Secondary system went down. Time to upgrade the home server?

[Davidh373]

So I was using my MacBook Pro as a secondary system for a long while. It was pretty fast, but over it's lifespan it has been agonizing to keep up and running. I think it's pretty reasonable to say I'm never buying an Apple again. Within the first six months the HDD started clicking, within a year the RAM was upgraded, within a year and a half (about two weeks ago) the "Superdrive" busted. This was right around the time I got a card in the mail for a class action lawsuit against NVidia for the graphics chip in it. Almost like clockwork, two weeks later, I don't get any video. The hearing for the lawsuit is on the 20th, but I want to upgrade this system just in case. This "secondary" system is mainly used for casual gaming and will serve as a stand in if my primary workstation is ever out of commission. I don't need it to be near as powerful as my primary workstation, but I would like it to game on medium settings at 720p windowed. It wasn't a hassle for the MacBook Pro with a 2.4Ghz Core2 Duo and 4GB RAM with an 8600m. This seems a bit more on the powerful side.

Current system is the server in my sig.

Upgrades I could be making soon. I have about $200-$250

Processor - Athlon II X3 - $78.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-872-_-Product

RAM - 4GB Mushkin DDR2 800 - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-693-_-Product

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-754-_-Product

Total: $238.97

I have a 9800GTX lying around as long as I replace it in my family's HP Pavilion. It was purchased with intent for my work, and my family will never miss it. So I'll just buy a 55xx GPU and grab the 9800.

 

[Davidh373]

Bumping this, and adding some questions.

I have an P965 chipset in my family's HP. Right now it has a 2.13Ghz C2D and 2GB of RAM. I noticed I can get RAM and a C2Q for pretty cheap these days. Could my motherboard support a Core2 Quad? Would it be better to upgrade my HP with a Q8300 for $210, or stick with the upgrades chosen for $240?

 

[mfenn]

I'm confused. What is your intent? Do you plan to get rid of your server entirely?

 

[Davidh373]

Not really, I was planning on running something like a vm freenas, but I needed it to run windows as well, sorry about not detailing that. I'm thinking now about upgrading the family's HP instead of upgrading the server so I don't need to worry about the vm and the server stays running as usual. This also allows me to focus more on hardware and less on having to purchase an OS. None of this is happening until at least the 21st, as I may get my laptop fixed because of the class action lawsuit and problem solved, but I want to plan properly for upgrading something to serve my purpose.

Current System specs on HP Pavilion m7680n

Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.13 stock

Intel P965 Motherboard

2GB DDR2 667

2 x 250GB 2.5" HDDs

NVidia Geforce 9800GTX

500W PSU upgraded at Best Buy

So here are my options as of now.

-HP Upgrade 1-

Core 2 Quad Q8300 - $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-207-_-Product

4GB DDR2 800 - $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-207-_-Product

Total: $210

-HP Upgrade 2-

i3 540 - $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-221-_-Product

ASRock H55 - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-190-_-Product

GSkill 4GB DDR3 - $47.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-253-_-Product

Windows 7 Home Premium X64 - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-754-_-Product

Total: $330.95

-Server Re-purpose Upgrade-

Athlon II X4 640 - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-871-_-Product

GSkill 4GB DDR2 800 - $59.99

Windows 7 Home Premium X64 - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-754-_-Product

Total: $259.97

So those are pretty much my options. I would like this system up and running good some time close to new year's. It's likely if my laptop doesn't get fixed I'll have an additional 500GB Drive for games and stuff taken from the MacBook. I'm assuming the two 250GB 2.5" drives aren't in the best shape after 5 years. I'll be happy to upgrade the PSU, Hard Drives, and PSU as money becomes more readily available.

So which of those is best?

EDIT: Just so you know I'd like the budget to stay somewhere around $300 just in case someone has a better idea.

 

[Davidh373]

Bumperino!

 

[mfenn]

Is the family basically just generally unhappy with their HP? I probably wouldn't spend too much on upgrading 775 CPU's, but the i3 option looks good! It costs about the same as the other one once you take the OS out of the picture.

 

[Davidh373]

Last bump if no reply I guess, and some more info. So we are running CAT5 upstairs now so I can keep my server running and have the HP connect to it from upstairs without being completely slow on wireless. So it's down to the HP upgrade options. Will a Core2 Quad Q8300 be compatible with my motherboard? I cant seem to find this info anywhere... That is the upgrade I'm leaning toward and it's also the least expensive when all things are considered.

