Its Alive!

I got it working. Windows is installed. All my drivers for the various hardware parts are installed. It is running super cool. After try NWN2 for about 15 minutes the processor was still only at 26c and the graphics card that used to run at a straight 70c is running at about 49c. I did have a few little hiccups getting it to work but it wasn't to hard to figure out. More about that later. Here are some pics of it in action.






The DVD burner/drive I cannibalized from my old computer has a rounded front which prevents me from closing the upper door but I will eventually replace it with another. Also the floppy drive I cannibalized from an even older computer didn't work but I only put it in in case I ever had to flash the bios. That can be done from a usb drive anyway. Bottom line is it works and its way faster than my last one. Plus I made it myself.

Some shots of my new rig.

Here are the pictures of my new WIP.

First the case alone.


The case has a duct so the cpu fan can pull in fresh cool air from outside the case.
Here is what I got to yesterday.

As you can see the mother board is assembled and all the PCI/PCI xpress cards are installed.

I got a cooler specifically to cool the graphics card and hope to be able to overclock it at least a little. It runs really hot not overclocked, around 70C, so it still might not be possible. I will post more pics as I take them. Hopefully this weekend I will get to see how it handles NWN2.

Here is an extra shot with some of the case fans attached.

Also you can see the harddrive in its detachable tray to the right bottom. Cables are still a mess but after I figure out how to hook up everything I need I will clean them up and get them out of the way.

Today in the Obits

Well the bad news first. My computer is dead. The bios will not fire no matter what I do. I tried everything I could find on the internet and it dead. I hope the harddrive is still good because the last time I saved my mod progress to disk was in December.
The good news is that all is not lost. I am now building my first computer. This will take up my time for a few weeks but I will post progress as it comes. I have already received all the parts except a new copy of windows that should be here on Friday. Since my old computer likely failed due to overheating, I am taking precautions to prevent this. (5 system fans set up to create a positive air pressure inside the case to keep dust out.)

Here are the specs so far. Take in mind I am not rich and cannot afford to by the latest tech but I think I have made some good choices.
Processor: AMD 64 X2 5400 @ 2.8 GHz
Ram: 2 Gigs of Corsair with built in heat sinks
Graphics Card: for now I am recycling my old x1600 pro but will be upgrading to something better, likely an X1950 Pro, in a few months.
Case: An Ultra Alluminus, easy to build on with a detachable mother board tray.
600Watt power supply.
250 gig Western Digital Sata II harddrive, with 3gbs transfer rate.

I have already the mobo, processor, heatsinks, ram, power supply, and harddrive installed but am still working on configuring all the power cables to not block to much airflow. Hopefully by sat it will be running. I will post some pictures as soon as I am able to get the cam to load them on my girlfriends computer. Wish me luck.