Turning Miscellaneous parts into a new PC

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dkordella

Hello,

I'm in the process of what started out as a component upgrade that has escalated into a full-scale rebuild. I went out first to upgrade the RAM, then the video card, etc.

I need a new a motherboard. I have an existed slot-378 P4 processor that I would like to be able to use, but I am not "married" to it.

I recently bought two 256mb 184-pin cards (existing motherboard was from a DELL. Originall configuration for it was 184-pin RIMM w/ECC PC800).

The new motherboard *must* have with a PCI-express 16 slot.

I just got an ATX case with 500-Watt power supply.

I would like to use my existing RAM cards, but they are for a machine that used RDRAM. Is any 184 pin card swappable to any 184 pin motherboard?

Finally, I would love to be able to reuse my existing RAM or CPU, but do not have to (would prefer to reuse the RAM). The intent is to build a computer capable of playing games such as Oblivion. Does *not* have to be hardcore or top-of-the-line, but a decent machine for home entertainment.

Thanks!
 
Your processor and especially the RDRAM are completely obselete and wont work with any PCI-E motherboard. RDRAM and SDRAM arent interchangeable. What kind of budget are you on?
 
I was afraid of that, and kind of prepared for that. Just hopeful...Thanks for the candor ;)

Budget wise, I don't really want to shoot the moon, but if I could do it for under/around $300-$350 for a decent system I'd be happy.

I've already gotten an ATI-radeon 1600 card (hence the need for higher wattage and PCI-E) that I'm building the machine around. I've read that Athlon-based systems tend to work best with ATI. I've been looking at that, but have gotten a bit intimidated by the enormous choices in motherboards and have less of a clue as to how to pick those out.

Thanks for the response!
 
Thanks for the suggested set-up! Is it super-critical to upgrade to Vista? I have several copies of XP from various other computers I've got.

Also, would it be worthwhile to upgrade that CPU to a dual-core? I don't mind spending a bit more money if the difference between that and another processor is noticeable.

Thanks again!
 
Do you really need the slowness of Vista? Or any of its features?
I would stay away until the first service pack :)
 
Another question: The motherboard you listed has integrated video. Are there necessarily advantages to having integrated video on a motherboard when you are planning on installing a separate video card?

Also, I'm working under the assumption that IDE's are swappable. I wasn't planning on upgrading that at the moment. The motherboard seems designed for ATA100 devices. Is that necessary? Will it cause a BIOS meltdown if I use my existing hard-drive?

Again, thanks all for the feedback!

:)
 
You can disable the integrated video in your bios, the card you have is much better.
What interface speed does your current HD use 33, 66, 100, or 133?
 
Nodsu said:
Do you really need the slowness of Vista? Or any of its features?
I would stay away until the first service pack :)
Click to expand...
But its $200 cheaper than XP Professional.
 
nickslick74 said:
You can disable the integrated video in your bios, the card you have is much better.
What interface speed does your current HD use 33, 66, 100, or 133?
Click to expand...


I don't even remember, but I think I'm going to go ahead and upgrade that as well. It looks like the only part of my old computer I'll be carrying over will be my sound card, DVD burner, and floppy.

I'm thinking about putting this system together. What does everyone think?

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131013R

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103633

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145566

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144122
 
Looks fine except for the HD. Get the one vegasgmc recommended, it is a much better deal and its a SATA drive, so it will be quick.
 
The one recommended earlier is ATA-150, the motherboard I'm looking at here is ATA-100. Is this a difference in compatibility?
 
The Asus board has both PATA (ATA 100/133) and SATA (1.5GB or 3.0GB). SATA is listed one spot below the PATA on the spec chart for that mobo.
 
SNGX1275 said:
But its $200 cheaper than XP Professional.
Click to expand...
That was a joke, yeah? :)

CNET said:
Pricing for full retail versions of the software will be Windows Vista Ultimate, $399; Windows Vista Business, $299; Windows Vista Home Premium, $239; and Windows Vista Home Basic, $199.

Upgrades from Windows XP are priced at Windows Vista Ultimate, $259; Windows Vista Business, $199; Windows Vista Home Premium, $159; and Windows Vista Home Basic, $99.
http://news.com.com/2100-1016_3-6112260.html
Click to expand...
 
Rick said:
That was a joke, yeah? :)
Click to expand...
Originally vegasgmc said to get the beta of vista that will work for a year (or until june I think). Its free.
So nope, no joke. Although it might be painful to use that as your main OS. but then again no more painful than linux I guess
 
I was assuming that since you had a Dell that you only had Restore Disks that you cant use on another computer. Thats why I suggested Vista. If you have XP, use it. Ive been beta testing Vista and its a dog so far. Very slow.
Stick with SATA hard drives. IDE is on its way out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
Looking for advice on new PC build
Replies
4
Views
659
mbk34
M
C
Upgrading my PC, GPU questions
Replies
5
Views
729
neeyik
neeyik
A
Please help: Intel Core i9-11900KF with a H510M H V2 motherboard
Replies
2
Views
276
HardReset
H

Latest posts

Back