Looking for possible donations for a good cause - Sorry, event fell through and it's a no go

[neatfeatguy]

**UPDATE** 4/1/22
My friends have been working on trying to get things going again, but they've had troubles getting the venues that normally sponsored the rally, pre-covid, to back it again. Since they can't land enough sponsors to help cover costs of things, like they have in the past, they won't be doing the rally this year. They're hoping things keep improving for everyone and perhaps next year things will line up. Thank you to all that offered to donate for the cause, maybe next year might prove more fruitful.



I'm not sure if this is the best spot to post this. I didn't feel the B/S/T was ideal, so this was my next best choice. If a mod thinks there's a better spot, please feel free to move it.

I've been tossing around the idea of providing a gaming rig for my friend's auction they have at the rally they do every year. However, I am still waiting to hear if they're holding the rally this year or not, they didn't have it the last 2 years due to covid restrictions. I don't see why they wouldn't have the rally this year, but I am waiting on final confirmation. They generally have it around the 2nd weekend of May.

I'm looking to possibly piece together a gaming rig or two. I'd like to offer them to my good friends that host River's Rally (here's the FB page: https://www.facebook.com/riversrally/ ) so they could put them in the live auction they hold. With covid the past couple of years and not allowing gatherings the rally they host every year was put on hiatus. They tried doing things digitally last year and the year before, but it didn't go so well. Most of the money they raise is from the live auction and raffles they hold.

Here's info on River's Rally:

Spoiler

My friend's first born passed away 1 week after he was born. Autopsy listed it as SIDS. They've been involved in trying to give back to the community they live in and also help bolster support for Faith's Lodge (a place where families that have lost children can go to cope and get help and heal) that has greatly helped them. They started doing the rally the year after they lost their son (his name is River). On average, they generally raise around $8-10K a year.

Here's a link to their website that lists how much they've raised and where donations have gone: https://riversrally.org/donate/how-your-donation-helps/

You can see on the site's home page that it hasn't been updated since 2019, but they haven't been able to do the rally in person and haven't updated it since the last rally was held in 2019.

Local businesses provide items for the auction and even the MN Vikings, MN Twins, MN Wild and the Green Bay Packers have provide items (most or all years the rally has been active) for the auction. A lot of handmade items are given to be auctioned, as well, from the friend's and families.
My wife donates her time to help design shirts and even the logo for the rally. I wanted to help donate something and this idea of building a gaming PC that I've been knocking around in my head the past couple of years could be my possible contribution.

I've got a couple of new GPUs I can use and I'd be willing to pickup a couple of cases from Micro Center if enough folks were to show interest in donating parts. I figure it would be easier to buy a couple of cases instead of paying to have some shipped since they're kind of a bulky item and it might cost more to ship them than to buy.

I'd be looking to build a system to pair with a 3050 and maybe a 3070 should I get enough help. I can't afford to outright buy all the hardware needed (new or used) and I know some folks on TPU are always good with donating to a good cause so I figured I'd test the waters and see what kind support I might get.

I'd be looking for any possible parts that would help compliment a 3050 and 3070.
CPU
MB
RAM
PSU
Storage
possibly OS (I may be able to acquire Win 10 keys)

Remember, it isn't confirmed yet if they're holding the rally this year. They're still going over things on their end. I'll update this post when I find out more and I would be willing to help cover shipping charges. Just post any questions. Thanks in advance.

 

[W1zzard]

We will allow this due to @neatfeatguy being a highly active and valuable community member

 

[stinger608]

This is a great cause @neatfeatguy

I don't know for sure if any of my hardware would be recent enough for such a donation though. I do have an ole MSI socket 1150 sporting an i5-4690K and 8 gigs of ram that I would be more than happy to

donate to this cause.

Keep us updated on the rally though.

 

[Toothless]

I've got ram. 2x8GB DDR3 I can see if I can find a box for.

I actually have lots of ram..

