PC Peripherals PSU Problem Advice + Upgrade Suggestion

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Spacescreamer

Spacescreamer

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Okay the deal is, that my friend is running this p4 based machine as a secondary system and is facing problems.
Config is:

Pentium 4 , 2.66 Mhz
1 GB DDR RAM
500 GB Sata 2 Seagate.
itech PSU ( Marked as 450 W)
No GFX/ No Soundcard
Click to expand...
I recently got him the Seagate HDD and ever since the PSU seems to be acting up.
Portable HDD (Seagate FreeAgent Go) when connected seems to get disconnected very frequently and connects the next instant.
System seems to be running a tad slow at times. HD movies (720p run fine but problem arises at times.)
I am guessing the PSU is not good enuf after installing SATA 2 500GB.
Now i am not too good with the psu/smps stuff and so went blank when asked for advice.
He plans to run it only for programming needs like IBM RAD and torrents in the background.

1) What's the solution for the disconnecting portable HDD problem? (Major Question)
2) If at all he plans to install any soundcard/gfx , worth it on this motherboard? Requirements in next ques.
3) Recommend Any decent upgrade (Motherboard+ Pentium proccy) to support an okayish soundcard for AL MX 5021 and a grafix card to play games like Assassins creed 2.

Thx in advance.
 
Did you connect the portable hdd to your cabby's front port or back port ?. Most probably these kind of issues arise only in front panel ports. This i am telling by my own experience. If it works flawlessly with your back port, then it means your cabby's front port is incapable of providing the required power to your PHDD...
 
Usually the front port (E-SATA), is not hot swappable. @OP, if the ESATA device is not used, then is all fine..?
 
I been using the ports located on the back side.

And with cable which draws power from 2 connectors to be abs. sure.

C'mon guys.. this is important stuff... !
 
At times the Motherboard Manufacturers do not provide sufficient power to the USB extension ports on the motherboard for front/back pannel connection.

99% of times, if the PSU fails to provide the sufficient power to the system, the system is bound to give you either the blue screen issue or will get rebooted.

Secondly, installation of sound card or a graphics card will not be an issue, however you will need to consider the PSU upgrade option if you plan to do so.

Lastly, using old computers/processors means that you are bound to use more energy for the same task over the new technologies. Things like C1E/C stepping is a very good method of lowering down the overall power consumption of the system. I would suggest that you opt for the new technology and go for a new MB+CPU+RAM Bundle.

If you want a decent Workstation then you may opt for an i3 Bundled with an H55/H57 Chipset Based Motherboard along with DDR3 Memory Or an AMD 250 with 880G/890GX chipset based Motherboard.
 
i too was thinking about i3 based system but havent really been able to zero in on a recommendable config.

Got zilch of an idea here as i havent been into configuring machines offlate and of this requirement esp.

Was also sceptical as might suggest an overkill..

Was hoping anybody in similar situation as my friend would be able to pinpoint the exact config regarding Specific proccy, RAM and PSU.

Thanks Jay for reaffirming few of my thoughts. Now just looking for somebody to nail the exact config.
 
Well atm looking for few different suggestions.

1) Mainly machine to run IBM RAD like s.w.

2) A gaming rig for running Assassins creed 2 type games.

3) Same as 2) but if the thing is like xfire ready then added advantage. More like option 2 + future secure.

i am guessing he can use one gfx rite now and pack in a second one whenever he wants to.

I hope ppl will get the idea. I still am not sure abt all these fine lines.

A gaming rig of Option 2) or 3) Shd be able to satisfy the 1) Config.
 
Well that's why i asked different configs. :)

Not that stingy but has got few budget constraints for sure. Havent got exact details on that.
 
It is impossible to zero in on the specs without having a specific budget. Please ask your friend how much he is willing to spare. And if possible please use the template.
 
Budget not available atm. Banking on the diff specs to choose from.

Would appreciate if configs are poured in.

Edit: Seeking Config only for the CPU.

Got rest of the peripherals.

1. Q: What is your budget?

1. N/a Atm. Let's Start with min possible. :)

2. Q: What is your existing hardware configuration

1. CPU - Intel P4

2. Motherboard - Gigabyte 8I915ME

3. GPU - N/a

4. RAM - Kingston 1GB DDR 1

5. Monitor - Samsung 17incher

6. SMPS - itech PSU ( Marked as 450 W)

7. Speakers AL - MX 5021

3. Q: Which hardware will you be keeping

1. Monitor

2. Speakers



4. Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.

1. CPU - Intel ABC

2. Motherboard - any compatible motherboard

3. GPU - Depends



5. Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component

1. Yes, will upgrade only after considerable time.



6. Q: Where will you buy this hardware?

1. Del/NCR

2. Open to online purchase TE/Others

7. Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the TE market

1. Yes

8. Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware

1. Coding Rig

2. Gaming

3. Watching HD movies

9. Q: Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.

1. Would like to keep aftersales in mind while building.

Other Cost effective options might be considered.

10. Q: If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?

1. Assasins Creed .



11. Q: What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage

1. Gaming - 1280x728

2. Desktop - 1440x900

12. Q: Are you looking to overclock?

1. No

13. Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?

1. Windows XP/ 7

Sorry for half info guys.

Friend is out of station and i need to get this thing started to reach some sensible conclusion. Bear with me.
 
Components Description Price (INR)
Processor AMD Athlon II X2 240/AthlonII X3 425 2800/3150
Motherboard Biostar A780L 2600
RAM 2GB 800MHz Kingston DDRII RAM 2200
HDD 500 GB WD Blue 2000
GPU On Board Raedon HD3000/HD4200 -
Cabinet Zebronics/IBall Generic Cabby w/o SMPS 1000
PSU/SMPS FSP SAGAII 350w 1500
Key Board Logitech SET - Optical Blk Mouse+ MMKB 700
Mouse NA -
ODD L.G. GH22NS50 OEM SATA DVD-Writer 950
Total 13750/14100

If processor has to be strictly from Intel stable then,

Components Description Price (INR)
Processor Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300/E5400 2900/3000
Motherboard Gigabyte G41M-ES2L 2300

Going for AMD gives u a chance to go for a tri core processor at a bargain price. The X3 425 provide excellent VFM at the 3k price point and costs just couple of hundreds more than the E5400/AthlonII X2 245.

Add a HD4650 512MB DDR2 ~2.9k/ HD4670 512MB DDR3 ~ 3.8k depending on the budget. I vote for the HD4670 as for the price it sells for now it provides excellent VFM and will last for sometime at that resolution.
 
Spoke to the fellow ..Budget No bar. But try to maintain a sane expenditure for CPU only.

Starting from Core 2 duo

Now pls help me out fellow geeks.

Processor Intel Core i3-530

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-H 57 M-USB3

RAM 2GB DDR3-1333
Click to expand...

Is this an overkill ?

What's the budget for the above mentioned config?
 
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