[Toxicknight]

(not sure if this is the correct spot to post this but here goes anyway)

my current pc is majorly outdated and I want to gut it and throw in all new parts , since Im on a tight budget the setup will preferably be the following

new psu (wattage depending Video card selection requirements)
new board (am2+ mostlikely a micro atx from the size of the case )
2.8ghz black edition athlon X2 (going to OC it a little very little )
8 gig ddr2 800 (good performance but decent price ram)
320gig HD (probably Western digital)
pci express 2.0 hopefully but will settle for plain pci express (if I can fit a GTX260 definately 2.0)
divided on vid cards atm (considering case size) heard ati cards run hotter not sure the accuracy of the source though
and yeah vista 64 bit (heard bad things but i want that 8gig of ram to be effective)
possibly a soundcard thats actually compatible with vista lol

the case is a T2885 emachines case now cooling fans are one concern but I have read somewhere that newer boards may not line up with the slots ,,, so I need to know if anyone else has done an upgrade like this in this type of case. thanks in advance

 

[darksideleader]

any matx motherboard should work.
what is your PC going to be used fpr exactly?

Here's a cheap board i recommend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813138105R
has onboard DVI and HDMI, the IGP is as power as a HD 3450.

Here is a cheap quad-core:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103288

2 sets of these rams for 8GB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231209

 

[Toxicknight]

light gaming , photoshop design , goofing around in second life , maybe some mmo games so im thinking an upper range card and not worry about it. just doubt I could fit a 285 in the budget or a 4870 liking both , have played games on both setups ,both perform well to me. but well 260 is my maximum choice since i can get one for 180 us dollars or so

the ram I too have looked at trouble is Im dealing with a very tight case and something Im very worried about is ,,, where the psu is mouted ,,,, will probably intere fere with a taller cpu cooler so I was looking at wider low profile cooler , that ram is very tall for ram due to its heat sinks ,, but yes I like that ram too .

also Im wanting to actually play crysis and a few other games like GTA IV.

 

[IntelConvert]

what is ur total budget

ive had too much experience with Emachines cases and i say: spend $40 on a new case

Cooler Master ELite

that case is $39. its an ATX midtower, so it fits fullsize ATX boards and power supplies. some manufacturers make it difficult to mount PSUs and motherboards. Emachines is ok, but Dell and HP are really bad about doing this. that case should be everything u need. and allow for more airflow than the emachines cases, ive worked with an Emachines more than anyone should have to. i rebuilt that so many times. i replaced every piece but the processor over the course of a few months. im actually considering getting the CM Elite i linked for my next case. idk yet.

give us ur budget total and we can get u a list of parts within that budget. go with good brands, and get a good motherboard and processor. everything else can be upgraded for cheaper later on, and easier since u wont have to reseat the CPU.

 

[spaceballsrules]

Why not just get a new case instead of trying to build aroound an old inferior case?
You may want to consider Cooler Master Refurbs. Cases as low as $18. They have a CM 690 for $45. That's a great case for airflow, and I think it's one of the sharpest designs around

CM Refurb cases - http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/...=18_19&&page=1
CM 690 - http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/...roducts_id=109

 

[Toxicknight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceballsrules Why not just get a new case instead of trying to build aroound an old inferior case? You may want to consider Cooler Master Refurbs. Cases as low as $18. They have a CM 690 for $45. That's a great case for airflow, and I think it's one of the sharpest designs around CM Refurb cases - http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/...=18_19&&page=1 CM 690 - http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/...roducts_id=109

at first I liked the idea of the challenge of suprise someone walks in to see an old 478 machine playing high end games ,but for 20 bucks ofr a case ,,, I think 20 bucks more is not going to hurt me , thanks

 

[IntelConvert]

lol, the "sleeper" effect. i got that goin on w/ my old beige antec case and my sig rig inside it.

read my post above ^

 

[Toxicknight]

also curious .... since Im using a 17inch CRT from the era as well lol ,,, Im changing to an LCD 22inches or above ,,, and I know you get what you pay for of course ,,, so curious what is the best monitor at the most minimal cost possible ,, (and Im not dreaming of dirtcheap prices for somethiong that wouldnt have pixel issues lol)

I like the elite as well ,,, but yeah you know the sleeper effect around my gamer friends seeing the pc i get made fun of with performing with their rigs would just be funny ,, but yes I do need to consider airflow moreso than the sleeper effect

forgot the budget lol ,,, Im really wanting to keep it under 700$(less monitor)

 

[simfreak47]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntelConvert lol, the "sleeper" effect. i got that goin on w/ my old beige antec case and my sig rig inside it. read my post above ^

I <3 sleepers. I love using old cases, so people are like "look at that piece of crap", and when I fire up a game, they're dazzled.

