4 replies to this topic

[L920]

Hi there,

I'm considering giving my pc a new lease of life and install in a new case...it works fine, though I'd like to take my time bit by bit & buy parts over a period of time so I can afford it. I need a project always to keep focus and learn new things.

I have a limited budget but want higher performance than my Dell Dimension 9200C currently gives.

Any help/advise on building a cost effective, durable, fast, QUIET (small if possible) desktop PC in a new box would be appreciated!

I wont be doing any hardcore gaming, just mainly internet browsing, MS Office documents, itunes (for my girlfriends iPad & iPhone), media consumption.

I'll give you a low down on my current spec :-

• Dell Dimension 9200C (purchased early 2007)
  
• Dell 9200C original BTX case
  
• Q6600 2.00GHz quad core processor (B3 step) -> installed 18 months ago when upgraded from E6400 2.13GHz core 2 duo
  
• 4GB DDR2 RAM (originally 2GB)
  
• Intel P45 or G45 chipset (cant remember which)
  
• ATI Radeon X1300 Pro 256MB dedicated graphics card (not particularly easy getting compatibility with Windows 8 CP)
  
• 640GB WD caviar HDD (7200rpm)
  
• Standard PSU
  
• USB 2.0 multi-socket (using pci slot)
  
• Linksys WMP-300 wireless network adapter (pci-slot)
  
• Hauppauge HVR-4000 tv card
  
• Dell 22" monitor
  
• Buffalo 2.0TB raided external HDD for media

Items to definitely salvage to install in new case :-

• 2.0 Q6600 processor
  
• 4GB RAM (may upgrade to 8GB at some point??)
  
• 640GB HDD (SSD is more preferable but unsure if affordable)
  
• Hauppauge HVR-4000 tv card
  
• Dell 22" monitor
  
• Buffalo 2.0TB raided external HDD for media
  
• Linksys WMP-300 wireless network adapter (pci-slot)

Items to possibly salvage to install in new case :-

• USB 2.0 multi-socket (using pci slot) [IF USB 3.0 is not affordable)

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New items I need advise on please :-

• A case
  
• A future-proof motherboard
  
• PSU
  
• Dedicated Graphics card (with HDMI out and Windows 8 compatible)
  
• Touch-centric "pad" instead of touch based screen (similar to a large mouse track pad?)
  
• Anything else I need (i.e. PSU etc)

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I cant wait to hopefully hear some of your ideas, I'd be ever so grateful for your help.

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

WP7.

[watchthisspace]

Case - Go look for one you like
Motherboard - Socket 775 is dead, there's no future. If the Asus P5Q Pro or Pro Turbo is still available for an okay price, get one of those.
PSU -I always recommend a Corsair PSU. 750watt will be more than enough. Silverstone also makes great PSU's.
Graphics - Nvidia gtx560 or any Ati HD7000 series card with HDMI will be fine for your usage.

Can't help you with a touch pad

You'll need a new CPU cooler, go for one that fits 775. Thermalright, Artic Cooling make affordable coolers.

[L920]

watchthisspace, on 08 May 2012 - 01:08, said:

Case - Go look for one you like
Motherboard - Socket 775 is dead, there's no future. If the Asus P5Q Pro or Pro Turbo is still available for an okay price, get one of those.
PSU -I always recommend a Corsair PSU. 750watt will be more than enough. Silverstone also makes great PSU's.
Graphics - Nvidia gtx560 or any Ati HD7000 series card with HDMI will be fine for your usage.

Can't help you with a touch pad

You'll need a new CPU cooler, go for one that fits 775. Thermalright, Artic Cooling make affordable coolers.

Thanks mate appreciate your help will look into these later :-)

[L920]

watchthisspace, on 08 May 2012 - 01:08, said:

Case - Go look for one you like
Motherboard - Socket 775 is dead, there's no future. If the Asus P5Q Pro or Pro Turbo is still available for an okay price, get one of those.
PSU -I always recommend a Corsair PSU. 750watt will be more than enough. Silverstone also makes great PSU's.
Graphics - Nvidia gtx560 or any Ati HD7000 series card with HDMI will be fine for your usage.

Can't help you with a touch pad

You'll need a new CPU cooler, go for one that fits 775. Thermalright, Artic Cooling make affordable coolers.

I like the sound of your PC spec in your signature....will this fit into a midi tower?

How much did the mobo, RAM Thermalright Ultima-90 cost you? As per below :

Intel Q6600 at 3.2Ghz - Thermalright Ultima-90

Asus P5Q Pro-Turbo

Corsair XMS2 2x2Gb 1066Mhz

Intel X25-M G2 160Gb

​
Thanks mate

[watchthisspace]

As long as the case you want can fit an ATX motherboad, you'll be set. The CPU cooler, just check the width of the case. My case is this: http://www.casepower...Dia.php?cc=NDM= but instead of the massive side fan, I've got two 120mm fans, and I still have a nice gap between the fan and my cpu cooler.

The Ultima 90 was $100NZD about 3 years ago, so may be cheaper or discontinued. I paired it with a 92mm fan and it keeps temp under 60 on a Prime95 stress load.

Also add when looking for a PSU, buy one that's "modular" which means all the power cables are detachable from the PSU itself. Makes keeping the case a lot cleaner, which also aids airflow.