New build with some existing parts

[Jalak]

I am about to attempt my first rebuild. I want to rebuild my existing Dell Dimension 8250 primarily for on and off line gaming.

I intend to re-use my hard drive, two CD_Rom drives, Sound Card, and Monitor. I will replace my case, Video card, CPU, Motherboard, and Ram.

I am also curious about the best way to transfer my operating system.

I have tried to list all of the relevant information below and would appreciate any help the experts on the forum can give me.

Here is my existing configuration:

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1 Build 2600
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model Dimension 8250 (533 fbs)
System Type X86-based PC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Drive specs:
Barracuda ATA V
Model Number: ST3120023A
Capacity: 120 GB
Speed: 7200 rpm
Seek time: 9.4 ms avg
Interface: Ultra ATA/100
------------------------------------------------------------------
CD_ROM Drive D:
Name LITEON DVD-ROM LTD163

Drive E:
Name _NEC DVD+RW ND-1100A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sound:
Name Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
Name Creative Audigy Audio Processor (WDM)

Display:
Name RADEON 9500 PRO / 9700
Adapter RAM 128.00 MB (134,217,728 bytes)
Resolution 1280 x 960 x 75 hertz
Bits/Pixel 32
----------------------------------------------------------------

New Equipment:

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208005
XION XION II XON-101 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143049
BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131046
ASUS P5L-VM 1394 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141224
pqi POWER Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model MAB42GUOE-X2

[down_shift]

Seems like a good quality upgrade to me. I'm in the same boat as you're in, I currently have a Dell XPS 600 and it can't take these new games at full settings (BF2,Fear,etc.)

[dogdude16]

you cant transfer you old os on to your new system u must buy another os windows xp is $90

[joshrogoff]

You can't transfer your OS, you're going to have to spring for a new OS.

[m4gery]

if you have the os re-install disk you can use that on your new upgrade. that's what i did when i re-modeled my dell dimension

[dogdude16]

case: get one with out a power supply

powersupply: that one is junk get one from pcmechs list http://www.forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

Mobo: if you can afford it this is a great one. unless there is a reason u picked microatx and the one u picked has oneboard graphics http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131030

Ram: i dont know anything about pqi ram

[glc]

Originally Posted by m4gery if you have the os re-install disk you can use that on your new upgrade. that's what i did when i re-modeled my dell dimension

No, you can't. The Dell reinstall disk is locked to a Dell bios.

[colin]

if your keeping teh hd you shouldnt have to reinstall the os..

[Jalak]

Ok, wow a lot of msgs back, Thanks guys!

Anyway i've decided to maybe switch my RAM to either:

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220095

OR

OCZ Gold Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227078

Which one would you suggest?

Also i cannot find my CD-ROM installation CDs - when i reuse my cd-rom drives what should i do?

Dogdude:
Will the PSU i have now be suitable? I'm really on a tight budget and i am about to exceed it, plus the Case i want only comes with a PSU

And i will get a new Windows OS CD when i have this all figured out.

Thank you very much for all of your help!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Jalak Anyway i've decided to maybe switch my RAM to either: Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220095 OR OCZ Gold Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227078 Which one would you suggest?

Go to the ASUS web site and look for the memory QVL for that particular motherboard.

Originally Posted by Jalak Also i cannot find my CD-ROM installation CDs - when i reuse my cd-rom drives what should i do?

If you're talking about the OS installation CDs that came with the DELL, you can't use those for this new build. As glc said, they're locked to the DELL BIOS. You'll need a new WinXP installation CD.

Originally Posted by Jalak Will the PSU i have now be suitable? I'm really on a tight budget and i am about to exceed it, plus the Case i want only comes with a PSU

Do you mean the power supply in that XION case? You could use it if you want to, but personally I wouldn't trust it to power a brand new C2D system. Cheap, low quality power supplies are scary...if it happens to die suddenly it could take out some of the other components in the system.

