Do you guys love building systems?

[HeadRusch]

I have an existing box....my old gaming box (1.6 northwood at 2.2 with 1 gig of ram)...thats basically spending its days lately as a newsgroup reader (ahem) and host to a DVD burner and a couple of drives (AHEM)...and it used to be my Home Video station for Non Linear Editing, but I've since moved that setup to a more powerful box.

But its case is a full sized desktop...and it just takes up too much room. I decided over the weekend I was going to cram the whole thing into a skinny mini-tower.
The heat generated inside isn't too bad with the right fans....I use Vantec Stealths or Panaflo's for sound.....

I realized something: I enjoy building a new PC as much as I do actually using it. There's no new hardware going in the thing, just the same old stuff...in a new skin...and yet, I'm all hyped up to install it :)

I think its because I'm looking forward to trying to cram it all into a slimline minitower case..that ought to be a challenge! I'm just wanting to get some desk space back. With the 37" Westy on my desk I've lost alot of desk real-estate, no blocking the screen and whatnot :D

I'm TEMPTED to rebuild my 3.4Ghz box into something similar....but its got a 3.0Ghz Northwood that runs at 3.4Ghz, but its got a huge 90mm panoflo on it and a Xp-90 heatsink (huge)...currently residing in a mid-tower aluminum case that it kinda needs for the airflow.

Now that I think about it...a 400Mhz overclock on the northwood mgiht not even require that XP90 and 90mm Panaflo.....I've never had heat issues with the processor, its kinda voltage locked at 3.5 or so before it starts getting unstable.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Core-Duo and 8800GTX is still quite tempting...but do I need it? Answer..no, not yet.

[Scotty L]

I'm the same as you, I love building and upgrading computers so much that I'm always browsing Newegg to see how I can pimp my rig. But after adding some junk into my cart I tell myself it's not worth it and empty it out.

I was planning to upgrade right when Conroe was released but as busy as I am right now I don't have much time to game :\ Now I'm kinda glad I did, they are comparing the 8800 cards to the 9700 Pro, which means they should last a long time.

[Komoto]

If I could find a guy to handle support calls, I'd start a business building pcs :) I love building them, and even fixing them...but it's the people with a ton of spyware (or whatever user-based error) that make the support end a nightmare.

Anyway, I've been spending the last few months daydreaming over a Core 2 Duo system I intend to build next Feb/March. Actually...now I'm tempted by the Core 2 Quad...This is going to replace the system I originally built when I got my Sammy 61" DLP three years ago (!!), thanks to all the great research I did here on avsforum.

I've been using a XP Barton 3000+, 1GB RAM, ASUS A7N8X-Deluxe (the best mobo ever), Sapphire 9800pro 256MB, and it's a great system for the fixed resolution of 1280x720. Plays Oblivion with pretty decent details, even. Upgrading got a bit more attractive when my sweet, sweet soundstorm chip died in a lightning storm (via the dumb subwoofer I forgot to surge protect). The Auzentech Xplosion is ok, but it's a bit buggy and I can't play Oblivion due to sound bugs.

Anyway. A Core 2 e6600 with the 8800 geforce card is sounding mighty nice these days. I've even held off buying new games until I can play them on it. Thinking of picking up an X-Fi (plus the digital connection box) because of the aforementioned problems with the auzentech, but I'm wary of Vista and no EAX :(

Finally, as much as I love building systems...I admin Macs at work, thankyouverymuch :)

[bitTRL1000]

A Core 2 e6600 with the 8800 geforce card is sounding mighty nice these days.

You and I think very much alike. I'm planning on building my new PC once Vista has been out a couple months.

[Komoto]

I would like to use the Core 2 Extreme chip or the Quad chip, but the system is already in the neighborhood of $2500 using the $300 e6600 chip! I also wish RAM were cheaper these days, it's nuts. I originally had 4GB RAM spec'd out, but 2GB is all I can afford to put in. I mean, I /could/ afford more, but I think I'll slap another 2GB in later when prices cool somewhat.

[HeadRusch]

I dont believe in fundamentally spending more than a grand on any new system...frankly if you can't do it for a grand, its too close to the bleeding edge where the price/performance graph is really skewed towards PRICE.

