.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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imachavel
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445560 - 05/13/11 01:33 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: All things considered, I'd love to be just over analyzing things here.
The is the issue(s): -My power supply (one in that link) seems to have crapped out. -So I'd like to initiate the process of building a new PC with a new PSU and case. I'd also like to salvage my old motherboard, sata drives, fans, cd/dvd, graphics, etc. -But I am confused about the power supply issue...
The main connector is a 24pin. But there's another 4 pin that connects to the motherboard. Here's a pic:

is there any reason why you can't replace just the power supply and leave the motherboard, cpu, ram, cd drive, hard drive, usb connectors etc? you are ABSOLUTELY sure it's the power supply, right? and not a connector. either way those cables are stuck into the power supply pretty well aren't they? so best bet, just replace the entire power supply. but if you can, plug the computer in, and make sure no light are on, etc. when you try and turn on your computer, there is no power, no monitor flickering, no anything right? if you have a working power supply but a bad cable, and replace the power supply with a bad cable, chances are you can fry your entire computer. be careful with that.
once again, any reason you can just not replace just the power supply, and leave everything else, once of course you diagnose that it is for sure the power supply.
btw just so we are clear, in that pic you disabled the 20 pin connector on purpose, correct?
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
Edited by imachavel (05/13/11 01:35 PM)
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Society
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14445577 - 05/13/11 01:36 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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No, that's exactly what I want to do. Replace the power supply, assuming that is the problem.
Here's why I think the PSU is the problem: -PC won't power on -blinking LED on the power supply (when plugged in) -light continues to blink when disconnected from all components.
Do you see the two cables in the pic that I was talking about, though? The 24pin and the 4pin?
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14445582 - 05/13/11 01:37 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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maybe this will help simply things for you:
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14445660 - 05/13/11 01:54 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yeah, it looked like he had a 24pin motherboard connector AND a 4-pin motherboard connector.
Uh... what the hell is that 4-pin connector?? He even forgot to connect the 4-pin and had to troubleshoot it in the video!
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14445726 - 05/13/11 02:06 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: Yeah, it looked like he had a 24pin motherboard connector AND a 4-pin motherboard connector.
i didnt watch the video but that is probably the CPU lead.. which is where you are getting confused. you have that connection too.
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14445803 - 05/13/11 02:23 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Okay, thanks. That's extactly what is confusing me. When they describe 20+4pin systems, they are not talking about this 4pin 12v connector? The 20+4 is ONLY the big main connector which will ether be 20 or 24pins...
What exactly do these extra 4pin ATX connectors do? I noticed some power supplies come with 8pin for EPS....
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14445833 - 05/13/11 02:30 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: When they describe 20+4pin systems, they are not talking about this 4pin 12v connector? The 20+4 is ONLY the big main connector which will ether be 20 or 24pins...
exactly. now youve got it.
Quote:
Society said: What exactly do these extra 4pin ATX connectors do?
I assume you mean the CPU lead? the CPU lead is for.... the CPU!
The big main connector is for everything else drawing power from the mobo.
Quote:
Society said: I noticed some power supplies come with 8pin for EPS....
EPS is used for extremely high end computers and servers. you dont worry about them.
Quote:
frith said: heres a decent one for $30: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003
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Edited by frith (05/13/11 02:30 PM)
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Dimi
The Mindful One


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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith] 1
#14447399 - 05/13/11 07:35 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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The link I posted earlier for the power supply is an exact match to the one you need.
http://goo.gl/UgZWq = $32.95
"This power unit has (1) 24 pin ATX connector, (1) ATX12V connector, (2) Serial ATA power connectors, (5) peripheral power connectors, and (1) floppy drive connector"
That other 4-pin connecter is a ATV 12V... 24 + 4 solved
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Dimi]
#14448450 - 05/13/11 10:25 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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that is all great
but if i may say so, and not to spoil the fact that this should be solved, but it's so hard to understand configuring components through text conversation.
it's like trying to explain how to build a lego set. a set of instructions found online might help, or the manual, but trying to word it out is so difficult. i'm sure i screwed up my explanation, but i myself get confused.
on a brighter side, i'm glad you got everything squared away
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14472558 - 05/18/11 10:45 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Well, for those who were desperately awaiting for an update, I blew $120 on the following:
$60 Antec 500W power supply unit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035
$60 Antec case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Both were highly rated on newegg and also suggested by a friend who builds PCs.
Now the waiting begins as my products arrive and I discover that HP permanently welded the motherboard to the original case, and if it is tampered with, a self-destruct sequence activates which wipes out not only my entire home, but possibly all of civilization as we know it.
But seriously... in the back of my mind I have a fear that, somehow, the motherboard I currently own (mentioned in a previous post) is going to be incompatible with a non-HP case. Tell me I'm being paranoid. This doesn't happen, does it?
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14472638 - 05/18/11 11:03 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said: Tell me I'm being paranoid.
You are being paranoid.
You have been for this whole thread though so I guess why stop now.
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thodub

