OT: Help me fix my PC

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Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
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Yes, I know this is off topic, but I never go anywhere else and would have to post on probably two or three different forums if I actually did post it on topic! Besides, this PC was the very first one I installed SETI on over 3 1/2 years ago when I joined the TeAm and has never been off for more than a few days during that entire time, so I guess that could make it somewhat on topic still. :D

Anyway, my home PC--up until yesterday--was an Athlon Thunderbird 1.4Ghz on an ECS K7S5A motherboard. Since I don't play any newer games and my wife won't let me upgrade just to get better WU times in SETI (she did finally agree to let me leave our two PCs on 24/7 to run SETI, though), I don't usually upgrade or change hardware unless I need to. I need to, now. Five of the ten capacitors on the motherboard around the CPU socket blew up last night. :(

So now I need to decide how I should fix the computer and I need some help since I really haven't been keeping up with hardware trends lately and I want to get something that will last a while (speed is always good, but not as important as cost and reliability).

I could go with the cheapest route, and just get a decent new Socket A motherboard like this one and keep the T-Bird 1.4 and the rest of the PC components. This of course is assuming that the CPU didn't fry along with the capacitors and that my 1 GB of PC2700 RAM will work in a dual channel motherboard. I will probably be able to upgrade the RAM to faster stuff later on when the budget will allow it, so if a newer DDR2 board will allow me to use my old PC2700 sticks temporarily, that would probably be ideal.

Or I could get a new CPU/Motherboard combo (again assuming I could use my existing RAM and that the new combo, my GeForce MX 440 video card, and two IDE hard drives together won't overload my 300 Watt PowMax PSU). If I could find a nice, inexpensive combo that would allow me to use the old RAM for a while that would be ideal. If I would need a new PSU, I'll also need suggestions on what I should get. Just for reference, my PSU provides 14A on the +3.3V rail, 20A on the +5V rail, and 12A on the +12V rail, so it's pretty wimpy but if I could get away with using it for now, that would be preferable.

The bottom line is that I'm having some financial issues right now so I'm going to have to do lots of housework and be REALLY nice for a while to be able to spend even $150 total on this upgrade so I'd really appreciate any serious, low-budget suggestions you can give me! :)

Thanks.

 
G

GeoffS

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,583
0
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Why not just scan the FS/FT forum for another K7S5A? You should be able to get one for around $30. That will minimize the issues when you fire up the new motherboard and your OS starts screaming about all the new hardware it finds and goes into paralytic shock on you requiring a total reinstall of the OS and your software :p
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
765
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True, but I don't want to buy any used components unless I have to, and I was planning to reinstall Windows anyway soon so I might as well do it now. I had Windows 2000 installed so that I could play around with it while I was working on 2K certifications at the end of last year (work paid for them even though they aren't quite current so I figured I'd take advantage of it), but I don't need it any more and would prefer to put XP back on the system. I just haven't had a good incentive to do it until now... ;)
 
W

Wiz

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
6,459
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I don't want to buy any used components unless I have to
Click to expand...

does that include Newegg refurbs? sometimes some really good deals there!
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
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If there's a warranty, refurb would be OK. I just can't afford to buy used parts that could fail at any time and require additional replacements...
 
kb3edk

kb3edk

Senior member
Jul 11, 2004
494
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Well, the absolute cheapest thing to do would be to go to the Badcaps website and download their instructions on how to recap your motherboard... then get some Rubycon capacitors and get started. This is assuming that the blown capacitors didn't do any "splash damage" to your motherboard.

Second cheapest would be to buy the exact same motherboard... that board sells on eBay for around $30+ shipping. You can't buy them new anymore (I assume Elite recalled them because of the caps situation).

