More computer help

[Tanimaga]

My computer has been crashing more and more lately. Woke up this morning, and it had restarted itself for some reason. Now it is extremely slow, and no programs will start. Open an application, and the drive does nothing. Hit the start menu, and it locks up.

Needless to say, I am tired of bringing this computer back from the dead. Its a Pentium 3, 866 Mhz, and I would like to upgrade.

Any good motherboard/cpu combos out there? Will my current power supply be adequate, or will I have to upgrade it as well if I get a dual core processor?
Has anyone come across a good combo locally?

[DoctorP]

You can check both newegg.com and tigerdirect.com for some good deals. They occasionally put refurbished machines on the site for sale...still covered by a warranty and they work well.

[DocTurtle]

My computer has been crashing more and more lately. Woke up this morning, and it had restarted itself for some reason. Now it is extremely slow, and no programs will start. Open an application, and the drive does nothing. Hit the start menu, and it locks up.

Needless to say, I am tired of bringing this computer back from the dead. Its a Pentium 3, 866 Mhz, and I would like to upgrade.

Any good motherboard/cpu combos out there? Will my current power supply be adequate, or will I have to upgrade it as well if I get a dual core processor?
Has anyone come across a good combo locally?

Are you just looking for a replacement Mobo and CPU or a whole new system?
What all do you use this computer for, that way I can make a recommendation depending on much you push it's limits. Also, and probably most important, budget. Are we looking to future proof for the next couple years or do you want something that will get you by for a couple years but still easy on the wallet.

[Tanimaga]

I'm leaning towards a new MB, CPU, and case. Using the other internals from my older computer. Power supply, video card, modem, etc..
Also upgrading my HD. It's only 80G.

Usually use it for occasional gaming (non-online games), and typical browsing. Nothing too taxing.

Just looking for something that is fast, but not worried about top end graphics or sound. Don't play online games, and have a short attention span with most others.

[okisteve]

16 people online now! What is this - a short workweek or something????

[DocTurtle]

What kinda of budget to I have to work with Tanimaga?
So far you want
1)Mobo
2)CPU
3)Case
4)Hard Drive (HDD)
What kind of video card do you have now?
Also, just so I can try to make sure everything is compatible, what kind of power source are you running?
Oh, and OS, windows xp or vista or something else?

[DoctorP]

Hey Doc...if you know your way around a pc, PM me, I could use some advice!

[Tanimaga]

Video card is a GeForce 6500. Power supply, I have no idea..just a generic supply.. thats one of the questions I really needed to know. Seems power supplies and cooling are now more of the "hotter" topics.
Currently running Windows XP.
Budget? I was just going to piece it together as I could, so to start, maybe $500 or so.

If the motherboard has an on board video output...that would be fine.

[DocTurtle]

Video card is a GeForce 6500. Power supply, I have no idea..just a generic supply.. thats one of the questions I really needed to know. Seems power supplies and cooling are now more of the "hotter" topics.
Currently running Windows XP.
Budget? I was just going to piece it together as I could, so to start, maybe $500 or so.

If the motherboard has an on board video output...that would be fine.

I know you aren't using this for gaming much...but all on board video would be crap compared to what you already have. I'll see what I can come up with for you :thumbup1:
Oh, and how much RAM do you have? If under 1GB, you might want to upgrade??

[Tanimaga]

512 Ram right now..thats the max my computer can handle.
I'll max out whichever board I get. Looking at the ASUS motherboards...they look pretty good.

[DocTurtle]

ASUS Mobo for $125 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131142) This is a good mobo for just about anything. It is SLI compatible, just in case you ever feel the need to go uber with it and put in an extra video card or something, but still a good price for a stable mobo.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 for $175 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030) The CPU is the lesser cousin of the one I have, but you don't really need all that speed seeing as you don't seem to be doing anything really taxing on your CPU so this should be sufficiant for you. It's a Core 2 Duo which means 2 cores and it runs really well.

Seagate Barracuda 320 GB for $85 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140) This 320GB HDD is the one that I'm currently using and it is great. It's SATA which means it's faster than a EDI cable one and the wires aren't NEARLY as bulky.