PS: My build went without a hitch, but the slimline ATX sized mini tower is a pain in the ass to work in. Its not my best work, but it runs and its not overheating :) Thanks to the Vantec Stealths its also quiet enough to not be distracting on the desktop. A totally silent PC would be nice, but I'm not investing in this box any more.....

The trend these days seems to be spending $200 bucks on a case with oodles of space, but I know my next Core2 Duo overclock build is going to be done with an emphasis on saving space and noise...maybe not silent, but definately quiet if I can get it.

WE seem to be going back to the old trends......where RAM was expensive and thats why nobody ever had enough :) Speccing out a high end PC at $2000, I felt like it was 1995 and I was ordering my Pentium Pro 200Mhz system from some noname online vendor ;)
"Yes, I would like to upgrade to the 3 gigabyte hard drive for an additional $500..." :D

I do that same thing at Newegg all the time, too....I put all the stuff I want in myc art...look at the total..then back off.

If I get that HD camcorder though, thats one step in the direction of a Core2duo system.

Can you build a Core2 duo system, overclock the snot out of it, put it in a smaller case on air cooling and not have it loaded up with Vornado hairdryer fans? :D

[fanerman]

I'm very picky about what I want, so I build systems myself. I never have bleeding edge stuff but I like very quiet computers. I don't think it's super fun, but it's somewhat enjoyable. And I get the satisfaction I've done it myself.

[Q of BanditZ]

I hate doing the actual work itself but I adore the end results and mass amounts of money saved. Those two positives far outweigh anything else. :)

[redjr]

I've built to many systems to count! I enjoy it because it gives something to do with my hands - a project - and every aspect of what a small project entails. The spec'ing of the parts list (or using existing parts), challenge of getting the best price for new parts, finally fitting everything into a spanky new case, going through the debug process, installing the software, checking this and that, etc., etc.

My last project was an HTPC in a uATX case. This has been an ongoing project for the past couple of months due to various reasons, but the challenge has been what pci cards to use - since I only have room for 2. That narrows my prospects drastically! Trade-offs have to be made and I will likely end up using the mobo for functions like sound, USB ports, etc. No extra room for misc. extra add-in cards.

Of the two available pci slots I do have available I'm torn between using my MDP-130 HD tuner card with the DVI daughter cards attached, or a single Ati tuner card. In addiiton, the 130 doesn't play well(at all) with MCE. Urgh. Decisions, decisions.

Anyway, system building is fun and my 8 yr old has already been stricken by the bug. He gets into my spare parts closet in my office and goes nuts. He's always finding something to add to his computer and can easily swap out a CD/DVD drive and or HD, or something else he finds.

[TheMadMilkman]

I'm relatively new to system building. I've put together 3 now, and learned a lot on each build. My first one was a terrible concoction of parts that didn't function well together, were missing key functions that I wanted, and was way too loud for its own good.

My 2nd system used a barebones system with my additions. It was good to see how things were supposed to function together. It was also small, and VERY quiet.

My 3rd system is larger than the 2nd, but it's still a mini tower with an mATX board and I'm happy with it. While I do like building my own systems, though, I've got a 2nd kid on the way which is probably going to take away the computer room. There may be an iMac in my future so that this cluttered mess of cables doesn't make it's way to the living room.

The fun part about building your own, though, is maximizing your dollar value. Spending a lot is easy. Getting great performance for less is the joy of the game for me.

[uzziah]

i don't enjoy it really; built a few systems; don't care for it too much anymore; what i do like is stumbling upon great deals for gpu's for example to upgrade my setup

i like the customization of a desktop, video cards, tv card, all sorts of cards

[dirtyjersey]

The greatest thrill for me is when guests ask me "What is that. . . your computer?" and "Where'd you get that?"

[Tinker]

Yes in most cases. Exception is the last HTPC build for a client. Nightmare for 3 months. Two bad defective cases (bad VFD's), defective mobo that killed two 2x512 sets of memory, flakey ASUS 7600GT HDCP/HDMI vid card. RMA nightmare (cost a lot for shipping) and cost depreciation of the parts over 3 months. Along with the clients constant switching of case color choice. He want black so it fits in with his rack. She wants silver so to put under silver bezal TV. System from hell. Thank god is finished and delivered (and it works!!!!!). Almost makes me want to quit.....now on to the next build :D .

