First post, by Nick4
I love NOS hardware. The unboxing, the smell, it is so exciting!
Also I wanted to build some late WinXP machine.
So I decided to build a fully NOS system! Fortunately, there is no big problem to find some 2007 new parts.
After the build is complete, I have a major issue with it. And I need your help, guys.
But first, about the hardware.
CPU
I had 2 options. To go with Pentium 4 541 or Core 2 Duo E6750. New and sealed both.
I think the C2D will be better option for overkill build, but I think I`ll try P4 later for benchmarks.
Love the design of this board. Very colorful=)
The CMOS battery was dead, so I replaced it.
RAM
2 Gb DDR2 OCZ2A8002GK
ATI certified. Too bad I`ll have nVidia GPU=)
CPU cooler
Instead of crappy Intel stock cooler I`ll use a mid-2000 legend — Thermaltake BigTyphoon 120.
GPU
eVGA nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS 512 Mb. Factory sealed.
HDD
WD Blue 500 Gb. This is a new modern HDD, but I don`t think there is any difference with 2007 HDDs=)
DVD drive
Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7173A IDE drive. New and boxed, 2007 manufactured.
It has three bezels included — black, beige and silver! Good old times!
PSU
BeQuiet! Pure Power 11 500W CM, the second modern part in this build.
Case
For the case i used Chieftec Libra LT-01B. This case is from 2011-2012. But it is still in stock in some stores. I like how it looks with this front cover and stuff. Looks very mid-2000.
Final build
What a great RAM clearance of that heatsink!
When I installed the motherboard, I realized that the heatsink is blocking a HDD mount. So I had to remove mobo and install drives first.
Also installed a DVD drive with black bezel.
Done! Cable management is a mess. Typical for 2007=)
And here I ran into some hardware problem!
The system does not POST randomly! Sometimes it starts just fine, but sometimes it`s nothing — black screen and power switch or reset does not work, i have to shut down the PSU.
I tried to boot in minimal configuration without GPU, HDD, DVD and with only one RAM module (tried each of them) but the result is the same. Sometimes it POSTs, sometimes not. Sometimes it reboots immediately after start.
When the system boots normal I tried to install Windows XP. But the system restarts randomly while installation process (with full power shut down, so the coolers stops etc). Once I`ve got a "CPU overclock failure" message after such reboot (I did not any OC, of course).
So something is very wrong with hardware, definitely.
What do you think, guys?