Who wants to build me a new PC?

[Mark]

Looks like my HTPC is suffering the fate of many a recent system and getting exploding cap syndrome. It's still working but it's doing very odd things. I thought it was the VGA card to start with but removing that just makes the problem worse (system won't even boot), so onwards and upwards. Would have preferred replacing my main PC first mind. :/

I have a spec in mind, but I think it's going to be a little bit on the tricky side for me. I can do most things but CPU heatsinks are my problem area and custom cases doubly so.

So anyone going to a meet between now and chrimbo willing to take up the task? (parts and labour paid for, obviously, along with a lorra lorra grattitude chuck) The thought of requesting a quote from our very own Admiral had crossed my mind. :shocked: :)

Thanks for reading. :)

[Justsomebloke]

Well i have plenty of time but am probably to far away from you to be of any good. Let me know if i can help in any way though :)

[Mark]

Thanks malc. I'll bear it in mind.

Oh, and since there's a few locals about now, a non-meet meetup would work too. :)

[Feek]

Happily. But we're nowhere near each other :(

[Mark]

Swansea seems to be the best option. I know you're not going, but I suspect you know a few people nearby who are. Just exploring options. :)

[Zirax]

Well I can bolt a machine together for you, or Feek can do it :) Let me know as I could throw it in the motor down to Swansea. I could also suggest a monster watercooled beast overclocked to insane values :D Although this is Paul's area and he has the equipment so yep he should float by soon enough

[Mark]

Me and water would be a bad idea of biblical proportions. ;D

Besides, it's quite a small case so space would be a problem (that's the biggest reason I'm having HSF trouble).

[Garp]

If you're suffering from caps blowing, is it worth considering a UPS to smooth out your power?

[Mark]

I've had three systems suffer, and two of them were on a UPS (the latter of which shorted the UPS out when it blew). The problem with this system is most likely heat-related as the ambient temp in the case is consistently in the 40s, and even getting there took a mate at the time (lost contact since) 28 hours with sandpaper to get the heatsink to a state where the system wouldn't shut down after an hour of stress testing. Still, that 28 hours got me 42 months of solid use so I guess it's a fair return.

Self-destructing capacitors was a common problem a few years ago thanks to shoddy electrolyte design. That's why so many systems make such a big noise about their capacitor quality now (Gigabyte in particular do this).

[semi-pro waster]

I think the first meet I'll be going to is the Edinburgh one which is ages away otherwise I'd offer my services gratis. So I'm unlikely to be able to build it for you but of course I'll happily look over any specification to see if I can offer any alternatives if you wish. :)

[Zirax]

Its reading like you are a sufferer of "the James effect" :D

[Mark]

Nah, I have my very own effect. I don't need anyone else's. :D

[Davey_Pitch]

If I had more time free between now and my birthday I'd do it for you, but with the house stuff I simply won't have the time I'm afraid.

[Mark]

Getting it back from L'pool on public transport could be a nightmare anyway, so don't worry about that.

[Admiral Huddy]

Gladley do it FOC if you are around Baddow.. I know your folks still live there.

[Mark]

Nope, they're in Dunmow (I know that's still in your area - which will be handy if their PC dies).

Anyway, I was thinking either taking dropping it off on the way to Swansea or taking it there and I'll bring it back, if that's OK.

Anyway, I suppose I best post some details of what I was thinking:

Antec Veris Fusion 430 - Black (http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=08741) case
GA-G33M-DS2R (http://www.giga-byte.co.uk/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2534) motherboard.
Q6600 G0 SLACR (only need an E6600 but the price difference is so small now it'd be silly not to).
Samsung SpinPoint T 500GB
2GB PC6400 RAM (PC5300 will do but PC6400 doesn't cost much more).
Suitable HSF (this is where I'm having problems - finding one that fits).
Will cannibalise existing system for DVD-RW drive, TV tuner, and OS.

Anyone see any pitfalls or suggest anything better? I looked at the GA-73PVM-S2H motherboard as well for it's HDMI/HDCP goodness, but I figure I can add HDMI support to the board I've chosen but I can't add Dual Channel memory to this one).

[Admiral Huddy]

Looks good Mark.. the Artic Cooler 7 comes in at around £17.

Are you using the on-board video or do you have another card?

Unless you get the parts shipped to me, then I can bring it along.

[Mark]

I suspect the Arctic Freezer 7 doesn't fit. Therein lies my problem. :(

It's got onboard graphics. That's good enough for now and I'll think about upgrading later, or maybe I'll go price up a 7300 or an HD-capable ATI card, or somesuch. :)

Don't mind how the parts are dealt with. Can send money or order the parts and give your delivery address. :)

[Admiral Huddy]

Right I see .. Might be wrth checking OC forums to see what others are using. The stock cooler is quite flat but still big.

Let's get the parts right, then we'll sort the ordering out.

