Thread: PC building + component swapping

I'm looking at building a new PC a piece at a time, starting w/ parts I can use in my current system. A GeForce 8800 GTS is my first move, probably w/ new PSU. I don't expect much trouble there.

The MoBo is where I have zero experience, so my question: if step 2 is MoBo + CPU, what are the chances they'd plug into my current system and boot from my current HD? If it's viable,
I'd do that, then follow up w/ HD + OS.

I'm not sure yet where I'll fit a new box in the schedule, or how much I'll prioritize new RAM--need to scrutinize my current system.

Criticism plz

I don't really get it? You want to like exchange one part at a time over the course of several weeks?

WHY

It's a waste of time, it will by annoying and it will make problems.
Then at some point you want to get everything out your old case again and build it into the new one? Do you have like too much time? Just get the money and buy the parts you want to exchange, then do that.


As for your question... if you HDD is IDE, you need an IDE-connector on the mobo. If it's SATA, you need SATA. There should be no problem in terms of compatibility.
If you have legit Windows, it will recognize the new motherboard as a new system and ask you to reactivate (or so I heard...)

Yeah, having poked around in the guts of the thing again (it's been a while), no way am I swapping the MoBo. I would be doing the most pain in the ass aspect of the operation at least three times. Nice to know it should work, tho

I'm still thinking about starting w/ the vid card, but I'll definitely need a new PSU if I do it--current system is 250W. Also, swapping the PSU seems like good practice for the main build, which would be probably 2-3 months off. I don't see any point in trying anything else in the old system, though.

Why the time-lapse approach? Funds obviously, but I suppose my dissatisfaction w/ the current system is building to a head and I just want to take action on it. All this research isn't helping--I didn't realize just what a POS my Dell is, and it won't cost me much more than this one did originally to have a much better machine.

yeah but if the motherboard is old or from a pre-built comp like a dell, aren't they not upgrade friendly, like the motherboard wont be able to use the really new cards and processers and such?

I still don't understand it.
Are you building a new rig, yes/no?

Why would you put a 8800GTS into a POS Dell PC? It's going to get bottlenecked like hell and you'll wonder WTF is going on because you'll get almost no performance increase. Your mobo will probably not be a decent recent chipset and not allow appropriate RAM/CPU. I'd be surprised if it actually has a 16x PCIe slot... 250W is NOT enough to support a system with a PCIe card, so I assume that it's simply onboard or AGP or something. In 3 months the 8800GTS will be superseded by the 9900GTX (GT200) which is a completely revamped chip-architecture that is said to blow away even current dual-VGA setups. I bought a 8800GTS just recently because the price is pretty good but if you plan on actually waiting some months, I'd suggest aiming for the next generation that is just around the corner.

You're both right about the MoBo--it uses an AGP slot (currently sporting a factory-installed GeForce 5500 ). So my rig really is obsolete--probably the only things I'll salvage from it are the sound card and optical drive, and no meaningful upgrade can be made. I can't complain too much--I got it almost four years ago, I've upgraded RAM, got a soundcard and replaced the DVD drive, and haven't seen any deficiencies until the last few months.

Looks like the wiser course is to save up and get the new rig all at once down the road (hopefully by the time Spore comes out ). I don't need bleeding edge, but it's reached the point where I'm bare minimum or below specs for anything new, and I'm cludgey for some online content.

At least I'm edumucating myself in the meantime.

Any recommendations on PC-building info, tutorials, etc? So far I've relied mostly on Newegg reviews and MySuperPC, plus random surfing of reviews and manufacturer sites.