Thinking of building a custom computer

[mt999999]

I've wanted to do this for a long time, and I think I'm ready to jump into the project. I'm glad I found this forum! I've been using Windows 7 through 2 computers since it first came out. I have no interest in the newer versions of Windows!

My idea is to take an old mid 90's Gateway 2000 case, and patch in a newer motherboard that will support a newer i5 Intel processor, that still has support for legacy ports. I found a motherboard linked below that will allow me to keep both the original 3.5" floppy drive in the case, working, as well as allowing me to use my old PS/2 keyboard. It even has a parallel port!

Amazon.com: Intel BOXDQ67OWB3 Executive DQ67OW Desktop Motherboard - Intel Q67 Express Chipset - Socket H2 LGA-1155 - Micro ATX - 1 x Processor Support - 32 GB DDR3 SDRAM Maximum RAM - Serial ATA/300, Serial ATA/600, Floppy Controller RAID Supported

I was also debating whether to install a 32 or 64 bit version of Windows 7 on it. What are the benefits to using one or the other? I rebuild and work on lots of old DOS based computers, and I enjoy using older software that I can't use on my current 64 bit Win. 7 laptop, so I was thinking of using a 32 bit version. I know it tops out at 4 GB of RAM, but if I understand correctly, 4 GB of ram goes a lot further on a 32 bit version than it would on a 64 bit version, correct? I don't use any memory-rich applications, and I only use forums/e-mail/basic browsing on the internet. One thing for sure is that I'm ready to purchase a SSD drive.

So what do you guys think? Any suggestions before I jump on the parts? I'm concerned if the original power supply will even work. I figure I might need a whole new power supply. Thanks much!

-Michael

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Some things that would concern me:

Will the new motherboard mount properly in a 20 year old Gateway case?

The case may or may not be ATX and even if it is ATX, it may be Gateway-proprietary in some sense.

Power supply: I’m not sure a newer PSU would mount in a 20 year old Gateway case.

If you do not get a new PSU, do you intend to use a 20 year old unit that came with the Gateway case?

If you use the old PSU, do you have any reason to believe it has the proper connections for the new motherboard?

Are the switches, LEDs, and buttons on the 20 year old case known to have proper connections on the new motherboard?

Do you actually have a need for a floppy and PS/2 keyboard?

What’s the point of the project? Just to find some use for a 20 year old case?

What do you intend to do with this PC after it is built? Purely a hobby, just to see if you can do it, with no intended purpose?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Please post some images of the case you intend on using plus measure it inside and out and post that info stripped down of course

I see quite a few images on a google search but yes using a micro atx board in a case that might not be atx could be problematic because they have stand offs and in specific places with mounts.
The case does need to be atx compatible.

 

[mt999999]

Laugh if you will, but the intended purpose would be not only to see if I can do it, but also to be an awesome looking vintage piece on my desk and actually be my main computer. I've been thinking about doing this for years! You have to consider that I am the guy that is currently using Netscape Navigator on Windows 7 to browse the forum and post this reply, and I read my e-mail though a patched/edited version of Outlook Express compatible with Windows 7. I was browsing this forum earlier in Firefox 1.5 on a Windows 95b machine, over a dial-up connection, through a 28.8 Kbps modem, believe it or not. Firefox is SLOW on 32 MB RAM. My current laptop is trashed, and the internal keyboard and mouse are dead. It is sitting at my desk, propped up, with an external USB keyboard and mouse attached.

Do I need a PS/2 port or floppy drive? Probably not. I have a USB floppy (which sees plenty of use) on the side. But I would much rather leave the original floppy in the case, and have it actually work! It would really add to the charm. The PS/2 keyboard would be the old original Gateway 2000 Anykey programmable keyboard because it fits in very nicely! I really like the old clicky keyboards; I find them much easier to use... I don't slip up nearly as much typing on one. Still unsure about 32 bit Windows 7, but it would be really nice for 16 bit installers and legacy applications to work properly (read: work at all).

The project is no rush. I assume that the power supply will not be compatible. If it is easy enough, I would just solder new connectors onto the power supply. I didn't intend anything to even remotely line up. I have full anticipation that I'll need to cut out part of the back for ports, drill out holes, and use rubber stoppers (or whatever) to support the board. It would be really nice if it lined up, however. How do I know if the Gateway 2000 is AT or ATX? If anyone has done or seen anything like this on the forum here, I'd really appreciate if they would post links!

