Where / what / how much?

Looking for recommendations on where to get a new bare bones box PC from. not sure on peripherals yet as I'm thinking of hooking my currently crashing all the time PC into the network, and just plugging it into a spare 14" old monitor here, manky keyboard, etc, thus allowing me to use my current monitor/brand new keyboard, sound system, etc with the imminent new PC.

Basically, what do I need? I'm guessing something that doesn't crash all the while is a start. . Would prefer over 3ghz processor, but not essential. Would like decent graphics for sure, single big(ish) HDD too, 5.1 sound card is a must, as is an ethernet/network card. I'm guessing a lot of RAM would be nice too.

Any thoughts? I'd begrudgingly part with around

Jason, if we recommend something, you sure you can put it together and not forget to put the cooler on the CPU or something? :P

If I have time, I'll put something together. We can talk about it tomorrow too

Jason' date=' if we recommend something, you sure you can put it together and not forget to put the cooler on the CPU or something? :P

If I have time, I'll put something together. We can talk about it tomorrow too [/quote']

Would be cool. I'm not necessarily asking for a Briskoda custom built machine, but just some recommendations on type of machine. I forgot to mention I'd like to stick to Athlon as this PC has been going pretty strong now on an Athlon 750 for the best part of 6 years.

Where / what / how much?

Basically, what do I need? I'm guessing something that doesn't crash all the while is a start. . Would prefer over 3ghz processor, but not essential. Would like decent graphics for sure, single big(ish) HDD too, 5.1 sound card is a must, as is an ethernet/network card. I'm guessing a lot of RAM would be nice too.

Any thoughts? I'd begrudgingly part with around

Jason, I'd have to agree with Z.

Just had a quick browse on Scan. As an example:

Main benefits are the core components are of the latest gen so you will be able to upgrade to latest CPU and stiff if/when you want/funds allow

Without wanting to criticise your selections too much , that graphics card isn't much cop , I'd suggest a DVD writer instead of a CDRW for an extra tenner , and a VIA chipset MB instead of an NForce one (faster).

Here's my ebuyer choices.

I've gone for a S754 board as Jason is very unlikely to want to upgrade it in the next couple of years so you may as well save the money and add another 512 mb RAM in a bit.

This is quite similar to my machine except I have a 3400+ , 6600GT graphics , 1GB Ram and a 200GB seagate instead of the 160 here.

Only bit I'm not sure on is the graphics card as there is a huge choice in the 40-70 quid range.

Without wanting to criticise your selections too much ' date=' that graphics card isn't much cop , I'd suggest a DVD writer instead of a CDRW for an extra tenner , and a VIA chipset MB instead of an NForce one.

I'll see what I can come up with from ebuyer and post back in a mo[/quote']

I know the gfx is carp, not even PCIe but with only

I know the gfx is carp, not even PCIe but with only

I could push to

Yes , XP home is the only choice for you really.

As for not needing a DVD writer , it's less than 10 quid more than a DVD-ROM/CD writer combined.

It would be daft not to go that way.

I've got a system based round that board and it hasn't crashed once since I've built it despite running some very heavy duty stuff on it.

Yes ' date=' XP home is the only choice for you really.

As for not needing a DVD writer , it's less than 10 quid more than a DVD-ROM/CD writer combined.

It would be daft not to go that way.

I've got a system based round that board and it hasn't crashed once since I've built it despite running some very heavy duty stuff on it.[/quote']

But how much would XP home be on top of the

New it's 58 quid.

Second hand legit copies can be had for about half that (I may be able to help there)

Pikey versions can be had for significantly less than that but that would be wrong , and MS have significantly tightened things up in that respect.

but whatever you do - don't buy your copy of XP from PC World - they will rob you of over

It is possible to get reasonable priced XP Pro from ebay - and a legit version as well. Paid

It is possible to get reasonable priced XP Pro from ebay - and a legit version as well. Paid

JPreston, if you change the motherboard, I believe it is better to do a fresh install. That way you get rid of any drivers associated with your old board. You don't want any conflicts and that could cause crashing.

You can use your existing XP installation to re-install it fresh, but do you have the disk? Some OEM people (Time, Hewlett Packard etc) aren't allowed to give out CD's.

I know I keep posting it but take a look at Novatech

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html

barebones sytems plus everything else you need and XP Home for

I don't get it at all :confused: maybe you or Zoidberg could help out a n00b please

I've got XP Home OEM on my machine' date=' and I want to upgrade the motherboard (and CPU, so it's not just replacing a failed mobo). Am I right in thinking that I won't be able to either continue using my existing installation, or re-install from a clean hard drive (which is what I'd want to do, as house-keeping) using my existing activation key? If so, that sucks - it's the same PC, and the only reason I'd want a clean install is bloody windows doesn't uninstall things properly and now takes about 4 minutes to start up

[/quote']

I wouldn't recommend doing an MB change without a re-install , but you shouldn't have any problems doing a fresh install using your existing product key and cd.

As long as it's more than 90 days since it was last used and it isn't a branded (Eg Dell etc) key sticker then it will just activate over the net.

In the unlikely event it won't just phone up MS and tell them the motherboard died and has been replaced.

Cheers

Suppose at least 90 days is sort of fair enough. I thought that you could re-install a few times, maybe five, on the same hardware but that after you'd have to call microsoft every time :(

Couple of things spring to mind, though not an expert at all.

Athlon are notorious for overheating and in itself causes systems to crash.

Raise the tower off the fluffy carpet and be sure to vacuum the front, side and back vents frequently (eg weekly/monthly). If the metal case is hot, check the vents, especially coming towards summer - some people install additional fans (having checked that the original fan is not worn out of course) or run it without the cover.

Whilst you are looking to self-build, if you should go for a ready-built, you should IMO make sure you get master/recovery discs as some off-the-shelf models have the OS etc in a hidden partition which cannot be accessed - i.e. very bad news if it crashes.

Hopefully this is helpful and also that our computer experts will correct anything above from their better knowledge.

Best

Mo

Couple of things spring to mind' date=' though not an expert at all.

Athlon are notorious for overheating and in itself causes systems to crash.

Raise the tower off the fluffy carpet and be sure to vacuum the front, side and back vents frequently (eg weekly/monthly). If the metal case is hot, check the vents, especially coming towards summer - some people install additional fans (having checked that the original fan is not worn out of course) or run it without the cover.

[/quote']

In fact , current P4s run *much* hotter than athlon 64s.

A couple of years back you did hear more about athlons overheating but that was usually down to badly fitting heatsinks as they were a real pain to clip in place.

A64s have a castly improved design.

Now if you have a very fast P4 with the standard fan and not much case cooling it's possble to get them to start throttling down the speed to protect themselves!!!!

I know I keep posting it but take a look at Novatech

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html

barebones sytems plus everything else you need and XP Home for

I know I keep posting it but take a look at Novatech

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html

barebones sytems plus everything else you need and XP Home for

Athlon are notorious for overheating and in itself causes systems to crash.

Just to muddy the waters a bit, my athlon 1.5ghz will quite happily run unattended for 2 or 3 weeks without a reboot, or without getting particularly warm

My work PC (P3 based) runs non-stop for months on end without any problems... it may get rebooted from time to time, but never shut down!

Ahhh - just in case anyone starts posting more suggestions for a new PC - I got myself sorted out with a tricked out Athlon 2200 base tower for