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Off-Topic => Off-Topic Discussion => Topic started by: TeamXtreemer on January 11, 2012, 12:27:18 PM

Title: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 11, 2012, 12:27:18 PM
Hey guys, I've recently been working on something, I have an 8 year old Fijitsu PC and want to upgrade it to today's standards of gaming PC, here are some pictures of the current machine:
It currently has 512mb of ram, but recently today I purchased 4gb of ram from ebay, and 2 monitors, I have to get:

Windows 7
New motherboard
New processor
Gaming keyboard, with lights and s**t.
Gaming mouse, also with lights and s**t.
Light up case
DVD-RW drive.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: HurricaneAndrew on January 11, 2012, 10:03:10 PM
Oddly enough, I was just thinking about upgrading my PC, which is roughly the same age...

I called up my computer guy and asked him what it would take. He told me that with the PC I was wanting to do the upgrade on was pretty much a lost cause.

IDE, single core processor, 512 mb of RAM tolerance... Yeah...

So he told me that he was currently working on a PC that sounded like what I was wanting to do to mine. Here's the specs...

- Windows XP or Vista (whatever I chose)
- 3 gb RAM
- 1.8 gH dual-core processor
- Nvidia GeForce graphics card

He told me $150 and it was mine.


I ended up with a very nice PC for a fairly decent price.


Moral: Sometimes you're better off to start out new...
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 12, 2012, 03:59:26 PM
Quote from: HurricaneAndrew on January 11, 2012, 10:03:10 PM
Oddly enough, I was just thinking about upgrading my PC, which is roughly the same age...

I called up my computer guy and asked him what it would take. He told me that with the PC I was wanting to do the upgrade on was pretty much a lost cause.

IDE, single core processor, 512 mb of RAM tolerance... Yeah...

So he told me that he was currently working on a PC that sounded like what I was wanting to do to mine. Here's the specs...

- Windows XP or Vista (whatever I chose)
- 3 gb RAM
- 1.8 gH dual-core processor
- Nvidia GeForce graphics card

He told me $150 and it was mine.


I ended up with a very nice PC for a fairly decent price.


Moral: Sometimes you're better off to start out new...
(buy new motherboard)
≠
buy new pc
+
buy all new parts
+
monitor
+
speakers
+
flashy led mouse sh*t
+
etc
=
New PC
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 20, 2012, 01:50:55 PM
Just got this
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/409300_351077814919707_100000524735133_1266617_1974049941_n.jpg)
Now I need a motherboard and processor, anyone know a really good MB/CPU mundle I can get for 200 Pounds? DDR3 and good performance.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 21, 2012, 08:19:32 AM
DP:
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401176_352330348127787_100000524735133_1269948_2131270248_n.jpg)
Monitor & Mouse, CTX 15" monitor.

I'm getting the AMD Bulldozer FX-6 Processor, any ideas of compatible Motherboards?
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:33:39 AM
Here's a good one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS)
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 21, 2012, 08:37:50 AM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:33:39 AM
Here's a good one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS)
Beast, thanks, just found this one
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280801861270?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar (http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280801861270?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar)

Not sure which one to pick.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:47:29 AM
Quote from: TeamXtreemer on January 21, 2012, 08:37:50 AM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:33:39 AM
Here's a good one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS)
Beast, thanks, just found this one
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280801861270?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar (http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280801861270?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar)

Not sure which one to pick.
Nice one. It really just comes down to how much you want to spend on it, though.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 21, 2012, 08:47:48 AM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:47:29 AM
Quote from: TeamXtreemer on January 21, 2012, 08:37:50 AM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:33:39 AM
Here's a good one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-460-AS)
Beast, thanks, just found this one
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280801861270?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar (http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/280801861270?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar)

Not sure which one to pick.
Nice one. It really just comes down to how much you want to spend on it, though.
under 100
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:53:33 AM
If you keep looking you might find a better one for the same price or cheaper, so just keep looking.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 21, 2012, 08:57:14 AM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 21, 2012, 08:53:33 AM
If you keep looking you might find a better one for the same price or cheaper, so just keep looking.
Thanks
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: HurricaneAndrew on January 22, 2012, 09:29:56 AM
Terrible monitor and mouse...
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 22, 2012, 09:42:58 AM
Quote from: HurricaneAndrew on January 22, 2012, 09:29:56 AM
Terrible monitor and mouse...
I can see what happens. And the mouse works. So it's not that bad.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Jack Daniels on January 22, 2012, 11:22:37 AM
Both of those motherboards do not appear to support IDE Hard drives or AGP Video cards.

Both of those are not in your list of things to buy... So I am presuming you are hoping to carry those items over to the new build.  If this is the case, you will be disappointed and you will have to save up some more money.

