Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Horrible Build with Some Hope

Tags:
  • Build
  • Components
Last response: in Components
Share
April 2, 2014 11:03:31 PM

Let me start off saying I shouldn't call it a build because I purchased it at BestBuy but here I will list the parts that were inside the machine an show the total price I paid for it as well.

Computer Model: Asus Essentio Desktop M11BB-B06
Windows OS: 8 (upgraded to the crappy 8.1)
APU: A-10 6700 AMD 8670D HD Grahpics 3.7ghz Quad-Core
Ram: ASint DDR3 8GB-1600mhz (Never heard of it before lol)
PSU: ACBEL HBA008-ZA1GT 350 (Another crappy component)
Motherboard: F2A55-M/M11BB DP_MB (A chopped version of the F2A55-M/CSM)
- GPU Boost Button is Not soldered to the board
- PCI1 is not soldered to the board
- 1 Sata Port is missing from the board
^^Comparing to the F2A55-M/CSM version of this board

BIOS: 0403 Which is so outdated that Asus doesn't even have it on their site

Fans: Only PSU Fan and Heatsink fan

-------
I've ordered a EVGA GTX 750 TI Sc an it's suppose to be here tomorrow but now I'm starting to rethink putting it on this piece of crap motherboard. I'd be better off getting another FM2 or FM2+ board an just moving my APU over to that an starting fresh with new PSU, RaM, Heatsink, and everything else except I'd keep the harddrive so I wouldn't have to buy OS again.

Note: Will never buy another pre-built computer again lol

To think I paid $400 for this piece of crap god I'm a fool

More about : horrible build hope

April 2, 2014 11:07:54 PM

Keep the motherboard. For starters, it's got Windows tied to it. You can't move that, because the code is stored in the BIOS. Windows won't boot on another board.

I'd get a new PSU, though, to go with the new GPU. Acbel is horrid.
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:08:49 PM

hi Zombie615
sorry m8 looks like you bought a lemon
i personally would not put 750ti in that system because your new card will be the best component in it.
It would pay i think to start a fresh build and get components one by one and make a new system to suit your needs
m
0
l
Related resources
April 2, 2014 11:14:01 PM

Someone Somewhere said:
Keep the motherboard. For starters, it's got Windows tied to it. You can't move that, because the code is stored in the BIOS. Windows won't boot on another board.

I'd get a new PSU, though, to go with the new GPU. Acbel is horrid.


So even with those missing components the motherboard should still be alright?
Its just the components that should be changed cause they are the worst of worst? lol

m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:16:42 PM

mickypheonix said:
hi Zombie615
sorry m8 looks like you bought a lemon
i personally would not put 750ti in that system because your new card will be the best component in it.
It would pay i think to start a fresh build and get components one by one and make a new system to suit your needs


Well I wouldn't call it a lemon because it does work just fine with the basic stuff an some super low end games like runescape, sims 3, world of tanks, an such. Though I was hoping this new graphics card would get me to be able to play Skyrim an stuff.

Will putting the card in there an using it for now until I can afford a new build hurt the card? I know you'll probably say to not even open the card an just keep it brand new until I get the other parts for a new build.

m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:16:56 PM

They're not particularly bad, but they're not great. The only thing I'd consider horrible is the PSU.
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:21:32 PM

Well I was just looking at PSU's an the only problem I'm having is how to decide which one when it comes to size that will fit in place of the one I have now.
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:29:23 PM

i would keep the windows 8 key and start again
The PSU is terrible
The Ram is Terrible
The Mobo is nothing special
Not to mention the shoddy pci1 and sata port,GPU etc
I dont think you are a fool ,you just caught out.
seriously though why put a nice 750ti in that , you would be better off considering a new build, you are going to
have to replace most of the components anyway so just chalk it up to experience and start again
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:39:50 PM

OEM Windows. Can't be moved to another board.
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:40:31 PM

Yeah I'm going to chalk it up to experience but for now I need this to at least work. I just had a child a 3 weeks ago so my budget is lower than usual.
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:45:12 PM

Stuff I'd change:

Get the 750Ti or a 760 or something in that range. Add a 450W+ decent PSU. That's all you really need to do.

It looks like it takes a standard ATX PSU.

Congratulations.
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:52:32 PM

If you have the key that came with the computer for windows the os can be moved. Just after installing the os on a different board when going to authiticate there will be an option to do it by phone when you use the automated line it will ask how many computers this os is on say zero and it will let you move it done it many times.
m
0
l
April 2, 2014 11:53:27 PM

Nope. OEM Windows 8 doesn't come with a key. It's hard-coded into the BIOS.
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 12:05:35 AM

Hmmm worked last time with windows 8 when we entered the code it said it was already in use and microsoft gave us a new one and it worked maybe we got lucky
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 12:08:17 AM

There's no product key printed on a Win8 OEM machine.

Only system builder and retail packs come with a key.
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 12:10:49 AM

seriously though m8 i'm sorry you got stung i hate seeing that sort of crap out there because it always hurts those who can least afford to get stung.
I do wish you all the best though m8 and all the best with your new bub , save up m8 get your new build piece by piece when you can afford it and build your own. It will be so much more rewarding and exactly what you want

regards
Mickypheonix
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 12:21:09 AM

Well I just found this video on youtube. I know this topic has pretty much divulged but here it is anyways. A video of someone with the exact some computer I have from bestbuy an he shows the inside components an talks about the missing parts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h885yhKvFNE
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 12:34:56 AM

It is a shame it was not reviewed by a tech or someone with a high degree of computer knowledge

asus have a pretty good rep but that has poor quallity written all over it , i was never a big asus fan but that has added another nail in their coffin for me
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 1:00:14 AM

Well I still like Asus they produce quality products most of the time. The thing is my entire computer cost $400 so it's to be expected that I'd have the lowest quality components they can make. The motherboard really isn't that bad other than it missing the parts to make it cheaper to sell.

I read the GPU Boost really is useless especially now since I'm going to be using a GPU instead of the IGPU
The PCI1 slot would never get used anyways
The Missing Sata Port I'll never know its missing

Only thing that I'm finding sad is really the Ram an PSU. Most manufacturers have cheap stock heatsinks so I can't complain about that.

Here is what I've decided to do. Install the GPU see how it goes. Go out an buy 2x8GB of 1866mhz dual-channel kit ram of a very high quality off of newegg. Than I'm going to get at least a 400-500watt psu from Seasonic or Corsair that has it where you can take out the cords you don't use. Forgot the word for that type of PSU. Add another fan on the back and upgrade the heatsink if possible an buy aftermarket thermal past. Right now its running average temps 30-40 C idle an 50-60 under load.

Once I do all that which shouldn't cost much aside from the ram that will cost a pretty penny probably. I should have this waste of money turned into something of some quality.

Though even with all that said I feel like I bought a used car that quit running after I drove it away lol and now I'm sinking money into it. But my thought here is its a learning experience like you said. upgrading my current computer isn't what you suggested but in the end its my money so let me be stupid I guess lol No point in trying to build one just yet if I don't even know how to make use of this one. So I'll more or less use it for target practice.
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 1:07:24 AM

There's no real issue with the RAM unless you want to OC. You'd see much more improvement from spending the ~$70 on the GPU.
m
0
l
April 3, 2014 2:06:30 AM

Someone Somewhere said:
There's no real issue with the RAM unless you want to OC. You'd see much more improvement from spending the ~$70 on the GPU.


Well I've already ordered a EVGA GTX 750 Ti Superclocked on Tuesday. It's suppose to be here later on today (Thursday) so I've already got the GPU covered. My next step should definitely be the PSU though. After that it's really just a shot in the dark I guess. I don't plan on overclocking I'm not that tech savvy.

m
0
l
April 4, 2014 12:40:23 AM

at the end of the day m8 , if it is under warranty probably best not to touch it or void your warranty , add ons like cards are ok
but change your psu or ram they might not come to the party if something goes wrong
m
0
l
April 4, 2014 1:01:10 AM

mickypheonix said:
at the end of the day m8 , if it is under warranty probably best not to touch it or void your warranty , add ons like cards are ok
but change your psu or ram they might not come to the party if something goes wrong


If he doesn't replace the PSU, he may as well hit it with a hammer a few times, since it wouldn't be possible to make it game-ready.

It's not bad for $400, certainly worth upgrading gradually once you get a new PSU.
Assuming you get a good PSU, what's the worst that could happen? The mobo won't restrict your speed much. If the RAM dies it'd be simple to replace it at that point. Same for the mobo.

Windows 8.1 is better in every way than Windows 8. (still pretty bad, but meh)
m
0
l
April 4, 2014 1:12:46 AM

agreed rationale it would not be game ready
but is it really worth spending money on a psu and putting a 750ti in ? , there' s nearly the cost of his computer right there
m
0
l
April 4, 2014 1:15:51 AM

I would say so.
m
0
l
April 4, 2014 2:29:07 AM

Little Update Here....

Well my GPU came in an I got it installed. There was a little hiccup at first cause somehow it switched the Boot Priority but with a little help from you guys I got it going.... Now onto my results.

The APU is actually performing a lot better now without the IGPU running off of it an the ram. The Temperatures under load have actually dropped by 5-10 Celsius on both the Motherboard & CPU (was running average of 60C on the CPU an 56-58 on the MB now the MB stays around 48C under load an the CPU stays around 54-56 under load.

Not sure if that is because the GPU took some of the load off of it plus the fan on the GPU is helping a tiny bit with airflow. Still better than it was though.

I've tested a few of the games I have... I don't really have any hard hitting games but I got skyrim playing at 1920x1080 on ultra settings. I don't have a FPS program to show me what I'm getting but the game to me is running flawlessly an I'm very pleased with the results.

So other than that I don't know what improvements I could do if any at all since it probably isn't worth it. The upgrade of the GPU was already putting to much money into somewhat of a lemon. The GPU an my Monitor combined are 1.30x the value of my computer ($169.99 GPU + $300 Monitor)

I don't know what else to do. The computer is now at what I had hoped it would be from the shelf. It plays the very few games I have at ultra settings at 1080p an its smooth framerates from what I can tell.
m
0
l
April 4, 2014 2:33:43 AM

The $300 monitor is probably a little overkill...

Good to know that it's working reasonably well, though.
m
0
l
April 4, 2014 2:37:57 AM

Someone Somewhere said:
The $300 monitor is probably a little overkill...

Good to know that it's working reasonably well, though.


Not really overkill, that's totally separate from the PC and he'll be able to use it for a long time. Everything looks better on a nice monitor.

Aside from that, I'd recommend saving money bit by bit to get gradual upgrades. This certainly sounds playable for the time being, so just replace parts one at a time as you need them and can afford them until you have a nice PC.

At least, that's how I'd handle it.
You could just throw the whole thing away and have no gaming PC for months, but I don't really see what that solves.
m
0
l
April 4, 2014 2:44:17 AM

Yeah that is why I went a little extra on the Monitor. I knew I could use it for a TV in my bedroom as well because it has 2 HDMI inputs. So my wife liked that idea. Plus I figured that this computer was just a quick fix to have a computer. I didn't really have extremely high hopes for it. I just wanted something to get my foot in the door. I'll start saving up for a build before I put anymore money into this machine since it does what I had hoped it would do now.

Plus once I get started on the other build an have it completed I can just chaulk this one up as the family computer an set it in the living room for everyone to browse the web an play those annoying facebook games lol (of course I'll take the GPU out though an sell it for an upgrade since it doesn't support SLI or Crossfire)
m
0
l
September 9, 2014 11:16:57 PM

Zombie615 said:
Little Update Here....

Well my GPU came in an I got it installed. There was a little hiccup at first cause somehow it switched the Boot Priority but with a little help from you guys I got it going.... Now onto my results.

The APU is actually performing a lot better now without the IGPU running off of it an the ram. The Temperatures under load have actually dropped by 5-10 Celsius on both the Motherboard & CPU (was running average of 60C on the CPU an 56-58 on the MB now the MB stays around 48C under load an the CPU stays around 54-56 under load.

Not sure if that is because the GPU took some of the load off of it plus the fan on the GPU is helping a tiny bit with airflow. Still better than it was though.

I've tested a few of the games I have... I don't really have any hard hitting games but I got skyrim playing at 1920x1080 on ultra settings. I don't have a FPS program to show me what I'm getting but the game to me is running flawlessly an I'm very pleased with the results.

So other than that I don't know what improvements I could do if any at all since it probably isn't worth it. The upgrade of the GPU was already putting to much money into somewhat of a lemon. The GPU an my Monitor combined are 1.30x the value of my computer ($169.99 GPU + $300 Monitor)

I don't know what else to do. The computer is now at what I had hoped it would be from the shelf. It plays the very few games I have at ultra settings at 1080p an its smooth framerates from what I can tell.


i just bought the same pc has you did but if i may ask what psu u bought
m
0
l
!