Spare parts - wanna build a budget box.

After reading Simon's thread about his test setup it gave me an idea.

I've recently just got my hands on a brand new shuttle to replace my Dell XPS T500 that had got a bit long in the tooth. The Dell actually died sadly a few weeks ago when the BIOS got corrupted. I tried everything to flash a new BIOS but I just couldn't find a suitable BIOS file (from Dell or otherwise) that would bring it back to life.

So I've got a lifeless mobo but there's more than a few healthy parts left in it:

• DVD-ROM (came with the system)
• LG CD-Writer (32x write i think)
• 300W PSU
• P3 500MHz (no idea what the socket is)
• 1x64MB PC100
• 1x128MB PC100
• Floppy drive
• Dell Case
• All the cables IDE etc..

I think that's it. What I want to do is buy a few things that can produce another working system. A few questions.

[list=1][*]What could I use it for to compliment the Shuttle? MP3s, server?[*]What mobo should i pick up? Since tits a Dell the CPU might not work in a standard mobo?[*]Should I dump the CPU and get a cheap AMD and matching mobo?[*]Same question but regarding the RAM? Should I dump the PC100?[/list=1]

I'm from Ireland and cheap computer parts are so hard to get over here (any parts for that matter) and might ask for some help in anybody who could send me parts out by mail. It would be worth it since even buying something like a fan from ebuyer would cost me £25 delivery.

I would really use this machine for storage or probably just messing around on. I miss the way I began to get wreckless with my trusty Dell as it got old. I want to be able to try out different mods, overclock etc. Run it into the ground basically :)


So anyone have any advice where to start or what to look at?

Cheers for the help! :D

ok well first off the skt will be a slot one as they didn't do a P3 500 in the 370 version, which is going to make looking for a motherboard restricted to 2nd (ebay loot etc). also make sure it has a fan attached (as dells normally just have a very large heat sink and a system fan).

if you decide not to use the CPU i'd recomemend you get a duron system - cheap and cheerful. Mke sure the motherboard you get can do SDR unless you want new DDR memory (dirt cheap atm).

Quote:

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Originally posted by wilsonian
ok well first off the skt will be a slot one as they didn't do a P3 500 in the 370 version, which is going to make looking for a motherboard restricted to 2nd (ebay loot etc). also make sure it has a fan attached (as dells normally just have a very large heat sink and a system fan).

if you decide not to use the CPU i'd recomemend you get a duron system - cheap and cheerful. Mke sure the motherboard you get can do SDR unless you want new DDR memory (dirt cheap atm).

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they did do a socket 370 p-3-500, I had one for a while, gave it to my brother :) so it could be both, but you'll easily be able to tell when you open it up. :)

the best pic i can find is here.

i think its a Slot 1. I actually have opened it up before. Its a big chunky thing (with the HS attached) and kind of slots in like RAM.

www.josh.org.uk i was on you site reading up about min-itxs etc. Can you tell me what the main advantages are for setting up a file server?

thats a slot 1

Quote:

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Originally posted by quarryman
the best pic i can find is here.

i think its a Slot 1. I actually have opened it up before. Its a big chunky thing (with the HS attached) and kind of slots in like RAM.

www.josh.org.uk i was on you site reading up about min-itxs etc. Can you tell me what the main advantages are for setting up a file server?

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:) I don't have a file server, I just use mine as a webserver. (and print server). mainly because i had run out of free webspace so wanted my own server.

file servers are useful if you have a number of pcs that need to access the same files, but i just keep all my files on one pc, and use that pc to access the files, but if i did have a file server, i could just use any pc and get to the files... but as my pcs are all in the same room it's not much use to me.

One problem.... the PSU (assuming its a Dell) may have wiring thats different from a standard motherboard power connector. I've heard of people frying their mobos that way with Dell propretairy PSU's.

You could get an old ABit BE6-II v1.2 mobo and OC that 500 to 750+

how much cache did the chip have? If it had 256Kb of L2 cache then you're in luck as its a coppermine (.18) based and will probably OC well. If you have the 512Kb of L2 cache its probably the Katamai based .25 and not fair as well.

Personally I would probably scrap (try to sell) the CPU/memory and get an XP1700 and cheap nforce mobo with lan & sound and reuse case, & CD drives.