Rebuilding a pc?

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Mixteco

New member

So today I went out to pay my utilities bill and stopped by at the local Habitat for Humanity to look for any electronics that I could fix up and use.

Anyways point being I picked up a old pc for $60.

It's got:
160mb of ram
Windows XP Home Edition
400mhz
and 125v outlet.

My question is this:
Im trying to build a music/audio recording pc and I'm wanting to know how to rebuild this sucker. What parts should I change? I wanna go quad core (intel or amd) but my budget is $500. I wouldnt buy everything at once but rather part by part on eBay.

Can anybody help me? or did I just pick up a bad pc?

*PS*
I'm completely new at this so excuse my questions...if anymore info is needed simply ask and I will do my best to answer so I can get a more clear and accurate answer in return

Thank you

 
well your definitely gonna need a faster processor and more ram. and wanting to upgrade to a quad core is great but make sure that the mother board in the computer you bought can support a quad core.

if your mother board cant support higher end components than you are gonna need a whole new mother board and if your gonna do that you might as well just build a whole different computer
 
You pretty much bought a case for $60. There is nothing there that you will want to keep or can be upgraded/used with anything remotely modern. 400 mhz processor means that it is a Pentium 2 (!) or AMD from around 11 years ago. My cellphone has a faster processor and more memory.
 
whoa man,,,,gotta agree with everyone..the technology is so outdated that it's not upgradeable (at least not to the level you want..)

i'm not trying to be rude or funny,,,,but i genuinely have lifted more powerful computers out of the local dump...
 
I used to record with a computer with similar specs to that using Logic and an eight channel ISIS soundcard. It worked, but there was a lot of messing around to make it work and keep it working.

I agree, though, with the comments above . . . you've bought yourself a case. If you are looking at pursuing this recording thing, then you should be looking at current technology.
 

MY INTENTION WAS TO NEVER UPGRADE THIS COMPUTER!

I just wanna rebuild this thing completely from scratch.

I just need some help in buying the parts, thats the real problem. Like how do I know which parts will fit and what not? How do I figure that out?

Ive already googled it but I havent figured out which parts to order or how to make sure they fit.? Someone please help me.

Anyways, I will be buying these parts over a period of time (deadline is november) so as long as its under $600 Im good.

Any more help, please?

Thank you

 

Now, I dont know if this relevent but this is the "basics" of what I'm looking to build...

OS: Windows Xp Pro
Processor: Intel/AMD (most affordable)
Processor Speed: at least 2.8ghz or more
Cores: Quad (for my video edits)
Memory: at least 3gb....

Once again, I don't know if that helps in any way shape or form but I just wanted to throw that out there.

I really appreciate your patience guys and thats wut I like about this forum b/c everyone is respectful (or at least tries to be lol).

Once again thanx!

 
Mixteco said:

MY INTENTION WAS TO NEVER UPGRADE THIS COMPUTER!

I just wanna rebuild this thing completely from scratch.
Click to expand...


My brain is saying there is a contradiction between your two sentences above.

Ok . . . upgrading is out. And you are rebuilding from scratch. How far do you take 'scratch'?

It is unlikely that the motherboard in your existing PC is going to support, say, USB, given its age. You may also have difficulty finding RAM for it. You will also experience problems in finding a current, more powerful CPU that will work with it. Alas, I see nothing but grief and heartache heading your way if you travel down this path.

Instead of 'rebuilding from scratch', think about 'building from scratch'. That way you have a better chance of getting components that are compatible and current.

So . . . chuck away the case and its components. They are going to cause more pain that you want. Head off down to your nearest computer store with your bit of paper and the specifications you've worked out so far, and discuss your needs with them.

Then you can get all the bits and stick it together.

As well as the things you've already specified, think also about extra-quiet power supplies and CPU cooling fans (I had a PC with a PSU that sounds like a 747 taking off). Think about video cards for your video work. Think about a firewire card and recording interfaces. Think about hard disk size and speed and noise-reducing mounts Think also about external storage; video takes up masses of space.

Best of luck!
 
gecko zzed said:
My brain is saying there is a contradiction between your two sentences above.

Ok . . . upgrading is out. And you are rebuilding from scratch. How far do you take 'scratch'?

It is unlikely that the motherboard in your existing PC is going to support, say, USB, given its age. You may also have difficulty finding RAM for it. You will also experience problems in finding a current, more powerful CPU that will work with it. Alas, I see nothing but grief and heartache heading your way if you travel down this path.

Instead of 'rebuilding from scratch', think about 'building from scratch'. That way you have a better chance of getting components that are compatible and current.

So . . . chuck away the case and its components. They are going to cause more pain that you want. Head off down to your nearest computer store with your bit of paper and the specifications you've worked out so far, and discuss your needs with them.

Then you can get all the bits and stick it together.