EDIT: BTW she won...but he's getting a media server next year... :D

[gts007]

the above post reminds me of everything I fear and hate about building :) My first build had a defective mobo out of the box and that itself was a nightmare, so I cant imagine what Tinker's last build experience was like. Sounds like it was pure hell.

I started out on a Dell and it gave me the upgrade bug bad enough to where I built my own - the AMD 4400 / 7800GT rig I have now, which has been upgraded plenty of times (used to be a P4 / 9700 in a different case).
The hardware bug is not with me nowadays. Still very pleased with what I've put together. The thought of building again makes me shudder honestly. Its a combination of not having time, laziness, fear of horrible technical difficulties, and that's about it.

[HorrorScope]

I agree having a MB issue can be a freaking nightmare. I echo a lot of everything that has been said. What I've been seeing the past couple of years is to buy a PC from a maker with real potential and then add Ram and better video card. I can't build them for cheaper, they still run great and you have some support etc from that manufacture and a legit copy of the o/s etc. Walmarts HP 4200+ DC was a great deal a year ago for $700, however that is still the same system they are selling for the same price today. So if you got in early on that you had a system you couldn't by the parts for individually at that cost all it needed was your video card of choice and you had a great system, period. A year later in pc's selling for the same price is a joke imo.

[jhoff80]

I know my next Core2 Duo overclock build is going to be done with an emphasis on saving space and noise...maybe not silent, but definately quiet if I can get it.

I find that the smaller the case, the more expensive. What's looking like a perfect case for me now, the HD135, is $300 by itself, so I think it's pretty difficult to get a silent, small, relatively modern PC for under $1000.

[ChrisFB]

I love building them. However if something does start to go wrong it can be tough to troubleshoot (i.e. the motherboard) unless you have access to all kinds of parts which I tend not to since I'm typically upgrading when I build. That said, I have yet to have a nightmare scenario so all is good so far. Probably wouldn't attempt it with a tight schedule and if I didn't have other computers around to get me by if something went wrong for a while.

Honestly, even though I know I can save money looking for a great deal and then upgrading where possible....I'd still rather build from the ground up. Sometimes I will look for good Processor and MB combos though. That was how my last system got built, a great deal drove the whole thing.

[Suzook]

I built my first 2 years ago and havent looked back since. I am just selling off parts of my most recent and compiling for my new one.

Here is the list

Core 2 extreme QX6700
2 Asus 8800GTX
Asus Striker MB
4gb Corsair PC8800 memory
2 750gb WD sata drives
Blu-Ray burner
Kandalf Liquid cooled case
1000w power supply
Have been testing vista for a year and have the final, cant wait to see if scream on this rig.

[dj4monie]

I like building systems too. Im just a techie I guess...

But I don't build just for the sake of building. I build out of need...

I bought this system (Dell) because frankly I needed my own PC (I shared my last PC with the ex who insited on taking it with her, I got the cat...) and needed it as I was (ahem) downloading stuff on my mother's PC...

I couldn't wait a couple of paychecks and start building a system from scratch, so went down to Aaron's and got one of the middle grade Dell's that they have to order, they don't keep them in the store...

I paid it off in a year, I've had it for 3 years now.

But I did build my mother's last PC, which worked great until she got another pre-built system from IBM. It still worked and now my aunt has it.

I've built a couple of other systems since then and I thought my next project was going to be a huge server tower or a Silverstone Media case, but I have seen discovered iTX motherboards...

So my next PC is actually going to be TINY as it will intergate better with your typical living room arangment. Small, but not total silent, as I'll most likey use this Albatron board I found that has Nvidia 6150 IGP on it but nasty Realtek audio on it.

It looks like I'll be going with an outboard sound card for the first time...

This PC will be basically a server I guess and I'll do a bulk of my video editing, music conversion and other media related projects on and the Mini will focus on media playback with occasional gameplay, as the the Geforce class graphic chip on board is more than capable of playing DX8 games and the emulators I currently have on this PC.

[gts007]

Here is the list

Core 2 extreme QX6700
2 Asus 8800GTX
Asus Striker MB
4gb Corsair PC8800 memory
2 750gb WD sata drives
Blu-Ray burner
Kandalf Liquid cooled case
1000w power supply


:eek:

if thats your next build, you might as well not stop at the 7200rpm hd's. Put your OS on a Raptor drive...