I've had a Gateway 2000 for several years, restored with DOS 6.2/Windows 3.11 for Work Groups. Not only is it missing some parts (Modem, CD drive, could use more RAM than 16 MB), but I couldn't bear to tear it down. I found a very similar unit on eBay that is now on it's way. I almost talked the seller down to half of the listing price! I will keep the parts for the other machine, but I intend to use the very nice clean case as my "test subject" (linked below). Any other help/advice other than don't do it would be very appreciated!

Gateway 2000 Baby at P5 75 Desktop Computer Free SHIP | eBay

 

[AddRAM]

You can do it, you`ll most likely have to do some custom wiring of the front panel power, reset, buttons etc, and hard drive and power led`s, it`s no real big deal.

OEM boards had/have their own propriatary wires from the motherboard to the front panel buttons, today all the cases are universal and so are the boards, retail boards and cases that is.

Making the board fit and an adequate power supply will be your main issues.

Ya, I remember when I got my 1st Dell 256 MB of ram :roflmao:

No you don`t solder new connectors on the end of the power supply, you could destory all your new parts or worse.

You buy a modern power supply to go with your mdern board.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I don't see any link to the machine ?

Anything is possible although I went with a new case... and old Acer mother board on a second project,
http://www.sevenforums.com/pc-custo...52-modifing-old-desktop-machine-new-case.html

I don't know if you can load cpu-z/ cupid but if so go to the Main Board section and take a screen shot
Scroll down just a bit and on the left side you'll see download 32 and 64 bit
CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

 

[mt999999]

Hi,
I don't see any link to the machine ?

Anything is possible although I went with a new case... and old Acer mother board on a second project,
http://www.sevenforums.com/pc-custo...52-modifing-old-desktop-machine-new-case.html

I don't know if you can load cpu-z/ cupid but if so go to the Main Board section and take a screen shot
Scroll down just a bit and on the left side you'll see download 32 and 64 bit
CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

My bad! Here is the link:

Gateway 2000 Baby AT P5-75 Desktop Computer Free Ship!

What is CPU-z? I went to the screen, and attached is a shot. This is my broken-down Windows 7 laptop, however.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Baby AT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby-AT

 

[mt999999]

Baby AT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby-AT

Duh!

I should have recognized that from the huge model sticker on the back! Well, I suppose a full-size board wouldn't fit in a case designed for a baby AT board. Hopefully I can make the mini ATX board fit with some modifications. I'll go look for a new power supply. Wish me luck guys!

 

[ThrashZone]

Good luck with that

 

[AddRAM]

I also forsee a problem with the IO shield on the back of that PC.

 

[mt999999]

I also forsee a problem with the IO shield on the back of that PC.

I have anticipated that as well. The motherboard that I bought has a small metal shield that goes around the I/O ports. I'll just saw-zall the old area out! :roflmao:
Perhaps that's over-kill... I have a little grinder, that might do the trick. The back doesn't have to be pretty!

 

[AddRAM]

Use sulfuric acid and melt it out, make it look mean. :devil:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfroUSUcbdc

:roflmao:

 

[Solarstarshines]

Baby AT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby-AT

Duh!

I should have recognized that from the huge model sticker on the back! Well, I suppose a full-size board wouldn't fit in a case designed for a baby AT board. Hopefully I can make the mini ATX board fit with some modifications. I'll go look for a new power supply. Wish me luck guys!

Why not buy a Coolermaster Elite case for like $50 bucks and swap parts

To be honest this venture of yours sounds like a real mission

 

[mt999999]

Baby AT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby-AT

Duh!

I should have recognized that from the huge model sticker on the back! Well, I suppose a full-size board wouldn't fit in a case designed for a baby AT board. Hopefully I can make the mini ATX board fit with some modifications. I'll go look for a new power supply. Wish me luck guys!

Why not buy a Coolermaster Elite case for like $50 bucks and swap parts

To be honest this venture of yours sounds like a real mission

Perhaps so, but I don't quit easy!