Honestly, there isn't anything in that old fuji that is worth carrying over.  The drives are all IDE (and most mobos are going with SATA support instead) The graphics card is AGP... and mobos are using PCIexpress now.  Heck, even that FSP Powersupply isn't really good for anything... but it might be the only thing that could possibly carry over to the new build other than the case.

My recommendation:  Pick a Mobo... and start buying components that are compatible with the mobo to build a new machine entirely.  Otherwise, you are going to be in a frustrating world of pain trying to salvage stuff from the fuji.

I don't mean to shoot you down.  Just trying to save you time and pain.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 22, 2012, 11:39:12 AM
Quote from: Jack Daniels on January 22, 2012, 11:22:37 AM
Both of those motherboards do not appear to support IDE Hard drives or AGP Video cards.

Both of those are not in your list of things to buy... So I am presuming you are hoping to carry those items over to the new build.  If this is the case, you will be disappointed and you will have to save up some more money.

Honestly, there isn't anything in that old fuji that is worth carrying over.  The drives are all IDE (and most mobos are going with SATA support instead) The graphics card is AGP... and mobos are using PCIexpress now.  Heck, even that FSP Powersupply isn't really good for anything... but it might be the only thing that could possibly carry over to the new build other than the case.

My recommendation:  Pick a Mobo... and start buying components that are compatible with the mobo to build a new machine entirely.  Otherwise, you are going to be in a frustrating world of pain trying to salvage stuff from the fuji.

I don't mean to shoot you down.  Just trying to save you time and pain.
I was doing that, but I don't know what a video card is. :/
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Jack Daniels on January 22, 2012, 01:17:25 PM
(https://gametechmods.com/uploads/images/72989moboyeah.png)

O.k. then... Here is a quick lesson of Video Cards 101.

There is a very good chance that your new motherboard will have onboard video included with it.  Meaning, that it will have a port for you to plug your monitor into and it will provide very basic (at best) video performance.  It would be fine for web browsing and older games, but unacceptable for most newer games and graphics applications.  The onboard video drivers on a motherboard will SHARE ram with the rest of the system.  If you are just planning on using that 4 gig chip that you bought... then it will have to be shared with the video and other demands from the computer.

A dedicated Video card has its own resources and memory to dedicate for video (mostly gaming) and it allows your motherboard and ram to better focus on performing better with other aspects of your computer.  In simpler terms.  When you buy and install a video card it takes a bunch of stress of the rest of your computer.   Also, because it is specifically tailored for just video, it will perform waaaaay better than the motherboards onboard video will. 

Because you are pretty new to computer modding/building. I would recommend that you stick with the onboard video that will come with your new motherboard at first.  Build your machine and learn how to put it all together.  When you get it all up and running, then consider getting a video card and dive into installing that.  It will probably be easier for you that way and help ease your learning curve.

If you want to use that old CTX monitor make sure your new motherboard has VGA video out.  That is the only port supported by that monitor.  It will not support HDMI or DVI.  Newer motherboards are starting to exclude VGA ports because they are getting outdated... so be careful. 

If you buy a motherboard without VGA output you can get a basic videocard that will support VGA and HDMI outputs though.  But that will thrust you into buying a video card right off the bat.  So, just be sure you know what you are getting into.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 22, 2012, 04:44:29 PM
Thanks a lot scrap, really helped me there, I'll be sure to look into them, are they the same as Graphics cards? or are they different tingS?
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Nate Tech on January 22, 2012, 05:48:19 PM
They are the same.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 23, 2012, 03:11:57 AM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 22, 2012, 05:48:19 PM
They are the same.
Oh thank lord.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Nate Tech on January 24, 2012, 03:37:40 PM
And make sure that you get a power supply that supports pci-e power to the video card, if you need to.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 24, 2012, 05:35:18 PM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 24, 2012, 03:37:40 PM
And make sure that you get a power supply that supports pci-e power to the video card, if you need to.
[/quote
Not sure what that is but OK.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Nate Tech on January 25, 2012, 07:02:38 PM
What video card do you plan to use? I can tell you if it needs direct power from the PSU (Power supply) or not.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 26, 2012, 06:47:31 AM
Quote from: Nate Tech on January 25, 2012, 07:02:38 PM
What video card do you plan to use? I can tell you if it needs direct power from the PSU (Power supply) or not.
I was thinking of this one:
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/27669673/AMD-HD6450-1GB-Graphics-Card/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:27669673%7Cprd:27669673 (http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/27669673/AMD-HD6450-1GB-Graphics-Card/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:27669673%7Cprd:27669673)
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Jack Daniels on January 26, 2012, 07:32:52 AM
Not a bad choice.  That is a pretty simple card that is compatible with your old monitor and does not need a special power supply.  That card gets all its power directly from the motherboard itself.

