Building first computer

[Guest]

I bought an old computer for the sole purpose of learning more about them. The only way I can really learn something is by taking it apart, and putting it back together, better than before(such as engines). I suck w/ hardware, but am good w/ software. I'm wanting to fix this computer up to be like a server for my other 2 computers. I'd like to be able to get on this computer(one to build), access my other 2 computers, while using 1 monitor for all(on their hard drive, not d/l material on this one(one to build), then run it). I've got a usb ethernet card that connects my other 2 computers(1 personal, 1 work).

I'd like to try to keep it under 1000.00 if possible.

If you know of any other sites that could possibly help me out, or if you could, I'd be grateful. I need to know what will work w/ what, and what all I need to replace and what I should keep.

I just booted the other computer(ont to build) up for the first time, and besides it being very slow, it has nothing but windows 95 on it.

Here is what it has now(that i know of)

Windows 95
AMD 32 mb ram
Misumi cd-rom
Cirrus Logic 5430/40 display adapter
It has com 1, come 2, and a printer port.
599 meg hardrive
And the case says "cyrix X86". It is not a tower, but one that lays down(approx 6 inches high by 20 inches wide).

I know I'm going to need a new hard drive, more ram, a network card(or something), and a new processor.

I don't know what I need to start w/. Maybe I need to take it all out so their is nothing in it, I have no clue. I'm just looking for someone to point me in the right direction.

Also, can you get cheap parts on ebay, or should I buy new parts somewhere else?

Thanks so much. If anyone can point me in any direction, I'd appreciate it.

-Justin D.

 

[soup20000]

Justin, you will need to know alot more about it than that. What kinda of CPU does it have? AMD what? 32mb of what? EDO SIMM's? What kind of socket is it? Socket 5/7? Super 7? What kind of power supply AT or ATX? You will want a new case you dont want a desktop. If its a server you dont need graphics so thats fine... (as long as its not ISA) but from the looks of it you will need a new mobo/cpu/ram/case/power/hd... like a new computer

soup.


AMD for Life!

 

[Guest]

I appreciate your reply. I'm obviously going to need to study up on this.

How can I find out what kind of cpu it has?
How can I find out everything you asked? I have absolutely no clue on everything you said.

Do you know if their are any books, or any other sites that could possible help me out? I want to upgrade it all so its fast, and will then mess w/ the networking things. How much do you think it will cost to make a nice, fast computer? I just want to learn as much as i can about building a computer, but have no idea where to start. I thought/think if I tear it down, and build one of my own, it would help the process alot.

I just got done reading an article on this site about building a computer(the one w/ the blue case), and it did not seem really hard. But before i attempt anything, I want to read up on it, and learn what i need to do.

Again, thanks for your reply.

 

[Guest]

Umm, it is really easy to build a sweet computer for under 1000 US. Go to www.pricewatch.com They have the CHEAPEST stuff on the web, they can set you up with a everything you need
For refrence, I have a:
550 Athlon
128 MB PC100 RAM
GeForce2MX
20 Gig HD
Case
DVD Player

for all like 700 dollars
much cheaper now prolly, it is a pretty good gaming machine, something like that should suit your needs. If you ahve any questions just email me.
ilowrider@hotmail.com
Later

 

[Guest]

Justin,
I think soup hit the nail on the head...you will need a new comp if you want to run a server with any kind of performance at all. You mentioned that you had a thousand to spend, and you can build a decent computer for well under that. Hell for a thousand you could build a pretty good computer since it is a server and won't need good video or sound cards.

Here is a list of hardware to start with:
Processor, 800 mhz AMD Thunderbird: $100
Mother Board, abit k7t raid:$150
RAM, 256 mb micron 133mhz cas2: $200
Hardrive, 30 gb IBM desktar: $140
40x cdrom: $50
Case w/ 300w power supply: $70
3.5 floppy drive: Try to scavange from old system
video card: ditto
sound card: ditto

All told with shipping costs your looking at around $750 for that system. I would try to buy the case locally since it will cost you to have something that heavy shipped. You should also read up a bit on any parts you are going to buy to make sure they meet your expectations/needs.

Take a look at http://www.pricewatch.com for a list of prices and vendors for any hardware product you can think of. You should be careful when choosing an online vendor and make sure the products you buy from them are in stock. I used Sunset Marketing for several of my parts and with next day shipping the parts were on my doorstep in under 24 hours. I didn't have any problems so I don't know what their tech support is like though.


Hope that helps
fungal matters

 

[rcf84]

well start over this would be a nice system

AMD DURON 800 - $ 75
Abit kt7 - $130
128MB SDRAM - $100
20GB ATA/66 7200RPM HARDDISK - $100
ati radeon 32mb ddr - $150
sb live! mp3+ 5.1 - $100
8x dvd - $60
aopen atx case - $40
every thing should be standard.

-- takes one to now one --

 

[Guest]

Just a purchasing note. Before you buy anything from any vendor, check <A HREF="http://www.resellerratings.com" target="_new">http://www.resellerratings.com</A> and see whether and/or how the company is rated. Some of those places are relatively inexpensive, but there's always a potential for a ripoff.

Mike

 

[Guest]

I'd just like to add that Onvia.com has free shipping for cases (and everything else). I just got a sweet Antec SX830 case from them for about $80, delivered. The funny thing is that I spent almost as much for shipping on my stupid Everglide mouse pad ($11) as on everything else ($12 for cpu, mobo, mem, hd, cd, floppy, sound card...)