Okay, so I bricked my CPU.

[Continuum]

I have an Acer X3200 desktop. I always had problems with it for the past few months, but this time, I think it had kicked the bucket. Last night I tried opening it after it BSoD'd, but it got stuck in the Vista loading screen for one reason or another. I quit and let another day pass. Today it got all erratic; it didn't boot up, and there was a constant beeping noise from the CPU. I think it is was an alarm from the system. So, anyways, I opened it up to see if the insides were dirty. To my surprise, it wasn't. I believe it's a hardware error. Ever since my Hard disk failed and had it replaced, it frequently broke down, but not as severe as this.

So, let' go to the topic. I'm going to have it replaced with a light gaming CPU when the time comes. In the mean time, I need to have this fixed, so as to have something I could use for schoolwork, but my mother wouldn't be so eager to spend more on it. My tight ass-as-fuck sister is currently letting me use her netbook as a cheap alternative. Since I do not know much about computer building, I may have it built from scratch. How much would a light gaming CPU that could run fairly modern games efficiently and smoothly, and also other applications, cost altogether? Money won't be much of a problem, so long as I have it within a 400-dollar monetary limit. Accessories and software wouldn't be a problem, too. I have set my sights on a store near us who build electronics, so labor wouldn't be hard to find. I need to have a gaming rig before October.

[AutoPlay]

what CPU do you have in it atm?

[Commander Thor]

I believe you're confusing the terms CPU & Computer.
A CPU is a small, 2" by 2" by 1/8" device that sits on the motherboard, this is the thing that processes and manages damn near everything that happens inside the computer.
A computer, is a series of interconnected devices that work together to process large amounts of data. This usually consists of a tower, or case, a power supply, a motherboard, a video card and/or processor, RAM (Also known as memory), and a hard drive.

While it's totally possible one or more components in your computer have failed, it's doubtful that it's 'bricked'.
When you turn it on, is the beeping a constant beep? Or is there more of a pattern to it? If there is a pattern to it, what is the pattern? (Such as 3 short beeps followed by 1 long beep, repeat)
(Also, I know you said it was a constant beep, but you probably weren't looking for a pattern when it was beeping)

[AutoPlay]

I believe you're confusing the terms CPU & Computer.
A CPU is a small, 2" by 2" by 1/8" device that sits on the motherboard, this is the thing that processes and manages damn near everything that happens inside the computer.
A computer, is a series of interconnected devices that work together to process large amounts of data. This usually consists of a tower, or case, a power supply, a motherboard, a video card and/or processor, RAM (Also known as memory), and a hard drive.

While it's totally possible one or more components in your computer have failed, it's doubtful that it's 'bricked'.
When you turn it on, is the beeping a constant beep? Or is there more of a pattern to it? If there is a pattern to it, what is the pattern? (Such as 3 short beeps followed by 1 long beep, repeat)
(Also, I know you said it was a constant beep, but you probably weren't looking for a pattern when it was beeping)

lol fuck me, thank you i didnt see that at all

lack. of. sleep.

[MattVon]

Commander Thor hit the nail on the head.

[Continuum]

I believe you're confusing the terms CPU & Computer.
A CPU is a small, 2" by 2" by 1/8" device that sits on the motherboard, this is the thing that processes and manages damn near everything that happens inside the computer.
A computer, is a series of interconnected devices that work together to process large amounts of data. This usually consists of a tower, or case, a power supply, a motherboard, a video card and/or processor, RAM (Also known as memory), and a hard drive.

While it's totally possible one or more components in your computer have failed, it's doubtful that it's 'bricked'.
When you turn it on, is the beeping a constant beep? Or is there more of a pattern to it? If there is a pattern to it, what is the pattern? (Such as 3 short beeps followed by 1 long beep, repeat)
(Also, I know you said it was a constant beep, but you probably weren't looking for a pattern when it was beeping)

Lol, whatever you call it, it's broken in some way I am not familiar with. I am not that good with present technology. :P

No, just a steady beep. No patterns, just a solid, consistent beep. I could have guessed it as some type of hardware failure. It went on for about 5 minutes, then I decided to close it since nothing's happening, even though the LED in the power button is on.

