am I nuts to think about building a third pc?

[Beeblequix]

I've got my two pretty slick rigs now. I have nearly enough parts just hanging out in my house to build a third pc.

first rig:
P4 2.8c
2x256 MB Kingston HyperX
MSI 865pe Neo2
WD 80GB hdd special edition
52x32x52 CDRW
19" NEC Superbright CRT
ATI Radeon X800pro 256MB
Aspire X Dreamer II w/350W ps.

second:
Athy 3000+ 333fsb
1x512 MB PC3500 Mushkin Black Level II (2225) @ pc2700 2226
1x512 MB PC3200 Mushkin Black Level II V2 (2226) @pc2700 2226
Abit NF7-S rev 2
WD 40GB hdd
52x32x52x16 CDRW/DVD combo
HIS Radeon 9800 pro 128MB
17" ADI CRT (four years old)
Lian Li windowed aluminum w/400W Antec

here's what I have for the third:
cheap Mercury Diamond case w/350W ps
Soyo SY-K7VME
1x512 Centon PC3200 (3338)(sux I know)
MSI Geforce 4 ti 4600

I could get a new 3200+ for the Abit and drop the 3000+ back in the Soyo. I'd then put the 40GB in the cheap build and get a new Barracuda for ~$60 after rebate. And being that Festivus is coming up I could use a new monitor too...so after I look at the cost I'd be into it several hundred dollars.

Better question: what do y'all do with excess parts?

[MJCfromCT]

I would save until I could make the upgrade to a nice AMD 64 or FX series. I'd take what you have, and (if you were upgrading the p4), take its components and put it towards a linux box to experiment with.

[Swordfish]

i would sell all the 'excess' parts and make some quick bux.

[vibe666]

not long ago I had 3 desktop pc's and 2 laptops at home, which sounds slightly geeky until you take into account I only live in a 1 bed apartment!

main rig is a 3ghz P4, then there was a 2.6ghz P4 (workhorse) which was doing 24/7 video encoding etc. then a P4 1.5 doing the same and the odd other job, then a 1.5ghz centrino laptop used for general wifi based work/net when i didn't want to be tied to a desk, and finally a P3 750 laptop a s aspare for the g/f used for the same.

I was going to use the 2.6ghz as a PVR and had it all ready to go, but a friend needed a new mobo so i broke it for parts in exchange for some extra ram for my main rig, and a nic for the second laptop.

now second laptop may be going to my dad for xmas, and the 1.5ghz has been de-commissioned due to lack of continued use, so I'm really down to 2 again.

**** pc hating g/f making me get rid of all my bits!

[leprechaun_40]

Vibe, you need a new g/f, LOL, one that likes pc's.

In answer to the original post, I'd save up to build another unit honestly. Or hope some more "spare" parts come your way. I have 3 machines myself and parts for a 4th. My main is an Athlon 64 3200, 2nd machine is an older AMD K6 and 3rd is a K6-2 built from "spare" parts from various sources. I only need a few more parts to get the fourth up and running. There are a total of 8 machines in this house, my wife has 2 of her own.!

[G]

Yeah Vib, computers and g/f or fiancée’s do not mix well at all – but I understand where they are coming from but I cannot help myself Especially if you go though to 7 or 9am in the morning and they want a cuddle – boring! Downloading rules. I am going to get some games so I guess gaming will rule too and she does not like the idea of me having any games.

In the 8 years I have computed I have played 30mins of Soldier of Future a couple of months a go. I do not even know or care to play Solitaire. I think I deserve to experience the gaming experience all you guys and gales proclaim form the highest mountaintops – do you not think so?

[Beeblequix]

I like the idea of a PVR in the front room. I can therefore use my HD monitor for some cool gaming plus record....uh....the Simpsons (all I ever watch, which is still rare). I've put together two pcs from extra parts in the past few months. One I gave to my sister in law and one will soon go to my father in law. I had Linux on one of them but after awhile I just shrugged, threw 98se on it and tested it for Quake III framerates.

Ooooh, and Soldier of Fortune was way fun back in the day. I played that through over & over again. Way fun. I always loved the excessive guts & gore. Makes me proud to be an American.

*eyes tearful*