As well as the things you've already specified, think also about extra-quiet power supplies and CPU cooling fans (I had a PC with a PSU that sounds like a 747 taking off). Think about video cards for your video work. Think about a firewire card and recording interfaces. Think about hard disk size and speed and noise-reducing mounts Think also about external storage; video takes up masses of space.

Best of luck!
Click to expand...


My friend you are RIGHT! I did contradict myself, didn't I? lol Sorry for writing the wrong way.

What I ment was I wanna build from scratch (there we go). But can I use this case tho? Is it possible? From what your saying...no? I was gonna just save up for a prefabricated computer but Idk a friend online keeps telln me to just build one with any case. I mean I'll be able to build it my specs, wants, and needs. So please...

Now the question is...can I just use this case? I mean, cos it's a big ol case. Its not a small one but a rather average size tower.



 
Mixteco said:

My friend you are RIGHT! I did contradict myself, didn't I? lol Sorry for writing the wrong way.

What I ment was I wanna build from scratch (there we go). But can I use this case tho? Is it possible? From what your saying...no? I was gonna just save up for a prefabricated computer but Idk a friend online keeps telln me to just build one with any case. I mean I'll be able to build it my specs, wants, and needs. So please...

Now the question is...can I just use this case? I mean, cos it's a big ol case. Its not a small one but a rather average size tower.
Click to expand...

Check to see what motherboard sizes (ATX) will fit the case. That would be my first place I look to see if it will work with a new motherboard. PSU fitting will more than likely be a non issue. You can get alot of info from Newegg and Tiger Direct.
 
If the mobo is standard ATX and the PSU is too, then the case may be useful. You will need a new PSU because that old one won't have enough power nor the proper connectors for a new mobo. The other issue is the backplate on that computer will probably not fit the connectors on the new mobo (and the expansion slots might not either), so look to see if you can swap the old backplate out. If it's riveted, you can drill out the rivets. Worst case, you have to cut holes in the old backplate.

My first music computer was about the same, I used a Yamaha DS2416 card that did all the heavy lifting because CPUs weren't really up to the task back then.

I still use a 2.4gHz P4 . . .
 
for everybody to be 100% that they are giving you the right advise(not saying what you have been told allready is wrong ,quick disclamer for the sensitive types out there :D)

can you post some pictures of the case ,the rear side,a view with side off clearly showing the motherboard and guts of the pc.

with this we should be able to say what board will fit what you can keep if anything.Or to cut your losses and start from scratch
 
Front
nmxduu.jpg

Back
1to9w0.jpg

Fron with case off
10oekc7.jpg

Side view with guts exposed...
65dbgi.jpg

o7rb4o.jpg

The pci slots for video, audio, modem and ethernet
257g8ec.jpg

Harddrive, cdrom, and floppy disk
34ox3lv.jpg

I guess this is the motherboard along with the processor? Idk
2j0nuax.jpg




If you need anymore pics pls ask and I will take and post 'em.



 
ok what you can keep :-

case (remove power supply)
cd rom
floppy drive
modem ? are you going to use broadband or is the pc ging to be kept away from the internet if so that can go to.
hard drive keep this buy a cheap encloser and use it to back up files.
if you go the pentium 4 route you can keep the agp graphics card.

everything else can go

can you tell us what the motherboard is called and its measurements

what you will need new
motherboard
power supply
processor
harddrive
graphics card (nothing to fancy own heat sink no fan)
soundcard for audio (research this first beacause it might eat alot of your budget and effect your choice of other components)
and a copy of windows xp
and a daw(software for music)

all of this is subject to what you are going to record
when i first started messing about with music my pc was about what you already have i used to use a midi keyboard and soundfonts.
 
ok what you can keep :-

case (remove power supply)
cd rom
floppy drive Can I remove this and install a sd card reader instead?
modem ? are you going to use broadband or is the pc ging to be kept away
from the internet if so that can go to. Not even gonna use this so Ima take it off.
hard drive keep this buy a cheap encloser and use it to back up files. I dont even the hard drive is even good Ima just buy a new one.
if you go the pentium 4 route you can keep the agp graphics card. I wanna go quad core...so Id have to a buy a new graphics card, right?

everything else can go

can you tell us what the motherboard is called and its measurements How do I do this? Do I remove from the case? Like any specific things I shuold look for?

what you will need new
motherboard
power supply
processor
harddrive
graphics card (nothing to fancy own heat sink no fan)
soundcard for audio (research this first beacause it might eat alot of your budget and effect your choice of other components) Prolly just a sound blaster or something b/c I have a external USB Interface for recording...
and a copy of windows xp
and a daw(software for music)

all of this is subject to what you are going to record Im start making instrumentals for several local artists this december. So my deadline is november.
when i first started messing about with music my pc was about what you already have i used to use a midi keyboard and soundfonts.
 
