The Official Computer Building Question Thread - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

**gambitnut** · 10-26-2005, 01:10 PM

I teach people how to build computers at a nonprofit called Free Geek where we take donated computers, take them apart, test the parts, rebuild them by putting the working parts in the working computers and give them to our volunteers for free. Ask away.

ToddMacCulloch11 · 12-18-2005, 07:41 PM

My computer is about....5, 6 years old. It's start to get a little slower opening programs and things like that, so I think its about time to upgrade some RAM (I got 128 MB now, most it can go is 512, each slot can hold 256). So anyway, I know how to put it in and all that, but I was just wondering if you can suggest what is good brand/price wise? I'm looking to pick up a 256MB PC133 SDRAM. I just want something that will hold me over for a while til I end up getting a new computer in a year or so.

**gambitnut** · 12-20-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddMacCulloch11

My computer is about....5, 6 years old. It's start to get a little slower opening programs and things like that, so I think its about time to upgrade some RAM (I got 128 MB now, most it can go is 512, each slot can hold 256). So anyway, I know how to put it in and all that, but I was just wondering if you can suggest what is good brand/price wise? I'm looking to pick up a 256MB PC133 SDRAM. I just want something that will hold me over for a while til I end up getting a new computer in a year or so.

I think there is a difference with the brands, but not major and just about any RAM should hold you over for the length of time you're talking about, I'd just look for the cheapest. If you don't mind taking a bit of a drive, contact Free Geek Penn and see if they have any for sale, they'll have a great price if they have some. If you don't want to do that, look for sales in your area or try ebay.

Also, if you can find all of the programs you need for it, Linux will run faster. You could at least try a dual boot so you can use windows if you don't like it.

ToddMacCulloch11 · 12-20-2005, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the help. I may check out that place. I was going to go to philly in a few weeks, so if I'm already a good portion of the way there.

Linux might not be a bad idea...I'll check it out. I really don't use the computer for all that much stuff, so I'm sure it can handle whatever I'd use it for.

Thanks again for the advice!

**sheefo13** · 12-20-2005, 12:24 PM

Okay well I bought a Demon IV case and plan on building a "gaming PC". What type of parts (motherboard, processor, RAM, Hard drive) should I get for it to run at an acceptable speed for gaming. I am just wondering things in general, good things I can do for it at a cheap price... Tips ect. Also should I get certain things before I get other things? Like a motherboard first with a proccesor? Any idea where I can get these for a good price?

**gambitnut** · 12-20-2005, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheefo13

Okay well I bought a Demon IV case and plan on building a "gaming PC". What type of parts (motherboard, processor, RAM, Hard drive) should I get for it to run at an acceptable speed for gaming. I am just wondering things in general, good things I can do for it at a cheap price... Tips ect. Also should I get certain things before I get other things? Like a motherboard first with a proccesor? Any idea where I can get these for a good price?

Well, the other parts won't do you much good if you don't have a motherboard or processor.

What kind of games do you like to play?

If you don't mind taking a risk, ebay or some discount site online would probably have the best prices.

JT · 12-21-2005, 10:17 AM

i wish you had this program in syracuse NY. i have been looking to learn how to build my own mobo for the longest time now. can you recommend me any good teaching books of this nature?

**gambitnut** · 12-21-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherako

i wish you had this program in syracuse NY. i have been looking to learn how to build my own mobo for the longest time now. can you recommend me any good teaching books of this nature?

You want to build a mobo? Not a computer but a mobo?

hoojacks · 06-04-2006, 08:38 PM

I'm building a budget gaming computer. Of course, with that comes an off brand GPU. So, thats what I'm getting. I know that sometimes they are older models that are OC'd to newer speeds, but other than that risk, whats the real disadvantage to (to give you my situation) buying an MSI 1800XT for 300 instead of an ATI 1800XT for 500?

Also: as a casual gamer (i dont plan on oc'ing, i just want oblivion to look pretty), is it worth busting out 175 bucks to get an A8N SLI-deluxe instead of something weaker, like the A8N 5X that I bought?

thanks!

hoojacks · 06-04-2006, 08:51 PM

also: I want this machine to have have windows and linux. I am just doing research on how this is possible. any suggestions? thanks.

**gambitnut** · 06-17-2006, 12:15 AM

I always say go for the cheapest option. Of course, I work for a place that gives computers away for free.

Dual booting Windows and Linux is a easy, and a great idea if you must have Windows. What games do you want to play? If there is any way to play them without Windows, I'd go for it.

STUCKEY! · 06-17-2006, 06:54 AM

Um this is a stupid question but how come my relatively new computer doesnt have mircosoft word? It seems like every freaking computer out there has it execpt mine lol

hoojacks · 06-17-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gambitnut

I always say go for the cheapest option. Of course, I work for a place that gives computers away for free.

Dual booting Windows and Linux is a easy, and a great idea if you must have Windows. What games do you want to play? If there is any way to play them without Windows, I'd go for it.

Right now I'm playing Oblivion, Call of Cthulhu, Rise of Legends and Hitman: Blood Money. Pretty much all over the board, I play any game that looks really good. I basically bought this new computer in anticipation for Spore. I do have two HDs, would that help in dual booting?

**gambitnut** · 06-17-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHEED!

Um this is a stupid question but how come my relatively new computer doesnt have mircosoft word? It seems like every freaking computer out there has it execpt mine lol

Does it have Linux? I doubt you could be that lucky, most people don't have Linux, but I have to ask. That would make sense. Anyway, Not having Word isn't a horrible thing, just get Open Office.