[redjr]

:eek:

if thats your next build, you might as well not stop at the 7200rpm hd's. Put your OS on a Raptor drive...
Indeed. The Raptor is one sweeeeeeeet drive! :D

[Overture3]

im the same way i love my system till its done then its on to the next project. i dont just do it with pc's though i do it with cars as well $$$$$$$

[DemonOfTheFall]

The first PC I built myself was a 286SX 16mhz lol and I've been building them ever since. In highschool I used to host a lot of LAN parties (My parents loved that...) and since I've been building gaming rigs and HTPC's for all my friends too... I generally build about 1 a month or so. And for myself I usually upgrade my comp and my girlfriend's comps about once a year. The HTPC gets all the hand me down parts from the other two lol, but I just ordered some new parts for it (Athlon64 X2 4400+, MSI 7600GT HDPC and Asus A8N-SLI Premium Motherboard) to handle HD-DVD playback!!

Should have everything in next week I can't wait!

[DemonOfTheFall]

Overture3 - You need to combine the two and start a CarPC project! Then you can REALLY go broke fast lol

[dj4monie]

im the same way i love my system till its done then its on to the next project. i dont just do it with pc's though i do it with cars as well $$$$$$$

HA, you too?

Next up for me -

Stage 2 with Toys
Fully Built Ported Intake, Throttle Body, Exhaust Manifold and Turbo Housing
Thermal R&D Turboback Exhaust and Maxfab 3" o2 sensor housing
Nitrous Express, ZEX or NOS single nozzle nitrous kit
Yet Undecided 18" wheels with Undecidied sticky SCCA Street Touring legal tires
Tokico Lumina struts and Matching Springs or TEIN Super Stock Coilovers with Plates
Energy Suspension Master Bushing Kit
Kenwood or Pioneer AV system with Navigation
Fiber Imagines Carbon Fiber OEM Hood and Trunk Lid

A few more things on that list, but you get the idea. The car is a '03 Dodge Neon SRT-4

[dj4monie]

Overture3 - You need to combine the two and start a CarPC project! Then you can REALLY go broke fast lol

I recently looked into that and felt for the cost I should stick with traditional media system in the car. The CarPC market is not mature enough to handle some unique problems that single DIN users like myself have to deal with, specifically the monitor.

I demand the type of reliablity that is found in the 50 year old car stereo market that alot of us take for granted.

CarPC's are only about 10 years old and the maturity has only been accelerated by VIA's iTX and now Nano TX boards/intergrated systems. I find VIA's offerings a bit limiting for what I want.

The biggest hurdle is the screen. All the current screens that are fully motorized are made in China and I don't think I have to expand on that further.

The best screen is not fully motorized and its cost rivals many of the middle of the road DVD flip-out HU's already on the market. I don't think your getting "equal" value at this point.

Also unless you opt for VIA's integrated solutions, the cost can spiral out of control in a hurry, which futher put me off.

So Im opting for a Kenwood or Pioneer solution, depending how I want to solve the issue of lack of Bluetooh concentivty from the Pioneer camp or go with the 3 box format from Kenwood.

Feel free to PM's me if you serious about it. If you have a dash that will take a double DIN head unit or you're willing to modify your dash to take a double DIN head unit, by all means look into it...

[HeadRusch]

HA, you too?
Stage 2 with Toys
Fully Built Ported Intake, Throttle Body, Exhaust Manifold and Turbo Housing
Thermal R&D Turboback Exhaust and Maxfab 3" o2 sensor housing
Nitrous Express, ZEX or NOS single nozzle nitrous kit
Yet Undecided 18" wheels with Undecidied sticky SCCA Street Touring legal tires
Tokico Lumina struts and Matching Springs or TEIN Super Stock Coilovers with Plates
Energy Suspension Master Bushing Kit
Kenwood or Pioneer AV system with Navigation
Fiber Imagines Carbon Fiber OEM Hood and Trunk Lid

A few more things on that list, but you get the idea. The car is a '03 Dodge Neon SRT-4

So $20,000 worth of parts on a $20,000 car? :)

No disrespect intended.......but if you're dumping that kind of cash into your car, why not just get a better car?

[GermanMafiae]

If I could I would do it all day every day. Well maybe not, but I do enjoy the adventure of looking for a nice system, building up funds, getting it, smelling all the new stuff, and firing it up for the first time. It's like watching a baby grow.

