'puter upgrade time...

[OneSickPsycho]

So it's that time once again.... Gotta upgrade the ol' computer... I've been doing a lot of movie downloading recently and have found that my machine is incapable of running 1080p codecs without eating shit and pissing me off... Been thinkin' about adding more storage anyway, but my current hardware is very limited for what I want to do...

That being said, I'm pretty far out of the loop these days when it comes to computer hardware. My general rule of thumb is to buy good quality components that are not top of the line performance. I don't game, I don't edit video... it's just an HTPC that needs a little more ooomph... I tend to upgrade every 2-3 years anyway...

This is what I'm lookin' at so far:
motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135075)
CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244)
RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148150)
HDD (2 in mirror RAID) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337)
PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005)

The only current hardware that will transfer are my two DVDRW's, 2 SATA HDD's, a firewire card, and a TV tuner card (that I'll probably upgrade later)...

Thoughts?

[M1$3|2]

I've never owned an ECS mobo, but if they get good hardware reviews then I say go for it. I'm not sure if AMD is really back in the game yet either. You may want to look into a comparable Intel system and compare the performance per dollar value with what you have there. Corsair makes good power supplies, you may not need 650w though. Crucial used to make good ram, but I'm not sure about their current products. I noticed you don't have a video card listed , you will most likely need one if you only upgrade every 2-3 years. That seems to be my upgrade timeframe as well.

That's all I have. Hope it helps.

[OneSickPsycho]

I've never owned an ECS mobo, but if they get good hardware reviews then I say go for it. I'm not sure if AMD is really back in the game yet either. You may want to look into a comparable Intel system and compare the performance per dollar value with what you have there. Corsair makes good power supplies, you may not need 650w though. Crucial used to make good ram, but I'm not sure about their current products. I noticed you don't have a video card listed , you will most likely need one if you only upgrade every 2-3 years. That seems to be my upgrade timeframe as well.

That's all I have. Hope it helps.

My previous MB was an ECS and it was coolio... I haven't heard anything bad about them and couldn't find any really negative reviews...

I am pretty out of the loop as I previously mentioned, but I have almost always gone with AMD CPU's... They used to be the cheapest... Hmm... might go back and do a little more digging...

The PSU was something I had no fucking idea about... My current one is a 500W, but only has enough connections for 5 devices (I made my own splitter so I could run all four of my hard drives and both DVDRW's). I'd like something with more expandibility as eventually I'd expect to add another couple HDD's. Newegg has a calculator that's pretty generic and it gave me numbers just under 600w. However, Thermaltake's website has one I just checked out and it says just over 300W... Hmm, maybe I'll go with another 500W just to be safer...

I've almost always gone with Kingston RAM, but have always heard good things about Crucial, so I'm gonna try it out... Looks like a good deal too...

As far as video is concerned, no I'm not getting any sort of video card. One of the reasons I am looking to upgrade is to run my PC through HDMI... The mainboard has it onboard...

I've also made the decision that I'm going to upgrade my surround sound system with a HTIB rather than going with really good PC speakers. It just seems like a waste to buy $300 PC speakers when for $100 more I can get a good quality HTIB that has wireless speakers and a nifty IPOD dock. Plus, I can have one remote control everything vs. a remote for the TV tuner card, my TV, and the sound levels on the speakers.

Now I just need a new wireless mouse...

[Amorok]

I'm going through the same thing. I've been threatening to upgrade for the last couple of years, but mine's starting to shit the bed beyond what a format will fix. It's old as hell so its time for a new one. I'm looking at the intel i7 processors, I don't really care about RAM branding as long as the performance numbers are there, and I like Asus MB's. As for video, I want something badass. I need 1080p codecs to, but I also need Crysis, so I have to go in for something potent. I'm not fucking around with a sound card this time though, onboard is enough as deaf as I am.

As for power supply, go all out, dude. You might as well.

[Papa_Complex]

My previous MB was an ECS and it was coolio... I haven't heard anything bad about them and couldn't find any really negative reviews...

Back in the Pentium days they were under-performing, shit spewing, crashing, fornicating pieces of excrement. The company that I worked for bought two lots of them for use in budget systems, then never bought another. The first batch started coming back when we had already received the second. No idea what they're like now, because I've steered clear of that manufacturer ever since.

[pauldun170]

So it's that time once again.... Gotta upgrade the ol' computer... I've been doing a lot of movie downloading recently and have found that my machine is incapable of running 1080p codecs without eating shit and pissing me off... Been thinkin' about adding more storage anyway, but my current hardware is very limited for what I want to do...

That being said, I'm pretty far out of the loop these days when it comes to computer hardware. My general rule of thumb is to buy good quality components that are not top of the line performance. I don't game, I don't edit video... it's just an HTPC that needs a little more ooomph... I tend to upgrade every 2-3 years anyway...

