Components worth recycling into my next PC?

[Lance]

Hi all

I had a power supply blow up on me this morning and having bought the PC a bout 3 years ago, I just grabbed a generic PSU to get going again but I don't think its a long term option as it doesn't have enough sata power connectors nor an auxilliary power connector for my Graphics Card.

My motherboard is a ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5QL PRO (LGA775)

my graphics card is a 512MB GeForce 9600 GT (ASUStek Computer Inc)

The CPU is an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 @ 2.66GHz

There is 4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (6-6-6-18) RAM

I have 3 hard drives installed (one is a old system I still keep in case its required - other two keep my operating system and datafiles separate)

The system has the usual DVD drive, a legacy floppy drive (which I rarely use BUT just in case!)

So I think the CPU is getting old now, so is it time to upgrade that, and recycle other bits? I will need another power supply if the graphics card really needs the auxilliary power connector (seems to be working without it at the moment) and the Gigabyte Case is a little cramped inside with the components I have fitted (and has limited USBs etc), so am thinking a new case with fitted power supply (which is 720W by the way) is probabably the most cost effective?

Ideas?

Lance

[RDee]

Lance,

I don't see any advantage in upgrading the CPU because the motherboard uses the LGA755 socket and suitable CPUs are probably no longer available.
You could start with a new case. Pick a recent design with a USB 3.0 connector and other modern features so it can be used as a basis for your next PC in a year or two. Something like the Antec Sonata IV with a 620 Watt supply is a suggestion. The 620 Watt supply should be more than adequate and is a reliable design.
It would be worth doing some research to ensure the chosen case is compatible in all respects.

RDee

[lomaca]

Hi all

I had a power supply blow up on me this morning and having bought the PC a bout 3 years ago, I just grabbed a generic PSU to get going again but I don't think its a long term option as it doesn't have enough sata power connectors nor an auxilliary power connector for my Graphics Card.

For what it's worth, if that is all you worry about then just buy some SATA duplication/extension cables for a few $ at any computer store, the direct power connections to the Graphics card is probably not really required in your case. Actually the card is the only one I would save for your next PC. The rest is a bit long in the tooth the way PC components go.

Unless you are like me tinkering with the hardware all the time I would only buy a "just" large enough case with a silent power supply and "just" enough ventilation.
I currently have the largest Cooler Master with five auxiliary fans and I had to turn three of them off, too noisy! and no problem on the hottest day either.
Running two DVDs 6*HD 1*Floppy 2*Nvidia cards one is 6800 the other is a Geforce 8400 16 GB of RAM with heatsinks 3 monitors on a genuine 680Watts PSU.
No problem with lack of power or overheating but the box is HUGE! I could have used the next size down with plenty of room to spare.

[Lance]

OK Iomaca

Yep it sounds like some "SATA duplication/extension cables" are the way to go, that way I can get that other HDD going (it has files that I need occassionally). The graphic card is running at about 50-55 degrees C, the other components are all around 30 to 35 (using speccy) but all seems to be quite functional and its fan is going well. However I am assuming I can get an extension cable to go from the sata power to the 6 point plugs as well, so perhaps I can plug that in too.

I might get a little longer out of the machine then - as it suits my purpose quite well and reading Charles' latest article there are new "big" things on the horizon......

Also I need time to find about cases and other components - my system can be noisy - esp as its operating with the side cover off as I wanted to check ever thing was moving (that was meant to move) after installing the PSU...

Thanks for you help

Lance

[aussieboykie]

Lance

Something else you might consider is an external SATA dock which connects to your PC by USB or eSATA. You just drop bare 3.5" or 2.5" drives into the slot and off you go. This is particularly handy for disks that you only use when required - e.g for backing up to. Newer docks all come with USB3 and eSATA. If your system does not have either of these, USB2 works just fine albeit slower. You could also install a USB3/eSATA adapter card in your PC if you have a spare slot.

Regards, AB

[lomaca]

Lance

Something else you might consider is an external SATA dock which connects to your PC by USB or eSATA. You just drop bare 3.5" or 2.5" drives into the slot and off you go. This is particularly handy for disks that you only use when required - e.g for backing up to. Newer docks all come with USB3 and eSATA. If your system does not have either of these, USB2 works just fine albeit slower. You could also install a USB3/eSATA adapter card in your PC if you have a spare slot.

Regards, AB

Yes you are right, I forgot to mention them, I picked one up at Aldi of all places very cheap, holds two hard drives, excellent for back-up.
Those cables I was talking about, are like a double adaptor thingo you plug one into an existing connector and you have two sata or IDE power connectors coming out the other end you can daisy chain them. I personally just cut off some old cables from crook PSUs and solder them in the new one.

Don't know what they are called or if they have a proper name even, they cost about a couple bucks at MSY.
I buy most of my stuff from them lately, cheaper and more reliable than the Comp markets, unless you are after something else they don't carry.

Good luck with it.

[Stephen]

Don't know what they are called or if they have a proper name even, they cost about a couple bucks at MSY.

If it is one of these then typically they are just known as a 'Splitter Cable'

[lomaca]

Don't know what they are called or if they have a proper name even, they cost about a couple bucks at MSY.

If it is one of these then typically they are just known as a 'Splitter Cable'

Thank you Stephen, that's what they are. The name was stirring deep, deeeeeep (imagine private Fraser rolling his eyes and sounding like from down a well!) down in my memory but somehow I just couldn't recall it.
Usually, I walk up to the stall and point!

Thanks

PS
"I no longer I have a Facebook account, "
Wise man you, although I think twitter could be the more "harmful" if one can say that? Depends on self discipline I suppose.
I don't have either and neither do I use online storage.

[Lance]

Thanks for that info guys - very useful - esp link with pictures - will be able to use the right name now! Further, it looks like I will be able to keep this PC going for a while yet!! Lance

[Stephen]

Thanks for that info guys - very useful - esp link with pictures - will be able to use the right name now! Further, it looks like I will be able to keep this PC going for a while yet!! Lance

That's good My desktop PC specs are even slightly older/slower than yours and am just stretching the final legs out of mine now.

"I no longer I have a Facebook account, "
Wise man you, although I think twitter could be the more "harmful" if one can say that? Depends on self discipline I suppose.
I don't have either and neither do I use online storage.

I think to a point they can all be just as harmful as each other, in regard to Facebook specifically a quote from Mark Pesce at the time "They are a bad parent and I'm like DOCS. I'm taking the child out of the situation" and at the time when we (and many others) quit Facebook Mark wrote this article on ABC's The Drum http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/34760.html

[Lance]

Got the Molex to Sata spliter cables and the 6pin graphic card cable (got them at swap meet - had trouble sourcing them at CPL and MSY (well at latter but twice the price) and PC is back together working fine - "Speccy" (http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download) tells me that the Motheboard and Graphics cards are running about 5 degrees cooler and now I can access my third hard drive as well. Will try and keep this system going as long as possible. I see Charles is recommending a new Intel's Haswell architecture for better on-board graphics but will be keen to learn more about the Nvidia Kepler-based cards as well (in case I need a PC sooner rather than latter)?

Thanks for the tips and help.

Lance

[RDee]

Lance,

I hadn't tried Speccy before. I'm impressed!

I prefer it to SIW for hardware info.

RDee

[Lance]

Yes RDee, I love it.

The whole suite of system & information tools from www.piriform.com
CCleaner
Recuva
Defraggler
Speccy

are brilliant. I think they were recommended by PC User Group speaker at the only meeting I have ever been able to attend, I don't think they published it as a story - the talk was "the 20 best freeware programs" or similar.

Lance

[anandasim]

http://recomputepc.com/