Registered: 04/29/11
Posts: 754
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14472682 - 05/18/11 11:12 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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proprietary components suck!
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: thodub]
#14472702 - 05/18/11 11:16 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
thodub said: proprietary components suck!
oh christ.. this again?

here is the mobo in the machine..
http://www.algogo.com/store/products/ASUS-P5LP%252dLE-Lithium2%252dUL8E-945P-HP-Compaq-Motherboard.html
that is a standard form factor. it is NOT proprietary. it will work.
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Edited by frith (05/18/11 11:17 AM)
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: thodub]
#14472714 - 05/18/11 11:18 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
frith said:
Quote:
Society said: Tell me I'm being paranoid.
You are being paranoid.
You have been for this whole thread though so I guess why stop now.

I have been for most of my life. Some people stay up for days on meth and worry about phone lines being tapped, police watching them, the mysterious white van across the street, etc.
I stay up for days on meth and wrinkle my forehead over motherboard-operating system recognition or 12V rails.
Quote:
thodub said: proprietary components suck!
Any stories you care to share?
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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thodub

Registered: 04/29/11
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14472735 - 05/18/11 11:22 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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dell computers.
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,672
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: thodub]
#14472788 - 05/18/11 11:30 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
thodub said: dell computers.
He has a point. They can be a nightmare because of the use of seemingly standard, but on closer examination proprietary components, in particular mainboards and PSU's.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: koraks]
#14473520 - 05/18/11 02:12 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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dells are so popular, but i hate them. i don't know, i guess anything windows sucks.
but here is a good question, why did you need a new case? i thought i was really illiterate with these things, but what is the purpose of a new case? are you going to unscrew the motherboard AND the washers that keep it from being grounded just to replace the power supply?
i really want this guy i worked with fixing computers for a month to hire me back. 
i just keep missing so many things that seem so obvious. let us know how your new power supply/pc works out.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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imachavel
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14473569 - 05/18/11 02:19 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said:
Quote:
frith said:
Quote:
Society said: Tell me I'm being paranoid.
You are being paranoid.
You have been for this whole thread though so I guess why stop now.

I have been for most of my life. Some people stay up for days on meth and worry about phone lines being tapped, police watching them, the mysterious white van across the street, etc.
I stay up for days on meth and wrinkle my forehead over motherboard-operating system recognition or 12V rails.
Quote:
thodub said: proprietary components suck!
Any stories you care to share?
we all stay up all night over our computer components. computers are a nightmare. imagine a network administrator watching over a master domain for 3 other domains and a total of 4 subnets, and 1000 end hosts. jesus 1 problem and he has to go through every mac address on the entire network to make sure all things running are compatible.
none the less, as complicated as computers are, why are you overcomplicating things? sure, a good complex explanation is needed to really know how a computer works and how to fix it, but none the less, if all you needed was to simply replace the power supply, why did you buy a new case? if some other electrical component wasn't working, what is the need for a new case, which has no effect at all on electrical components. even the power button which can be disconnected and make you think the power supply is bad, is connected internally, and has nothing to do with the case what so ever.
good luck though, did it fix the problem? i'm a bit rusty with replacing a power supply myself. installing one is easy. well, building a computer is the easiest thing in the world, just kaing sure all the parts are compatible is the hard thing. and obviously turning it on, installing windows, and getting on the thing logging on the internet etc. with the drivers working and everything else is another thing al together. all really simple, considering you do everything right in the correct order.
if not, installing something as simple as windows on a new partition can be a painstaking task of looking up every step you did to figure out what little mistake messed up everything along the way.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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CosmicJoke
happy mutant



