Mine Project

[cucumberdude]

Ok so I'm pretty dumb about computer hardware. I recently made the awful decision to attempt to create the cheapest computer I could, but one that would still work ('work' being a relative term. I want to be able to install a unix OS and do basic stuff. no gaming or anything). Anyways, here's my list of stuffs that I'm interested in buying. Is any of it incompatible? am I missing stuff? can I get some of this for cheaper?

$0 - computer case (actually, it's a cardboard box...)
$17 - power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822014
$45 - motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153207
$14 - cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116095
$9 - 1 x RAM stick http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134784
$0 - an old Hitachi 250gig HD, uses SATA (or whatever the standard is these days, it works fine with my real desktop)
$0 - CoolerMaster huge ass fan from a friend
Total cost, a mere $85 give or take.

I have a funny suspicion that if I stick all this stuff together, it will spontaneously combust :V

Will post pics when this stuff is done :D

[Ad Bot]

[CookizMonster]

$0 - computer case (actually, it's a cardboard box...)

I have a funny suspicion that if I stick all this stuff together, it will spontaneously combust :V

No, this will honestly not work well at all.

Edit: I bet most of that stuff is incompatible anyway...but maybe I'm wrong(I'd like to see a computer with a cardboard box case)

[cucumberdude]

No, this will honestly not work well at all.

Edit: I bet most of that stuff is incompatible anyway...but maybe I'm wrong(I'd like to see a computer with a cardboard box case)

Ah, see, here's where you missed the point. I don't expect this to work WELL. I just expect it to work. Now, if you can give me a real reason not to use a box (apart from the fire hazard, lol) I'll listen.

[Max4344]

for the OS i Remanded  OpenSUSE(Doesnt have a lot of packages as ubuntu) or Ubuntu

[cucumberdude]

not sure what you just said, but yes, ill probably use Ubuntu

[xxjpxx]

Compact all this stuff into a thin wide cardboard box, poke some holes in the back for airflow, get some hinges (just pull them off whatever you can find), hinge the main cardboard box to another empty one, with a nice big hole on one side. Place a monitor inside, close it up, plug the stuff in and you have a cardboard laptop!. Oh yeah, and stick a bunch of 9v batteries for power in it.

Dangit forgot, tape a keyboard on top of the main box too.

[steve5451]

Computers get very hot. Over 130 degrees. This will not work for you at all. Your cardboard box will likely catch on fire.
But if you really plan on doing that, make sure to put the airholes ONLY in the front and side, this will allow proper airflow.
But at least get 1 fan. They are 5 bucks.

EDIT: Get this case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233062 It's only 19.99.

[Belogna]

My mother's friend built her computer case out cardboard, it works very loving well.

[cucumberdude]

Oh yeah... a fan
lol
will get

btw, just noticed that the mobo has a VGA port - can I not get a video card and just use that? or is it for something else?

[Marcem]

Why are you getting a gpu?  just use integrated graphics.

EDIT: God dammit you noticed before me.

[steve5451]

Oh yeah... a fan
lol
will get

btw, just noticed that the mobo has a VGA port - can I not get a video card and just use that? or is it for something else?

Use the money to get a case. :D

And I don't that that CPU is compatable with that motherboard, two different sockets.
Use this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138302 It's the only 478 motherboard Newegg has.

[cucumberdude]

Why are you getting a gpu?  just use integrated graphics.

EDIT: God dammit you noticed before me.

hah alright that answers my question lol thanks

Use the money to get a case. :D

i think you may have missed the point, this is like, the ultimate kludge desktop - not an actual computer. i have a perfectly good desktop already that runs real smooth, less than 6 months old

also - will my fans plug directly into the mobo?

[steve5451]

also - will my fans plug directly into the mobo?

Depends on how it plugs in.
If it's a system fan plug, yes, if it's a 4 pin connector, no. It hooks into the 4 pin power chord on the power supply.

[Frontrox]

Are you serously going to use a cardboard box as a case?

Open up your other computer, and touch the heat transfers.

[cucumberdude]

Ok, admittedly, cardboard might not be the best idea as far as a case goes...

Any better household items as containers? I'm actually thinking I could just put all this stuff on a wooden board and hang it on the wall :o