Finally got serious about it! (building my first computer...)

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
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well, being a complete noob, and a conservative one to boot, it took me awhile to build up to getting a second computer. but i now have gotten serious about it.

i was at FRYS today (san marcos one, near San Diego, brand new )


anyway, i picked up a new board, CPU, and heatsink/fan combo, and some thermal grease.

we'll see if i can bullshit my way through computer assembly. i'm going to be aquiring a hard disk, cd drive, video and sound cards as they appear with good deals... i'm hoping to close this computer for under 200 dollars when everything is said and done.

i picked up an ECS K7S5A board, coupled with an XP2400+, for 79.99. i picked up a coolermaster DP5-6J31C for 12 bucks... not too concerned over that... and some arctic alumina thermal compound.

we'll see if i know a damn thing about computer assembly hopefully deals for cases, hard disks, floppy drives, and cd drives appear soon
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,558
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There is a decent deal on a Dynamax case (black and silver with side exhaust fan) with 300W psu at Newegg where it is something like $28 + shipping. Nice little case that I used to use for my OCed Tbred rig, but I have since moved that rig into my large Antec 1040B since I sold the dual XP rig.
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
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is that dynapower? or dynamax?

cause i see a black and silver dynapower case on the home page with a 300 watt PSU... would that be okay as a PSU for this computer?
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
That's a good motherboard. I've been running mine for about 2 years with no problems. Be aware, though, that it can be picky about power supplies and memory. It doesn't like cheap stuff. The memory and AGP slots are also extremely tight. Before putting the board in the case work the memory and video card in and out of the slots at least half a dozen times on a firm flat surface.

If you have any problems let us know. Many of us are using this board.
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,558
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Originally posted by: Walleye
is that dynapower? or dynamax?

cause i see a black and silver dynapower case on the home page with a 300 watt PSU... would that be okay as a PSU for this computer?
My bad it is dynapower. The psu should work fine for your current setup, but please understand that ECS K7S5A motherboards are known to be picky as to what PSUs they will work with.

 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
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so what should i do? go pick up a cheapie case, and an antec PSU? i'm trying to make this as cheap as possible, with it still being a good system for running games and such.
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
Crucial is excellent memory. I have 2x256 PC2100 and have never had a hiccup. You can go with the generic PSU that comes with your case. Many people have had luck doing that, but if you have trouble booting or recurring anomalies you can always pop for a 300Watt Sparkle at Newegg for about $30.


EDIT: You live in L.A. so you might even want to check out Mwave in City of Industry where you can pick up your parts at willcall and save shipping.
 

ThisIsMatt

Banned
Aug 4, 2000
11,820
1
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Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
That's a good motherboard. I've been running mine for about 2 years with no problems. Be aware, though, that it can be picky about power supplies and memory. It doesn't like cheap stuff. The memory and AGP slots are also extremely tight. Before putting the board in the case work the memory and video card in and out of the slots at least half a dozen times on a firm flat surface.

If you have any problems let us know. Many of us are using this board.
It's funny how such a cheap motherboard can complain about other components.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
Originally posted by: Walleye
well, being a complete noob, and a conservative one to boot, it took me awhile to build up to getting a second computer. but i now have gotten serious about it.

i was at FRYS today (san marcos one, near San Diego, brand new )


anyway, i picked up a new board, CPU, and heatsink/fan combo, and some thermal grease.

we'll see if i can bullshit my way through computer assembly. i'm going to be aquiring a hard disk, cd drive, video and sound cards as they appear with good deals... i'm hoping to close this computer for under 200 dollars when everything is said and done.

i picked up an ECS K7S5A board, coupled with an XP2400+, for 79.99. i picked up a coolermaster DP5-6J31C for 12 bucks... not too concerned over that... and some arctic alumina thermal compound.

we'll see if i know a damn thing about computer assembly hopefully deals for cases, hard disks, floppy drives, and cd drives appear soon
Yay for the correct spelling of Arctic! :)
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
7,939
0
0
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Walleye
well, being a complete noob, and a conservative one to boot, it took me awhile to build up to getting a second computer. but i now have gotten serious about it.

i was at FRYS today (san marcos one, near San Diego, brand new )


anyway, i picked up a new board, CPU, and heatsink/fan combo, and some thermal grease.

we'll see if i can bullshit my way through computer assembly. i'm going to be aquiring a hard disk, cd drive, video and sound cards as they appear with good deals... i'm hoping to close this computer for under 200 dollars when everything is said and done.

i picked up an ECS K7S5A board, coupled with an XP2400+, for 79.99. i picked up a coolermaster DP5-6J31C for 12 bucks... not too concerned over that... and some arctic alumina thermal compound.

we'll see if i know a damn thing about computer assembly hopefully deals for cases, hard disks, floppy drives, and cd drives appear soon
Yay for the correct spelling of Arctic! :)

anyone who spells it wrong is a doofus :p
 

flxnimprtmscl

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2003
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I guess I'll be the first one to say be prepared to blow entirely too much money on your new rig. Buying new parts get's addicting...
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
I guess I'll be the first one to say be prepared to blow entirely too much money on your new rig. Buying new parts get's addicting...

hehe, i dont think i'll be buying many more computers for awhile... 2 seems enough :p
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: CheapArse
Originally posted by: Walleye
Originally posted by: CheapArse
you live in san deigo??? what part?

Poway... (*braces for everyone laughing*)

poway is nice, i live in escondido :(

well, i suppose it is a lot better than Compton... especially for whitey's health :)

whitey = <------ this white bastard :p
 

JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
the good thing with buying from Fry's is if you fsck up the mobo or processor you can always return it.......god knows everyone else does. :)
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: sobriquet
Originally posted by: Walleye
Originally posted by: CheapArse
you live in san deigo??? what part?

Poway... (*braces for everyone laughing*)

Haw haw! Just kidding. I live in Rancho Penasquitos, pretty damn close.

oh.. you guys have Bucky's of Boston... i used to go there... good ice cream... we aint got nothing good like that...