User:Argiod

Retired Tattoo Artist, computer fan(atic), electronics addict, lover of computer games and the greatest MMORPG ever: life. When arthritis robbed me of my primary income I turned to computers. I now refurbish computers, mostly for friends and family.

My current main system I custom built round an msi 890FXA-GD70 mainboard with 16GB Ripsaw RAM, twin nVidia Crossfire Video boards feeding an HP w2207 23" monitor, AMD3+ six-core CPU w/Cooler Master fluid cooled cooling system, HP Lightscribe DVD, 2 - 1.5TB WD Green HD, 3 - 500GB WD Green HD, 1 - 500GB external USB3 HD; all in an Antec Lanboy case w/500W power source. All this is hooked up to a Broadband internet connection. Currently running Win XP 64 OS.

The system started out as an HP Pavilion I bought from a pawn shop for $450. It originally sold through Walmart for $850. Apparently, it belonged to a teenage girl who spilled soda on the keyboard. When I got it it was password protected. But when I saw the password hint, 'What we are', I figured it was 'lovers'; and was spot on. I erased the hard drive and installed Win XP 32. I've taken the last three years to systematically upgrade the system to something decent. The only parts left from the original machine are the Lightscribe DVD, mouse, and monitor.

The rest was entirely my custom build, using an OEM version of Windows XP 64. Because the mainboard did not have provision for SD cards, I bought a $10 usb multi-card interface from Goodwill. I also have attached to the system a second monitor that is a Toshiba HD TV/Monitor. I currently have about two grand invested in the system, and still have a few upgrades to go; including a 1000W or better power pack and several more 500GB HD's to keep up with my graphics intensive storage needs (I'm starting to teach myself digital video).

I am looking to set up a Raspberry Pi as the core for a security system, just for the learning experience and, of course, for the sheer fun of it.

I am also assembling, from spare parts, another system with an Asus mainboard with an AM2 Dual Core CPU. I think I have most, if not all the parts needed to get it up and running as a secondary system for family, guests, and visitors.

FYI: The name Argiod is ancient Elvish, and means Silver (a moniker acquired after more than half my hair turned white).