Building a new computer and scrapping old for parts.

[Chazell29]

Hey everyone. So, I don'tknow if you remember me from like a year ago, I was wanting to build my own computer. Well, by the time I got my job and got money, I just wanted a computer for gaming, and I got a buddy who got me a really good deal on a Gateway and I've upgraded it some and it plays games great and for cheaper than I was going to build it for.

Well now that I've had this comptuer for about 10 months, its time for some upgrading.

I have my current comptuer right now, and I think I want to take some parts from it for my new pc. The specs for that computer are as follows:
-AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 2.2Ghz Processor
-250GB Hard Drive
-Gateway Motherboard
-1GB (2x512) stock RAM and 2GB (2x1GB) Viking RAM [Total 3GB's]
-Evga GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCI-Express
==========================================================
Here is the list of parts that I was looking at for my new computer. This computer,is going to be for everyday use, and must support gaming.

Case- $69.99
NZXT Black Apollo Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146025

CD/DVD Rom- $23.99
Lite-on DVD/CD Burner/Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106040

Processor- $186.00
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 2.13Ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115016

Motherboard- $132.99
ASUS P5B-Plus 775 ATX Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131177

PSU- Fortron Source 500W Power Supply- $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104037

Video Card- $0
Using my current Evga GeFoce 8600GT

Hard Drive and Operating System- $0
Going to just restore my H.D. and use my Vista that I got (bought my PC with XP, and I got Vista free as adeal when I bought it)

TOTAL- $534

**Just a Maybe. If its not a good idea to use my current HD and restore it, then I'll get this.**
Hard Drive- $72.99
Western Digistal 250GB Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136055
=========================================================
Would that be a decent computer for gaming? My computer now is great for gaming, so if it'll be alot better, than thats good.

Feel Free to make any changes you want. Just try to keep the total price under $600.

THANKS!

[Katreat]

For your new system you should really be using 667 (5300) ram to optimize it and get the preformance out of the C2D. Not sure what your old ram is so not sure you would really want to re-use it.

Also, your current HD and CD are probably not SATA. The P5B is does not have native IDE support, it will run them, but it is best paired with SATA componenets.

re-using your video card would work well since you have a nice 7600 to replace it with.

So my suggestion would be to build new and only re-use the video card. It will cost a bit more, but your back up computer will still be very fast with just a bit less video processing.

Kat

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Katreat For your new system you should really be using 667 (5300) ram to optimize it and get the preformance out of the C2D. Not sure what your old ram is so not sure you would really want to re-use it. Also, your current HD and CD are probably not SATA. The P5B is does not have native IDE support, it will run them, but it is best paired with SATA componenets. re-using your video card would work well since you have a nice 7600 to replace it with. So my suggestion would be to build new and only re-use the video card. It will cost a bit more, but your back up computer will still be very fast with just a bit less video processing. Kat

Thanks, I don't know if I left any of the stuff in there bout keeping my current PC as a back up, but I tried to edit it to just use the parts from my current PC to make a new one, and no worry about making my current (which would be my old) work.

Yeah I just bought my 8600GT yesturday, so thats good. My hard drive probably isn't SATA, and my CD drive I'm just gunna buy a new SATA one. The thing was with the hard drive is save the $75 bucks or so on it, and then save the $200 on the operating system. Because my Vista is an upgrade disc, so I think I need Windows preinstalled, and I think it will only work on a Gateway...so I was trying to save alot of money that way...

Also, if my motherboard I picked is not good, what is a good one? I always have trouble finding a decent, but inexpesensive mobo.

[Katreat]

your mb is great, it is just more geared towards the newer SATA technology. It does support IDE through a third party controller and some have had good luck with that but it is recommended to run it with a new SATA HD.

Kat

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Katreat your mb is great, it is just more geared towards the newer SATA technology. It does support IDE through a third party controller and some have had good luck with that but it is recommended to run it with a new SATA HD. Kat

Bleh, I want to try keep my current Hard drive cuz of the OS issue. Can anyone please find me a decent motherboard (pref. ASUS but any if its good) for aroudn the same price that I could use an IDE hard drive with? THANKS

[jer888]

You CAN use IDE devices with the P5B's. SATA is just better. It will work though.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by jer888 You CAN use IDE devices with the P5B's. SATA is just better. It will work though.

Will it be like really slow? Or would it be like the same as my PC right now?

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Chazell29 Will it be like really slow? Or would it be like the same as my PC right now?

anybody anybody?

[Cricket]

The Intel chipset on the P5B does not have native support for IDE devices, that's handled by a third party controller that some people have been having problems with. It's recommended that you use all SATA drives with the P5B motherboards but if you must use IDE drives you'll either have to deal with the issues of the third party controller or you could use a PCI IDE controller card like the ones from Promise Technologies.

Cricket

[LeftyAce]

IDE won't be slower than SATA (the theoretical bandwidth is higher for SATA, but as of yet most harddrives are about the same speed inside).