 

[80-watt Hamster]

For parts on hand, I've got a CM 212 EVO and an Alienware Aurora R1 chassis I could part with for sure. The chassis is mATX, but mid-to-full-tower sized and HEAVY. It's still got the original Dell 850W PSU in it (which it'll be easiest if kept because of cable lengths). I'll be through MSP over Easter weekend, and could drop off more outstate if near the I-94 or US-52 corridors. The rest of my spares are too old to be useful, though if you post a list of what's needed, I may be able to snag it.

Check FreeGeek TC for cases, too. They tend to be kinda rough, but you could get lucky.

 

[R-T-B]

I just got done "donating" (I charged a small fee but after international shipping, basically donated) a RTX 2080 Super to a dev I support in france.

Had you written this just a month earlier, it'd have been yours! Darn! My full support and will keep a keen eye open though!

 

[neatfeatguy]

This is a great cause @neatfeatguy

I don't know for sure if any of my hardware would be recent enough for such a donation though. I do have an ole MSI socket 1150 sporting an i5-4690K and 8 gigs of ram that I would be more than happy to

donate to this cause.

Keep us updated on the rally though.

That might be a really good fit with a RTX 3050 I have. The 3050 is not much faster than a 980Ti and I ran a 4670k with a 980Ti for about 7 years and never had any issues with the setup and running games.

I've got ram. 2x8GB DDR3 I can see if I can find a box for.

I actually have lots of ram..

Good to know. Might come in handy depending on the direction things go. I'll keep this in mind.

For parts on hand, I've got a CM 212 EVO and an Alienware Aurora R1 chassis I could part with for sure. The chassis is mATX, but mid-to-full-tower sized and HEAVY. It's still got the original Dell 850W PSU in it (which it'll be easiest if kept because of cable lengths). I'll be through MSP over Easter weekend, and could drop off more outstate if near the I-94 or US-52 corridors. The rest of my spares are too old to be useful, though if you post a list of what's needed, I may be able to snag it.

Check FreeGeek TC for cases, too. They tend to be kinda rough, but you could get lucky.

Nice offer on the case, but it might be a bit much in terms of weight. I'll keep this in mind. If it is something I could make use of I'll let you know. If you're in the area Easter weekend I could probably find a good time and place to meet up if you're not too far from the southwest part of the metro. I don't want to travel too far since it's my daughter's birthday that weekend, but let's not jump ahead of ourselves.

Here's what I'd be looking for that would help compliment a 3050 and possibly 3070:
CPU
MB
RAM
PSU
Storage
possibly OS (I may be able to acquire Win 10 keys)

I've got the GPUs I can put towards a build and Micro Center is only about a 20-25 minute drive from my place (depending on traffic) so it's not a big deal going up there to acquire a case or two. I can find some fairly inexpensive ones around the $50 range and won't break your back trying to move it around.

I just got done "donating" (I charged a small fee but after international shipping, basically donated) a RTX 2080 Super to a dev I support in france.

Had you written this just a month earlier, it'd have been yours! Darn! My full support and will keep a keen eye open though!

Appreciate the offer. GPUs I'm good on and as I said earlier, I'm willing to pickup a case or two at Micro Center. Any other parts would be greatly appreciated.



I'm still waiting to hear back if the rally is on this year. I know they have a lot of things to setup on their end and it still comes down to how some businesses are handling things from the past couple of years being locked down or restricted. Appreciate the offers so far. I'm hoping soon I'll have a definitive answer for you guys if this is a go or not.

 

[R-T-B]

GPUs I'm good on and as I said earlier,

I know, but you could always auction them one the 'bay or something for other parts I figure. Don't matter now. Still, good luck!

I sometimes come across decent cases, so I will keep my eyes peeled.

 

[Hyderz]

wish i have parts to donate! good luck! for the good cause

 

[neatfeatguy]

Updated OP. Sadly, the event is a no go.

 

[tabascosauz]

Damn, that's a shame. I was looking at this more as I may have a brand new AM4 ITX board to contribute as a result of my Gigabyte nightmare, and a RAM kit.

I thought of the Kreij memorial giveaways on TPU from couple years ago.

Perhaps next time.

 

[stinger608]

I thought of the Kreij memorial giveaways on TPU from couple years ago.

Man, we need to get that back up and going once again!!!!!!! I miss all that and I especially miss Dean!