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Zero Hikaru
Ok, I'm gathering Cash to build another PC, so I'll always have one to screw with, or have one as backup in case the other stop working (probably because I screwed with it. XD).

Anyways, I want it to be a decent performance PC - Running just as good as this one. This one only has about 512 RAM, 2.7 GHz, and an Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller. It doesn't have any cooling fans as far as I can tell, and the HD is only 40 Gigs.

Anyways, I want to build something a little higher performance that that, but I'd like to keep costs at a minimum. Any suggestions on what parts to use, and about how much?
efabes
What exactly is your budget for the machine? Is a monitor included in that budget?

Do you like AMD or Intel?

Do you have any spare parts lying around you will not need to buy (cdrom, video card, etc) or do you need everything?

Post back what you are looking for.

HERE is a good starting point.



Zero Hikaru
I don't believe I have any spare parts.... My mother sold my old PC without my consent. >.> I would've stripped it of the video card first, maybe the floppy too. I prefer Intel, as I've only ever used that. I thought I had an extra monitor, but apparently I didn't. That's ok though, as I was planning on a Cathode Ray Tube monitor anyways, and those run pretty cheap nowadays. I have no need for a fancy LCD screen (as cool as it would be to have one XD). I was expecting to pay somewhere around 800 dollars to build something that would at least run. That case looks perfect for my needs. Happen to know if that site allows order by phone or mail?
oldbob
Zero,

If you want "crash insurance" that is "...running just as good as this one...".
Consider having dual [or more] hard drive configuration on your present set-up. You can always "upgrade" other components.

The multiple hard drives use the same motherboard, PCI cards, CD/DVD drives, etc... When a computer "crashes" the hard drive is what goes either corrupted or mechanical failure !!!

There are a couple of ways to do this either:
1) With switches.
2) Physically swapping the drives.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...-102-001&DEPA=0

I have a link for a "removable HD" if your interest.

This set-up would also work for your Japanese OS.

FYI: My home-bilt desktop has a TRIOS HD switcher [no longer available] and I have three hard drives with four operating systems. Two copies of Win98SE and two Linux distros. All four share one common USR 5610B modem that works for all four.
Zero Hikaru
Hah, you noticed my Japanese OS Questions too. ^^

Either way, I was going tto build another PC, because I tend to use my current one so much and for so many things, that I something need two computers on at the same time to do my work. I do a lot of working with resource eating programs, such as Photoshop, among other things. Plus, I was considering purchasing Windows Server Edition and using one PC as the server for a website or game (Or maybe even both. The game takes very little resources to serve compared with other games. I also tend to tinker with things such as transferring files from hard drive to harddrive, etc. My current PC only has 1 slot for a 3.5" HDD which I find highly unnacceptable too. ^^; Thus I wish to build a new one. I figure it will be a good learning experience, as I only have experience with replacing and installing pieces, not building from scratch, as well as some experience with software. However, I'm grateful for that link you gave... I may add that to my budget.
ranchhand
Well, if you want the biggest bang for your buck, go AMD. I have built several AMD units, and they are the most cost effective and very fast. That's why most geeks are fanatical AMD fans. And many of the CPUs are overclock-able, so for the same money and a few minutes of tweaking you get an even faster CPU that runs at the same temperature!

I built two AMD units for two graphic arts majors, and they run Photoshop CS, Illustrator, Quark Express etc. Sometimes they will have Illustrator and Quark Express open at the same times and flip back & forth between with literally no waiting. That's fast, man!

Here's a case I use that really wows 'em- the Aspire X-Dreamer II. If you follow Newegg, occasionally they put it on sale for a bargain. It's every bit as good as it looks, and I really like the front digital CPU temp readout.

If you are willing to spend around $500-600 for the computer alone, I should be able to put you into something really hot. But only if you want AMD - Intel platform is going to cost you more.

BTW - if you want a good CRT monitor, there is a used monitor site that I have bought two 21" Sun Microsystems monitors from for approx. $270 each; view only "grade A" monitors, not "grade B". Remember, these are used, not new. Most of them come off company leased units, but the two I purchase do not have one mark on them, and after 3 years are still going strong. I am really spoiled now, a 19" looks SOOOO small. smile.gif HERE'S the link.

Now remember, the newest and most expensive are the new 64 bit processors from AMD; I am talking about the regular 32 bit procs. Until Longhorn is released and software companies come out with their 64 bit apps, you aren't going to get the full benefit of 64 bit processing, and that seems a waste of money to me.



oldbob
Zero,

Here's that other link.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GN210&cat=HDD

This only requires one 5¼ inch bay and you can install as many hard drives as your budget allows.

As for CRT monitors, the "used" monitor market is flooded [everybody wants a LCD]. I have picked up 17 inch NEC & Gateway at local computer show for $35 to $40.
Zero Hikaru
Well ranchhand, the ability to overclock would be a great thing to have. Besides, if AMD is supposed to be that much faster... I can't see much harm in trying it. Afterall, this PC I'm building as a learning experience anyways. If something goes amisss, or I find something I don't like, that's to be expected, but I'm pretty much happy as long as it at least RUNS, even if there is something I don't like. Also, I'm eyeing that ASPIRE X-Infinity ATXB6KLW-RED/350 Red Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case XD. I like glowy things, and plus that thing has enough 5.25" bays for me to put CD-RW and CD/DVD-RW drives, as well as one of those Removable ATA/66-133 Enclosure's that oldbob gave me the link to (I highly like the idea of being able to pop out one HDD, and put it another, even assuming that the PC needs to be off to do it). It costs a dollar more than the one you named, but it's got an extra 3.5" internal slot, something that appeals to me (I have the feeling that one by one, I'll be adding more and more hard drives to this). I like the looks of this case, and it's got enough expansion slots for me, as well as a temperature gauge, something I don't have the luxury of seeing on any of my other PCs. I believe they probably are all at around 70. I don't think that's a GOOD temperature for them, but I have no choice, as I can't tell what the temperature is anyways. XD As for monitors, 21"!? X___X I'm used to my good old 15" monitor. XD I used to have a 17" one, and the downgrade was quite disheartening, but it wasn't by much, so I'm still happy with that size. I'll stick with the 15-17" range, because I don't have room where I plan to place it, for any larger than that. Fortunately though, that cuts the price down quite a bit. As for the AMD - I don't plan on getting 'THE BEST' thing there is, as I probably wouldn't use it anyways. So like you say, that probably would be a big waste of money.
oldbob
Zero,

NOTE: This is turning into a tricky maneuver !!
I am "surfing the web" with Red Hat 8.0 [Linux] this afternoon and I'm having to "fix" everything as I go along. Finding Computer Geeks home page, not even logged in on Suggest a Fix forum, etc....

If you want to go with the removable HDs, you have to have additional trays with each added HD.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GN...GN210-2&cat=HDD

The first item I posted only has one tray, good for ONE hard drive.
Zero Hikaru
Well you have to put that HDD in the tray right? That should mean it can come back out, and if it can, shouldn't you be able to put it in a static free bag, and be fine? Just curious. :/
oldbob
Zero,

Don't really understand your question ??

Each of your hard drives is mounted inside its own separate tray, with the cover shut.

There is no need for "static free" bags.

The "rack" [the first link I posted] has connections on the back, for data & power cables just like any other drive.

The "tray" has slightly different connectors that plug into the back of the rack that little handle on the front of the tray makes the connection as you take one of the trays in or out.
Zero Hikaru
Nevermind. I don't think I'm going to go with that if I'm going to need a seperate tray for each hard drive. I might as well just put them inside and keep them non-removable (well, removable, but not easily).
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