[TheMatrix]

finding a cpu is one thing.
compatability is a whole different story.

say you have an i5 in your machine right now. you can't just replace it with an i7, it won't fit or work.

or are you going to completely redo the machine?

[Commander Thor]

finding a cpu is one thing.
compatability is a whole different story.

say you have an i5 in your machine right now. you can't just replace it with an i7, it won't fit or work.

or are you going to completely redo the machine?

No, just... No. Stop right there.
There are only 2 socket types for the Core i series processors. And that's 1366, and 1156. All processors on the 1366 socket are interchangable, and all processors on the 1156 socket are interchangable. The same goes for every socket type in Intel's (And AMD's for that matter) existance. (Provided the motherboard supports it (Which most motherboards carrying the socket type support most (All) CPUs on that socket type))
Please research something before you start talking about it.
Edit: Besides, we're not even talking about CPUs here!

Lol, whatever you call it, it's broken in some way I am not familiar with. I am not that good with present technology. :P

No, just a steady beep. No patterns, just a solid, consistent beep. I could have guessed it as some type of hardware failure. It went on for about 5 minutes, then I decided to close it since nothing's happening, even though the LED in the power button is on.

It's quite possible the memory is bad. To check, find it on the motherboard (They're long sticks, usually in pairs, parallel to each-other). *Carefully* remove them, blow out any dust that happens to be in the socket, and reseat them. See if that fixes the issue.

[AutoPlay]

No, just... No. Stop right there.
There are only 2 socket types for the Core i series processors. .

woah woah woah

hold on,

theres more than that,

1136, 1156, 1155 and possibly 1154 for ivy bridge

[Continuum]

Darn, nerd clash. Please excuse me while I find a suitable bomb shelter and hope things will cool down soon. :P



It's quite possible the memory is bad. To check, find it on the motherboard (They're long sticks, usually in pairs, parallel to each-other). *Carefully* remove them, blow out any dust that happens to be in the socket, and reseat them. See if that fixes the issue.

Commander Thor is right. I will have the whole computer replaced with a new one. My mom is already that steamed and refuses to have it serviced again.

I forgot to tell you. A few months ago, it BSoD'd. We had to service it, and what I have learned is that one of my RAMs got fried, along with its socket. Luckily, the other one was spared. I hope it didn't get fried now. That was the last remaining RAM that was on my computer.

Now then, I had this problem. My harddrive was blocking the way to my RAM. I cannot get it off, but I did loosen it up and replaced it again. Nothing improved. It was still the long beeping sound.

[Commander Thor]

woah woah woah

hold on,

theres more than that,

1136, 1156, 1155 and possibly 1154 for ivy bridge

I apologise, there are 3 socket types. 1 of those 3 is brand spanking new, which is why it slipped my mind.
Anyway, all the points in my previous post still stand.

Also, 1154 isn't set for release 'till 2012? O_o


@ the OP; it's quite possible that your other RAM module is bad as well, as typically that's what a steady beep or tone means.

[AutoPlay]

I apologise, there are 3 socket types. 1 of those 3 is brand spanking new, which is why it slipped my mind.
Anyway, all the points in my previous post still stand.

Also, 1154 isn't set for release 'till 2012? O_o


@ the OP; it's quite possible that your other RAM module is bad as well, as typically that's what a steady beep or tone means.

very late 2011 at the earliest but Intel have re-designed the CPU

[Silentsilver]

LOL i feel right at home here :P, hmm lets see your budget is 400 bucks for a new machine? thats kind of tight depending on what games you plan on playing. As for your old machine without looking up the beep codes im gunna say your RAM has died. which isn't a uncommon thing and I have seen it alot over my years as a pc tech. Let me know what your budget is and ill see what i can piece together for you :)

[Continuum]

Oh, God no. Not the RAM again. I hope I could get my mom to have it fixed soon. I do not like how this has already happened for the second time already.

