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.

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 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.

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.