Aerodyne

Somehow, in the course of my adventures, I've found myself in possession of a fairly new Dell desktop (2.4 GHz Allendale C2D, 2GB Ram). Surprisingly, it doesn't work (dead motherboard). I've just finished upgrading an older P4 desktop for use as a lab computer, and, as such, have no other project on the table. Being fidgety as I am, the need to get tinkering is pretty hard to resist. So, after doing some scouting around, it seems like I should be able to get a functional computer together pretty easily, especially given the lower cost of this generation's hardware (My P4 rig used DDR and AGP; obsolescence is sad for both the heart and wallet).

So, here is my mission (Cue dramatic music):

- On as tight a budget as possible, build what would have been a highly respectable system just one or two years ago, and do so using second-hand parts whenever possible. SLI and overclockability are a definite plus.

My intended applications for this rig are, aside from basic office functionality:

1) Folding 24/7
2) Some Science programs (MrBayes, MEGA4, etc.)
3) Remote access to my Sig Rig while at work
4) Possibly a portable rig in the future

I began this project last week, and am beginning to wind down, but I've only just had the time available to start a log. Here are the components I've already obtained:

CPU: 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, Allendale - $0
Motherboard: Asus P5N-E SLI - $47.76 via eBay
Ram: 2 x 1 GB Generic Ram (Maybe 667 MHz?) - $0
GPU: 8800 GTS (320 MB) - $60 via FREELINE57
Cooling: Zalman 9700 - $25 via FREELINE57
Case: Custom Tech Bench - $35 via Deagle50ae
OS: Ubuntu 9.04, 64-bit - $0

What I've yet to appropriate:

HDD: Not sure what I'm going to do here. Not feeling particularly picky.
ODD: Hopefully I'll find one on the side of the road somewhere
PSU: Stock unit from Dell is pretty lame; 300W.
Add'l Ram: 2 GB is nice, 8 is better
GPU: Second 8800 for SLI-related giggles
Cooling: Depending on whether I decide to go portable or not, water cooling might be a possibility

So, for $167.76 USD, I'm very close to assembling a working rig, with the PSU being the only missing component. I'll add on the additional goodies as funds permit, but I'm looking to build everything this weekend. Many thanks to the sellers I've worked with thus far; classy folks, they are.

Aerodyne

Zalman 9700:



8800 GTS:



Original Computer:



E4500 Lapped:



Asus P5N-E SLI plus RAM:



Cheapie NB Cooling Solution:



Stopping Point for the Evening:

Aerodyne

Added progress pics.

Regarding the lapping job, I couldn't find my finest whetstone, so it was fairly low grit, as well as somewhat uneven. I'm reasonably pleased, nonetheless.

I've also trimmed the zip-ties since the photo was taken. Also, flash.