Category Archives: Computer Builds

HP Workstation

Posted on May 7, 2022 by tim

The goal of this machine to experiment with mid-range video editing and/or be a monster Virtual Machine Server. It was refurbished, from PC Server Parts Certified Refurbished. It kept going in and out of stock. It arrived in a big … Continue reading →

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Dell 3020 SFF

Posted on February 19, 2022 by tim

The goal of this machine was to buy a complete (monitor included) machine for less than $300, taxes and shipping included. It was refurbished, from Blair Technology, “on sale” from $480. It arrived in a big box that contained two … Continue reading →

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ASUS ROG

Posted on January 6, 2022 by tim

This is a prebuilt machine purchase. Asus Model G15CE-B9. (Price comparisons: newegg is selling it for $1,944 via Coldriver20; amazon is selling it for $1,815 via J-Tech Digital). Some facts on the CPU: it is currently #202 on PassMark [21,574, … Continue reading →

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Core i5-10400

Posted on October 17, 2021 by tim

This is a rebuild of the Core 4770k machine. The machine started spontaneously shutting off, then entering a “power-on for 3 seconds and power-off” loop. After cooling down, it would stay running for ~20 minutes, then shutdown. BIOS says the … Continue reading →

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RetroPie Raspberry Pi 4

Posted on September 15, 2020 by tim

Item Product Cost Pi 4 CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Basic Kit 1.5GHz 64-bit quad core ARMv8, USB-C 3.5A Power, USB-C Power switch $55 MicroSD SanDisk 64GB Ultra microSDXC USH-I $12 Case RETROFLAG NESPi 4 Case with SSD Case, USB-C Power … Continue reading →

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AMD Ryzen Build

Posted on December 21, 2019 by tim

Some facts on the CPU: it is currently #135 on PassMark [16,9499] cpubenchmark.net. The video card was the least expensive PCI available at Micro Center. This build is intended for two distinct purposes. The first is a general-purpose, install linux, … Continue reading →

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Core i7-9700K Build

Posted on December 30, 2018 by tim

Some facts on the CPU: it is currently #67 on PassMark [17,329, single thread 2,909] cpubenchmark.net. It was launched 2018 October. It used 14mm architecture and does not have hyperthreading. Since the “i7-9700”, i.e. non-K, does not exist (and may … Continue reading →

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Peripherals

Posted on December 1, 2018 by tim

Current and historical record of Mice and Keyboards. Item Product Year Cost Mouse Logitech G403 Wired Optical Gaming Mouse with RGB Lighting 2018 Nov $35 Mouse Logitech G Pro Gaming FPS Mouse with Advanced Gaming Sensor 2016 Dec $52 Mouse … Continue reading →

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Virtual Machine Server

Posted on April 5, 2018 by tim

The goal of this machine was to replace the oldest machine build recorded on this blog – the 2009 Core i7 920 build. This is the current workhorse virtual machine server. The approach taken (refurbished) was a direct result of … Continue reading →

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ZFS Case Upgrade

Posted on March 15, 2018 by tim

The original ZFS machine has grown a bit over the years. It started with two 2TB hard drives, then got two more, then finally two more. The “little” NZXT case has more than enough drive slots, but this setup violated … Continue reading →

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