I've never done a custom build before, but I really like the vintage look. I found a decent power supply for less than $30, so we'll see where it goes!

 

[mt999999]

OK, so as an over-view, here are the parts already ordered.

Case (Talked down to $60 - free shipping): Gateway 2000 Baby at P5 75 Desktop Computer Free SHIP | eBay

Motherboard with I/O shield (Talked down to $35 - free shipping):
Intel Desktop Board DQ67OW LGA1155 Motherboard with Shield | eBay

i5 Processor with heat sink and fan ($95):
Intel Core i5 2310 2 90 GHz CPU Processor LGA1155 SR02K | eBay

4 GB RAM ($25):
4GB 2x2GB Memory RAM for Intel DQ67EP DQ67SW DQ67OW DX58OG DX58SO Mainboard | eBay

500 Watt ATX Power supply (Even has FDD power cable - $25 w/ship):
I-500 Coolmax 500W ATX 12V V2.0 Power Supply - Desktop Power Supply - SuperBiiz.com

I also purchased a floppy ribbon and some SATA cables. I just need to get a Windows 7 DVD/Key and SSD (around 250 GB) and I should be set! I think I'm doing alright so far, but someone call me out if they think I'm doing something stupid! Don't be afraid to "shoot me down"...

 

[AddRAM]

Man, I thought you already owned the Gateway, you bought that off Ebay

Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB

SSD 850 EVO 2.5" SATA III 250GB | Samsung Solid State Drives

SAMSUNG 850 EVO 2.5" 250GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-75E250B/AM - Newegg.com

You do realize that board only has Sata2 3.0 Gbps sata ports ????

 

[mt999999]

Man, I thought you already owned the Gateway, you bought that off Ebay

Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB

SSD 850 EVO 2.5" SATA III 250GB | Samsung Solid State Drives

SAMSUNG 850 EVO 2.5" 250GB SATA III 3-D Vertical Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-75E250B/AM - Newegg.com

You do realize that board only has Sata2 3.0 Gbps sata ports ????

I own an identical Gateway 2000, but I couldn't bear to tear it down. I've owned the thing for years, and I restored it as a DOS 6.2/Win 3.11 machine. The CD drive is shot in mine, and I could use some spare parts, so I bit the bullet and bought this one for it's really clean case and parts that I can use.

I was looking at an identical 250 GB Samsung last night, I think that's what I'll go with. I shouldn't need more space, but if I do I can slave another drive to it at a later point. Is there much of a difference between SATA II and III? I didn't really take that into consideration. Regardless, it should be a lot faster than the old Ribbon ATA cables.

Edit: I looked up the board specifications, and it looks like it has 2 SATA3 ports, and 4 SATA2 ports. I'm glad you mentioned, because I might not have realized the difference between the colors.

https://downloadmirror.intel.com/19708/eng/DQ67OW_TechProdSpec02.pdf -- Page 22

 

[AddRAM]

OK that`s good, I was just looking at the description from the Ebay ad

 

[Solarstarshines]

OK, so as an over-view, here are the parts already ordered.

Case (Talked down to $60 - free shipping): Gateway 2000 Baby at P5 75 Desktop Computer Free SHIP | eBay

Motherboard with I/O shield (Talked down to $35 - free shipping):
Intel Desktop Board DQ67OW LGA1155 Motherboard with Shield | eBay

i5 Processor with heat sink and fan ($95):
Intel Core i5 2310 2 90 GHz CPU Processor LGA1155 SR02K | eBay

4 GB RAM ($25):
4GB 2x2GB Memory RAM for Intel DQ67EP DQ67SW DQ67OW DX58OG DX58SO Mainboard | eBay

500 Watt ATX Power supply (Even has FDD power cable - $25 w/ship):
I-500 Coolmax 500W ATX 12V V2.0 Power Supply - Desktop Power Supply - SuperBiiz.com

I also purchased a floppy ribbon and some SATA cables. I just need to get a Windows 7 DVD/Key and SSD (around 250 GB) and I should be set! I think I'm doing alright so far, but someone call me out if they think I'm doing something stupid! Don't be afraid to "shoot me down"...

Dude i could of mailed you a 600w HP High E PSU lol Coolmax good luck on that