I was going to re-build this summer anyway, but just the other day, after a MS update, the computer started to run slowly. So I rebooted, but it wouldn't post. CPU fan spun up, as did case fans, etc. but no beeps from the motherboard, even with the memory modules removed. So I'm pretty sure it's the motherboard.
But I took the computer down to my local PC shop here, just to double-check before I splashed out on new stuff. They spent an hour changing things around, testing, and didn't charge me for it!
Anyway, the quickest thing for me to do would be to find another Socket 939 board, with PCI-E, but they don't exist here in this part of China.
So, I've tried to spec an upgrade. But most of the stuff I want to use, I just can't find here. Ordering off the internet is a bit dodgy in China too. So, from spending the last couple of days searching all the local computer shops, I have the following spec. :
Motherboard : Asus P5K Pro. I really wanted the Deluxe or something a little better, but this is about the best I can find here. I know there's issues with the position of the 24-pin power connector, but I think I can live with that. Just ordered for £85.
CPU : Intel Q6600. I've heard it's a pretty good processor, and overclocks nicely. It's the fastest I can actually get here, but they still needed to order it in! It cost me £120. Not sure if I'll be getting OEM or retail.
Memory : I couldn't find anything I recognise out here. Except for Kingston. I have found only one shop selling matched pairs, and have chosen the Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2k2/2GN. This differes from the one sold at OcUK, which is /2G but not too sure what the difference is. From the website just looks like the /2GB is double sided. This means nothing to me. The 2x1GB set costs £44.
CPU cooler : again, really short on choice here. I had wanted the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, but it's just not available anywhere. So my next choice was the ThermalTake Big Typhoon. I can't find the VX version which has the fan speed controller. Is it possible to control the fan speed another way? This costs £21.85.
I'll be using my existing Tagan 480W power supply. And I've also bought a Logitech G5 mouse for £31.
My main worry is the memory, as I haven't seen any reviews of it. Can anyone see any problems with this setup? It's been a real struggle to get anything decent out here. And I'm giving up getting a new graphics card, I'll wait until the next time I return to UK.
But I took the computer down to my local PC shop here, just to double-check before I splashed out on new stuff. They spent an hour changing things around, testing, and didn't charge me for it!
Anyway, the quickest thing for me to do would be to find another Socket 939 board, with PCI-E, but they don't exist here in this part of China.
So, I've tried to spec an upgrade. But most of the stuff I want to use, I just can't find here. Ordering off the internet is a bit dodgy in China too. So, from spending the last couple of days searching all the local computer shops, I have the following spec. :
Motherboard : Asus P5K Pro. I really wanted the Deluxe or something a little better, but this is about the best I can find here. I know there's issues with the position of the 24-pin power connector, but I think I can live with that. Just ordered for £85.
CPU : Intel Q6600. I've heard it's a pretty good processor, and overclocks nicely. It's the fastest I can actually get here, but they still needed to order it in! It cost me £120. Not sure if I'll be getting OEM or retail.
Memory : I couldn't find anything I recognise out here. Except for Kingston. I have found only one shop selling matched pairs, and have chosen the Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2k2/2GN. This differes from the one sold at OcUK, which is /2G but not too sure what the difference is. From the website just looks like the /2GB is double sided. This means nothing to me. The 2x1GB set costs £44.
CPU cooler : again, really short on choice here. I had wanted the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, but it's just not available anywhere. So my next choice was the ThermalTake Big Typhoon. I can't find the VX version which has the fan speed controller. Is it possible to control the fan speed another way? This costs £21.85.
I'll be using my existing Tagan 480W power supply. And I've also bought a Logitech G5 mouse for £31.
My main worry is the memory, as I haven't seen any reviews of it. Can anyone see any problems with this setup? It's been a real struggle to get anything decent out here. And I'm giving up getting a new graphics card, I'll wait until the next time I return to UK.
