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I got her up and running, but I'm not quite finished yet. I still need to install lots of software. Anyway, this was an easy build with components I haven't seen in years (all new stuff).

1. CPU - bought an Intel Core2 Quad (Q6600). I was surprised at the size of the chip, and the pin-less design. Using the standard Intel heatsink and fan that comes with the cpu.

2. Motherboard - I've had excellent luck with Asus, so I stayed with that brand. I bought a P5K-E/with WiFi. What struck me with this new motherboard was how easy it was to install the cpu, as the socket has the pins. The Intel heatsink allows for easy removal by turning the post that holds the heatsink and fan onto the motherboard. A simple twist on each one (4 total) and the assembly comes off.

3. Power Supply - I bought a Thermatake TP 750W. The regular price was $179 at Fry's, but it had a $80 rebate. It's a modular design which I never seen before until I bought this unit. Comes with a huge fan, but you can hardly hear it run.

4. Case - I bought an Antec P180b (black). This is an interesting design as the power supply sits at the bottom. It has openings that are adjustable so you can route your cabling inside the other chambers, then close off the openings so only the cables are coming out. My only complaint with this case is installing the power supply. I had a hell of a time getting it to fit and installing the cables. Antec never expected users would use a different power supply (their fan-less design) which I did not like. I would venture to say it took me over one hour to get it installed. Antec should have designed it so the bottom fan is movable in order to install the cables. After installing the power supply, the other installations were easy and trouble free.

5. Hard Drives - I picked up a 75G Western Digital Raptor for my boot drive, and a 500G Seagate to be partitioned into 3 separate areas: games, music, and "scratch". I have these installed in front of the power supply so I can take advantage of the center fan. Antec made a removable tray that slides out. The drives are then mounted on rubber grommets on there sides.

6. Video Card - I picked up a Nivida 8800GT. This sucker is long, and I had to use a SATA cable that bends at a 90° so it would not interfere with the card and the motherboard SATA connectors.

7. Memory - I bought 2 Gigs of DDR2 1066 from Corsair. Can't believe how cheap memory is now, and of this quality and performance.

Got it up and running showing all 4 cpu's. This thing boots pretty fast to the XP desktop. Once the initial XP screen comes up, in less than 15 seconds it is at the desktop with everything loaded in the tray. The time consuming issue is going to be moving my Steam stuff over. The other games that I have can be installed, but the Steam games will take a while. I plan on using the Steam backup utility to move them over. Hopefully in a couple of weeks, I should have this new rig humming playing TF2.

Oh, I noticed on this mobo that there is no LPT port. I had no idea that this port would be discontinued on mobo's. This does create one small problem as my HP Laser Jet uses LPT. Do they make a USB to LPT cable?

Ya, I'm sure they have a USB conversion cable for printers. I saw one somewhere along time back. Best buy or maybe Micro Center.

Justlookin wrote:Ya, I'm sure they have a USB conversion cable for printers. I saw one somewhere along time back. Best buy or maybe Micro Center.

Hey, another option if you have, I do. My router has a printer port. Maybe you can network it from there if you have one.

Very nice system. mile

I decided to get a card instead. I was reading lots of issues with the usb to lpt cables. I can't use the one on the router since it sits in the garage out of my way (I'm too lazy to get up and walk to the garage to get it, and I would have to make some kind of platform for it to sit on.

Forgot to mention the memory so I added that info.

Sounds like a sweet rig mile

Worst thing if you can't get the LPT to USB to work is to use a wired or wireless print server, or install a PCI-E x1 or PCI LPT port card.

You have to expect at some point they will start phasing out old interfaces. These days there is not much of a call or need for PS/2, serial, and LPT ports. There are converters anyways for all such ports.

I picked one up for $12 PCI. I don't plan to replace the printer until it no longer works.

Yeah parallel card works better than a USB interface.

Welcome to Quad Core my friend! I love my Q6600.

The Steam backup utility works fine. I used it to move everything to my new rig as well. I backed up my Valve games to an external hard drive and it didn't take long at all. I also burned all the backups to DVD while I was at it.

Wow, you got that fast video card fast! I bet you don't have any game that can slow it down.(unless you got Crysis)

NubyCanuby_OFC wrote:Wow, you got that fast video card fast! I bet you don't have any game that can slow it down.(unless you got Crysis)

LMAO @ Crysis. That game is such a hardware hog. I made mistake of cranking it up when first installed. HAHAHA plane was sitting there for almost 10 seconds before it moved one frame. My ole 7800gt is a dinosaur compared to most newer cards

It's probably going to take me ~ 2 weeks or so to get all the software re-installed. That is why I hate doing fresh installs, but this time around, I plan to get it loaded with the basic stuff (except for games), and make an image with Acronis.