Project: "Ebay Frankenstein"

gmoney67 · 08-02-2008, 02:02 PM

Hey guys. I started this project out at first because I was on a tight budget, but then actually realized it was a fun challenge anyway. I wanted to build a new pc comprised of only used parts from ebay. This may seem easy (or maybe even stupid), but I also wanted it to be completely capable of today and tomorrow's games all for $600US. What I found was that not only did I create a capable rig, but there are some amazing deals out there if you are willing to take the ebay "risk". I didn't intend at first to create a fully watercooled rig, but as I saw the case on ebay I just couldn't resist to give it a try.Anyway here are the specs (and prices for which I purchased the components).

Also keep in mind this rig isn't prefect. It will need a second radiator to be overclocked and hopefully more hard drives. This is why I posted it in the worklog section.

Anyway here are the specs:

Case: Koolance PC2-601 complete with northbridge-cooler, fan controller and radiator ($110)
Power supply: Antec NEO-HE 550w SLI ($45)
Motherboard: Intel D975XBX ($50)
Processor: Intel Pentium D Extreme Edition 840 ($60)
Processor Cooler: Koolance cpu-305-V06 ($20)
Ram: 2gb Corsair Dominator DDR2 800 ($50)
Hard Drive: Seagate 7200.10 750gb ($80)
Video cards:
Primary: ATI x1900 xtx 512mb ($40)
Secondary: ATI x1900 crossfire edition ($40)
Video Coolers: dual Koolance vid-205-vo6 ($30)
Optical Drive: Alcohol 120%
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3

Total: $525

As you can see, I feel like I accomplished my goal and have left all of my friends in the dust (even though some have spend over 1k for their rigs).

Would just like to get some feedback on how you guys think it turned out. Any feedback is appreciated.

Also, the water temps right now are pretty high. Any ideas for a good small secondary radiator (i'm thinking danger den black ice series).

Here are some pics:

Auzner · 08-02-2008, 06:18 PM

That's a decent system for under $600. And you're fortunate everyone sent you parts. I always run into issues with people on ebay. It's nice seeing examples of what used part hunting can amount to. I agree with your optical drive; large hard drive, gigabit ethernet, and virtual software. That's what I did with my last build; all my software is on a hard drive. When I get new software I use a networked computer's DVD drive to image it.

**WhiteBoy88** · 08-02-2008, 07:24 PM

I'm a big fan of used parts. Out of the 6 systems I've built for myself, I only bought about a dozen parts new. You just have to know how to read intelligently and find listings that give you a guarantee.

furball zen · 08-02-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auzner

That's a decent system for under $600. And you're fortunate everyone sent you parts. I always run into issues with people on ebay. It's nice seeing examples of what used part hunting can amount to. I agree with your optical drive; large hard drive, gigabit ethernet, and virtual software. That's what I did with my last build; all my software is on a hard drive. When I get new software I use a networked computer's DVD drive to image it.

Yea that helps in the case of my UFO, only 2 5.25" bays, no 3.5" external. Already use Alcky 120 for some games.
I may go that route when i run out of 250GB and get rid of my opty since i have one in my server already.
Or put it in an external housing since it is a Litescribe and DVD burner.....my 1.2ghz Celey wouldnt handle it.

JOHNILL1971 · 08-26-2008, 01:25 PM

Nice build for the money.. You might want to run your water hoses in a ser to give you better flow.

Bob Marley · 08-26-2008, 02:30 PM

im a complete ebay addict..beat me to the idea of this build, nice though :)