want to start modding..

hey everyone.. Im looking to start modding/build a computer, and I'm not sure where to begin.. I have a bit of money I can spend, but a tight budget. Also, I have the parts of two compaq presarios around, but I'm not sure about them, like for example would/should I need to buy a new mobo if I wanted to buy some new parts to use with it, things like that. Once I get it built I want to learn how to mod.. Also does anyone know an online computer store that has good prices, because specifically I'm definitely looking to buy a new case at the least... Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated, thanks

www.newegg.com
lian li are very nice cases
depending on what platform you like asus and abit are pretty commonly known as some of the best motherboards
your compacs may be good for folding rigs depending on the mhz of them.
but for bling bling mods check out
www.jab-tech.com
www.xoxide.com
http://www.svcompucycle.com/index.html
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/sidewindercomputers/index.html
http://www.dangerden.com/mall/cases/vexx.asp
just some cool stuff, but before you buy anything read all you can about it.
the people here have been thru everything and are willing to share also.
you have got to get it figured out what specifically you want though.
so general questions usually dont get very good answers, for instance what mhz is your compacs and what kind of mods are you planning?

most questions have been asked already so get a specific thing you want to learn about and put it in the search, like "compac overclocking"
and here are the results
http://www.ocforums.com/search.php?searchid=162786
welcome to the forum

thanks for the links
The only reason I didnt make it very specific is because I don't exactly know the specs ..
Anyway, eventhough itll be a work in progress for a long time, I'm just lookin to make my own custom computer.. and I figured since I have these computers sitting around that I'm not using at all, why not give it a shot with that stuff..

I wouldn't reccommend a lian-li to everybody on a budget.
In fact, I wouldn't reccommend a lian-li to anybody who wants to mod.
a €150+ case isn't something you're going to risk looking ugly.

Buy a cheap no-name case and try to mod the crap out of it.

I second the newegg.com recommendation. That is the best online computer store I've ever found. Prices are great, and half the time shipping is free.

As for a case, you should just find something you think you can make look better for your first mod. Don't get an expesive case like a Lian-Li, they are too nice to have any possibility of messing up on.

Yea I looked at Lian-li's .. no doubt great cases, but a bit high. One question -- how can I find out what kind of mobo I have in my compaq, and also should I upgrade it, because I want to OC later, and I doubt that the factory mobo will allow, I'm not sure what kind of mobo to buy, I went online and I believe its a 5WV254 5000 series.. whatever that is , and a 700mhz duron processor

Well, no, IMO, lian-li's aren't that beautifull, they're only pricey...

Heh I haven't used one, I was giving them the benefit of doubt, and a few other people had mentioned they liked them *shrug* but either way they're too expensive for me

I think compaq does the same **** that dell and those other OEM ****ers do. Make motherboards that only fit in their cases, with their parts. Either way, if you want any kind of current computer you are gonna hafta scrap the duron, which forces you to get a new motherboard that will accomadate your new processor. If you want to keep the duron though you can find a really cheap motherboard that will fit it somewhere I am sure. You said you want to overclock though, which means you definately want a new motherboard at the very least. I would look into getting a motherboard/CPU combo somewhere. You could get a cheap one if all you wanted was an Athlon XP.

I'm not sure what kind of CPU I want, I don't know which ones overclock how well and so on, any recommendations on a new Motherboard and CPU I could get to overclock? I think thats all I would have to replace for a new computer..

maybe you might like a case like this
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-023&depa=0
and maybe this MB
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-144&depa=0
and maybe this cpu
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-383&depa=0
im sure someone else here could find you better choices since im more in the intels but at least they have somewhere to start now.
also you may need this
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-121-515&depa=0

Hm.. I looked at the links.. Also, I'm not specifically looking for AMD, thats just what was in my old computer, and if I'm upgrading my mobo and processor, would Intel be any better?

Ah, NewEgg. I woulda placed alot of orders with them, but shipping often costs more than the parts to Hawaii....

I am currently modding my Emachine. I'm pretty sure it uses a standard mATX board. So when the time comes, I can just whip in the new board, and start doing my thing.

IMO, its a great way to make a 'sleeper'. "I have a Emachine." "Haha, bet it sucks!."

People that bag on Lian Li's have never owned one. Once you have then you will know what fit and finish and quality are all about and yes they are worth the money. Plus there is lots of modding that can be done with them, all aluminum = easier to cut than steel, No plastic = easier to paint If you have the extra money they are worth it.

vincent vincent vincent. if you give us a price range we could help you out more. if your strictly going for the lowend budget system i suggest going to compgeeks.com and getting one of their starter kits. yeah i looked around and that old compaq is still using pc133 sdram. you will want ddr for sure. there prolly isnt much there to scavenge if you wanted a decent system. well good luck and need more info bro

you may be able to use one of the power supplies from the system to start a prometeia unit. so until you get specific with stuff were just guessing here.

main things you got to tell us-

budget

needs (as far as gaming or what it will be used for)

how long before you plan on buying the stuff

to answer your question on amd vs intell, I think amd is going to be cheaper and more bang for the buck especially if you want to get in to overclockeing. I recommend not buying a starter kit because while they are convienient they don't really take the time to make sure the stuff is great for overclocking. For example I have seen kits with barton 2500 cpu, but if you buy your own you would probably get a 2500 mobile as these seem to overclock the best. this kit also came with an older model asus a7n8x board not a great overclocker, buy stuff on your own and you would look at something like the DFI ultra infinity, cause it is a great overclocker. The worst component in a kit, however, is usually memory. The stuff they give you could seriously crippel an overclocking attempt.

So please let us know price ranges. If you want to go 400-600 I think an AMD system would be better (yes you could go with celerons but I don't like celerons) if its more like 1000 dollars your looking to spend you could go either way, intel or AMD. Usually if im building on a budget for a freind i go AMD overclock the CPU and spend the money saved opn a better graphics card.