EDIT: Sorry, you replied before I posted. The family doesn't use the HP, so I'm going to take it up to my room and use it for Games and a media center. It has the OS that came with the machine originally, so no transferring of OS to a different motherboard. Then main question is if the C2Q will be compatible, or if I will have to get a new mobo, in which case I would spend the few extra dollars and get the i3.

 

[mfenn]

Last bump if no reply I guess, and some more info. So we are running CAT5 upstairs now so I can keep my server running and have the HP connect to it from upstairs without being completely slow on wireless. So it's down to the HP upgrade options. Will a Core2 Quad Q8300 be compatible with my motherboard? I cant seem to find this info anywhere... That is the upgrade I'm leaning toward and it's also the least expensive when all things are considered.

EDIT: Sorry, you replied before I posted. The family doesn't use the HP, so I'm going to take it up to my room and use it for Games and a media center. It has the OS that came with the machine originally, so no transferring of OS to a different motherboard. Then main question is if the C2Q will be compatible, or if I will have to get a new mobo, in which case I would spend the few extra dollars and get the i3.

You'll probably have to dig around for the info on HP's site to find out what CPU's are supported.

I'd also at least try giving MS a call to see if they will activate it for you with the new mobo. I've had pretty good luck with that. If they don't activate it, you won't even have to reinstall, just buy a copy of Windows (same edition obviously) and change the product key on the fly.

 

[Davidh373]

I'd also at least try giving MS a call to see if they will activate it for you with the new mobo. I've had pretty good luck with that. If they don't activate it, you won't even have to reinstall, just buy a copy of Windows (same edition obviously) and change the product key on the fly.

I already have . Since it's not an OEM I've bought, they won't do it. It came with the HP so I'm stuck with that...

I guess I didn't see the "processor upgrade info" on the site before, It doesn't support the C2Q. So i3 it is maybe?

 

[mfenn]

I already have . Since it's not an OEM I've bought, they won't do it. It came with the HP so I'm stuck with that...

I guess I didn't see the "processor upgrade info" on the site before, It doesn't support the C2Q. So i3 it is maybe?

In that case, yeah go i3.

 

[Davidh373]

Would you recommend an Athlon II X4 instead? I suppose it's around the same cost now since newegg has i3s for $114.99. You've said previously that the Athlon II is better for multitasking and stuff right? Just making sure I make the best decision.

 

[mfenn]

Would you recommend an Athlon II X4 instead? I suppose it's around the same cost now since newegg has i3s for $114.99. You've said previously that the Athlon II is better for multitasking and stuff right? Just making sure I make the best decision.

Sure, the X4 would be good too. The i3 is going to be faster at singlethreaded tasks whereas the X4 will be faster at multithreaded tasks.

 

[Davidh373]

Sure, the X4 would be good too. The i3 is going to be faster at singlethreaded tasks whereas the X4 will be faster at multithreaded tasks.

What do you think the chances are of fitting an aftermarket CPU cooler in? I can get a Phenom II X4 OEM in there for the same as the i3, or an Athlon II X4 OEM for about $10 less.

Coolermaster CPU fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-087-_-Product

 

[Davidh373]

Just figure I would update my options

Option 1 - Phenom II X4

Processor - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-644-_-Product

Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-087-_-Product

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-672-_-Product

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-253-_-Product

Total: $335 w/ OS

Option 2 - Core i3

Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

Total: $330.95 w/ OS

Oprtion 3 - Athlon II X4

Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-871-_-Product

Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

Total: $315.95 w/ OS

 

[mfenn]

That Phenom II config that you specced out won't actually work. The 940 is an AM2+ only CPU. Also that cooler really sucks.

 

[Davidh373]

That Phenom II config that you specced out won't actually work. The 940 is an AM2+ only CPU. Also that cooler really sucks.

alrighty, I found this combo to save me a few bucks on the Athlon II X4 setup.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.548003

Assuming it stays around until Christmas that should save me a few bucks. I dunno if there are any i3 combo deals that are worth it, but I didn't see any.

 

[fffblackmage]

In this case, if you were to go with AMD, I would just go for the Athlon II X4 rather than the Phenom II X4 and see if the L3 cache could be unlocked.

