Building a Computer
I have finally tired of not having a desktop, so my most recent project was to build a new computer. My old desktop was built from parts and I like the customizability and ability to save money when making your own computer. Besides, it's fun!
From Computer Assembly
In all, I think I spent about $350 of my own money and obtained another $300 worth of components with stockpiled credit card rewards. I recycled the case, DVD drive, floppy and hard drive from my old desktop.
I wanted something with longevity and power at a good value, so I chose a quad core that is relatively cheap right now, but which has good overclocking potential. That means a bulky after market cooler, which you can see in this shot:
From Computer Assembly
That's a 4.7" fan, which barely fit in the case. I had never put thermal grease and a heat sink on a processor, nor installed a processor directly into the motherboard before, so this part was definitely the most tense.
From Computer Assembly
The rest of the components in the case:
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
Asus P5QL Pro motherboard
Xigmatek direct touch heatpipe heatsink/fan
Enermax Tomahawk 500W powersupply, designed especially to be quiet
Radeon HD 4670 video card
Western Digital 750 gig hard drive (SATA)
My old glowing blue case fans and red glowing round IDE cables
Finally, all assembled:
From Computer Assembly
It's great to finally have a "main" computer again, instead of a few laptops and external hard drive. Video loads quickly and plays well, the whole thing is super smooth, it's a pleasure I haven't had in maybe five years.
From Computer Assembly
In all, I think I spent about $350 of my own money and obtained another $300 worth of components with stockpiled credit card rewards. I recycled the case, DVD drive, floppy and hard drive from my old desktop.
I wanted something with longevity and power at a good value, so I chose a quad core that is relatively cheap right now, but which has good overclocking potential. That means a bulky after market cooler, which you can see in this shot:
From Computer Assembly
That's a 4.7" fan, which barely fit in the case. I had never put thermal grease and a heat sink on a processor, nor installed a processor directly into the motherboard before, so this part was definitely the most tense.
From Computer Assembly
The rest of the components in the case:
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz
Asus P5QL Pro motherboard
Xigmatek direct touch heatpipe heatsink/fan
Enermax Tomahawk 500W powersupply, designed especially to be quiet
Radeon HD 4670 video card
Western Digital 750 gig hard drive (SATA)
My old glowing blue case fans and red glowing round IDE cables
Finally, all assembled:
From Computer Assembly
It's great to finally have a "main" computer again, instead of a few laptops and external hard drive. Video loads quickly and plays well, the whole thing is super smooth, it's a pleasure I haven't had in maybe five years.