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$600... PC, Mods or Workshop?

What should I spend my money on?


  • Total voters
    21

commandercup

New Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
570 (0.09/day)
Processor Intel Pentium E2200
Motherboard EVGA 680i SLI T1
Memory 2GB Patriot Memory
Video Card(s) PNY 9600 GT 512MB
Storage 250GB Maxtor
Display(s) HP w19
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Power Supply OCZ StealthXStream 600W
Software Windows XP Media Center
I recieved a working go cart from my grandad which he got from somewhere for free... (It was originally broken, but we just had to tweak the engine and clean it up) and similar go carts go for around ~700 new... I plan on selling this thing for anywhere from ~400 to 600 depending on what I can get for it.

I've reached a dilemma though... should I upgrade my PC... buy some new cases, and materials or should I buy a nice shed to relocate my workshop to? My current workspace is in my basement... no ambient light, no airflow and dark surroundings! My parents agreed to pay for an electrician to wire the shed with another circuit if I could buy my own shed.

I'll also be getting around $200 for my watercooling loop which can be added on to whatever I'll be buying, or I might just pick up a new graphics card (sold my old one for some reason...) and a nice heatsink to replace the watercooling I was using.

My system specifications are:

EVGA 680i T1 775 Mobo
Intel E2200
2 GB Patriot Ram
OCZ StealthXStream 600W PSU
MSI 8400 GS (Backup card... need to replace)

I'm not sure if this is the right section for this... so a mod/admin can move this thread wherever it should be...

Suggestions?

I'd have to say it would be really nice to move into a shed... with nice open lighting and air... although it would also be nice to invest in some modding stuff which could actually make me profit if I ever get good enough. I don't really think I need to upgrade my PC since with a decent graphics card I can play most games on the minimum of a medium setting.
 
So your main card is a 8400??? I would up that to 9600GT SLi or a single 9800GTX! Get a E8400 or Q6600 with it too.
 
i say upgrade, well the card at least if you want to play some newer stuff(w/eyecandy), if not i say mods
 
Pictures of both working areas?


I would bet the basement would be cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter....what I would give for a basement.
 
Your current parts don't look like enough to warrant building a place to do work...no offense
 
what does my computer have to do with modding?

...

the only really bad thing in there is the 8400 gs... which will be replaced by a 9600 GT or maybe two... once my WC loop sells... I had the E2200 @ 3.7 ghz when my WC loop was in.

heres the workplace in its current state...

normal_DSC00830.jpg


normal_DSC00831.jpg


theres assorted crap on the shelves next to the bedding and I've got quite a few tools behind me as well as some random trinkets
 
Thats pretty badass tbh...I would just build some shelving there.
 
eh, yeah i was thinking that putting in 600+ for a shed would take me down a lot for something that I already have...

I could mount some cabinets on the wood behind the desk (not pictured) which would be nice... and I could spend some money on some lighting...

So I guess the workshop idea is out...
 
Maybe just add a bit of fans in the basement to blow up some air and some lightning where needed, and buff up your computer with the rest ^.^
 
Upgrade! How can you stand playing on low to medium settings?!!:wtf: At least get yourself a 8800GT, and you have about $400 left over for a not-so-fancy shed!:D
 
Just think what you could do in that basement.....then sell what you make to upgrade:)

DSCF0546.jpg
 
I would stay in the basement, buy some new lights and a fan or two, and for god's sake buy a new chair:slap:. Then buy a e8400 cpu and a pair of 9600 gt cards:rockout:
 
Just think what you could do in that basement.....then sell what you make to upgrade:)

DSCF0546.jpg

Dude, why would you post a picture like that?:twitch:

My other nut just dropped... Now I have to change my pants, damn you!
 
@ DaMulta

Lol, I saw your setup somewhere... maybe in the workshop thread I started... but thats amazing, that'll be my inspiration in the years to come!

I was actually planning on stock piling some supplies that I would use for quite a while in all my mod projects. Mesh, scratch aluminum and steel, wire fan grills, fans, some electrical supplies etc.

Where did you get that amazingly large pegboard?
 
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=436623&postcount=1

This was last summer, start of last summer I believe.

It's cleaner now for the most part. I have those plastic containers, and little fish tackle boxes for screws. I have boxes and boxes that I have moved off, and of course new systems in the mix.

That box you see there is now army green.
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=55299
pics taken at a friends house.

I like to setup what that pic looks like above. That would cost around 4 - 500 to do. The peg board can be found at any hardware store.
 
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