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Question

Building second PC from upgraded parts- little help?

by tinfoilxtouch Apr 27, 2012 11:34PM PDT

Hi everyone,

I'll save the backstory on the main PC where everything is coming from, but I've been seriously upgrading a fairly new gaming PC and have some very usable parts left just sitting here now- it occured to me I could probably build a new PC for light usage situations to put in the living room. Here is what I have left... tell me if there is a specific case that anyone would suggest, or if this is a waste altogether:

1. Athlon X3 455 processor
2. DeepCool heatsink rated 110w
3. Asus HD 6670 graphics card
4. MCP-61PM-AM motherboard
5a. 2 x 512mb DDR2 ram
5b. 4 x 2gb DDR3 ram
6. Wireless K400 keyboard/touchpad
7. More 92mm case fans than you can count
8. PCI wireless network adapter
9. 750GB 7200rpm hard drive
10. DVD +/- RW drive

So.... with all of that, I figure that I only need a case for the mobo, a PSU, and an OS. The main thing is that I have never tried to retrofit a board into a aftermarket case- just want to know how hard that should be and if anyone can point me to a cheap one?

Or, with the parts above, should I be looking at boards with a AM3 socket and DDR3 ram?

Any thoughts help... thanks guys!

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2 Posts

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Clarification Request

I suggest...

by Willy Apr 27, 2012 11:56PM PDT

If you're going to get into serious DIY building no matter what the spare parts, having the "right case" is a MUST, Why, because if anything it'll be the 1 part that can carry forward with a future build. So pay heed to buy a case that you'll find useful for a long time.

When it comes to spare parts, treat them as spare parts. Install and fit as required and don't rush the build. Take care and then apply power when all is done. I like to think any spare are good matches for each other, so no super-duper part that's hampered by less than capable one. Here, I like to state the PSU should be as capable to sustain power levels and be of a decent brand name and/or well build. Wattage and "single-rail" design provide the best reference for needs, but dual-fan or silent huge heatsinks shouldn't be discarded. Alas, good cooling should also be part of the overall build. I leave the rest to make a matched setup.

tada -----Willy

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Thanks, I think I'll take my time and rethink this....

by tinfoilxtouch Apr 28, 2012 12:07AM PDT

I have all the basic components for a great setup, except for the motherboard and matching DDR2 RAM that I had to take from a much older rebuild. If I get a current model mobo and nice case, I could actually get this to be as functional as though it was designed and planned out to have logical matching parts. The PSU I will definitely not skimp on- I learned that the hard way before.

BTW, for a DIY build, is pretty much the only windows option to pay $1xx dollars to purchase the actual OS for W7 64bit, or are there cheaper versions still being sold, alternate OS's I should consider, ect?

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