This is what I'm lookin' at so far:
motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135075)
CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244)
RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148150)
HDD (2 in mirror RAID) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337)
PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005)

The only current hardware that will transfer are my two DVDRW's, 2 SATA HDD's, a firewire card, and a TV tuner card (that I'll probably upgrade later)...

Thoughts?

For what you will be doing with it, despite being far from top of the line on both mobo and processor, it looks good at a good price point (this is assuming that you will NEVER game with it).

HOWEVER YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE WRONG TYPE OF RAM FOR THE BOARD!!!
You need DDR2 for that board.
1066 or 800 will do. Crucial is good but gskill and oz or fine. Hunt for the lowest price + best rating on newegg.

A few things to consider....
You PSU would be fine in 450-550 area. I'd hunt around for the quietest (with fan...not the fanless variety)high quality unit you can find.
An example would be Antec EarthWatts 500W is very quiet and can be had for $60-$70 oem.

You may want to consider a sound card...

Consider grabbing an aftermarket cooler...once again something that will lower sound levels yet provide at least cooling comparable to the stock cooler.

[Rider]

I'm looking to upgrade my desktop as well but all I need is a new motherboard processor and memory. The rest is still usable.

[pauldun170]

I'm going through the same thing. I've been threatening to upgrade for the last couple of years, but mine's starting to shit the bed beyond what a format will fix. It's old as hell so its time for a new one. I'm looking at the intel i7 processors, I don't really care about RAM branding as long as the performance numbers are there, and I like Asus MB's. As for video, I want something badass. I need 1080p codecs to, but I also need Crysis, so I have to go in for something potent. I'm not fucking around with a sound card this time though, onboard is enough as deaf as I am.

As for power supply, go all out, dude. You might as well.

If you can...wait for the mainstream I7's and motherboards pop up later this year.

IMO, $300 for a quality motherboard is unreasonable. the mainstream parts should match up or exceed the I920 and the mobo and procs should be considerably less expensive.

I was just playing Crysis Warhead the other day on my Q9550 and puny HD4830. Kinda boring but playing smooth as glass (1600x1200 on Gamer).

Thought Farcry2 to be more entertaining.

[pauldun170]

I'm looking to upgrade my desktop as well but all I need is a new motherboard processor and memory. The rest is still usable.


How bout that power supply?
It may not only be too weak, it may dusty...have shakey voltages and may be missing a connector or two required on newer motherboards..

[Rider]

How bout that power supply?
It may not only be too weak, it may dusty...have shakey voltages and may be missing a connector or two required on newer motherboards..

:idk: It's an ATX form factor case that's about 6 years old. Seems to work fine now.

[Papa_Complex]

:idk: It's an ATX form factor case that's about 6 years old. Seems to work fine now.

New boards may use WTX power connections, rather than ATX.

[pauldun170]

:idk: It's an ATX form factor case that's about 6 years old. Seems to work fine now.
I did not ask about the case.
I asked about the power supply.

[Rider]

I did not ask about the case.
I asked about the power supply.

I don't know what that is. 200watt maybe?

[pauldun170]

I don't know what that is. 200watt maybe?


200watt? Don't think so unless your computer is a mini PC from the 90's

Open it up...the wattage rating will be listed on a label.

[Rider]

200watt? Don't think so unless your computer is a mini PC from the 90's

Open it up...the wattage rating will be listed on a label.

I'll have to check when i get home. For some reason 230 comes to mind but I don't think it's that big.

[pauldun170]

I'll have to check when i get home. For some reason 230 comes to mind but I don't think it's that big.

230 sounds common for 2000-2002 time frame OEM computers.

What brand is your PC?

[Papa_Complex]

200watt? Don't think so unless your computer is a mini PC from the 90's

Open it up...the wattage rating will be listed on a label.

Not unusual for a P-III or early P-4.

Upgrade the supply, when you get the new board. 200W isn't going to be enough to drive a modern board and video card, and the cooling fan has likely gone to shit anyway.

[Rider]

230 sounds common for 2000-2002 time frame OEM computers.

What brand is your PC?

It's a home built with a no name case.

[pauldun170]

Not unusual for a P-III or early P-4.

Upgrade the supply, when you get the new board. 200W isn't going to be enough to drive a modern board and video card, and the cooling fan has likely gone to shit anyway.

Keep up with my posts damnit.

Either that or get back to work find up to date welfare statistics.

damnit...

[pauldun170]

It's a home built with a no name case.


Ok...you PSU is likely junk at this point.
The case...you may have an issue with heat if its a common case from the era of 200-230 watt power supplies.

Cases are cheap enough where investing in a new case will be worth it. You don't need anything fancy...just something that can handle heat dissipation from modern components.

Size and # of 100db fans doesn't matter. Proper airflow does.

[Papa_Complex]

Ok...you PSU is likely junk at this point.
The case...you may have an issue with heat if its a common case from the era of 200-230 watt power supplies.

Cases are cheap enough where investing in a new case will be worth it. You don't need anything fancy...just something that can handle heat dissipation from modern components.

