My computer I built about 4 years ago is going fast. This past weekend it started to automatically change the CPU voltage settings several times and I had to change it back. It is so bad I am posting at work. I hope the internet police don't get me. I think it is the cheap ECS motherboard going out. I was going to upgrade in the near future. Unfortunately, it looks I have to do something soon. My friend is trying to convince me to buy a complete system. I still want to build because I think my hardware will be just a little bit better in quality and performance. I came up with a quick component list. Ironically, just before my computer started acting weird. Here's what I have from Newegg:

ASUS A8N-E motherboard $95.00
2GB PC3200 Crucial RAM $168.00
ASUS GeForce 6800 256MB Video Card $215.00
Seagate 256GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive $95.00
AMD Athlon 64X2 3800+ Manchester CPU $295.00
Enermax 500W power supply $109.00
Heat sink for CPU (haven't really looked) ~$40.00
__________________________________________________ ___
Total-------------------------------------------------------- $1017.00

Please critcize what I have or if you think there is a system I can buy out there on par with this one cheaper, let me know. Just looking for some input.

 

I just built one from Tiger. (i really like the way they set up there website) It was relitivly easy to order from, and got my stuff in 2 days.

A8N preium with onboard USB, firewire and SATA, PCIE
kingston ram 1 gig (2 500 meg sticks)
PCIE GeForce video card 6600
Raptor 10K SATA 75 gig drive
AMD 64 3300
Enermax wisperquiet (or whatever the call it)
case
DVD RW/CD RW


I used the heat sink that came with the processor I dont plan on overclocking

Im really happy with it for $900 Its the core of my new HTPC/PVR/HDTVpc

 

Sounds like a good setup there, and will do games too if you plan on it.
However, if you are gonna game, get a Creative X-Fi soundcard.

They have millions of more transistors on them than my Audigy 2 ZS card does, and are better.

Homebuilt is always better.
If you choose the right components, and it looks like you did, that should rock.

Homebuilt you get what you want, and no propriotory (spelling) junk.

I only homebuild.

 

Yeah, I just wanted someone to back me up on my choice to build. My computer just did boot up after several attempts. I hope I can finish this reply before it craps out like it was doing yesterday. It is about gone. I changed the CPU voltages to the lower voltage that it keeps wanting to go to. Hoepfully it will hang on at the setting until I can order my parts.

Yeah, I would like to play some games. I want something that can handle some up-to-date stuff.

Thanks.

 

for sure...building it is the best way IMHO

 

OK, I'm building one. I'll probably order my stuff this weekend. I have all my parts picked out-pretty much what I have above.

I can't believe my current computer is still holding on. I hope it can last just a wee bit longer.

 

Phew, finished up last night. Well, not exactly, but I have everything working and all my drivers and essential stuff is loaded. It all works!

The last of my parts came in yesterday and I started building last night. All would have went well except I forgot to plug in a power connector to the square ATX 12v connector on the motherboard. There wasn't anything like that the last time I built my computer, and I overlooked it. The manual didn't really point it out either. I thought I had a dead board-which is pretty common for me. I only noticed it after I had removed the board from the case and was putting it back in the box to send back. Other than that everything was easy and my computer recognized everything. No bad parts is always great.

My monitor has been fuzzy lately. I thought it was due to my graphics card on my old machine. But, apparently, it is the monitor. Kind of irritating since it is a trinitron monitor-but it is about 4 years old. I guess I will buy a flat panel now. It's just money, right?

Got any recommendations?

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f98/best-19-lcd-money-72792/

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