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Computer Situation; Needs some help and technical advice, yo
Topic Started: Jan 15 2007, 02:13 AM (244 Views)
JayDee
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I'm up at my girlfriend's this week, and brought my computer up here to do some work on the comic. I figured that I could use my vacation time to get back in the habit of working on it again, and to try working in a different environment, to see if that would help me focus. Unfortunately, my CPU fan cut out, and was reduced to using a large fan, blown into the case, to cool the computer a few times.

I broke down today, and bought a new heatsink and fan (I was just going to purchase the fan, but I managed to strip the screws when i tried to remove it. I installed the fan after some monumental struggles, and turned the computer on. And no beep.

I've swapped out the cards and the memory to see if I could get at least some sort of reaction, and nothing. So unless I've missed something obvious, the CPU (a 900 MHZ athlon on a socket A/462?) or the motherboard is toasted.

So... I may be reduced to doing the one thing I've been dreading. Purchasing a new computer. This is the same computer I've been using since I started working on the comic, and I've grown rather attached to it, but it's 5 years old. Maybe it's time to retire it.

What I need is some advice, if I'm to do this. I haven't been in the field for a computer in nearly 4 years (since I built my girlfriend's computer), so I have no idea what brands are good, and which brands suck. I also don't need a whole computer. I've got a moniter, keyboard, mouse, speakers and a hard drive (I'd just ordered a replacement actually. I need a motherboard, cpu and fan (i don't think my old one will fit) memory, and video card (i dislike onboard memory) for less than 300 or 400 bucks. Oh, and a case too. I'll be using this for the comic and the various emulators i use for the comic, as well as web surfing and video playing that i use for ideas. And skype. It serves as my phone service, so I kind of need a new one soon. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking at tiger direct, but I'd appreciate any help or suggestions. Later
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ShadowWarriorLuke
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I finished one recently after months of nightmares and boycotting Amazon (long story). I don't actually know what the prices of my stuff would be in the US though as I ordered mine through a UK-based site.

I'm not that computer savvy, but I've heard a lot of people recommend Corsair RAM. I actually went with the site's in-house chips but Corsair's one that both the tech support for my motherboard recommended if I couldn't get this one going and what a lot of my PC-gaming friends use.

Add "Power Supply Unit" to the list of stuff you'll need too, unless you go for a case that actually has one included.

If you want I could post up the stuff I got for my computer.
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Mato
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Pricewatch.com is a pretty good site for finding stuff cheap. I think it handles cases and whatnot.

There are.. a few sites that you can do customized computer building for sure.
New Egg is one of them.

You can pick and choose what you may or may not need. I can't say if it's cheap or not though :/

Those are the only sites I know though. Sorry JayDee.
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LuppyLuptonium
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Ditto on Matos sites... thats all I used when I put my last box together. along with a $20 case from Best buy, that came with the fan.
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ryu planeswalker
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I got an HP in september brand new for only 600 on sale and I am very happy with it, also from Best Buy, which if you get off the internet or don't build your own is the place I suggest you go, their customer service has always been first rate for me and they send me alot of promotinal stuff since I signed up for their rewards card.
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Arc
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Hm....well if you already have some parts, I suggest you build it yourself. And again, NewEgg seems best for either parts or a whole computer. Now I'm not sure of this but motherboards come with a processor yes? You need a power supply, something between 400w and maybe 600w. Your CD drives weren't fried too were they? As for video my ATI card helps with video but if it's just video then there might be more specific card for it rather than graphics.

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JayDee
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Here's what I'm looking at right now for parts.

Motherboard and Case

Memory

CPU

I'll probably use the graphics card I already have, and I already possess an 80 gig hard drive. I have a GeForce 2 MX-200 (at least, that's what it says on the card) but I want to make sure that's still going to be compatible with the board I have. Also, anyone have any idea what size fans the socket 754's need? I couldn't figure it out on my own.

Thank
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Arc
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Dam, that looks great so far. As for fans I wouldn't know, my graphics card came with a fan on it.




Wait, the fans go into those gray/manila sockets right?
I looked in the NewEgg search and nothing came up about the sockets, maybe you should visit a local comp store and ask?
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Don't worry, if the Bison ever take over the midlands Godzilla will take care of them. Just like he did with Bambi.
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Mato
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I work in a computer lab. When I go in tomorrow, I'll make sure to ask some of the more tech savvy people for you. With three full time techs, one of them should be able to answer you :P
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JayDee
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Fan's for the CPU, not the graphics card, just to be clear.
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Dakhath
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Lessee - your video card is a bit old, but if I remember right that's an AGP 4x card. The motherboard you've linked to should support that. Most fans are labeled, so I'm afraid I don't know what size.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Ca....asp?CatId=1187

There's an example, though. Hope that's helpful.
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