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14473662 - 05/18/11 02:39 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
$60 Antec case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Both were highly rated on newegg and also suggested by a friend who builds PCs.
The case is definitely sturdy, but lacks cable management... Some fairly simple mods with a dremmel tool and some edging trim would give you a much nicer case.
-------------------- Everything is better than it was the last time. I'm good. If we could look into each others hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. It takes a lot of courage to go out there and radiate your essence. I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared too. If you was there, and we just knew you cared too.
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: CosmicJoke]
#14473751 - 05/18/11 02:53 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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i dont understand the point of the case at all..
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thodub

Registered: 04/29/11
Posts: 754
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14473897 - 05/18/11 03:22 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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CosmicJoke
happy mutant



Registered: 04/05/00
Posts: 10,848
Loc: Portland, OR
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14473919 - 05/18/11 03:27 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
i dont understand the point of the case at all..
well, he obviously doesn't need it to get things up and running again... but if he prefers the new case, why not?
-------------------- Everything is better than it was the last time. I'm good. If we could look into each others hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. It takes a lot of courage to go out there and radiate your essence. I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared too. If you was there, and we just knew you cared too.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: CosmicJoke]
#14473981 - 05/18/11 03:42 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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sure i guess. just hope he doesn't think it's necessary. heh.
--------------------
I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: thodub]
#14473989 - 05/18/11 03:44 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
thodub said:


you don't have a rating yet, so be friendly
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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thodub

Registered: 04/29/11
Posts: 754
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14474001 - 05/18/11 03:46 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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psh I plan to stay unrated
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 31,375
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Last seen: 11 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: thodub]
#14474085 - 05/18/11 04:08 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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you can opt out of general ratings if you like, i almost have.
but my ratings bad or good are like a collection of comments from people i've met and spoken with. almost like a comment drop box at a rainbow gathering, which not only doesn't exist, but also on the shroomery you don't really meet people that you see on the internet.
none the less it's the closest thing i've found
--------------------
I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
Posts: 14,299
Loc:
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14474214 - 05/18/11 04:35 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I bought a new case because the HP one is a cramped piece of shit with sub-par air flow. It's as if it was designed specifically so that you cannot customize it. It didn't even have a space for internal hard drives; they were seemingly haphazardly screwed in where they could physically fit.
A new case will allow me to better customize my PC in the future, when I learn more about upgrading and more components eventually break. After all, I have had this PC since 2006 and replaced nothing up until this point.
For all I know, the mainboard went out with the PSU. If so, I have a new case to start fresh with. If not... well, I have a new case.
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: CosmicJoke]
#14474341 - 05/18/11 05:05 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
CosmicJoke said:
Quote:
i dont understand the point of the case at all..
well, he obviously doesn't need it to get things up and running again... but if he prefers the new case, why not?
i dont know.. personally, i wouldnt throw the cash into an old Pentium D machine like that. 
if the end goal is a new PC then let the case be the starting point instead of replacing/discarding the old stuff.. at least that way he would get a new machine and still be able to keep the old one for a test box/server/HTPC..
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CosmicJoke
happy mutant