But I see the OP's point in keeping the Emachines case.

Umm.. I don't think that you're going to be able to fit any GTX card in there. I'm not sure if the case is big enough for it.

 

[Toxicknight]

hmmmmmm, still want to do a sleeper rig though but yeah I get the aiurflow thing very much

 

[Toxicknight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by simfreak47 I <3 sleepers. I love using old cases, so people are like "look at that piece of crap", and when I fire up a game, they're dazzled. But I see the OP's point in keeping the Emachines case. Umm.. I don't think that you're going to be able to fit any GTX card in there. I'm not sure if the case is big enough for it.

Yeah the size of the case is a bit of an issue its a micro tower but I did want a sleeper rig , which eventually I will, but after seeing those prices on the cm site plus shipping I think its safer to keep the componetns from frying of heat exhaustion what i was going to do was remove the HD 3.5 rack ,, and allocate the HD where the floppy disk drive is now add a 120 fan in there to blow on the Vid card

 

[IntelConvert]

if u need to, get somethign to cut metal wtih and "mod" it. make sure u take out all ur parts before doing this.... and get all the shavings out. dont want to ground out ur board or do something stupid.

i had to cut an unecesary support bar out of my case to get my cooler to fit in lol.

sleepers are fun. my friend had me put an AM2 setup in a case taht his dad had a pentium 3 in..

course, in my case its not by choice i have sleepers, just not enough money to buy a new case lol

 

[Toxicknight]

well my dremel can probably cut through it , I was thinkin about making a big round spot for 230 fan on the side and thought overkill and giveaway , yeah I had to cut the I/O shield out of an olllld toshiba infinia case once for a friend to fit a P4 in so I know a lil about that case mods arent an issue hehe , but allot of work ,,,, was hopin this would be a unscrew and knock out project for the most part ,, getting metal shavings everywhere and I hate cleaning lol, but yeah I know what you mean.

 

[IntelConvert]

LOL, i did that with my emachines. my mom was surprised when i showed her the hole i drilled in the door of the case to fit an 80mm fan. she asked me "are you supposed to do that?" lol mothers

air compressor will help get the shavings out.

 

[Shift.]

There are many cases out there that can portray a "sleeper" effect while maintaining adequate airflow, and not breaking the bank. Also, keep in mind that the build quality is very important too. Here are a few suggestions.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112192

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112025

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112154

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112129

 

[IntelConvert]

lian li is probably more expensive than most people need/want

 

[Shift.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntelConvert lian li is probably more expensive than most people need/want

You're right.

But they portray the "sleeper" look quite well, and are some of the best built cases on the market. People swap hardware pretty often, but they seldom change the case. And a cheap case is not something you look forward to building in.

 

[IntelConvert]

true, i helped my friend move his rig into a $230 Lian Li, it was nice, but i wouldnt want to spend that much. really nice case tho.

im looking to spend $150 at most on mine

 

[Shift.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntelConvert true, i helped my friend move his rig into a $230 Lian Li, it was nice, but i wouldnt want to spend that much. really nice case tho. im looking to spend $150 at most on mine

$150 is more than enough for a good case. I'm extremely happy with my 900, and it was only $59.99.

But I'd still love to have a Silverstone TJ07.. Now THAT is worth $350.

Now back OT, I think the OP would be more than happy with one of those $60 - $80 Lian Li's. They have the look he's going for, with some added sleekness.

 

[IntelConvert]

true true...

i am for the classic looks. LEDs and windows and shiny crap dont appeal to me. sometimes i leave my comp on overnight and i sleep in the same room. i dont want it to be as light as day cause i have so many LEDs in my comp that i cant sleep!