[Garlor]

I personally love building PCs. Done all of mine and my familys'. Even built a couple for friends.
As for space, I keep mine under the desk on the floor. Tons of room. Next case I get will be a full tower that I line with somekinda sound insulation. Bahahha.

[Apache137]

this is a pretty neet thread......
Ive always wanted to build my own PCs, but never really had anytime.....
Im graduating highschool in may, and ive got nothing to do all summer and this semester is gonna be a breeze if i get accepted to GA Tech. so i have a lot of time on my hands......
Anyone wanna gimme a few tips...
I want to build an HTPC that i can seriously game on with games like BF2 cod2 and maybe bf2142.....
Im always filling and emptying carts at newegg as well..... it gets dissapointing after a while....
but i have time and money now so i can start building away....
i dont really wanna break the bank here, but i want good components....
what type mobo and processor would you all recommend, I do gaming, a little video editing here and there and a good bit of photoshop, and i want it to be future proof as long as possible.. Im thinking about two of these babies (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161045) in a crossfire array, with 2 gigs of ram to start and 300gig hard drive or so...
i think dual core is a given, but i dont know whether i should go intel or amd

I also want to get a decent tuner (or two) for it,
i was lookin at the cats eye 164e, but ive read a lot of mixed things about it.
An x-fi sound card would be a later add on as well, so id need quite a few expansion slots on the mobo.
Any suggestions??

Thanks for you help,

Apache.

[Garlor]

this is a pretty neet thread......
Ive always wanted to build my own PCs, but never really had anytime.....
Im graduating highschool in may, and ive got nothing to do all summer and this semester is gonna be a breeze if i get accepted to GA Tech. so i have a lot of time on my hands......
Anyone wanna gimme a few tips...
I want to build an HTPC that i can seriously game on with games like BF2 cod2 and maybe bf2142.....
...
also want to get a decent tuner (or two) for it,
i was lookin at the cats eye 164e, but ive read a lot of mixed things about it.
An x-fi sound card would be a later add on as well, so id need quite a few expansion slots on the mobo.


Building it is definatly half the fun. (http://www.tools.corsairmemory.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=12472) is a great walkthrough on building your own pc.
How much money are you willing to drop on your computer?
Im an AMD fanboy. I would recommend the (http://newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103759) X2 2.8ghz in the socket AM2 configuration. It features dual core technology and a 1mb l2 cache to boot. Very fast (and overclockable). Cant go wrong with the quality of a DFI motherboard.
For videocards, I have my eye on the Nvidia 8800s. Disgustingly fast and they support DX10 *drool*.
I dont have much experience with tuner cards, but I do have a Sound Blaster Audigy. Sounds amazing. Be sure to use the analog 5.1/7.1 outputs.

[Apache137]

hmmm, i dont want to go over 1000, but if i want it all ill probablly end up going 1500ish.
i have an amd xp athlon 2800 right now, its pitiful.
but that 1.5gb pc2700 and a bfg6200oc get me by on bf2 and cod2 for now.
im thinking about gettin maybe one 8800 for now instead of 2 1650pros...
i read somewhere that one 8800 smokes two 7900gt, is that true?
i also have a SB audigy 2 value.... its pretty good. i want everything to be digital though.
use digital output for sound and hook it up to an HT reciever from bose if i can find one for a good price. I love bose sound quality. its superb.
thanks for the advice, keep it comming.

Apache.

[Tinker]

Get a Intel C2D system. An AMD system is not comparable at this point in time for performance. My single 8800GTX beat my previous SLI 7900GTX's setup in my 3Dmark06 scores. Sold my 7900GTX's.

[Apache137]

... ok sounds good, you think c2d extreme will be under 500 in like may??
i guess ill save enough for one 8800 for now, and get another towards the end of the year.
also i hope 2gb ram modules go down too

[dj4monie]

So $20,000 worth of parts on a $20,000 car? :)

No disrespect intended.......but if you're dumping that kind of cash into your car, why not just get a better car?

My goodness, how come every forum I'm on with people with a bit of money always say buy a better car? I haven't had one problem with it, I did have the CV's replaced under warranty but eh, 03's suffer from that. They redesigned them in '04

More than 3 of the 5 10 second SRT-4s use OEM axles.

It would take just as much to make a Mustang run 10's and that's not impressive anymore when mid to low 9's are capable with a reasonable budget and that's not going to happen with a $10K investment.