LOL i feel right at home here :P, hmm lets see your budget is 400 bucks for a new machine? thats kind of tight depending on what games you plan on playing. As for your old machine without looking up the beep codes im gunna say your RAM has died. which isn't a uncommon thing and I have seen it alot over my years as a pc tech. Let me know what your budget is and ill see what i can piece together for you :)

Why, thank you for the concern. I have a little problem: I do not live in North America. :P

I don't need a PC that's totally rigged for gaming. I just need a PC that could run games like Civilization without much problems. I'm not wanting much. Hopefully I could find something pre-built/custom-made that could fit in a 400-600 dollar budget. :P

[Perseus]

I don't need a PC that's totally rigged for gaming. I just need a PC that could run games like Civilization without much problems. I'm not wanting much. Hopefully I could find something pre-built/custom-made that could fit in a 400-600 dollar budget. :P

Which Civilization we taklin' 'bout here? Because no rinky dink four hundred dollar Acer computer will be able to run Civ V or probably even IV. :P

[Syntax]

Wait, let me get this straight, so the RAM's broken and not the CPU then?

EDIT: I think we need to know what motherboard you have first before we can find a replacement for the RAM.

[Continuum]

Which Civilization we taklin' 'bout here? Because no rinky dink four hundred dollar Acer computer will be able to run Civ V or probably even IV. :P

Mine couldn't run V. Or anything. Which is why I am furious at it. I am going to look for a decent computer that isn't going to bust our pockets much. I will be glad to extend our monetary limit, so long as it's worth the money. :P

Wait, let me get this straight, so the RAM's broken and not the CPU then?

..yes.

[Silentsilver]

Wait, let me get this straight, so the RAM's broken and not the CPU then?

I think your confusing CPU with PC

EDIT: I think we need to know what motherboard you have first before we can find a replacement for the RAM.

Nah just the computer and by the look of it it needs DDR2-800Mhz PC-6400 Pretty standard these days

Mine couldn't run V. Or anything. Which is why I am furious at it. I am going to look for a decent computer that isn't going to bust our pockets much. I will be glad to extend our monetary limit, so long as it's worth the money. :P



..yes.


honestly for 400-600 you can get some nice asus or HP laptops with dedicated Nvidia or ATI graphics cards that would tackle those games with no problem :)

[Continuum]

Nah just the computer and by the look of it it needs DDR2-800Mhz PC-6400 Pretty standard these days




honestly for 400-600 you can get some nice asus or HP laptops with dedicated Nvidia or ATI graphics cards that would tackle those games with no problem :)

He's right. But here's the specs (http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/2010/acer/Aspire/AspireX3200/AspireX3200sp5.shtml) to be sure.

Thanks, I asked my mom about it. She said she was inclined to a laptop. I would surely want those. :yes:

Any recommendations? :P

[Commander Thor]

He's right. But here's the specs (http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/2010/acer/Aspire/AspireX3200/AspireX3200sp5.shtml) to be sure.

Thanks, I asked my mom about it. She said she was inclined to a laptop. I would surely want those. :yes:

Any recommendations? :P

Yeah, you can throw 2 sticks of DDR2 memory in there and you'll be running good. (Provided the memory is at fault)

As far as recommendations, anything made by Acer, ASUS, HP, or Samsung is good. You can shop around for what's in your budget, and how much power you want. ;)

[Silentsilver]

Yeah, you can throw 2 sticks of DDR2 memory in there and you'll be running good. (Provided the memory is at fault)

As far as recommendations, anything made by Acer, ASUS, HP, or Samsung is good. You can shop around for what's in your budget, and how much power you want. ;)

exactly my recommendations, ill do some research for you and see what i can find in your budget

[Syntax]

A quick trip to your local computer shop would be my first advice. Better check first the price of the laptop you want to buy if it fits your budget and also the specs whether it could the games you want or not.

[Continuum]

Sometime in the following days we will visit the mall to scour for decent, affordable gear. Thanks everyone. :D

And my desktop, we're going to have it fixed before July comes. Assuming the RAM is the only thing that is broken, as we haven't had them diagnosed yet, the expenses should be cheap. I hope. :yes:

[Wicked_Syn]

The Gateway NV series is pretty good if you're still looking to get a laptop. I have the Gateway NV53, and it's really fast. It can handle the shit I throw at it. I also do a little music production, and I use multiple programs when i'm producing. Handles it like a pro...