STUCKEY! · 06-19-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gambitnut

Does it have Linux? I doubt you could be that lucky, most people don't have Linux, but I have to ask. That would make sense. Anyway, Not having Word isn't a horrible thing, just get Open Office.

I dont think i have linux, but not having word is annoying for school papaer when my printer doesnt work because of sending the files to school and changing files type u know?

10-26-2005, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
gambitnut -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 33 Posts: 6,107 Rep Power: 883989	The Official Computer Building Question Thread I teach people how to build computers at a nonprofit called Free Geek where we take donated computers, take them apart, test the parts, rebuild them by putting the working parts in the working computers and give them to our volunteers for free. Ask away. __________________ Have an old computer you don't need anymore? If you live in or near Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois, Columbus, Ohio, South Bend, Indiana, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Orlando, Florida, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota or Keokuk, Iowa, Free Geek can help! For the first time, There are even two Free Geek locations starting up in Canada, in Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario! Blazer fans unite! Fan of Baseball? Talk about it here! Building a computer? I can help! Also, learn about where I work, talk about chess, vote in my poll, pick your favorite songs, ask me questions and check out the rest of my forum! Last edited by gambitnut; 10-26-2005 at 01:35 PM.

12-18-2005, 07:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
ToddMacCulloch11 Legend Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Age: 30 Posts: 22,938 Rep Power: 21474868	Re: The Official Computer Building Question Thread My computer is about....5, 6 years old. It's start to get a little slower opening programs and things like that, so I think its about time to upgrade some RAM (I got 128 MB now, most it can go is 512, each slot can hold 256). So anyway, I know how to put it in and all that, but I was just wondering if you can suggest what is good brand/price wise? I'm looking to pick up a 256MB PC133 SDRAM. I just want something that will hold me over for a while til I end up getting a new computer in a year or so. __________________ hi.

12-20-2005, 12:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
ToddMacCulloch11 Legend Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Age: 30 Posts: 22,938 Rep Power: 21474868	Re: The Official Computer Building Question Thread Thanks for the help. I may check out that place. I was going to go to philly in a few weeks, so if I'm already a good portion of the way there. Linux might not be a bad idea...I'll check it out. I really don't use the computer for all that much stuff, so I'm sure it can handle whatever I'd use it for. Thanks again for the advice! __________________ hi.

12-20-2005, 12:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
sheefo13 Wolves Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: minny rep da 763!! Age: 24 Posts: 6,038 Rep Power: 420031	Re: The Official Computer Building Question Thread Okay well I bought a Demon IV case and plan on building a "gaming PC". What type of parts (motherboard, processor, RAM, Hard drive) should I get for it to run at an acceptable speed for gaming. I am just wondering things in general, good things I can do for it at a cheap price... Tips ect. Also should I get certain things before I get other things? Like a motherboard first with a proccesor? Any idea where I can get these for a good price? __________________ Wolves Forum. -Collectibles and Memorabilia Forum. -Big 10 Forum. -The Sports Shack. Free ipod nano? Sign up! No joke! -No scam, let me know if you are interested!

06-04-2006, 08:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
hoojacks Veteran Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oceanic Flight 815 Age: 28 Posts: 1,765 Rep Power: 1558889	Re: The Official Computer Building Question Thread I'm building a budget gaming computer. Of course, with that comes an off brand GPU. So, thats what I'm getting. I know that sometimes they are older models that are OC'd to newer speeds, but other than that risk, whats the real disadvantage to (to give you my situation) buying an MSI 1800XT for 300 instead of an ATI 1800XT for 500? Also: as a casual gamer (i dont plan on oc'ing, i just want oblivion to look pretty), is it worth busting out 175 bucks to get an A8N SLI-deluxe instead of something weaker, like the A8N 5X that I bought? thanks! __________________ If we are here not to do what you and I want to do and go forever crazy with it, why the hell we are even here?

06-04-2006, 08:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
hoojacks Veteran Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oceanic Flight 815 Age: 28 Posts: 1,765 Rep Power: 1558889	Re: The Official Computer Building Question Thread also: I want this machine to have have windows and linux. I am just doing research on how this is possible. any suggestions? thanks. __________________ If we are here not to do what you and I want to do and go forever crazy with it, why the hell we are even here?

06-17-2006, 12:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
gambitnut -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 33 Posts: 6,107 Rep Power: 883989	Re: The Official Computer Building Question Thread I always say go for the cheapest option. Of course, I work for a place that gives computers away for free. Dual booting Windows and Linux is a easy, and a great idea if you must have Windows. What games do you want to play? If there is any way to play them without Windows, I'd go for it. __________________ Have an old computer you don't need anymore? If you live in or near Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois, Columbus, Ohio, South Bend, Indiana, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Orlando, Florida, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota or Keokuk, Iowa, Free Geek can help! For the first time, There are even two Free Geek locations starting up in Canada, in Vancouver, British Columbia and Toronto, Ontario! Blazer fans unite! Fan of Baseball? Talk about it here! Building a computer? I can help! Also, learn about where I work, talk about chess, vote in my poll, pick your favorite songs, ask me questions and check out the rest of my forum!

06-17-2006, 06:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
STUCKEY! Star Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minnesota Age: 21 Posts: 3,963 Rep Power: 21474847	Re: The Official Computer Building Question Thread Um this is a stupid question but how come my relatively new computer doesnt have mircosoft word? It seems like every freaking computer out there has it execpt mine lol

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