Computer Hope
Other => Computer Hope groups => Self Built Computer Club => Topic started by: Biker on April 23, 2009, 06:38:50 PM
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Bring life back to an older MSI Motherboard.
I only use the computer for CAD; PCB design, Schematics, Photoshop, Research and e-mails, I’m not a gamer and was only looking to support my Engineering needs, which is in the Aerospace field at JHU/APL.
After many weeks of reviewing what would work I came up with these items.
Note the MB is a MSI 7046, supporting a Pentium 4 Processor 530 HT 3GHz, FSB 800, Chipset 915, from a Medion Composer 5100 Model.
Starting with the Case; using a Thermaltake Armor MX VH8000BWS, which is easily upgradeable to water cooling or an AC unit, tho at the moment not needed because of the newer CPU cooler. The case comes with three fans; one very large side mounted which provides extra cooling for the Graphics Card, one in front that keeps the hard drives cool and one in the rear which vents the hot air.
Changed out the power supply to keep up with the newer graphics card current(amp) rating and other support items; Tagan BZ800 Modular, which is very nice, I don’t have to deal with that large bundle of cables anymore, I connect the cables as needed, the remainder cables are store in a nice cable pouch which comes with the supply.
Throw out the old CPU cooler for an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro; Thermal Resistance: 0.17°C/Watt, the fan only comes to life under heavy CPU loading and is very silent, CPU is now running much cooler, note also the back part of this cooler has fins which point down providing air for the DC Power Switchers as well. This is a large cooler and with the MB on its side it doesn’t appear to be a problem with the extra weight attached to the CPU fixture and MB.
Updated the cooler for the Chipset as well, it was always running hot; heatsink with no fan, now very cool with a larger heatsink with fan.
Changed out the old RAM for newer Crucial, now running 4GB, tho I am thinking of changing the OS to 64bit; running 32bit at the moment, to allow for more RAM above 4Gb. Note, more RAM does help for CAD operations.
Added an LCD; ACER P201W 20” wide screen monitor to complement the CRT ViewSonic monitor for Photoshop and CAD, love the split screen work. Spec: 5ms response time, resolution of 1,680 x 1,050, a luminance of 300cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 2,500:1.
After many yrs running the older Graphics FX card, it finally die, I blame it on the older AIRLX case with limited air flow used for the Medion Composer 5100 model, another reason to upgrade. I hoping this new card; MSINX8400GS, will handle the CAD and the Photoshop program well, if not I will have to buy the NVIDIA Quadro FX. At the moment tho, the Graphics card is working out very nicely and supports both monitors, and is fan cooled as well.
Added recent a four fan speed controller w/thermistors and a newer Media controller, not in pic's
Photobucket
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss2/HapGail/DSCN6508.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss2/HapGail/DSCN6513.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss2/HapGail/DSCN6525.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss2/HapGail/DSCN6535.jpg
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Nice work there.
I'm not personally a fan of the case or the LEDs, but kudos on the modifications to wake that system up a little, especially as it was partially created from a pre-built machine.
The nice thing is, a lot of those components can be re-used in a newer system, if or when you decide to go for, say, a Core 2 Duo or Athlon/Phenom based setup.
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After the initial test run I turn the LED’s output down, they were very bright, tho I didn’t buy the Case and or Pwr supply for the colour LED’s, I just wanted the air flow and a good 12volt rail.
Ya didn’t like the Armor MX case, did ya have one recent that failed. It took me over two months reviewing many cases and feedback before I bought this one, same thing with the pwr supply, tho now I’m thinking I should have bought the 1000 watt supply which was my first choice.
I was thinking of buying another Armor MX VH8000BWS or try out the Armor Plus VH6000BWS for a Super Micro MB build which supports dual core processor.
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/PD/945/PDSLA.cfm
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I've not owned a Thermaltake case, I just don't like the looks of most of them.
I'm more of a classic person, I prefer more subtle styling (read: beige box).
There's nothing wrong with the case and it does have a lot of good reviews, plus a lot of nice features and apparently good cooling, it's just not my cup of tea.
Don't let me rain on your parade ;)
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its good to have others input
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Looks good got you added to the SBCC
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Nicely Done Biker....Welcome Aboard !
Does an LCD slow CAD down in your experience ? ?
I have an Architect customer i built a new machine for and he refuses to switch...i cringe when i see that big 'ol clunky CRT...
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The CAD I use is more in-line with electrical and electronic and printed circuit board design, so the LCD works fine, the main reason for the CRT is for Photoshop use, the LCD is then use for splitting the work panel setup.
Tho I can see why your customer would use only CRT for 3D models, you should ask him to show ya the difference in close-up mode while running in CAD, then LCD.
Have ya see the price of a Quadro FX5800.....$3,000.00....more then most would pay for any puter.
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His vid card...and i built the system for him was more than the CPU; MBoard and case put together...they have some way whacked out cards specifically for CAD...
But he's a happy camper.
Now i know why he is stubborn on CRT's.
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just like Dig Camera's ver's film types...I waited till 8Meg's came out before buying and it's close for what I'm using it for but still can't replace film for larger format prints without filling in the gaps.
And my Dig Cam was more in-line as a demo to see how the market would take to it, so it only sold for maybe six months, shame tho, it was very good...Nikon coolpix 8800 and on the pricey side..but it was competing against the D class versions for about $100 more and lost.