BTW that's not $20,000 worth of parts, more like $8K

I have no desire to own an American V8 powered RWD car. I've had Mustangs, I'll return to them someday, but for now, I enjoy FWD cars. I didn't want a Honda, Focus are slow, even modified, Toyota didn't have a car I wanted, neither did Mazda, I don't wanna WRX or EVO, I wanted this -

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/djfourmoney/My_SRT4_New_Wheels.jpg

I like Neons (Ive had all versions of them), I don't have a problem with them, this is the ulimate Neon, it whoops arse and people don't like that (hense your reply). That makes me love it even more!

What pratel would you rather me spend money on? Like it would fall apart or something.

A fellow we call "Gramps" has shown up for the last 2 years of Hot Rod's Drag Week. Beat on the car with countless 12 second passes and hasn't broken ONE single part, which is something I can't say for at least 50% of the V8 owners that show up for that event.

http://www.hotrod.com/dragweek/113_drag_week_neon_z.jpg

BTW he finished 4th overall in the 12.0 class and wasn't featured in the magazine!

Just about any popular car to modified is a "been there, done that" type of thing. I'm not a follower of trends, never really have been, never felt like I needed to be apart of something.

I hate turning threads like this into long winded off-topic replies but its a habit I can't break. Im not thin skinned about my car, but the facts are.

Its not a bucket, it runs 13's dead stock, 12's with minor mods, 11's with Mopar Stage 3R and 10's with a bigger turbo and small shot of nitrous, with a bone stock bottom end.

This is an all turbo run, no nitrous, full interior, 10 pt cage - Daily Driven by the owner, no BS -

http://videos.streetfire.net/search/rage+tek/0/d5069486-cfd7-49d7-9b3c-988400fe760c.htm

Its wasting so called faster cars with a $20,000 heap is something you can't buy with another car...

This car has many $15,000 into it, it has a Electromotive TEC-3 on it. Note the compressor surge, that's a Garrett GT3076 Double ball bearing turbo and it doesn't like 28psi with Nemo's (a long time Neon tuner) CNC ported head and Crane camshafts.

Sorry for the long post, but like I said its a habit, $20,000 cars than run so fast without breaking are not girl cars, or piles of junk. Its car American built by some guys at PVO that could have given us a BS car like the Focus SVT, but choose to give us the power to dominate among production cars and the Mazadspeed 3 is still slower 2 years after SRT-4 production ended...

Good Night

[HeadRusch]

I didn't realize you were all about drag-strip speed. I have nothing against those cars, I'm just saying with $30 grand you're into a different class of car, is all, other than a subcompact.

If all you want is a small car that goes really fast, then great. I've got a SVT Mustang from 95, your car would probably smoke mine 10 times over (the mods are all to the suspension and gearing), but I dont race my car, thats not why I bought it. If you like it, thats fine.

I just see too many guys turning $15,000 "starter cars" into Carbage by slapping wings, body-kits (unpainted ones even), or a gigantic turbo on there and thinking they have some hot ride. Dropping the springs and blowing out the camber on the wheels, or running $5,000 rims on a $10,000 car. I shrug my shoulders and move on.

[BOSS10L]

I didn't realize you were all about drag-strip speed. I have nothing against those cars, I'm just saying with $30 grand you're into a different class of car, is all, other than a subcompact.

If all you want is a small car that goes really fast, then great. I've got a SVT Mustang from 95, your car would probably smoke mine 10 times over (the mods are all to the suspension and gearing), but I dont race my car, thats not why I bought it. If you like it, thats fine.

I just see too many guys turning $15,000 "starter cars" into Carbage by slapping wings, body-kits (unpainted ones even), or a gigantic turbo on there and thinking they have some hot ride. Dropping the springs and blowing out the camber on the wheels, or running $5,000 rims on a $10,000 car. I shrug my shoulders and move on.

What he doesn't realize is that he could have bought the SRT-4 at MSRP (I think they are fun little cars for the price), and took that $8K, bought an '87-'95 Mustang and had it into the low 10s - high 9s with enough money left over for some nice wheels.

'95 Cobra....Last of the pushrod 302s. I salute you. :cool:

What color exterior/interior?