 

[alkemyst]

I wouldn't go faulting Apple...there were a lot of laptops affected by graphics chips.

Thinkpads had an Nvidia setup that desoldered itself.

 

[Davidh373]

I wouldn't go faulting Apple...there were a lot of laptops affected by graphics chips.

Thinkpads had an Nvidia setup that desoldered itself.

I don't say Apples are pieces of crap just because of that. I bought this iPod (the only Apple product I own that still works) and about a year into ownership it started randomly (quite infrequently) deleting and fragmenting files on itself and my computer. Early on (3 to 6 months) the HDD in my MacBook Pro started clicking like it was on it's last legs, then the $400 refurbished time capsule's HDD gave out. Then a month ago my Disk Drive went bad, then my logic board is toast. Keep in mind this all happened within 1.5 years of ownership of each product, and to repair/ Replace all three it would have been $1500. I'm not giving them a 3rd chance to screw me over. All these problems with Apple and yet my Dad's 11 year old P3 dell has not needed a single part replaced, my 6 year old HP Pavilion m7680n is the same (although performance is a lot more sluggish than it was with Windows XP), my Custom build is now 2 years of age, and my server has been running 24/7 since I got it 4 months ago. If it was only one problem I would have been chill about it... in fact, I forgave them 4 TIMES! Enough is enough... I'm never buying or recommending Apple computers ever again.

 

[alkemyst]

i am calling user error or you winning the fucked-lottery.

 

[Davidh373]

Well, I have built 3 computers now and I'm about to move on to the forth. I've also popped 4GB ram into that pos MacBook Pro and also replaced the bad drive. Nothing has happened to any of my custom builds, nothing has happened to any of the other machines I've upgraded. So maybe the latter, but given the rather large mass of mac using friends I have, HDDs are s.o.l. in about 6 months in those things. I will accept a free macbook, or use my repaired one if NVidia losses that class action suit, but I won't buy anything Apple ever again. They "designed" the computer, they chose every part that went into it. Even though it's NVidia's Chip, Samsung's Disk Drive, and Hitachi's Hard Drive, Apple still chose to buy from these companies. They could have easily known they were bad if they tested their products well enough. They have the time, given they wait a year or two to put stuff into their computers. They probably even have it to test before it's released to market. All they ever do is talk themselves up. They convince people to buy $1200 computers to use Microsoft word. They act like they are design gods or something whenever they come out with a new product. I've been disgusted with their arrogant marketing for years, but back then at least my laptop still worked... now after 2 years 12 new iterations of the MacBook Pro have come out and I'm sure most anyone else in my position would be suckered into a new one. I have a lot of friends who say they are the best, then again... they get a new one just about every year and prolly throw the old one in the garbage... That's not my thing...

 

[twinrider1]

Any chance you'll be in the Detroit/Madison Hts area? Microcenter has some great Athlon II x4 combo deals but they are in-store only. Probably not worth a trip just for that, but if you're already going to be in the area....

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

 

[Davidh373]

I live in Grand Rapids, so that's a deal that won't be worth the trip for unfortunately... :/. Thanks though!

EDIT: Grand Rapids is about an hour and a half West of Lansing, or 3 hours West of Detroit. So that's about a tank of gas round trip, which is $40. I am out there quite a bit, so I'll have to make sure to check their deals before I head out there.

 

[Davidh373]

Alright lol. I know I'm skipping around like a maniac in this thread, but I've finally settled on what I'm doing. I've decided to get an i5 for an all new computer. I can take one disk drive and one hard drive from the HP for now (It has two of each) and get a new HDD later. Here's my planned upgrades...

-Already ordered

Antec 300 with 430W PSU

-From HP

DVD ROM (don't really need to burn anything)

250GB Seagate 7200.9

9800GTX+

-From newegg

i5 760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-215-_-Product

MSI Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-299-_-Product

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-253-_-Product

Like I said, when I get more money I'll replace the 9800GTX, but I game at 720p on my 1440 x 900 monitor on my secondary system, so I tested some games like Batman AA, Metro 2033, and BF: BC2 and they all ran decently enough for now, and since the processor was bumping between 98%-100% I'd say it's more the fault of the low clocked CPU. My family will continue using the HP for taxes and various office work, and I'll just have a computer to myself.