Rate/Review/Opinions on my just ordered EBAY computer!!!

[toneekay]

So I had some extra funds in my Paypal account that I wanted to spend (didn't want to withdraw for cash since if then, it would just go to waste on food and other misc little things). Decided, hey, I have this old ass computer I've been using since the 90s... Time to upgrade!

Anyways, I decided to look on Ebay for a few already built computers and came along this rather old, yet still efficient build for a friendly price of $280 from ALLPCZONE.

- Intel E3300 Celeron 2.5GHz processor
- Foxconn G41MXE LGA775 mobo
- 2GB DDR3 1333FSB RAM (no-name brand)
- 500GB 7200rpm 16mb cache SATA2 HDD (no-name brand)
- 22x DVD-RW dual layer w/ lightscribe
- Voyager Mid-Tower ATX case
- Orion 400W PSU (no-name)
*Also comes with I-Micro keyboard, mouse, speakers


Now, I'm planning on throwing in the following since that build is okay, but could be better:

- Intel E5300 Pentium 2.6GHz processor (have laying around)
- Kingston 4GB 1333FSB RAM (2x240)
- Cooler Master 95mm fan/heatsink
- Look for a 500-600W PSU
- Look for a video card (any suggestions???)
*Also planning on overclocking the CPU to 3.3-3.5GHz

This is a very low budget computer build, and I know it could be so much better, but that's what I'm working with. Moderate gaming (no hardcore games), watch movies, and surfing the web, and other misc. crap.

 

[toneekay]

Also trying to keep the added parts budget to $100-120. I spent $280 shipped for the computer and trying to spend around $400 or less for everything.

 

[253eg]

I had purchased a HP dx2300 from a liquidator on eBay a few months ago. Aside from the processor, I was pleased with it. You should be too, especially after your upgrades.(I also purchased a Dell Latitude D420 for a trip, which I'm also pleased with).

I have similar plans as you do, by the way

 

[Mr. Jollypants]

I'd save more money and spend around 550 for a MUCH better computer.

But for my opinion. I sell computers around those specs for 140-170 a pop.

 

[radracer]

if your planning on over clocking i suggest getting the cosair hs80 liquid processor cooler with radiator and dual fan set up to keep it cool as well as 200mm fans if your case has the sapce for them , i got a sweet deal from compusa.com for my entire build

 

[toneekay]

I had purchased a HP dx2300 from a liquidator on eBay a few months ago. Aside from the processor, I was pleased with it. You should be too, especially after your upgrades.(I also purchased a Dell Latitude D420 for a trip, which I'm also pleased with).

I have similar plans as you do, by the way

Yea, I was originally looking for a computer for my parents, but then this eBay one happened to be a little better than the one I'm using now. I think it'll do fairly well, I'm not planning on doing anything too hardcore with it besides the porn...

I'd save more money and spend around 550 for a MUCH better computer.

But for my opinion. I sell computers around those specs for 140-170 a pop.

Yea, I usually don't have any extra funds coming in (currently unemployed now), so I had to go with what little funds I had. I was actually counting up how much everything would be for a low budget build ($40-60 parts) and I ended up with over $400 bucks. To be honest some of the extra parts I have to buy aren't even going in yet since I'm broke sauce -_-"

In time I'll upgrade, and build a way better comp from ground up.

if your planning on over clocking i suggest getting the cosair hs80 liquid processor cooler with radiator and dual fan set up to keep it cool as well as 200mm fans if your case has the sapce for them , i got a sweet deal from compusa.com for my entire build

Meh... this comp doesn't really need to see anything fancy, and I'm not planning on throwing too much more cash at it. A little 10 dollar heatsink and fan should do fairly well instead of the stock one.

 

[toneekay]

I really wanted an MSI or Gigabyte mobo, but that eBay spot didn't have those as an option. The reviews for the Foxconn doesn't seem too great either, oh well... we'll see how things workout.

 

[JohnS.]

It's decent. But next time you want to upgrade, save up some more money and build your own through newegg. I'm sure Jolly would even be willing to help you with it as long as you tell him what you want performance-wise and what your budget is.

I finally bought my first semi-decent quad core. Didn't really do all that much.. I'm thinking my 32bit XP is bottle necking the rest of my system.

 

[toneekay]

Yea, the computer came in the mail today, looks like the noname stuff was actually some good brands; HDD is a Seagate and the RAM is G.Skill.

Right now I'm currently running with the E5300 and even attempted to overclock it jussst a little; brought the CPU from 2.6 to 3.47GHz with 65-75ish cpu temps. Still waiting on picking up another 2gb ram and a better cpu heatsink/fan to cool things down a little more.

Oh yea, and I'm on that Win7 Ultimate 64bit

 

[toneekay]

Actually, I take that back, the CPU is running around 41-46 degrees!!!

 

[Mr. Jollypants]

G.Skill is ok

 

[toneekay]

So I'm bumping this back up; I have a small problem that I need to figure out but I can't figure it out!!! Here's my list of specs as of right now (typing this on the comp now):

- Foxconn G41MXE mobo
- Intel E8500 cpu
- 2GB DDR3 1333fsb ram (I have another 2gb, but that's the one that's giving me problems)
- 500GB hdd
- 400W psu
- GT430 video card


*Okay so here's my problem... Before I had an E5300 (2.6ghz, 800mhz fsb) processor that I was running in the computer along with 1333fsb 4GB of ram (2x2gb sticks); had no poblems whatsoever. Well I finally got a good deal on an E8500 (3.16ghz, 1333mhz fsb) that I've been wanting and it arrived in the mail today! I swap in the E8500 and start the computer up... NOTHING! Everything powers on (lights, fans, etc), but the cd drive nor the hard drive makes any sounds to show that it's working. I figure, maybe I should try it with one stick of ram instead of two, boom, she fires up and works perfectly.

Now, why doesn't the computer boot up properly with both sticks of ram in there? Is there a way I can fix this problem so I can use both sticks of ram? I thought maybe it could be the PSU not putting out enough voltage, or maybe I might have to de-clock the speed? Any insight out there? I know some of you guys may have came across this problem sometime in your lives...

 

[253eg]

BIOS update, maybe?

 

[31dev31]

BIOS update, maybe?

X2

The motherboard might not be compatible with the combination of 4gb of ram and the new cpu.

 

[DarkCreep]

Try using 1 RAM stick like you already did, but this time use the other stick you pulled. Then afterwards swap slots. See if that helps any.

Is your new CPU OC'd? Id recommend to remove the OC if so and see if that works.

 

[Mr. Jollypants]

Swap out the sticks and see if they both work when single, if it's just one stick that works and not the other, you know your issue.

 

[toneekay]

Both sticks work while installed by itself, the sticks are working.

I tried to do a BIOS update but it said that the new update does not support 64-bit OS.

 

[DarkCreep]

Do the sticks work as a single in either of the DIMM slots?

 

[Mr. Jollypants]

Both sticks work while installed by itself, the sticks are working.

I tried to do a BIOS update but it said that the new update does not support 64-bit OS.

Have you tried no video card, both memory sticks installed and using the onboard video?

 

[toneekay]

Have you tried no video card, both memory sticks installed and using the onboard video?

This was the second thing I tried, and still had the same problem.

I'm currently trying to update the BIOS, but the manufacturer's updated bios doesn't support Windows 64-Bit systems... wtf??? I just sent an email to Foxconn to see what's up with that.

But if any other good ideas out there, post it up, I'm still running on 2gb and want to use that other damn 2 that I bought!!!!!!!!!!