[HeadRusch]

I almost bought a 96 GT but at the last minute found a dealer who had one 95 Cobra left on the lot (for thousands less, too!). Had to buy :)

Crystal White Clearcoat Metallic (ie:...White :D ) with black leather interior. Just turned 20k on the OD. Steeda Pro spring kit to get rid of the off-road look, steeda tri-ax shifter to get rid of the stock ripe-bananna shifting feel, Ford 3.73's in the rear and a steeda strut tower brace, thats all I've done to it. Its fast enoughf or me.

Its my fun car to drive in the summer months, use it as my daily driver then to work and back.......Today with Altimas pushing 300hp stock, and the new cobra topping out over 500Hp this car can't really hang without mods, but thats not a concern of mine, I enjoy it for what it is.

[BOSS10L]

I'm currently 'Stangless, something I hope to remedy once old man winter goes away for at least a few months. Haven't owned a Cobra yet, but have had my fair share of foxes (no 4-eyes though) over the years.

20K, wow, you've been babying her. Good to hear. I believe that cars are built to be driven, but I hate seeing something so beautiful get ragged on. Those mods are very tastefully done. Adding performance without sacrificing durability. I bet the first mod was the Tri-Ax, wasn't it? For the love of God Ford cannot put in a decent shifter in the Mustang, each one feels notchy as all hell.

I do have to admit that it is a bit disconcerting seeing other 4-door cars on the market surpassing the V6 Pony and coming into GT range with their HP numbers. But they'll never look nearly as sweet! ;)

[Apache137]

are you senior members killing this thread on purpose?
im new here, so i dont really have a say, but for a while, this thread was pretty helpful.....

[HorrorScope]

Doesn't this belong in the StreetRod section of AVS? lol

[Scotty L]

Hell any real man would LOVE any chance at discussing:

1) Cars
2) Sports
3) Women

;)

Of course I say this tongue in cheek, but I honestly don't mind a little car talk.

[HeadRusch]

I will now resist the urge to talk further about cars :)

My car needs no motherboard, nor videocard :)

[SpeedyHTPC]

I guess Im on the other end of the spectrum.

I'm tired of building PCs. I just want to buy one that is ready made so I can do what I want and not have a headache over non-working parts.

[Apache137]

i love cars and all, but this section is for htpc gamin.... thats why i bring it up,
i dont really mind too much, i always wanted a touchscreen monitor built into my steering wheel :)

[dj4monie]

How could you think I don't know about Mustangs? I have had 3 of them. All V8 powered and all pretty fast. What does that mean? I RATHER have this. Mustangs are typical, everybody has one thinks they are fast.

You wanna go around a road course, let's go, don't be fooled into thinking the SRT-4 is only good for going in a straight line.


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i96/lcq4blackstar/DSC_0006-1.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i96/lcq4blackstar/DSC_0079-1.jpg


It has won Time Attacks, SCCA Touring 2 races vs F-bodies and Mustangs and Top 5 finisher in SCCA Speed World Challenge. In fact, with a bit more suspension development, they'll be challenging the mightly BMW's, Audi's and Mazda 6's for class wins this season. 3R doesn't have the money the other factory (save for Audi) supported teams have and yet have managed to build a competitive car for Rob Holland, who missed 3 races and still finished 2nd in Rookie of the year.

This is the FINAL post about this. Your views of the car are clouded by personal opinion and contain no facts, at all.

Building fast Mustangs are only cheap if use alot of marginal OEM parts. C'mon man the one of the better SRT-4 tuners has a 9 second big single turbo Mustang LX. I know what it takes to build a fast Mustang and SUPRISE! Its not any cheaper to do it with that car. The Mustang as never ment to be supercharged or turbocharged and when you BEAT on the motor it doesn't take it very well. I know MUSTANGS, I KNOW FORDS... Stock heads suck, the stock H.O block is weak and the rods are marginal after 400hp.

SRT-4 engines make 400-500hp on the street and 700-800hp in competition trim. One has gone 221mph in the flying mile at Bonnieville and its owns the class record. It has total top speed of 235mph. Try that with a dead stock body and engine blocked Mustang...

http://www.racedeckracing.com/index2.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_SRT-4

Like I said final post about this. Officially back on Topic with this.

I'll be building a new system when I return from Europe and it will be the smallest and most powerful mini iTX this forum has seen. Details to follow soon.

[HeadRusch]

Um, gratuitous use of photos and WIKi articles about how awesome your choice of ride is are absolutely, positively not necessary, k?