Size and # of 100db fans doesn't matter. Proper airflow does.

I said that back in post #17. Try to keep up, would you?

Damnit.

[pauldun170]

I said that back in post #17. Try to keep up, would you?

Damnit.

Damnit!!!

At the time I was making a lame ass attempt to find welfare statistics so I was skimming.

This is what I get for trying to help YOU out...

DAMNIT!!

[Papa_Complex]

And WHO was it, who asked for those welfare stats? :whistle:

[Rider]

Thanks, I guess a new case it is then.

[pauldun170]

And WHO was it, who asked for those welfare stats? :whistle:

Stay on topic...please....for the love of god(s).

Thanks, I guess a new case it is then.

crap slow down.

You still have to asses the old one.

[Lamnidae]

Dunno if it's been posted yet.


but stay the fuck away from Seagates right now. They're brickin'.... they put out a firmware upgrade, and bricked some more....

[t-homo]

Hitachi has a 1TB harddrive for like 90 bucks at tigerdirect.com. 2 of my friends have em and haven't had any problems.

[Lamnidae]

Hitachi has a 1TB harddrive for like 90 bucks at tigerdirect.com. 2 of my friends have em and haven't had any problems.

do more research.

i know a buddy that's bricked two 750's.

[Papa_Complex]

Dunno if it's been posted yet.


but stay the fuck away from Seagates right now. They're brickin'.... they put out a firmware upgrade, and bricked some more....

It's a specific series and not all of them in the series; 7200.11 of 500GB and over. I've got two of them in one of my NAS boxes with the new firmware and they're fine. Sometimes mechanical devices fail.

do more research.

i know a buddy that's bricked two 750's.

He said Hitachi, not Seagate.

[Lamnidae]

He said Hitachi, not Seagate.

Bah!


Miss that, sorry I was just rollin'

[OneSickPsycho]

For what you will be doing with it, despite being far from top of the line on both mobo and processor, it looks good at a good price point (this is assuming that you will NEVER game with it).

HOWEVER YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE WRONG TYPE OF RAM FOR THE BOARD!!!
You need DDR2 for that board.
1066 or 800 will do. Crucial is good but gskill and oz or fine. Hunt for the lowest price + best rating on newegg.

A few things to consider....
You PSU would be fine in 450-550 area. I'd hunt around for the quietest (with fan...not the fanless variety)high quality unit you can find.
An example would be Antec EarthWatts 500W is very quiet and can be had for $60-$70 oem.

You may want to consider a sound card...

Consider grabbing an aftermarket cooler...once again something that will lower sound levels yet provide at least cooling comparable to the stock cooler.

Jesus fucking Christ... Good catch on the RAM... that would have blown...

I will NEVER be gaming with this system, besides some basic emulation...

As far as the PSU is concerned, my current rig sounds like a fucking freight train with 4 80mm fans (two PSU, two case), and a flailing CPU fan... With the TV on ever at a moderate level it's inaudible... Being 10 feet away from it helps too... Either way, fan volume is not much of a concern for me.

As far as sound is concerned, the sound through the HDMI should be solid enough for my use... plus if I run video through my HDMI, my TV won't allow an alternative audio input... I might be able to finagle something through the home theater rig, but that would probably require a lot of fucking around with the remote control to switch from watching a movie on my PC to watching TV through the cable box...

Thanks, I guess a new case it is then.

Maybe not, but you can get cheapo cases with PSU's for pretty much nothing... I bought a HTPC case... SilverStone... super nice, for like $150... My case before that was $20 and came with a 500W power supply (that my system is currently using)... Unless you have a really nice case, it'll probably cost you about the same money for a new case w/ PSU, than it would to buy a new PSU...

Dunno if it's been posted yet.


but stay the fuck away from Seagates right now. They're brickin'.... they put out a firmware upgrade, and bricked some more....

With the latest firmware upgrades they are supposed to be rock solid... I have not read of any mechanical failures out of the oridinary, just the goofy freezing issue that is firmware fixable...

[OneSickPsycho]

Ok, I did it...

Replaced the RAM with some Patriot DDR2 stuff... 1066MHz... 4GB (2-2GB dual channel kit)... and added an Apevia or something 500W PSU that got good reviews and had the connectors I need.

I also bought a wireless trackball, a cheapo AIO printer, and went ahead on the HTIB with a Samsung HT-Z510T which is supposed to be pretty good...

It's always fun to drop a grand with a few clicks of the mouse...

[Lamnidae]

Ok, I did it...

Replaced the RAM with some Patriot DDR2 stuff... 1066MHz... 4GB (2-2GB dual channel kit)... and added an Apevia or something 500W PSU that got good reviews and had the connectors I need.

I also bought a wireless trackball, a cheapo AIO printer, and went ahead on the HTIB with a Samsung HT-Z510T which is supposed to be pretty good...

It's always fun to drop a grand with a few clicks of the mouse...

D00d!


Trackballs FTMFW!