Parts Advice

Has been a long time since I looked at computer parts. Seems my main rig died on me last night, won't even boot into Windows... :cry I suspect the mobo, as the last few times I got it to boot, it would freeze and no keyboard or mouse activity.

Anyway, was going to upgrade the CPU, but OUCH, them suckers are not cheat! So, going to stick with my Q6600 LGA775 (assuming the CPU is not fried, which I doubt.)

So, was looking at this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128496

Toss in 4 or more Gigs of this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148408

And get one of the 64-bit Windows 7 OS.

Suggestions? Hopefully my GPU survived, have no way of testing it. If it died, will get a new GPU, just hate to spend the money right now. Got a case, plenty of hard drives laying around if my SSD/hybrid drive did not survive.

Have been more into gun specs than PC's, wanted to run this by the experts to make sure I am not making any mistakes before I order.

:major

 

Wow... that's pretty cool that they make motherboards for the older processors with DDR3 memory now. Yeah, those components look compatible with your processor and etc.

Mouse/keyboard freezing usually points to a bad or overheating graphics card... it'd be best to test your graphics card (or your computer with a spare) before ordering new parts necessarily.

Also, you heard of the new AA12? :-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ebtj1jR7c

 

Ya, Id check the vid card too along with the PSU though knowing you it's probably good one. Did you fold with that vid card?

 

Nice link for the shotgun.

Did fold on the card, but It died from a cold boot. Turned it off before work, tried to start if up that evening, nothing froze up right after desktop loaded. Now, can get into BIOS, boot options, but windows will not boot, and Numlock light will not come on. PSU is a 700 watt OCZ, not the best, but not the worst. Will get it in BIOS and test the PSU, did not think of that. Don't have another computer to test the card in, seems my old AM2 box I have had laying around is dead also... Video card could be dead, but with no way to test, and had no warnings about a failing GPU, am gambling it is OK. It has pretty good stock cooling, and I redid thermal goop when I got it. If it turns out it is just the GPU, I will buy a new one, and have a pretty good upgraded machine. Been wanting to get a 64bit box for a while, and while I like XP, it is a bit long in the tooth.

 

I don't trust that first mobo... look at it.. with all of its PCI ports starring you in the face. No PCiE x1 slots what so ever... I don't trust it sir... nope not all unless you are getting it for a quick fix and that's it.

 

Well as far as the mobo, all I look for are 4 RAM slots, lots of SATA, and several USB. Bit seems to be a moot point.

Since the PC in question would POST, and remain running, I put it back together to check the PSU. 12v and 5.somethng v on the molex. So PSU is theoretically good. All the fans running, so just for giggles, I hooked up a monitor, was sitting at the log in screen. Plugged in a spare mouse, clicked on it and poof Win XP up and running.

When I hooked it up to my normal monitor and mouse, it took several minutes longer than normal to boot, but is up and running (after a good dust cleaning). Suspended Folding for a bit to do some testing. Overheating was the problem, but in an unusual way for me.

Since we have had temps over 100° pretty much for the last 30 days or so, I have been turning of the PC when I go to work, and setting the AC close to 90° to save some electrons. I guess the ambient heat of the PC being turned on before the AC got the place cooled of was causing a shutdown. Or something is slowly dieing.

But, up and running for now, my bank account thanks you! :-D

Was kinda looking forward to Win7 and lots more RAM

 

Folding in that heat Fred?:eek Anyone close to you doesn't fold GPU's ATM who say it's just not worth the cost/PPD anymore. Heck, I'm not even GPU folding at 75F/65F, they will only be used when I need heat starting this fall as I use electric baseboards and the GPU's running then will not impact my electric bill at all. Winning!:-D

I'd OC that Q6600 to 3GHz at least, if your cooler can handle it, and let it rip! However at 90F I don't see that being any good either for the CPU. I have both my machines running SMP -bigadv and the A/C still runs at night though obviously less often. I can't afford to donate more electrons.

 

The Q6600 is at 3.something. I don't even run the computer with the AC set that high! I have a small place, and the computer's intake is right by an AC vent! Start the AC first when I get home. Guess I set the AC higher than I thought Friday. :-D

 

OK Fred, you got it covered.:major

 

You folks were spot on diagnosing this. Computer froze while watching a youtube video. Popped off the side panel, and the GPU fan was barely turning! Going to try a Zalmon cooler on it. GTX 260 is not a cheap card to replace! Got lucky, a friend dropped of a computer for me to get data off his hard drive while he is in Canada for a week or so. Just happend to have put an Invidia 8800 card in his computer a while back. Will just borrow his card until my cooler comes in.

OOps, Augie, my friend is going to Mexico, ahh, not Canada. :-D:-D

 

For situations like that you may want to enable the most annoying PC speak sound in the entire universe( Enable in BIOS)... which is the Over heat warning beep

My A-BIT Fatality Mobo used to DRIVE ME INSANE with that... my room got super hot at times and the board was going nuts " NUUUUUNNNNNN NAAAAA NUUUUNNNNNN NNNNNAAAAAAA" haha I would get it while gaming lol I think my 8800GTX was too close to the South Bridge or something I dunno. But yes , turn that on so you know.