My New Rig Built - Overbudget! Here Is My Story . .

Woohooo! I slapped together my new rig. I thought I would share my experience. Here are the specs:

AMD Athlon 64 5600+ Dual-Core Processor
Asus M2V-MX SE Motherboard Socket AM2
2 Gigs of Super Talent Dual Channel PC 6400 800 Mhz DDR2 Certified RAM
Coolermaster Heatsink and Fan
Antec 500 Watt Power Supply
PNY 512 meg 8800GT PCI-E - Carried over from my last build, I upgraded from a 7900GT. I purchased an 9900Gt in between, but it was plagued with the mysterious "shutdown" bug so I returned it, spent the extra 20 or so bucks for an 8800GT.

I got the processor, Mobo, RAM, and an Echostar power supply for under $300 shipped from PCParts. I did not opt for expedited shipping and I still got everything in about 4 days. The Echostar PSU was surprisingly cheap. I knew it was not a top-shelf PSU, but I was surprised how lightweight and fragile it seemed. I would have used it regardless, but it did not have enough molex connectors. I needed 5; three hard drives, a DVD drive, and one for one of case my fans. So, off to the store to buy a Thermal Intake PSU. Same thing. So, I buy for an Antec, at $50 more than my original budget. Seems like a great PSU, dual rails and plenty of volts.

Okay, time to assemble. I get everything together and opt for the onboard Ethernet after a post or two here and some research. Everything goes together without a hitch. I plan on keeping XP around for awhile to save some cash, especially after spending more on the PSU. Riggghhhht. It seems over the years I have exceeded my Windows XP install allotment! @#$%^! Oh well. After some research, I think I can get the Vista Upgrade for $99 (I get some misinformation here believe it or not!) But I do some research and I discover I need to buy a full version. I paid $239 for Vista at Best Buy.

Install Vista, everything is singing along. But . . . . my old school Sound Blaster PCI has no Vista drivers! I believe there was a homebrew version somewhere, and the author received a cease and desist from Creative. No luck there. So, off to buy a $40 Audigy.

All is up and running. I know I could have spent a little more on the motherboard, but I was on a budget. So far I have encountered no hitches. Here is what I learned from my newest build:

An 800Gt in AMD 64 4000+ runs much faster than a 7900GT. I have never witnessed a video card make that much of a difference in a system!

The new motherboards are small. I mean small. Really small. Really really small.

Echostar makes really cheap PSU's. At least that was my impression. They might be great for all I know. Anyone want to buy it for a few bucks?

Antec's PSU seems well built.

There are PSU adapters that allow a 4 pin molex-6 pin connection. If I would have known that I beforehand I might have kept the Echostar.

Some PSU's have a 20 pin motherboard connection. Some motherboards have a 24 pin connection. You can use the extra 4 pin adapter to make a full 24 pin connection.

You do need the full version of Vista for a fresh install of Vista. The upgrade version needs an existing XP install to operate.

So, I almost doubled my projected budget when all was said and done. I needed a new sound card, PSU, and OS. That is okay, because my new rig blows my one out of the water. I learn a bunch of new stuff with each build. Next time I will get a new case. Mine still has an old floppy drive in it, although it is not hooked up.

Till then:major

 

:confused There's no such thing. You may not be able to activate on-line, but you can always pick up the telephone, dial the 888 toll free number (in the US) supplied by the activation wizard, then activate your Windows XP. It's all automated. If for some reason the automated phone call won't activate (which is super-duper rare), it will connect you with an actual human (they're in India, but they're human) who can help with product keys or installation IDs or whatever. I think you could have saved the $239 for Vista and the extra money you spent on the sound card. At the very least, you could have installed XP without activating it, then used a Vista upgrade (which is cheaper)....
Oh well, at least everything worked out OK in the end!

 

I swear not trying to rub salt in the wound. Did you check the prices on a barebones system?? Myself, When I do build I cheat and go that route. Last one I put together, had the ausus motherboard, tower, 4300 dual core atholon and power supply, If I rember right I paid 600 that was year, year and a half ago. The 4300 was about the best you could buy at that time.

Just always thought, if the motherboard, or powersupply or cup goes bad its on them. I am do wonder is it cheeper to go your route? Or the one I go. If you ever get the time, and such, be fun to know which way is cheeper. Thanks. Again, not trying to rub salt in the wound or be a smarty pants.

 

I had to call once before to activate. I just figured that if I could not do it online, I could not do it over the phone. I appreciate the info. Add that to the list of things I learned during this build. In 5 years when I remember to call before upgrading to the next incarnation of Windows!

Thanks again!

 

I searched Pricewatch for a few months. I even priced separately on Newegg. I got the best deal I could find for what I wanted. I have never bought barebones, for some reason I have held on to my utilitarian case for eons.

Rub salt in my wound? I don't have wound! So no worries there. Thanks for the advice. Maybe next time I will go the barebones route. All avenues are worth a look.