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Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 6:12 pm Post subject:

I'd say just go for the ECS mb and the 1600 amd. New Hd not even necessary.

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 6:25 pm Post subject:

Startup time has a lot more to do with your operating system than anything. He may be using XP which is real slow in my experience.

Like I said above, you don't need another vid card if you aren't gaming. The one you have is fine for your current needs. I wish you had asked us before you bought that vid card cause I don't know what you paid for it but it couldn't be much less than the Geforce2 GTS anyway.

Just go with the ECS board and the XP1600. You'll see a huge difference in performance.

Life is a like a box of chocolates.....when it's done it's done.

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 7:00 pm Post subject:

Quote:
Oh, and thanks for making my five-dog post a useful one

on a 1-5 scale, this thread also gets 5 golden doggies Cool Smile

[/peanut gallery]

- \f\k\a ¶ü†êrßôÿ

T

M

My philosophy of life is more often expressed by cartoonists than
by anything I could write. And anything philosophers have written.

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 7:28 pm Post subject:

Hey Guys,

I bought the TNT-2 from staples for 69.99.I have not planned on upgradeing the motherboard and cpu ,when I bought it. I just got the urge to upgrade a couple of days later, I had already installed the graphic's card before the urge hit..lmao. They didn't have the GEforce2 or I would have bought that instead. I do plan on keeping the ole monster I have now for my niece when she visits. I have Win ME and I like the OS very will. I didn't like 95 or 98. I have not played around with XP yet, I hear mixed reviews about it. Your thoughts about XP ,I really would like to hear,Because I have thought about buying XP when the upgrade is done. I do know that I need the following things, new case,motherboard( like the ECS ) but without audio& sound,1600 cpu and new power supply. I should have the new system up and running in a couple of months. A piece at a time. Also what are your takes on the new tooless case and no screw holders, Would you trust them or stick with the old stand by ? Thanks again for all your kind advice and help.You guys are all great.

PuterBabe

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 8:22 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Hey Guys,

I bought the TNT-2 from staples for 69.99.I have not planned on upgradeing the motherboard and cpu ,when I bought it. I just got the urge to upgrade a couple of days later, I had already installed the graphic's card before the urge hit..lmao. They didn't have the GEforce2 or I would have bought that instead. I do plan on keeping the ole monster I have now for my niece when she visits. I have Win ME and I like the OS very will. I didn't like 95 or 98. I have not played around with XP yet, I hear mixed reviews about it. Your thoughts about XP ,I really would like to hear,Because I have thought about buying XP when the upgrade is done. I do know that I need the following things, new case,motherboard( like the ECS ) but without audio& sound,1600 cpu and new power supply. I should have the new system up and running in a couple of months. A piece at a time. Also what are your takes on the new tooless case and no screw holders, Would you trust them or stick with the old stand by ? Thanks again for all your kind advice and help.You guys are all great.

PuterBabe

I use WinXP Pro and it hasn't crashed on me in the 2 months that I've used it. I've had a couple of compatibility issues with some software, like WinMX for example. Everybody uses it but it won't work for me. WinXP Pro is the most stable O/S I've ever used.

Life is a like a box of chocolates.....when it's done it's done.

Big Dog Joined: 20 Oct 2000 Posts: 3689 Location: USA

Quote:

I know I need a new case,I can get one at the puter store for about $ 50- $ 70.It just depends on the case I like,and how many bays.

Look at Directron.com

their shipping is a little more than I'd like, but i've bought 10 of my last 15 cases there (others were picked up from freinds/at physical stores on short notice . . . etc)

and I haven't had any complaints yet.

you could probably catch a pretty decent one on sale with a 300w power supply for 30-50 and then another 15-20 bucks for shipping.

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 10:23 pm Post subject:

Quote:

If she has the ATX PS and its less than a year old, then I would do what Just an Eng said except I would skip the case. That way she would be on budget.

[img]http://www.ibosh.com/userstats2.php?bg=image2.png&tcolor=153,255,00,1&email=21
[/img]
MCSE 2k
MCSA

You think a 200 watt PS is enough.

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 10:23 pm Post subject:

Quote:

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:

Look at Directron.com

their shipping is a little more than I'd like, but i've bought 10 of my last 15 cases there (others were picked up from freinds/at physical stores on short notice . . . etc)

and I haven't had any complaints yet.

you could probably catch a pretty decent one on sale with a 300w power supply for 30-50 and then another 15-20 bucks for shipping.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote>

Or, you could get a case on Ebay for $3.00 + $17.00 S/H like I did. Granted, it's not the BEST made case out there, but it has lots of fan mounts and it works just fine for me. Here's a link to the one I got:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2052796249

Like I said, it's not the most well-made case but it works for me.

Life is a like a box of chocolates.....when it's done it's done.

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2002 4:49 am Post subject:

Her system isnt drawing a lot power and she should be ok with 200 watts.

Ebay is a good idea, saw several 300 to 400 watt ps's for 10 bucks.

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2002 4:54 pm Post subject:

I trust Newegg. E-bay is a whole 'nother animal.

Here is a link to a 7-bay ATX case with a 350W power supply and room to add three 80mm case fans for $36+$16 shipping:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-150-027

[img]icon_smile_pawa1.gif[/img]
For $3 more, you can get it with front panel USB ports.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-150-024

Edited by - JustAnEngineer on 09/09/2002 20:58:57

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2002 6:13 pm Post subject:

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the info. I have looked at cases on ebay,newegg,tigerdirect. But I still have question on the Tooless case's, Do you trust them as being a good case's ? Also what about the ones that have screwless rails for HD,CD-ROM.I looked at one on newegg for like $40,But the thing that got me was there where no screws for holding HD or CD-ROM in place. Can you trust something like that ? I liked it alot,its hassle free and quick change,But I don't need the cd-rom falling when I put a cd in.So running my 200watt PS would be ok for now, I was going to buy a case with a new PS with it.I did find the motherboard I want to get,I'm getting the AMD 1600 Thats a must.Now all I need to do is find a case I like..lol.All the advice I get from all of you is helping me out alot,So more the advice and info the better, Oh before I forget, Can you disable onboard audio ?

To HRBIB21 : I looked at same exact case this morning, I liked it and almost bib on one,Its a nice looking case with lot's and lot's of room for lot's and lot's of fans. Fan's are fun..lol.I had problems with WINMX on WIN ME ,installed fine and started up fine,But downloading was a problem for me, I'd get to 25-50% and get the Blue screen of pain in my A$$ Reboot Me PLZ screen, I then found Grokster and have had No problems with it,Downloads fast.

Thanks Guys Wink Smile

PuterBabe

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2002 3:30 pm Post subject:

Tooless often refers to thumbscrews - these are basically standard screws with a large plastic "head" that can be turned either with a screwdriver or by hand. It's a convenience thing more than anything - no less secure than a standard case with normal screws.

For your setup I would recommend upgrading to an ECS K7S5A (v.3)/K7S5A2 mobo + 300W+ power supply, Athlon XP1600 + a Taisol CGK760092 heatsink/fan. This should be well within your budget, leaving plenty of room for a standard ATX case. It would also allow you to upgrade as necessary in the future.