Hello, this is a thread I will update periodically, as this is an ever progressing build. Let me know if this in the wrong category, etc.
This build actually started when I ended up getting my hands on a computer from eBay and it had some parts I wanted.
I kept the following:
EVGA Fallout 4 Edition GTX970
16gb (2x8gb) Corsair Vengeance Red DDR3 2400mhz
Cooler Master 700w PSU
2tb Barracuda
Antec Three Hundred case with blue LED fans
I also got a 2500k+board+cooler+8gb ram bundle on eBay for $100.
I kept the GTX970 on a shelf as a cool display piece, but one evening the idea hit me, I should make a Windows XP computer out of it. I knew it would need modded drivers to work, but It is possible.
I previously had an XP LGA775 computer, but it was made out of OEM dell parts, lego case, just janky in general. I ended up killing the board and giving up. This would be a much better system.
Phase 1
i5 2500k @4.8ghz
Corsair A70 Cooler
Asus Z68 V LE
16gb (2x8gb) Corsair Vengeance Red DDR3 2400mhz
EVGA Fallout 4 Edition GTX970
2tb Barracuda
700w Cooler Master
Antec Three Hundred
View: https://imgur.com/sn1UIbs
I wasn't really happy with it, so I improved it.
Phase 2
For one the case was horrible to cable manage in. Additionally, the air cooler was blocking first 2 ram slots. The ram didn't match the color theme either.
I didn't trust that PSU given it was like 7 years old and I don't think it was a very good unit.
View: https://imgur.com/k4bpC68
I was looking on eBay one day and stumbled on a used Enermax Platimax 500w PSU for 30 bucks.
View: https://imgur.com/ISctmR3
Completely overkill for this PC, but it solved my problems. At this point the cable management in that case was so bad it made me mad, so I went and grabbed a NZXT H440 Blue case I had in my room of spare parts. It was sitting there since UPS smashed it up awhile back. Even still, it looked much better. I love my NZXT cases, although right now I cant speak much good for NZXT given the whole PR and H1 thing. I went ahead and moved some of the LED fans from the Antec case to the NZXT as well.
View: https://imgur.com/WZ7P7Ow
I tried and tried to paint the accents on the top of the ram, but mother nature was not allowing. Below freezing and snow are less than ideal for painting. Eventually I got access to a proper paint room, but after trying one coat I realized the paint can must have had some issues and was not spraying evenly. Likely clogged nozzle. I had to start over again. Eventually I got it done.
View: https://imgur.com/vgjK0fa
Ram went from this:
To this:
View: https://imgur.com/JNLuu8B
They do make blue vengeance pro, but 2400mhz DDR3 ram is 'spensive, so why not make use of what I have.
I also waited around and found a deal for just over $50 on a brand new Cooler Master ML240L RGB AIO. Price was after rebate, unfortunately. I would recommend this AIO. Very good for the money in every aspect. Looks great, decently quiet, and performs well.
View: https://imgur.com/2Gy07nl
View: https://imgur.com/INwXQpE
At this point, it looks very slick and way better than any other computer I own, including my Ryzen 5 3600 machine. In my opinion at least.
This build actually started when I ended up getting my hands on a computer from eBay and it had some parts I wanted.
I kept the following:
EVGA Fallout 4 Edition GTX970
16gb (2x8gb) Corsair Vengeance Red DDR3 2400mhz
Cooler Master 700w PSU
2tb Barracuda
Antec Three Hundred case with blue LED fans
I also got a 2500k+board+cooler+8gb ram bundle on eBay for $100.
I kept the GTX970 on a shelf as a cool display piece, but one evening the idea hit me, I should make a Windows XP computer out of it. I knew it would need modded drivers to work, but It is possible.
I previously had an XP LGA775 computer, but it was made out of OEM dell parts, lego case, just janky in general. I ended up killing the board and giving up. This would be a much better system.
Phase 1
i5 2500k @4.8ghz
Corsair A70 Cooler
Asus Z68 V LE
16gb (2x8gb) Corsair Vengeance Red DDR3 2400mhz
EVGA Fallout 4 Edition GTX970
2tb Barracuda
700w Cooler Master
Antec Three Hundred
View: https://imgur.com/sn1UIbs
I wasn't really happy with it, so I improved it.
Phase 2
For one the case was horrible to cable manage in. Additionally, the air cooler was blocking first 2 ram slots. The ram didn't match the color theme either.
I didn't trust that PSU given it was like 7 years old and I don't think it was a very good unit.
View: https://imgur.com/k4bpC68
I was looking on eBay one day and stumbled on a used Enermax Platimax 500w PSU for 30 bucks.
View: https://imgur.com/ISctmR3
Completely overkill for this PC, but it solved my problems. At this point the cable management in that case was so bad it made me mad, so I went and grabbed a NZXT H440 Blue case I had in my room of spare parts. It was sitting there since UPS smashed it up awhile back. Even still, it looked much better. I love my NZXT cases, although right now I cant speak much good for NZXT given the whole PR and H1 thing. I went ahead and moved some of the LED fans from the Antec case to the NZXT as well.
View: https://imgur.com/WZ7P7Ow
I tried and tried to paint the accents on the top of the ram, but mother nature was not allowing. Below freezing and snow are less than ideal for painting. Eventually I got access to a proper paint room, but after trying one coat I realized the paint can must have had some issues and was not spraying evenly. Likely clogged nozzle. I had to start over again. Eventually I got it done.
View: https://imgur.com/vgjK0fa
Ram went from this:
To this:
View: https://imgur.com/JNLuu8B
They do make blue vengeance pro, but 2400mhz DDR3 ram is 'spensive, so why not make use of what I have.
I also waited around and found a deal for just over $50 on a brand new Cooler Master ML240L RGB AIO. Price was after rebate, unfortunately. I would recommend this AIO. Very good for the money in every aspect. Looks great, decently quiet, and performs well.
View: https://imgur.com/2Gy07nl
View: https://imgur.com/INwXQpE
At this point, it looks very slick and way better than any other computer I own, including my Ryzen 5 3600 machine. In my opinion at least.