Registered: 04/05/00
Posts: 10,848
Loc: Portland, OR
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14474471 - 05/18/11 05:30 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
i dont know.. personally, i wouldnt throw the cash into an old Pentium D machine like that.
if the end goal is a new PC then let the case be the starting point instead of replacing/discarding the old stuff.. at least that way he would get a new machine and still be able to keep the old one for a test box/server/HTPC..
Or stick the old case in the attic should you want it around again.. I don't see it as throwing cash into an old machine, a good PSU and case are investments... they can be used for builds to come.
-------------------- Everything is better than it was the last time. I'm good. If we could look into each others hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. It takes a lot of courage to go out there and radiate your essence. I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared too. If you was there, and we just knew you cared too.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 31,375
Loc: You get banned for saying that
Last seen: 11 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: CosmicJoke]
#14474518 - 05/18/11 05:41 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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well in that case the new case is good, especially if he wants to install raid, he needs those spots for extra hard drives. i'd say you've learn a good bit in short time society.
however, did you say the motherboard went out with the power supply? are you buying a new one? take your time with buying new motherboards, make sure it can support the cpu and ram and video card and power supply and network card you have now. plus whatever ones you might want to buy in the future.
or you don't plan to use the ones you have now then definitely the ones you plan to buy in the future at the least. be careful and really really take your time, you might find a good one that supports quite a few good upgrades, but is way beyond your price range, you'll really want to look around for that.
and make sure it's something with a socket type that is 775 or higher, otherwise it won't be able to keep up with the new cpu's. tell you the truth, i'm not even sure socket 775 will be able to keep up with much of what they have now, but at least it's not dinosaur like 448 or what not.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
Posts: 14,299
Loc:
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14474834 - 05/18/11 06:52 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I don't know if my motherboard still works. I don't have another PSU to test it out. So I'll have to see when the PSU get here. I'm told that if I get a new motherboard/cpu, I'll have to get a new OS (don't have the disc to XP) to install on a HD. Eh? I plan on doing this eventually anyway, but I'm simply getting tired of not having a computer at this point.
Indeed I learned a lot in this thread. Especially from seeing the pic of my own motherboard. 
I also have a GeForce 8800 GT my brother gave me to replace my 7300 LE. So now I can play some of the games that have been released after 1999.
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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Dimi
The Mindful One


Registered: 05/09/11
Posts: 190
Last seen: 7 years, 5 days
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14474861 - 05/18/11 06:59 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Yeah, your hard drive copy of your OS is bios locked, you'll need a new copy.
That 8800 GT is a nice card, way better than my spare 6800
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johnm214


Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14479211 - 05/19/11 03:20 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I built a pretty decent computer out of Newegg stuff. Before that it was a refurbished Dell with some extra stuff. Both were made to play games and stuff and both were cheaper than a playstation 3 or XBox (never got the claim that computers were more expensive than consoles for gaming- maybe for idiots who buy stuff the first week they're out, I dunno).
I would personally prefer to build my own if any of the parts were important to you or whatever, but otherwise the warranty, support, and so forth from prebuilts can make it easier. If you choose wisely you can get a good prebuilt that you can expand for anything you want- just be careful of the case being too physically small or the motherboard being crap, and be aware that often Dell refuses to continue active support of its products (won't update firmware and so forth to support additional things).
I've got a decent low middle end (but better than much of the crap sold) FSP 420 Watt (I believe) power supply if you want it. A few bucks for shipping and its yours. Its got sata connectors and one pcie 6 connector.
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
Posts: 14,299
Loc:
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: johnm214]
#14490182 - 05/21/11 03:35 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Well, that concludes three weeks without a computer. 
I actually managed to correctly hook my 500W PSU up first try!!! Whoaaaa!
to me! Pretty amazing I was able to do it considering I just learned to whistle this year.
Now to transfer everything into my new case without evoking a nuclear holocaust...
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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Dimi
The Mindful One


Registered: 05/09/11
Posts: 190
Last seen: 7 years, 5 days
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14491764 - 05/21/11 10:26 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Nice job man. For a lot of people, it's getting over the fear of frying your machine by opening the case and working it in.
Always try to avoid ESD (electro static discharge) by touching a large metal object, or better to use a ground bracelet. This will keep that nuclear disaster from happening.
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
Posts: 14,299
Loc:
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Dimi]
#14492463 - 05/22/11 02:17 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Even scarier. I had a friend come over and help me put it into the new case.
For some reason though.... it rejected having more than 1GB of ram. We tried every configuration of the 2GB ram that came with the PC.... never worked. Wouldn't start.
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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Dimi
The Mindful One


Registered: 05/09/11
Posts: 190
Last seen: 7 years, 5 days
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14492838 - 05/22/11 06:10 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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This is your older Motherboard right? What kind was it again? can we get the numbers off the RAM sticker or a pic of the RAM to see what kind it is?
BIOS's have a limit to the amount of memory that can occupy one slot. 1GB in this case, unless the RAM type isn't a supported speed, or the RAM is dead...
and remember that if you have RAM slots that are two different colors, you need a stick in each slot of that color.
Edited by Dimi (05/22/11 06:22 AM)
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mark2112



