u/CloudyShane

Finally done recapping my GA-6IEML! Also had to swap the old FSP 300W PSU to a Welton 350W, because the former started degrading rapidly (12V rail undervoltage, random squealing from time to time).

Specs:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-6IEML

CPU: Pentium III 1200 (Tualatin)

RAM: 320MB SDRAM​

GPU: MSI FX5700

PCI1: VIA RAID Controller​​ (for SATA HDD)

PCI2: Sound Blaster Live CT4830

HDD1: 2.5" 120GB Hitachi

HDD2: CF Card (Transcend 4GB)

ODD1: IDE DVD-RW

ODD1: IDE CD-ROM​

Has a custom BIOS with VIA boot room and ​PLOP.

Has Win 98 SE and Win XP SP3 on different drives.

Thanks for reading!

My friend gave me an FM2+ mobo + cpu + cooler for free, and I really didn't know what to do with it. However, after stealing a stick of RAM from my LGA775 "Yellow PC" and repalcing it with a crappy one, Yellow PC stopped being my "holy grail" system, haha.

Reasoning for the replacement:

1. FM2+ is better than LGA775, duh. Even though I had a Xeon L5430 and replaced it with Athlon x4 840, the Athlon is still newer and better.
2. There is still PCI. One of the main workflows for the Yellow PC is VHS capture. So I don't miss out.
3. Native USB 3.0. GAMECHANGER. No more PCI-E x1 USB 3.0 madness. And that USB card can be put to a better use.
4. RAM support. I could only get 1000MHz, now I can double that easily. 1600MHz CL11 for now, because crappy RAM sticks, but that's still leagues better.

And there is also 5 - no noise! I've installed a cool top-flow cooler I had laying around, changed the rear fan to a PWM one, and replaced the aging and crappy PSU (Ginzzu CB700 bought in 2020) for a much better (even if budget) CoolerMaster Elite NEX White 500W.

And... Almost forgor - 6. AHCI. That AsRock didn't have it... WHY??? It was such a modern LGA775 board with DDR3. yet no AHCI? My SSD was slowly degrading and I didn't even know. Now this is resolved.

Yellow PC is dead! Long live Yellow PC Mk.2!

Old specs:

Motherboard: AsRock G41M-GS3
CPU: Intel Xeon L5430 2666 MHz
RAM: 2x4Gb DDR3 1000 MHz
GPU: ATi Radeon HD6450
PCI-e x1 Add-On Card: Generic VIA VL805-Q6 USB3 Expansion Card
PCI Add-On Card: Behold TV 409 FM TV-Tuner
PSU: Ginzzu CB700
SSD: GoodRAM CL100 Gen.3 120 Gb
ODD1: SATA DVD-RW
ODD2: IDE CD-RW

New specs:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-S1 rev 1.1
CPU: AMD Athlon x4 840
RAM: 2x4Gb DDR3 1600 MHz
GPU: ATi Radeon HD6450
PCI Add-On Card: Behold TV 409 FM TV-Tuner
PSU: CoolerMaster ELITE NEX White W500
SSD: GoodRAM CL100 Gen.3 120 Gb
ODD1: SATA DVD-RW
ODD2: IDE CD-RW

P.S. Why is it called Yellow PC? I've painted the side panels yellow for some reason... Duh. Looks cool IMO, even though a little questionable. Definetly unique.

PN 1024-GC-49-0A-SA

SKU# 11062-08

Did this back in January 2024. I suck at soldering, I know. However, this stick still goes strong!
I've decided to keep the PS1/PS2 cable and functionality intact. Just don't insert this into USB and PS at the same time xD

Previous post about my bike
One of the original pedals broke and was about to completely destroy itself (and my ride), so it was time to get a replacement. Hopped on Aliexpress and bought a pair of Meroca C579 for approximately 14$. I was considering aluminum pedals, but decided against them, because I usually ride with my legs mostly exposed. This is the next best thing - nylon base with screws for increased grip. Those screws are removable, but I've kept them on.
I have already traveled ~80km with these, and everything is A-OK. Grip is great, very comfortable. I really hope they last 🤞

My bike - Mingdi MD-639. Steel frame, 29" wheels. Mostly stock, but I've made some upgrades and fixes over a span of a year:

1. New rear derailleur (Shimano RD TY300) - the original one was bent after a single fall.
2. New freewheel (SunRun FW-8I) - wanted to increase the range.
3. New chain (KMC Z8.1 Silver) - why not?
4. New stem and a set of rings (LUNJE Aluminum) - managed to overtorque the old one and strip the threads
5. Full-size fenders (Panaride) - can't imagine driving without them. Compared to generic fenders this is a gamechanger.
6. New front brake set (Logan DX-2007) - the old brake broke... Thankfully, I was riding really slow at the moment...
7. New rear tyre (MAXXIS Rekon Race 29x2.25) - the original one (Pulima) wore out after 1 season.
8. New grips (JETCAT) - got tired of rubber grips.

As of accessories, I've got myself:

1. Phone holder (Rockbros).
2. Front light (Rockbros RHL400).
3. Rear light (Rockbros Q1).
4. Hand pump (mounted on frame).

Having a great time with this bike! It was more of an experiment (a full bike for 120$???), but after getting it, assembling it, and riding it, it felt... Genuenly good for the price. I was really surprised!

Of course, this bike should not be used for any serious uses (downhill, trails with lots of jumps, e.t.c.), but for commuting and some light trails it is genuenly fine.

However, expect to replace a lot of parts soon after purchase. Both derailleurs, brakes, tyres, maybe the fork... I still need to replace the front derailleur, but I'm curious about swapping to a 1x8 drivetrain instead, as I don't use my front derailler even when it works...

But the thing is - even after buying better parts, this bike still costs cheaper then the entry level bikes from local bike shops!

Thank you for reading my post!

EDIT 27.05.2026 (18:47) - fixed the price of the bike due to wrong conversion rate