Alternately, you can get a serious speed boost by replacing the mobo/CPU with a faster socket A solution... if you scan the FS/FT forums you will often see people selling Socket A/Barton combos for $100 or less... if you get a Barton with a 333 FSB then your PC2700 RAM will work fine. Be mindful that you if you swap back in the same hard drive you may see some funny OS issues (especially if your new board doesn't use a SiS chipset like your current Elite board) so if you can back up your data to another box (just hook it up as IDE slave inside) and then reinstall the OS, that would be best.

EDIT: I just saw the other posts where you say you don't like used equipment... you can get brand new speedy socket A CPU/mobo combos on Newegg or Monarch for under $150, no problem.

Hope this helps,

-Adam in Philly
 
Pokey

Pokey

Platinum Member
Oct 20, 1999
2,781
480
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Fardringle, in the past I have purchased a couple of MB/CPU/mem bundles with install and testing (+$9), from Mwave. I started doing that after I fried a CPU a while back and rma'd it only to find I did the damage. (my own fault) Anyway, I like the idea of them testing it before it goes out the door.

It might be a challenge to get under $150 though, but could be worth checking.
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
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I'll take a look at your suggestions and see what I can find. Any recommendations on specific motherboards and/or processors I should consider?
 
Insidious

Insidious

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 2001
7,649
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With the limits you have, I'd probably go for a NF7-S motherboard for ~$90 and then the fastest AXP processor you can swing with the money left over. They're an absolute breeze to set up and are mature to give you the stability you want for the long haul.

-Sid

(But this will cost you in the neighborhood of $200 so it might not be within what you want to spend... your PC2700 memory would be fine with it.)
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
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What do you folks think of this combo? It's not especially fast compared to what is out there, but it would definitely fit in my budget. I realize that Biostar is not among the best manufacturers around, but all of the reviews I have read for this board give it very good marks.

Also, would my current PSU work with this combo considering it will only have a GeForce4 MX440 video card? If not, is there a PSU that would work and will still fit within the ~$150 I am able to spend for the repairs? :)

And would my PC2700 RAM work with this system the way kb3edk said it would with a Barton CPU?


BIOSTAR KM266 Pro Chipset Motherboard With Onboard AMD Sempron 2200+ CPU kit, Model "M7VIG400-COMBO" -RETAIL


Model# M7VIG400-COMBO
Item # N82E16813138241

Specifications:
CPU: Onboard Socket A AMD Sempron 2200+, 1.5GHz, 333MHz FSB, 256KB L2 Processor
Chipset: VIA KM266 Pro + VT8235
FSB: 333/266/200MHz
RAM: 2x DIMM for DDR333/266 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP, 3x PCI, 1x CNR
Ports: 2xPS2,1xCOM,1xVGA,1xLPT,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),1xLAN,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: C-Media CMI9761A 6-Channel CODEC
Onboard Video: UniChrome 2D/3D Graphics
Onboard LAN: VIA VT6103 10/100LAN
Dimensions: 9.6" x 7.6", Micro ATX

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-241&depa=0

$91 for the motherboard and CPU together.


Thanks for being patient with me. I want to get the best I can afford, but I definitely have to stay within a limited budget on this system...
 
Freewolf

Freewolf

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2001
9,673
1
81
The ram would work And it seems unlike what I thought the cpu isn't soldiered onto the MB but in a socket.
bty the slower AMD Semprons aren't much if any better than the same speed Durons
The socket 754 version are much better cpu's
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
765
126
Yeah, if the CPU was soldered on I wouldn't even consider it as an option, but it looked like a pretty decent deal. When you say that the Socket A Sempron isn't any faster than a Duron, how would this Sempron 2200+ compare in actual speed to a Barton 2200+ (if it exists), and how would it compare to say an XP 2000+? (My wife's PC has an XP 2000+ and I'd like to have something that is at least a decent bump up from there if I'm going to bother upgrading both the motherboard and CPU.)
 