Cricket

[Jalak]

No, for the CD-ROM i am talking about the drivers

and you think i should take the PSU out of the XION case and put a brand name in?

[Jalak]

Originally Posted by colin if your keeping teh hd you shouldnt have to reinstall the os..

I am going to be "ghosting" my HD i guess.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Jalak No, for the CD-ROM i am talking about the drivers

Windows already has generic CD-ROM drivers...you don't new drivers for the CD-ROM drives.

Originally Posted by Jalak and you think i should take the PSU out of the XION case and put a brand name in?

I would.

Originally Posted by Jalak I am going to be "ghosting" my HD i guess.

I don't think that will work either. When you try to boot up you'll probably get a BSOD and the system will stop booting up.

Cricket

[Jalak]

Cricket what is QVL? i am at teh ASUS website and looking at my MOBO.

How do i wipe my HD in order to re-install windows? I want to work from a new HD basically.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Jalak Cricket what is QVL?

QVL = Qualified Vendors List.

Originally Posted by Jalak i am at teh ASUS website and looking at my MOBO.

On the P5L-VM 1394 web page, look for the QVL Download on the left side of the page.

Originally Posted by Jalak How do i wipe my HD in order to re-install windows? I want to work from a new HD basically.

Get Darik's Boot and Nuke or KillDisk and run either from a bootable floppy disk. These will zero-fill your hard drive and it'll be just like a brand new blank hard drive.

Cricket

[Jalak]

Ok this is driving me crazy i can't open the link to that list lol!!!

Can someone give me a direct link to it? thanks

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Jalak Ok this is driving me crazy i can't open the link to that list lol!!!

Do you have a .pdf reader installed on your computer? If not, you'll need one. I use Foxit Reader instead of Adobe Reader.

Cricket

[Jalak]

I do, its just when i click on the link it doesn't open... i think it has to do with my pop-up blocker but i had pop-ups enabled

[Cricket]

Here's the QVL list for your motherboard.

Cricket

[Jalak]

Thanks, and wow, i have no idea what all of this means.

[Alaron]

Newegg lists the "Part Number" from that chart as the Model Number.

For example, this is the first stick on the list: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134044

[Jalak]

Originally Posted by Alaron Newegg lists the "Part Number" from that chart as the Model Number. For example, this is the first stick on the list: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134044

Are those the only set of RAM modules i can use?

[Alaron]

The QVL lists the specific modules that Asus has tested and approved for that motherboard. Its not to say that another kind abolutely wouldn't work, but you are safe to buy from the list. Buying anything off the list is taking a risk that it won't work.

[Jalak]

OK, I think this is on the list but since its a pair of Modules, can i use it?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134046

[glc]

You should use a pair to enable dual channel operation, but there are no 1gb Kingston modules on the QVL, only 512mb modules. However, the configurator on the Kingston site shows that kit as compatible with that motherboard so you should be okay with it.

[Jalak]

OK thanks, also i've notcied some people have problems booting up with a pair of RAM modules. Do you think i will have that problem


Isn't the modules i have now a pair?

[Alaron]

The modules you have listed are a pair, but they are not specifically listed on the QVL. However, as glc mentioned, the Kingston site lists them as compatible, so it should work out fine.

[Jalak]

Ok thank you for your help, i think i have one more question before i ma ready to order my parts.

I connect to the internet from my pc via a USB belkin wireless card. I have a network in my house.

Do i need to transfer my intel internet card in my previous pc in order to connect to the internet?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Jalak I connect to the internet from my pc via a USB belkin wireless card. I have a network in my house. Do i need to transfer my intel internet card in my previous pc in order to connect to the internet?

No, as long as your new computer has a LAN/ethernet port you can connect to your network and get on the internet.

Cricket

[Jalak]

Originally Posted by Cricket No, as long as your new computer has a LAN/ethernet port you can connect to your network and get on the internet. Cricket

Yes, but i connect through a USB not a LAN/ethernet port. But i am pretty sure my mobo comes with a ethernet port