1 ft
30mtojp.jpg


7.5 inches
29y4nf5.jpg


How do I find the name/manufactor of this motherboard?
 
ok the measurements were enough a standard atx board will fit not to be confused with an m atx

new graphics card yes just read you want to do video edits as well this is going to up the specs on your graphics card ,you will have to check your software to see what is the lowest card it will support and get something above that.

building this computer on the budget you have a quad core 2.8 is possibly out of your reach there about $264 which is over half your budget also they tend to hold there value on ebay.

normally if i have a budget i start with the motherboard fastest fsb you can get with cpu support past what you are after so your next upgrade can just be a processor.
will have pci express for graphics
usb slots
firewire for future use
preferably an intel chip set (own personal preferance)

power suppy again you will have to check the graphics card/motherboard for connectors / power needed ,some grahics cards need a minimum of 500 watts

hard drive as many gb's as you can get with as much cache as you can

memory the best branded stuff you can get kingston ,corsair as fast as you motherboard will take

last i do the processor with what i have left as long as you do not go crazy with effects and vts's anything over a 2.4 dual core will do , this is still whats in my current audio computer and is still plently powerfull.the lower the spec the longer your video compiling will take.



if your just mixing down on the pc then the onboard soundcard will be just as good as the sound blaster.

what is your usb external recording device ? is it a sound card ?
do you need mic's
do you need phantom power (48v to run the mic)

you say you need all this sorting out by november to start recording backing tracks for local artists in december
i take it that you already have your daw software and are comfortable using it because it can be a steap learning curve to get a sound into a computer and onto a disk to sound like it hasn't been thrown together in a bed room.
i just say this because i dont want you to throw away your cash on a project under the illusion that its just a case of mic on , strum away press stop job done.
as i have found out myself 3 years later and still nothing that i would charge anybody for.
 
axeman_ukl said:
ok the measurements were enough a standard atx board will fit not to be confused with an m atx

new graphics card yes just read you want to do video edits as well this is going to up the specs on your graphics card ,you will have to check your software to see what is the lowest card it will support and get something above that.

building this computer on the budget you have a quad core 2.8 is possibly out of your reach there about $264 which is over half your budget also they tend to hold there value on ebay.

normally if i have a budget i start with the motherboard fastest fsb you can get with cpu support past what you are after so your next upgrade can just be a processor.
will have pci express for graphics
usb slots
firewire for future use
preferably an intel chip set (own personal preferance)

power suppy again you will have to check the graphics card/motherboard for connectors / power needed ,some grahics cards need a minimum of 500 watts

hard drive as many gb's as you can get with as much cache as you can

memory the best branded stuff you can get kingston ,corsair as fast as you motherboard will take

last i do the processor with what i have left as long as you do not go crazy with effects and vts's anything over a 2.4 dual core will do , this is still whats in my current audio computer and is still plently powerfull.the lower the spec the longer your video compiling will take.



if your just mixing down on the pc then the onboard soundcard will be just as good as the sound blaster.

what is your usb external recording device ? is it a sound card ?
do you need mic's
do you need phantom power (48v to run the mic)

you say you need all this sorting out by november to start recording backing tracks for local artists in december
i take it that you already have your daw software and are comfortable using it because it can be a steap learning curve to get a sound into a computer and onto a disk to sound like it hasn't been thrown together in a bed room.
i just say this because i dont want you to throw away your cash on a project under the illusion that its just a case of mic on , strum away press stop job done.
as i have found out myself 3 years later and still nothing that i would charge anybody for.
Click to expand...

Alright. And my external sound card is a USB MAUDIO Fast Track Pro Interface...Which I normally hook up my mics and instruments to...

Yes, I have Adobe Audition 1.5.

Ok, so since quad core is out of my budget...

Can you recommend me what to buy? Like a list I guess. I don't know what to buy what so ever. It'd be really helpful. I really appreciate your help so far!

Thanx!
 
do a search on pc specs there's alot of info allready on this forum for which bits to buy once you have a list or two have a quick look on ebay make sure your on target for your budget.
post your list we will give it a look and tell you that its ok or to maybe try something else which would be about the same price.
 
I was reading this off another post the other night...this seems like something Im aiming for...would you recommend this? Since my budget is around $600...

Also Ive been reading/hearing alot that AMD cpu's are cheaper...could go that route? If so which AMD Cpu be a good choice for me? Thank you so much for you help so far...

thajeremy said:
Thanks to the guys on this board, I built a quad core 3 weeks ago for only $553 shipped to my door. I did not get the cheapest processor so you can save a few bucks there, and I did get a 500 gig HD...you can get a smaller one and save a few bucks there. My case was about $60, and they had some around $40. I put in 4 gig of ram and you can drop to 3. There is plenty of room here to save your self a few dollars here and there to easily get a kick ass computer for $500...

I will copy and paste my order from Newegg.com so you can get an idea...again..Im not trying to take credit for knowing what the hell Im doing...this was my first PC build and I owe a lot to the guys here for helping me make my decisions...anyway here is what I bought...

case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147033

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207

mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182031

HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

for a total of $553.83 with shipping....
Click to expand...
 
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