[Shoota]

Hello Im looking for some parts to build a PC that is faster than my current one and has a vast future upgradability path. Again, Im working with a $500 budget. I need:

Case
CPU
Mobo
PSU
Memory

The rest I can salvage from my old PC. I preferably use newegg. Ive looked at some mobo's on newegg and I noticed that they use ATA150. I have a couple of hds that connect with an IDE cable. Can I still use them in these mobos?

I've picked these so far. Can they be improved on?

Case
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811170020

CPU
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103537

Mobo
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813127181

PSU
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103213

Memory
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145440

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You can still use the same drives, i would pick another case that way you wont be paying for 2 PSUs.

[warriorscot]

You can still use the same drives, i would pick another case that way you wont be paying for 2 PSUs.

[Shoota]

Thanks for the tip. BTW on that mobo I only see one place where I can connect the IDE cable (behind the memory slots). Shouldn't there be more for the CD and floppy drives?

Edited by Shoota, 01 August 2005 - 06:41 PM.

[warriorscot]

That i think is the power connector the ide is further down i think. You should have one for floppies one for cd dvd drivres etc. and another for HDDs. So those blue ports further down look like ide but the picture was a bit grainy when zoomed in.

[desca]

i like this case

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129152

[Shoota]

That case is pretty big. I need something in the 17.5x8.1x17 (HxWxD) range or else it wont fit in my desk.

[warriorscot]

For a normal atx case the antec lanboy and sonato are the smallest ive seen i also didnt want a desk monster. Hang on tape measure time. 17.5x8.5x17 fpr my lanboy more or take those inch things are weird so it may be of a bit off 16ths arent good subdivisions: yay metric system.
Also if you have lcd alot of people have the pc sitting behind the monitor to save desk space.

[Shoota]

That lanboy looks very nice. Im thinking about changing the PSU though. How is this:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817153023

I think that zalman is too expensive.

[warriorscot]

Either or they are both quite small and of a good make. The extra 30W isnt really going to make much difference you really want to aim for 450W or more

[Shoota]

I think that PSU should be ample. I hope it not one of those cheapo PS for that little money, though I heard thermaltakes are very efficient.

Here's is my updated list. I changed the mobo



Just for the record, Im salvaging from my old computer a Radeon 9800 PRO, Two WD drives at 40GB/80GB at 5400RPM/7200RPM respectively, a 16x DVD drive, NEC DVD burner, and some PCI cards.

So hows it looking?

[warriorscot]

Looks good thermaltake is a good brand so you dont have to worry on that front at least. The psu should be fine, should last you until you make your next pc at least.

[tenbroya]

Looks good!

Just out of interest, does the Super Lanboy come with th 2 120mm fans or do you have to add them.

If it doesn't then you may want to invest in one.

Other than that it will be a good PC.

Tenbroya

[Shoota]

Yes, it comes with two.

Thanks for the help everyone. One last question and I think Im good.

I used a windows XP home upgrade disc on my old dell to upgrade it from the crappy Windows ME. Can I use the same disc on this PC that Im getting without having to worry about activation problems? Because I dont wanna buy another XP disc since I wont be using my dell anymore.

[tenbroya]

If your disc is an upgrade disc then you will not be able to load a clean install onto your new computer.

In this case you could load an older version of windows onto and then upgrade to XP as you did on your old Dell.

OR if you have the full XP disc and just chose to upgrade your old OS in the setup dialog, then you can just install a clean copy of XP onto your new computer.

Tenbroya

[Shoota]

I heard that you can do and full install from the upgrade disc as long as you verify that you have the disc of an older version of windows. So what if I use my Windows ME disc to verify this?