LIAN LI ATX Mid Tower Computer Case for $90 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112025) This is a rather simple case for a decent price. Lian Li make great cases. Most people who buy them are gamers, which means that air flow has been taken into account. Which means for you, no worries about over heating. I wasn't really sure if you wanted something flash, but just remember that LED's can be really annoying in the long run.

Total= $475 before tax, but I think I left you enough wiggle room for that. Plus there are a couple deals where you get instant rebates, but I didn't add them in just in case they are the ones that you have to mail in for the rebate in which case you don't get because you live outside of the US.

There are some items I could have spent more on, like...well...everything...but I think that build should be sufficient for you. If you have any questions about anything please just ask. I can always spend more on certain items and less on others if you have some incite on anything.

:thumbup1:

[Tanimaga]

Sounds good..I appreciate the work you put into it! As far as flash, I require none. A cardboard box would be fine with me. Substance is where I'll invest.

[mikersoft]

Tanimaga, does your GeForce 6500 use a PCI-Express interface? When I google it, all I see are PCI-E versions so perhaps it does. However, seeing your current CPU specs makes me wonder if your current motherboard has an AGP graphic slot.

-Mike

[Tanimaga]

PCI I believe. I will have to take it apart to check.

[DocTurtle]

I totally forgot about that Mikersoft! I just figured that it had to be PCI...
It would only take a min to check honestly. If that is the case...might have to either 1) figure out new mobo for you 2)upgrade your video card or 3) see if there is a adapter out there...actually I suppose I should just check and see if the mobo I suggested for you has AGP...but I have doubts that it does...meh..you should be fine.

[mikersoft]

I totally forgot about that Mikersoft! I just figured that it had to be PCI...
It would only take a min to check honestly. If that is the case...might have to either 1) figure out new mobo for you 2)upgrade your video card or 3) see if there is a adapter out there...actually I suppose I should just check and see if the mobo I suggested for you has AGP...but I have doubts that it does...meh..you should be fine.

Yep, that's why I was curious about his graphics card. Since the number of AGP products seems to be on the decline, I wondered if there are any Core 2 Duo motherboards that have AGP.

I'm still running an AGP mobo. I have a GeForce 7800 GS and I think I'm close to maxing out my graphics upgrade potential. :(

-Mike

[DocTurtle]

Lol, yes. I would think so. I didn't even know that made 7800 AGP!!!

[Tanimaga]

This is back from the dead...

I studied the Mobo/CPU/Memory combo's and came up with this..

Mother board

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128083

CPU

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115028

Memory

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069

HD

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136178

Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102715


Decent combo??

[slickmetal]

well, you really dont need a MB with dual PCI-E 16 slots unless you plan to run 2 video cards in crossfire or SLI mode for heavy duty gaming. But is also good for future expansion.

The CPU is nice, but a bit pricey in my opinion. For a few bucks more you could go quad core (non-extreme)

Crucial is always great memory.

Have you ever been to Goodwill on the HWY 58? They are pretty decent prices for computer parts. You can compare with Newegg.

[Tanimaga]

I checked Goodwill, and they were slightly higher in most items, but not by much. I wanted the warranty and setting info in English also. (Assuming they aren't in english in the Japanese versions). I really don't game much, but better to have and not need I guess..

Hopefully I don't have any conflicting hardware here. I tried to study all the items as well as I could.

I currently am using a Dell Pentium3 running @ 800Ghz. Now having USB connectivity problems along with the before mentioned problems. I need a new computer.

[slickmetal]

everything I have bought from them has been in English.

Besides the "store" return policy, keep your receipts...every hardware manufacturer has a warrenty program for there items, so you can go directly with them.

[Tanimaga]

Actually, I did buy a ATX tower from them a couple weeks ago. Looks nice.
Anything extra I need, I'll buy locally.

I bought a 250GB external hard drive from them a few years ago, and they swore it wouldn't work in a non-Japanese system. Worked just fine.

[slickmetal]

Also, if you are upgrading I would go with a new power supply that is strong enough to power your system (dual core) and power a PCI-Express video card....something along the lines compatible with dual core and ATX v2.2 compliant. Possbily 500w+ depending on video card and how many other peripherials you will have (HDD's, fans etc.) - as I think your old system Power supply might be in the 300-400watt range and maybe no PCI-Express power connectors nor SATA power connectors.

[Tanimaga]

The case comes with a 500W supply, but I assumed it would have all the correct cables.