Build from left over parts

[at2wooden]

I've begun my dream machine build and am going to build another from the parts I have left over for the grandson.
(Yeah, I know there are better things available, but this is already paid for)

I have a P4 478 socket 1.5GHZ / 400 MHZ FSB / 256K Cache (I think it's a Willamette)
ATX mid tower case
500w Rosewill PSU (24 pin)
2 X 512MB pc133 SDRAM memory (Could sell off and upgrade to DDR)
ATI 2x AGP video card (definately needs upgrading on the cheap)
CD Burner / Floppy
Windows XP license

P4 mobos are hard to find that combine all these elements.
I've been trolling newegg and the net and nothing quite matches that's reasonably priced.

Any recommendation?

Also, can this CPU performance be improved?
Can the 64 bit extentions be unlocked?
Is there an Intel upgrade to get this to hyperthread?

 

[at2wooden]

Well, I found a good deal ($37) for a P4 MB
http://www.ecsusa.com/products/p4vxasd2_v5_plus.html
that will accept my
478 socket 1.5GHZ / 400 MHZ FSB / 256K Cache P4 CPU
2 X 512MB pc133 SDRAM and Maxtor 120GB IDE 133 HD.
Going to add a COOLER MASTER SOCKET 478 CPU EXTREME COOLER.

My 500w Rosewill PSU (24 pin) isn’t going to work
(unless I get the 24 to 20 pin adapter)
Is the adapter a good idea?

The ESC Mobo requires a 20+4 pin P4 ATX PSU.

The Enermax 430W looks good. ($50 budget for PSU)
http://www.directron.com/eg465pfca.html
I am waiting to hear from Enermax if it is a 20+4 pin unit.
(Have to sell off the Rosewill on eBay to buy the Enermax.)

Would like to hear some other PSU suggestions.

Is there any trick to using my old eMachine XP license activation number for this?
(It's trash as soon as I get these parts)

Hope to catch a good deal on a Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB PCI 4x/8X AGP.

A little bird told me that the 64 bit extentions can't be unlocked, and there is no Intel upgrade to get this to hyperthread. (Thanks bird)

Anyway, with the rounded cables and all the extra case fans, it's going to be much better than the T4155 eMachine that it once was.

 

[stordoff]

re xp

just install using the emachines code, then activate over the phone, if you have to speak to a CSR, just tell then you have reinstalled windows

i have done this a number of times.

this will not work if you have restore cds instead of a windows CD

 

[at2wooden]

Do you have the activation line phone number?
(The microsoft website gets me goggleyed.)
I used a program to get the key code, is that helpful?

What do you think of the 20 -24 pin adapter cable idea for the PSU?

 

[stordoff]

when you have installed XP, use the telephone link in the activation window

 

[bruins004]

From what I have heard the adapter cable is a pretty good idea, but you do lose a small bit of performance (I do not know if it is noticable).
A lot of PSUs started out coming with the adapters and now the highly priced ones allow you to disconnect the last 4 pins.
Anyways if the power supply is what you want then I suggest you get it.

Also, as a side note, there are many programs out there that can give you your cd keys.
I had one that could pull cds keys from any program on a computer.
Not a bad program.

 

[at2wooden]

Thanks for the feedback on the cable.
That's about what I expected. Just wanted to hear if there were any horror stories about them.

The ECS MB supports my CPU, Memory, modem, CD-RW, Floppy, and ATA hard drive.
Sounds like I can reuse my XP license from the original machine with minimal grief.
A friend gave me a nice old ATX case, and I ordered that adapter for my extra Rosewill 500W PSU to make it a 20+4 pin to match the MB.

I didn't need much (this is for a 9 year olds first computer) and the parts that this build came from did everything I needed it to do for 2 years.
It should surf, run most any program he will need for school, play music and burn CDs.
More importantly, he and the family can talk to granma from Costa Rica with the webcam !!

I might have been able to buy a cheap pre-made but, I am trying to learn how to build.
Pity it won't speak spanish. At least some of the programs do.

This forum has been a huge help. Thanks to all for your continued support !!