OS? I take it you have a retail copy of XP MCE ;)

[Mark]

Zalman CNPS8700, Silverstone NT-06. Not sure about the height of the Silverstone. The Zalman should work if it doesn't bump into anything - I just don't get on with spring clips (had one snap off a previous board) and I worry about two-point mounting systems as I know the one on the Ultra-120 is prone to not being secure.

As for OS, I have MSDN. I do have a sepearate MCE license but it won't be retail (retail MCE licenses don't exist). Either way I'm covered. :)

I'll ponder the graphics card situation tonight.

[Admiral Huddy]

OK, Can i check that case and cooler out and get back to you.. I might make a post on OC if that's ok?

[Mark]

There's one here (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17803243) (that's where I got the idea from) and another here (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17803283). Take your pick. :D

[Admiral Huddy]

Right I have fitted one of those before.. nice 'n' simple once the plates are on providing it will fit into that case. Bit pricey though :(

[Mark]

Well, looking at lots of reviews and whatnot it seems a sound plan to future-proof a little for HD content.

That seems to mean the HD 2600 XT (not sure about the Pro), as that's the one that UVD seems to work best on (it's absent on the 2900 and seems not to work on the 2400). Having said that, it's tempting to double up and get an HD 3850, as it looks like AMD fixed the power/heat issues and the performance is vastly superior to the 2600.

Doesn't the expression go something along the lines of getting the best system you can afford at the time, although I still have the option of the onboard graphics and an upgrade later.

Not even sure my big TV is HDCP compliant. It was released around the time that started to appear.

I think this sums up my feelings -> :dunno:

Anyone feel free to point me in the right direction. :)

[Mark]

Looks like the current HTPC isn't going to last out the week so I'm going to have to give this a hurry-up and work out an alternative plan for getting this back here. :(

Also going to ask around at work to see if there's any hobbyist PC builders there. I got a flyer through the door for the local PC 'guy' but frankly the quality of the flyer was so shoddy I binned it.

Still need help getting the right HSF either way though any help very appreciated there. :)

[Admiral Huddy]

Mark,

You could get the items shipped to me, then I'll just parcel force/City Link the unit it back to you with insurance.. That shouldn't be anymore than £15/£20.. As i said, I'm not going to charge a friend so It's up to you.

Were are you thinking of buying the items from? and do you have a final wish list?

[Mark]

Looking at OC at the moment due to delivery speed, but will shop around.

Will know within 30 minutes as I've got the shopping basket ready to go.

[Mark]

OK, I have a problem here.

I can get either the Zalman CNPS8700 cooler or the Thermaltake MaxOrb.

The Zalman definitely fits (I found another forum which lists the same case and mobo). The MaxOrb looks like it might do a slightly better job but is bigger.

Also discovered the LCD is a bit naff but I can live with that - Antec seem to be RMA'ing them anyway so may go that route, but a working PC is more important than a duff LCD anyway. :)

[Mark]

OK - workmate, he say yes, and I think I'll get the Zalman cooler. It's rated for the Q6600 and this case has good airflow, so it should be fine.

Thanks all, and especially thanks Huddy. :)

[Admiral Huddy]

I'm a doing this or have you found someone.. ?

:)

[Mark]

Found someone I hope, thanks for the guidance and the offer. All ordered and paid for.

[Mark]

I appear to have a new PC sat next to me.

Only problem is I can't install XP (Vista would work). Fortunately this motherboard still had a floppy drive header so I'll plug that in tomorrow. Tried my USB one already but it isn't supported. :/

[Mark]

The expression I was obviously looking for last night turned out to be:

nLite

Sorted. :)

[Mark]

If you leave the board on default settings XP will be fine, but Intel recommend using AHCI or RAID for performance reasons and if you do that then you run into a lovely mess because of the XP install not supporting SATA hardware. :)

[Mark]

It's doing Orthos stuff at a rather toasty 57C (and that's not overclocked). Hotter than I'd like but not hot enough to worry about. Should drop a degree or two over time hopefully.

[jmc41]

'The James effect'??

CPU: 38C
Mobo: 33C
NB: 41C

Ambient temperature: "cold"

[Mark]

Height is no problem (several cm clear of the top of the case) - it's girth that's the issue with the CNPS8700. From the front, the fins are millimeters from the side fans, about 1.5cm from the back, and they actually interlock with the Northbridge heatsink. Save putting the ATX12V connector in first, none of this poses any installation problems however.

With a pair of Orthos running my Q6600 system hits 55C, but 3-4C of that is due to uneven thermal contact (I suspect below the IHS rather than above, but I can't be sure). The CNPS8700 is very whiney at the top end, but if you're not putting much load on the CPU, put all the fans on minimum and it's surprisingly quiet. Even under full load you'd probably get away with fans on low, and certainly will on medium.