Help me with a Unique Gift for my sister.

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
H

hugejazz

Member
Jun 23, 2005
27
0
0
Here is the scenario:

I will be moving out of the house and going to university in a month or so, and before I leave, I want to give a special gift for my sister (she is 14).

Background:

I recently rigged up a new computer system with a Tsunami case with all the bling and lights. My sister only has a normal, bland beige case (pics later). She has been hassling my parents for a new computer system with a fresh cool look. So my plan is to surprise her by "overhaulin' " her current computer system (She is going on a trip, I guess I will work during that time).

Here are the pics of her current setup:
Overall View
Front View
Back View

Here are the pics of the ugly interior:
Tangle Wires
Closer View
CPU fan
More Wires

That CPU is a AMD 1800+ running at 1.53 ghz (sneaked onto her comp to check BIOS), and apparently this thing runs at 69 celcius !!!!!!! She doesn't need much power on her computer, the 1800+ is good enough, the hardware shouldn't need to be changed.

Here is a list of what I want to do:
- new CPU HSF (69 degrees!!!)
- tame some of those wires and sleeve them up a bit.
- add a rear fan to her system (there is no rear fan -__-" )
- make (or buy) a side window
- add light mods

Now, the challenge is that I haven't done mods to these older computers before (I actually don't know what socket her system is). Im also not familar with lighting mods, although she really wants them. So if anyone has any comments or tips for me, please fire away. I really want to do this.
 
T

twitchee2

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2004
2,135
0
0
for the light and stuff you could get somethinkg like a $50 with a side window and add lights and stuff to it
 
S

suklee

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,575
10
81
I came in here thinking there'd be pics of the sister :laugh:

oh but wait she's 14... NEVERMIND
 
Hacp

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
Originally posted by: Kai920
I came in here thinking there'd be pics of the sister :laugh:

oh but wait she's 14... NEVERMIND
Click to expand...


Me too. Then I saw the 14 part..

Also, don't XPs run really hot? I don't think you will be able to get a new HSF into that system w/o adding some noise.

Also, this might be a quiet cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835106037

As for mods, I have never really done any hard ones. I did add a top air duct to my case, but thats basically it. I can't really help you with that.
 
V

Varun

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2002
1,161
0
0
Originally posted by: hugejazz
Originally posted by: Kai920
is that 1800+ a T-bred or a Palomino?
Click to expand...

How do I tell?
Click to expand...

It's a Palimino - I could tell that it was an 1800+ just by looking at the stock HSF. I had the exact same one, and mine ran hot as well, usually around 55-60C (I had a bit more airflow in the case)

I switched it for the Thermaltake SilentBoost (as another poster linked to) and my temps dropped to the low 40's. The Silentboost is a really good HSF, especially if you lower the fan speed, as it becomes near silent.

You should be able to find a better looking case with a window already installed rather than put a window in such a bland looking case.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,413
10,801
126
I'm not particuarly artistic, but you're setup for a nice smiley face on the side. The lower vents are the mouth, and you cut holes for the eyes, and maybe nose. With bright lighting that would look pretty cool.

I think it's a pretty good looking case, all things considered. It just needs a little dressing up. Put a blow hole in the top, use led fans top and back, then fill the case with leds from Radio Shack. It could all be done pretty cheaply.

That's nice of you to want to hook up your sister, GG
 
StrangerGuy

StrangerGuy

Diamond Member
May 9, 2004
8,443
124
106
Add a NOS can and a big spoiler on the case. And a large "MUGEN" sticker too. That's going to look very cool.

:) j/k
 
N

nweaver

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2001
6,813
1
0
Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
Add a NOS can and a big spoiler on the case. And a large "MUGEN" sticker too. That's going to look very cool.

:) j/k
Click to expand...

LOL
 
H

hugejazz

Member
Jun 23, 2005
27
0
0
So can anyone confirm that the 1800+ is Socket A? And how many LED/CCFLs does it take to light up a case (nicely)?
 
D

dwcal

Senior member
Jul 21, 2004
765
0
0
Originally posted by: hugejazz
- new CPU HSF (69 degrees!!!)
Click to expand...
Before buying a new HSF, try cleaning the dust out of the fins. A retail cooler at stock speed shouldn't be running 69C. My family's computer had the same problem, an Athlon XP running 70C. We cleaned up a whole bunch of dust and dog fur, and temps were fine after that.

A new HSF might still be a good idea if you want a quieter system, but a high end heatsink with fine pitch fins will collect dust even faster.
 
B

Beef Taco

Senior member
Jul 26, 2005
328
0
0
Originally posted by: hugejazz
So can anyone confirm that the 1800+ is Socket A? And how many LED/CCFLs does it take to light up a case (nicely)?
Click to expand...

I can confirm that because all Athlon XP's are Socket A. And as for the other question, i would think it would take about 4-8.
 
V

Varun

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2002
1,161
0
0
It's a socket A Palimino.

I don't think it's just dust, those retail HSFs on the Paliminos were garbage. Replace it with the SilentBoost.

The retail fan is like 60mm (or less) and maybe 8mm thick. The whine from that fan is terrible.

As far as how many LEDs/ Cold Cathodes, well I'm not into that but I just have 2 Red LED fans and it lights up my case more than I need it too. I imagine another LED on the CPU fan plus maybe one Cold Cathode would be more than enough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom