Desktop for home and mid-gaming use build with son

bluegrass dude

Reputable
Aug 3, 2014
20
0
4,510
I'm looking to build a system for the kid's den with my 12 year-old son so he can learn more about computers. He has been wanting to build one since our old 2005 Lenovo died 2 years ago. In the meantime I purchased an HP Pavilion p&-1420t with the specs below. I believe the motherboard crapped out last week as it hangs up on the HP logo screen immediately on startup and does nothing else (http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2246064/desktop-hangs-startup-black-screen-logo.html for a thread on the problem). HP wants $300 to fix a $450 system...crazy especially if it is only the MoBo.

I hope to use some of the components from the HP to save some money but this will allow us to upgrade some components to a higher level than if I build from scratch. Which components would be useful? I am hoping to use the Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD, the HP Super Multi DVDRW 1stODD drive, 4GB of DDR3-1600 DIMM RAM, CPU heat sink/fan and the case. If the CPU is still good, could I use it (i5 3330 3.0 GHz 77W Ivy Bridge)?

This build will be used for my son to do some gaming, mostly minecraft with video recording and youtube uploading and some other mid-level games. He has an Xbox 360 for other stuff. I will use the computer for home stuff mostly with MS Office, internet surfing and still image and video editing/sharing using photoshop and others. I want to have the 15 in one multimedia card reader and 2 USB 3.0 ports and headphone & mic jacks on the front (reason for keeping case). We just upgraded to TWC 30/10 from ATT DSL 6/1. The modem is a SURFboard 6141 and the router is an ASUS RT-N66R N900. I want to maximize those capabilities and the computer will be connected directly to the router. Would like to use Windows 7 Pro as I am not a fan of 8. Thoughts on this would be helpful. Could I use 8 from the system I have? That would save money too.

Current non-working system
HP Pavilion p7-1420t PC
Intel Core i5-3330 3.0G 6M 77W CPU
6GB DDR3-1600 DIMM (4+2) RAM
Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
Integrated High Def Audio w/ Beats Audio
Window 8.1 64-bit
purchased 12/12

I would like to spend about $400 not including the monitor & keyboard/mouse. Components I would like to upgrade include a new MoBo, CPU if needed, add 4 GB RAM (8 total should be good), a new GPU card, power supply, fan with lights so he can have some coolness but not have to get a new case. As a disclaimer, this would be my first build as well but I have changed out network cards, RAM, media drives and power supplies before. I like to tinker so with the right guidance this should be fun and satisfying for both of us.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
 
Solution
maybe just replace the old board? Only because you will defiantly need:
Windows- 100
Case - 50 to 80
motherboard- 60-150
Power supply- 90-160

To save, you could buy the same board, and buy a gtx 750ti (low power usage, should work on current system).

Otherwise, here is an option:

motherboard - ASRock Z75 Pro3 LGA 1155 - $67- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157304
CPU - Keep the CPU from HP (is it an 15 3330 or 4690k, i am assuming it is the 3330)
PSU - EVGA 600 B 80 PLUS BRONZE - $39 after rebate - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014
Case - Coolermaster Elite 431 Plus - $39 - with USB3 header -...

delellod123

Honorable
Jun 5, 2012
1,094
1
11,660
maybe just replace the old board? Only because you will defiantly need:
Windows- 100
Case - 50 to 80
motherboard- 60-150
Power supply- 90-160

To save, you could buy the same board, and buy a gtx 750ti (low power usage, should work on current system).

Otherwise, here is an option:

motherboard - ASRock Z75 Pro3 LGA 1155 - $67- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157304
CPU - Keep the CPU from HP (is it an 15 3330 or 4690k, i am assuming it is the 3330)
PSU - EVGA 600 B 80 PLUS BRONZE - $39 after rebate - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014
Case - Coolermaster Elite 431 Plus - $39 - with USB3 header - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw3vyeBRDt673h5ZTYrdQBEiQAzhkf8sNOj0DHi5f5M_RxFLBdL4p4o3vgrU-lyXW479BbMa8aAqpB8P8HAQ&Item=N82E16811119256&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Computer+Cases-_-N82E16811119256&ef_id=UwdaJgAAAC0nIVVv:20140804202436:s
GPU - gtx 750 ti - $140 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121855&cm_re=gtx_750-_-14-121-855-_-Product
Windows 7 - $100

With tax, you are around 400
 
Solution

bluegrass dude

Reputable
Aug 3, 2014
20
0
4,510


I'm sorry, it is the i5 3330. Not sure why I wrote the 4690k.
Also, based on the description of the current system issue, do you think the motherboard is definately the problem?
 

bluegrass dude

Reputable
Aug 3, 2014
20
0
4,510


Why is this motherboard so expensive for a refurb? Is it that good of a board?

Also, on the suggested case. Could I use the 15 in 1 multireader from the HP case in one of the front bays?
 

delellod123

Honorable
Jun 5, 2012
1,094
1
11,660
the 15 in 1 is probably fit in a proprietary plastic housing, as is HP's way of doing things, though you may be able to install it into another case, though there will be a gap at the top and bottom of the 3.5" bay (one of the DVD bays). You would likely, not be able to put the face back on it, though I may be incorrect.

The board is expensive because man it can be. Literally the only reason. And because it fails easily, like all boards HP put into their computers. They are aware of the issues, and therefore jack up their prices for the parts. Their parts are (semi)custom, in the way that nobody else uses them but HP. Though they are manufactured by third parties, such as ASUS etc...

I would guess the issue is the board. Though you may try clearing the CMOS, that may help, may not. This is done with a CMOS jumper on the board, though it can also be done easily by unplugging the system, then taking out the Motherboard battery for 15-30 minutes. Try it, it may help.