Registered: 04/17/10
Posts: 137
Loc: Here
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14519637 - 05/27/11 07:34 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
frith said:
i dont know.. personally, i wouldnt throw the cash into an old Pentium D machine like that. 
Agreed. I built a computer a year ago and it cost me $600 AUD. I have since upgraded from Socket 775 to 1155 to step the CPU up from an E6500 to an I5-2400. It is hooked straight to my TV via HDMI through an ATI HD5670.
The warranty argument isn't relevant. Even if you built the machine, parts have warranty and newer technology is very reliable (in my experience).
All depends on what you want to do with it as to how powerful you want it. My opinion is overkill first and no worries later. I use mine as an HTPC mainly and surfing second. HTPC is the future...no messy discs floating around getting scratched.
Pre built machines are Turds more often than not. Lower end CPU's, 4gb of RAM running a dumbed down 32 bit version of Windows 7 in a pretty box. Bullshit OEM enhancement programs that clog up memory and bring your computer to a stop.
Windows 7 from PB FTW.
Media Browser for HTPC.


You really should look at replacing Motherboard and CPU in one hit...so much cleaner (if you can afford it).
P.S. - If you're into that sort of thing, building your own and setting up your software is awesome fun
-------------------- There is no spoon...
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: mark2112]
#14519821 - 05/27/11 08:33 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
mark2112 said: Pre built machines are Turds more often than not. Lower end CPU's, 4gb of RAM
if you need that much horsepower for an HTPC you are doing it wrong.
my HTPC is an old Atom 330 with 2gb of ram. it plays any kind of media i can throw at it.
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Dimi
The Mindful One


Registered: 05/09/11
Posts: 190
Last seen: 7 years, 5 days
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: mark2112]
#14520572 - 05/27/11 12:31 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Agreed. I built a computer a year ago and it cost me $600 AUD. I have since upgraded from Socket 775 to 1155 to step the CPU up from an E6500 to an I5-2400. It is hooked straight to my TV via HDMI through an ATI HD5670.
The ATI HD 5670 is a damn nice card, although now the 6670 is out now.
I have the Sapphire HD 5670 1GB and I can overclock both the RAM and Core by 16% if anyone's into that stuff. It's a perfect HTPC card, imo.
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
Posts: 14,299
Loc:
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Dimi]
#14520643 - 05/27/11 12:52 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
You really should look at replacing Motherboard and CPU in one hit...so much cleaner (if you can afford it).
That's the general idea at this point. Next time my PC collapses on itself, I will get a motherboard, CPU, HD, OS, etc.
First a new mouse or figure out what's wrong with my mouse drivers or buy a usb mouse. Stupid thing won't stop jumping around the screen.
-------------------- Delicious Pizza
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CosmicJoke
happy mutant



Registered: 04/05/00
Posts: 10,848
Loc: Portland, OR
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14521918 - 05/27/11 04:10 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
if you need that much horsepower for an HTPC you are doing it wrong.
Depends, you might want to use your HTPC as a DVR.... some of the cards like the Ceton InfiniTV 4, which can record 4 HD shows simultaneously, is gonna have steeper requirements.
-------------------- Everything is better than it was the last time. I'm good. If we could look into each others hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. It takes a lot of courage to go out there and radiate your essence. I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared too. If you was there, and we just knew you cared too.
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mark2112