I think that is a great card to start off with because you are just starting to learn how to do all this stuff.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on January 26, 2012, 12:09:49 PM
Quote from: Jack Daniels on January 26, 2012, 07:32:52 AM
Not a bad choice.  That is a pretty simple card that is compatible with your old monitor and does not need a special power supply.  That card gets all its power directly from the motherboard itself.

I think that is a great card to start off with because you are just starting to learn how to do all this stuff.
Thanks, Jack. Appreciate the support, my current laptop is on ebay for 250. I'll link it in case anyone is interested.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-R505-15-4-2-GHz-Laptop-PC-3gb-RAM-/230735564728#vi-content (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-R505-15-4-2-GHz-Laptop-PC-3gb-RAM-/230735564728#vi-content)
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on February 02, 2012, 10:44:34 AM
dp;
Case – Evo Labs Blue Fronted EX8819 - £24.95 inc VAT
http://www.pckombi.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=20150 (http://www.pckombi.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=20150)

AMD Bulldozer FX-6 Six Core 6100 Black Edition 3.30Ghz (Socket AM3+) Processor (W/ €15 Cashback and Deus-ex, Human Revolution Game - 97.53 (W/Euro Discount, AMD Cashback Promotion)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-313-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat= (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-313-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=)

ASRock 970 Extreme3 - motherboard - ATX - Socket AM3+ - AMD 970 - Socket AM3+ - £62.18 GBP incl. VAT
http://www.airetechit.co.uk/e-shop/products.php?70397&livemode=1 (http://www.airetechit.co.uk/e-shop/products.php?70397&livemode=1)

XFX ATI Radeon HD 6950 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card - £171.95 incl. VAT
http://www.fiercepc.co.uk/components/xfx-ati-radeon-hd-6950-1gb-gddr5-pci-e-graphics-card/ (http://www.fiercepc.co.uk/components/xfx-ati-radeon-hd-6950-1gb-gddr5-pci-e-graphics-card/)

Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) Memory Kit PC3-12800 1600MHz DDR3 DIMM (Blue) - £31.32 incl. VAT
http://www.pckombi.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=24116 (http://www.pckombi.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=24116)

650W Cooler Master GX 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply - £58.80 inc. VAT
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/650W+or+less/650W+Cooler+Master+GX+80PLUS+Bronze+Power+Supply+?productId=47892&source=googleps (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/650W+or+less/650W+Cooler+Master+GX+80PLUS+Bronze+Power+Supply+?productId=47892&source=googleps)


Western Digital AV-GP 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 8MB 3.5 inch Hard Drive - £41.70 incl.VAT
http://www.kikatek.com/product_info.php?products_id=75342&source=froogle (http://www.kikatek.com/product_info.php?products_id=75342&source=froogle)

Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit - £65.00 incl.vat
http://shop.mandafen-solutions.co.uk/epages/es143751.sf/?Locale=en_GB&ObjectPath=/Shops/es143751/Products/205991&ViewAction=ViewProductViaPortal (http://shop.mandafen-solutions.co.uk/epages/es143751.sf/?Locale=en_GB&ObjectPath=/Shops/es143751/Products/205991&ViewAction=ViewProductViaPortal)

97.53 + 24.95 + 171.95 + 62.18 + 31.32 + 58.80 + 41.70 + 65.00 = £553.43

I consulted a shop in Castleford and they said I'd get high BF3 FPS with this machine, so, Jack? Advice?

tx
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: Jack Daniels on February 02, 2012, 08:52:26 PM
It all looks pretty good to me.  Glad you decided to get a beefier power supply.  (that video card is going to need it)

Might want to pick up a cooling fan or two.  There will be ports on the Mobo for a couple extra fans.  Make sure that you blow air out of the case and not point all the fans to draw air in.


Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: HurricaneAndrew on February 02, 2012, 09:49:48 PM
Quote from: Jack Daniels on February 02, 2012, 08:52:26 PM
Make sure that you blow air out of the case and not point all the fans to draw air in.

This.

It is the most common mistake when building a computer. A lot of companies even put them in wrong.
Title: Re: Building a Computer From An Old One
Post by: TeamXtreemer on February 03, 2012, 03:41:07 AM
Quote from: Jack Daniels on February 02, 2012, 08:52:26 PM
It all looks pretty good to me.  Glad you decided to get a beefier power supply.  (that video card is going to need it)

Might want to pick up a cooling fan or two.  There will be ports on the Mobo for a couple extra fans.  Make sure that you blow air out of the case and not point all the fans to draw air in.
thanks jack, appreciate the help.
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