Freewolf

Freewolf

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2001
9,673
1
81
From what I've read you won't be any faster than the 2000xp and maybe just a little slower.
Not as fast as a 2500 barton.
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
765
126
Freewolf: That Sempron 3100+ combo looks pretty tempting but is really pushing the upper borders of my budget for this, and I'm concerned that a system like that would defitely require a new PSU. That would break the deal for me, unfortunately, so I'd really need to know for sure whether I'd need to replace the PowMax 300 on this one. Also, do you know what motherboard that is? I can't find any brand/model info in the detailed specs.


Freewolf and Wolfsraider: Are you two related, or are you just hunting each other? ;)
I too have had very good results with TTGI in the past, and that TT-420W for $29 at Directron looks like a great deal, thanks!


How much difference in speed would there be from the combo Freewolf just posted to a Sempron 2500+ and an Asus A7V8X KT400? I found those two together and pretested from Monarch Computers for $125. Would the extra ~$35 for the Sempron 3000+ combo and probably additional extra for a new PSU be worth the (likely temporary) wrath of a woman scorned? :p
 
Freewolf

Freewolf

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2001
9,673
1
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Originally posted by: Fardringle
Freewolf: That Sempron 3100+ combo looks pretty tempting but is really pushing the upper borders of my budget for this, and I'm concerned that a system like that would defitely require a new PSU. That would break the deal for me, unfortunately, so I'd really need to know for sure whether I'd need to replace the PowMax 300 on this one. Also, do you know what motherboard that is? I can't find any brand/model info in the detailed specs.


Freewolf and Wolfsraider: Are you two related, or are you just hunting each other? ;)
I too have had very good results with TTGI in the past, and that TT-420W for $29 at Directron looks like a great deal, thanks!


How much difference in speed would there be from the combo Freewolf just posted to a Sempron 2500+ and an Asus A7V8X KT400? I found those two together and pretested from Monarch Computers for $125. Would the extra ~$35 for the Sempron 3000+ combo and probably additional extra for a new PSU be worth the (likely temporary) wrath of a woman scorned? :p
Click to expand...

We are both from the same pack by the name Rebel Alliance :)
There is a big different between the socket a Semprons and the socket 754 Semprons . The 754 cpu can come close to the amd64 3000 socket 754 cpu from the reviews I've read and they are pretty good overclockers as well.
I have a ttgi 420 powering a 3.0 p4 with a 9600 pro aiw, 2 hds, dvd burner, and cdrw.
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
765
126
Well, I found out that the motherboard in the 3100+ bundle is an ECS 755-A2. So now I just need to decide if I want to go with an ASUS board and a slower processor (and cheaper) or an ECS board with a significantly faster processor. :p

Too many decisions for a Monday! :disgust:
 
D

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: Fardringle
Well, I found out that the motherboard in the 3100+ bundle is an ECS 755-A2. So now I just need to decide if I want to go with an ASUS board and a slower processor (and cheaper) or an ECS board with a significantly faster processor. :p

Too many decisions for a Monday! :disgust:
Click to expand...

ASUS :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
765
126
I was thinking pretty much the same thing, Dave. It's just hard to pass up the 'coolness' factor of the socket 754 3100+ compared to the Socket A 2500+. :)
 
W

Wulf

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
873
0
0
It's too bad you're against buying used. I got an unlocked 2700xp that does 2.5ghz, 512mb 3200 corsair and and abit NF7-sr2 for $100. :) Im pretty sure you could get a decent socket A board and barton or unlocked xp for $60-$80 if you looked. Iv'e seen nice combos for under $50 once in awhile even.
 
Freewolf

Freewolf

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2001
9,673
1
81
Originally posted by: Wulf
It's too bad you're against buying used. I got an unlocked 2700xp that does 2.5ghz, 512mb 3200 corsair and and abit NF7-sr2 for $100. :) Im pretty sure you could get a decent socket A board and barton or unlocked xp for $60-$80 if you looked. Iv'e seen nice combos for under $50 once in awhile even.
Click to expand...

WOW Now that was a heck of a deal!
I just paid $75.00 for a 2000xp, HS/F, and MB shipped
 
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