Registered: 04/17/10
Posts: 137
Loc: Here
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Dimi]
#14521979 - 05/27/11 04:19 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
frith said:
Pre built machines are Turds more often than not. Lower end CPU's, 4gb of RAM
if you need that much horsepower for an HTPC you are doing it wrong.
my HTPC is an old Atom 330 with 2gb of ram. it plays any kind of media i can throw at it.
I've heard you say that a few times in different posts and I totally disagree. I run four hard drives (tired of external hard drives, even at ESata speed), drag files back and forth and having that power helps. The E6500 was actually starting to lag with Media Browser as my front end which is image heavy but looks the best. I tried XBMC and Media Portal which are lighter but they are limited and confusing to use and don't look nearly as cool. I also like the way Media Browser incorporates itself into MCE and I can use a remote....although I usually use keyboard and mouse so I can flick between watching and surfing. Also retreiving batches of metadata is far more efficient with more power.
The clarity in picture is far superior with a better rig, but thats just IMO. IMO, you're doing it wrong but what do you do?
P.S. - 2gb of RAM is fine. I was pointing out that OEM's use 4gb of RAM with a 32bit system. Why bother?
Quote:
Dimi said:
The ATI HD 5670 is a damn nice card, although now the 6670 is out now.
I have the Sapphire HD 5670 1GB and I can overclock both the RAM and Core by 16% if anyone's into that stuff. It's a perfect HTPC card, imo.
Agreed, Awesome card but I can only sneak through a purchase here and there!!!
-------------------- There is no spoon...
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: mark2112]
#14526928 - 05/28/11 04:31 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
CosmicJoke said:
Quote:
if you need that much horsepower for an HTPC you are doing it wrong.
Depends, you might want to use your HTPC as a DVR.... some of the cards like the Ceton InfiniTV 4, which can record 4 HD shows simultaneously, is gonna have steeper requirements.
true.. that wasnt mentioned though.
Quote:
mark2112 said: I run four hard drives (tired of external hard drives, even at ESata speed), drag files back and forth and having that power helps.
i have 6 drives in my server.. a few of them are 5400rpm too. that is running a Pentium D 820. that is more than enough for storage and data streaming. 
Quote:
mark2112 said: The E6500 was actually starting to lag
thats faster than my Atom.. uptime on my machine is about 6 months now (it would be almost a year if not for power outages). its been used daily for 2.5 years and has never stuttered or lagged.
Quote:
mark2112 said: Also retreiving batches of metadata is far more efficient with more power.
youre downloading what.. 20mb-30mb? thats being generous assuming you are doing a large metadata import.
any computer can download 30mb of data quickly. the bottleneck is either the efficiency of your front end (in which case my original statement stands) or your internet connection.
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CosmicJoke
happy mutant



Registered: 04/05/00
Posts: 10,848
Loc: Portland, OR
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: mark2112]
#14527392 - 05/28/11 05:52 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
The clarity in picture is far superior with a better rig, but thats just IMO. IMO, you're doing it wrong but what do you do?
frith is the biggest film junky i know (virtually at least)... i'm pretty sure if there was anything inadequate about his hardware, he wouldn't use it.
Quote:
tried XBMC and Media Portal which are lighter but they are limited and confusing to use and don't look nearly as cool.
XBMC is only limited by your understanding of what it can do... As far as I know, it's the most versatile media center available. You can skin its appearance any way you want. You could always RTFM.
Quote:
although I usually use keyboard and mouse so I can flick between watching and surfing.
Sounds like a desktop you happen to watch movies on, not a HTPC.
-------------------- Everything is better than it was the last time. I'm good. If we could look into each others hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. It takes a lot of courage to go out there and radiate your essence. I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared too. If you was there, and we just knew you cared too.
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: CosmicJoke]
#14527419 - 05/28/11 05:56 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
CosmicJoke said: frith is the biggest film junky i know (virtually at least)... i'm pretty sure if there was anything inadequate about his hardware, he wouldn't use it.
hahaha.. very VERY true.
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Melkor
Psychonaut



Registered: 03/11/11
Posts: 609
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14538204 - 05/30/11 10:01 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Yes. IMO, it will always be cheaper to build yourself a PC rather than buying a setup. Newegg all day
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Melkor]
#14538232 - 05/30/11 10:07 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Melkor said: IMO, it will always be cheaper to build yourself a PC rather than buying a setup.
your opinion is wrong.
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mark2112



Registered: 04/17/10
Posts: 137
Loc: Here
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Melkor]
#14539311 - 05/31/11 05:26 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Melkor said: Yes. IMO, it will always be cheaper to build yourself a PC rather than buying a setup. Newegg all day
Always is correct. By a very long way too..... if you know what you're doing. In Australia we have a co. called MSY who sell parts cheap! OEM computers are crap. Obviously if you cut out the middle man you're saving money.
-------------------- There is no spoon...
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,672
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: mark2112]
#14539927 - 05/31/11 09:37 AM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
mark2112 said: Obviously if you cut out the middle man you're saving money.
If you guys ()mark & melkor) had bothered to read the first few pages of this thread, you would have noticed that those arguments have been discussed extensively. The short of it is that DIY is cheaper as long as (a) you don't run into any unforeseen problems and (b) you don't count the costs of the time you invest yourself.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14541299 - 05/31/11 03:41 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said:
Quote:
You really should look at replacing Motherboard and CPU in one hit...so much cleaner (if you can afford it).
That's the general idea at this point. Next time my PC collapses on itself, I will get a motherboard, CPU, HD, OS, etc.
First a new mouse or figure out what's wrong with my mouse drivers or buy a usb mouse. Stupid thing won't stop jumping around the screen.
it sounds like you had a problem installing windows if your mouse keeps jumping around the screen. or maybe it's the mouse. so you say when you put the same ram back in the same motherboard after trying the new psu and noticing it worked, then taking everything out and putting into a new case, it doesn't work now?
that's really weird, so it gets you to the boot menu, then tells you there is a memory error?
--------------------
I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 31,375
Loc: You get banned for saying that
Last seen: 11 hours, 56 minutes
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: mark2112]
#14541317 - 05/31/11 03:45 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
mark2112 said:
Quote:
frith said:
Pre built machines are Turds more often than not. Lower end CPU's, 4gb of RAM
if you need that much horsepower for an HTPC you are doing it wrong.
my HTPC is an old Atom 330 with 2gb of ram. it plays any kind of media i can throw at it.
I've heard you say that a few times in different posts and I totally disagree. I run four hard drives (tired of external hard drives, even at ESata speed), drag files back and forth and having that power helps. The E6500 was actually starting to lag with Media Browser as my front end which is image heavy but looks the best. I tried XBMC and Media Portal which are lighter but they are limited and confusing to use and don't look nearly as cool. I also like the way Media Browser incorporates itself into MCE and I can use a remote....although I usually use keyboard and mouse so I can flick between watching and surfing. Also retreiving batches of metadata is far more efficient with more power.
The clarity in picture is far superior with a better rig, but thats just IMO. IMO, you're doing it wrong but what do you do?
P.S. - 2gb of RAM is fine. I was pointing out that OEM's use 4gb of RAM with a 32bit system. Why bother?
Quote:
Dimi said:
The ATI HD 5670 is a damn nice card, although now the 6670 is out now.
I have the Sapphire HD 5670 1GB and I can overclock both the RAM and Core by 16% if anyone's into that stuff. It's a perfect HTPC card, imo.
Agreed, Awesome card but I can only sneak through a purchase here and there!!!
2 gigs of ram? what is the socket, 448? 
well any type of media, but probably not any game, unless you have a really good graphics card in there.
but you wouldn't be able to run more than one or 2 virtual computer on that thing. great for movies and internet, 2 gig or ram is fine, don't get me wrong. but for games and more serious applications, this simply isn't going to work.
hey, 2 gigs of ram, 100 mbps network card, and dsl, beats 256 mb of ram, and dial up internet any day of the week.
--------------------
I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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Society
Mmmm... pizza



Registered: 07/03/04
Posts: 14,299
Loc:
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14541466 - 05/31/11 04:15 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
imachavel said:
Quote:
Society said:
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You really should look at replacing Motherboard and CPU in one hit...so much cleaner (if you can afford it).
That's the general idea at this point. Next time my PC collapses on itself, I will get a motherboard, CPU, HD, OS, etc.
First a new mouse or figure out what's wrong with my mouse drivers or buy a usb mouse. Stupid thing won't stop jumping around the screen.
it sounds like you had a problem installing windows if your mouse keeps jumping around the screen. or maybe it's the mouse. so you say when you put the same ram back in the same motherboard after trying the new psu and noticing it worked, then taking everything out and putting into a new case, it doesn't work now?
that's really weird, so it gets you to the boot menu, then tells you there is a memory error?
The mouse problem is somewhat common- usually a driver problem. I reinstalled my drivers and it still is a problem. I think I just need to buy a USB mouse... the one I'm using is a rollerball PS/2.
As for the memory problem, I have no idea what happened. When both of the memory cards, which were in the motherboard to being with, are present the computer does not boot. It turns on and beeps loudly. That's it. No video.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14541469 - 05/31/11 04:16 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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btw did you try reseating your memory in the old computer?
i don't know why switching the case would effect the ram in the motherboard. did you take the ram out of the slot it was in and put it in a different slot? sometimes the same ram stick doesn't like being shoved into a different slot. i don't know why. this is the best suggestion i could make, this one and the ones already stated.
try putting everything back in your old case. you definitely get a blue screen memory error? THANKS
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
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Society
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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14541491 - 05/31/11 04:20 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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No blue screen. No screen at all.
I didn't manipulate the memory at all when transferring cases. I don't really have the time or patience to transfer everything back into that old HP case. I'm just running off of 1GB memory now and might do this until my cpu/motherboard craps out... or someone gives me free functional memory.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: Society]
#14541612 - 05/31/11 04:41 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Society said:
Quote:
imachavel said:
Quote:
Society said:
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You really should look at replacing Motherboard and CPU in one hit...so much cleaner (if you can afford it).
That's the general idea at this point. Next time my PC collapses on itself, I will get a motherboard, CPU, HD, OS, etc.
First a new mouse or figure out what's wrong with my mouse drivers or buy a usb mouse. Stupid thing won't stop jumping around the screen.
it sounds like you had a problem installing windows if your mouse keeps jumping around the screen. or maybe it's the mouse. so you say when you put the same ram back in the same motherboard after trying the new psu and noticing it worked, then taking everything out and putting into a new case, it doesn't work now?
that's really weird, so it gets you to the boot menu, then tells you there is a memory error?
The mouse problem is somewhat common- usually a driver problem. I reinstalled my drivers and it still is a problem. I think I just need to buy a USB mouse... the one I'm using is a rollerball PS/2.
As for the memory problem, I have no idea what happened. When both of the memory cards, which were in the motherboard to being with, are present the computer does not boot. It turns on and beeps loudly. That's it. No video. 
so there is no blue screen at all, no video what so ever? that is a video card problem then. and if your video card worked in your last computer, then it's probably a driver problem. try trouble shooting your video card driver. so it has no blue screen, just doesn't turn on?
also, remember your computer boots from the motherboard, it can get you to the boot menu without the hard drive, it just won't load windows. so it HAS to be either a memory problem, or a video card problem. like I was saying, try reseating the memory in different slots, it tends to fix these things
so your mouse problem is a driver problem, huh? yeah switch to usb instead of ps/2. remember though, that will probably deal with the driver you use for your ps/2 port or usb port then actually one for the mouse. mouse is supposed to be plug and play, considering that your port driver is functioning properly.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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mark2112



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: koraks]
#14541662 - 05/31/11 04:55 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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koraks said:
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mark2112 said: Obviously if you cut out the middle man you're saving money.
If you guys ()mark & melkor) had bothered to read the first few pages of this thread, you would have noticed that those arguments have been discussed extensively. The short of it is that DIY is cheaper as long as (a) you don't run into any unforeseen problems and (b) you don't count the costs of the time you invest yourself.
I did bother to read the first few pages and commented on a recent comment???
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frith
God

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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: imachavel]
#14546393 - 06/01/11 03:35 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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imachavel said: 2 gigs of ram? what is the socket, 448? 
well any type of media, but probably not any game, unless you have a really good graphics card in there.
but you wouldn't be able to run more than one or 2 virtual computer on that thing. great for movies and internet, 2 gig or ram is fine, don't get me wrong. but for games and more serious applications, this simply isn't going to work.
hey, 2 gigs of ram, 100 mbps network card, and dsl, beats 256 mb of ram, and dial up internet any day of the week.
a HTPC is a home theater computer.. its not a gaming rig and its not a desktop. its sole purpose should be for serving media. if you are using a HTPC for gaming or as a desktop..Quote:
frith said: you are doing it wrong.
you dont need a lot of power for a HTPC.
low powered machines draw less power, create less heat, and most importantly for a HTPC, they are mostly silent. a humming computer in the corner is one of the most annoying things when trying to watch a movie.
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Edited by frith (06/01/11 03:36 PM)
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



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Re: Is building your own PC worth it? ... [Re: frith]
#14548177 - 06/01/11 09:42 PM (12 years, 7 months ago) |
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sorry, I forgot that that was a home theatre pc.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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