IDE just might not work at all....it's worth trying and seeing though.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce IDE won't be slower than SATA (the theoretical bandwidth is higher for SATA, but as of yet most harddrives are about the same speed inside). IDE just might not work at all....it's worth trying and seeing though.

Meh, I guess I'd wrather not risk it....just sucks because my Vista won't work on a new hard drive, so I gotta spend the $72.99 for the Hard Drive and $215 for Vista, so It's going to cost me $300 more. Yeah I can't do that...

Can someone please find me a decent motherboard that will work with the IDE Hard Drive? Thanks so much!

EDIT:
How about one of these motherboards?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121314
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131188
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131142
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131184

Would any of those work well with the IDE hard drive?

Or the same board i have above and get this thing...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816102007
(That would make the IDE hard drive work with that board? Or if the P5K would work with the IDE ill go with that)
Please tell me the best option between the boards above or buyign that PCI card thing to get my IDE hard drive to run

THANKS

[LeftyAce]

Those ASUS boards all have the same problem; a non-native IDE chipset. If you're willing to spend the time, get the P5B and try it. If the IDE drives misbehave, get the PCI card you listed.

The P5B is worth the extra hassle for its reliability and stability. (with the exception of the IDE issue, of course :-)

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce Those ASUS boards all have the same problem; a non-native IDE chipset. If you're willing to spend the time, get the P5B and try it. If the IDE drives misbehave, get the PCI card you listed. The P5B is worth the extra hassle for its reliability and stability. (with the exception of the IDE issue, of course :-)

What about the Intel board?
If I got with the P5B, I'll just buy the PCI IDE card anyways, its only 30 bucks.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Cricket The Intel chipset on the P5B does not have native support for IDE devices, that's handled by a third party controller that some people have been having problems with. It's recommended that you use all SATA drives with the P5B motherboards but if you must use IDE drives you'll either have to deal with the issues of the third party controller or you could use a PCI IDE controller card like the ones from Promise Technologies. Cricket

Would one of those cards make it work for sure?

NEED HELP!

I'm reading the guide to buildng a pc on http://www.mechbgon.com, and it keeps talking about installing everything and drivers when installing windows. Will I run into any problems with all the new hardware with my hard drive? Or I thought I read somewehre that I will probably run into problems because my hard drive is set up with my current mother board and processor. I was planning on erasing everything, reinstalling Vista over, so its like brand new, then putting my hard drive in, and just have Vista on it while I"m building it, then starting it up and installing the drivers. Will that work? Please tell me how to navigate this...THANKS A TON!

[Chazell29]

anybody know?

[Katreat]

I dont think what you are planning will work. I think when you change mobos you have to re-install windows. But, I have never even considered trying it so maybe someone will respond with a work around.

Also, if Gateways vista is like Dells vista recovory disk then by changing the mobo you are placing it on a new computer and that is not allowed. You can change just about everything else but changing the mobo generally starting over and you can not do that without a real microsoft copy of the OS.

Anyway, like I said I have never tried it, this is just how I understand it to be so be patient and a real expert will come along and give you a definate answer. Good Luck!

Kat

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Katreat I dont think what you are planning will work. I think when you change mobos you have to re-install windows. But, I have never even considered trying it so maybe someone will respond with a work around. Also, if Gateways vista is like Dells vista recovory disk then by changing the mobo you are placing it on a new computer and that is not allowed. You can change just about everything else but changing the mobo generally starting over and you can not do that without a real microsoft copy of the OS. Anyway, like I said I have never tried it, this is just how I understand it to be so be patient and a real expert will come along and give you a definate answer. Good Luck! Kat

Yeah it just I'm hoping to purchase my parts by Friday, so I want to get everything to the good to order stage.

Quetion though, if I do go ahead and buy the new hard drive and another copy of vista, can i get this OEM vista for $111, it says its for system builders?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116202

Total after that OEM Vista and a Hard Drive- $734.82 [200 more =( ]

that would be alot better, but if i have to buy a new hard drive, ill be waiting till next friday, not this friday =(

[flanzig1]

Since you are building a new system(PC), then you are a system builder. Your OK to get the OEM Vista.

[BeepBeep2]

It has an exclusive license for System builders....I built my vista 8800 gaming rig with that Sys Builders Pack. As long as you build the system> which you are...you are fine like me

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 It has an exclusive license for System builders....I built my vista 8800 gaming rig with that Sys Builders Pack. As long as you build the system> which you are...you are fine like me

alright thanks that helps alot...i guess I'll have to do that way then. Iguess its better anyways.

Edit:
I have an olddd pc its like 5 years old, its pretty crappy and the hard drive just took a dump. So basically since its so old and crappy, we aren't going to do anythign with. So, I was thinking, what if I took it all apart, and tried to assemble it together again. That way I will have done it once, or twice, or maybe three, before I do my real system. I know it will be a bit different because its all IDE and stuff and the parts are older, but I think it might be good. What do you thinK?

[Alaron]

Can't hurt to give it a practice run.

[LeftyAce]

If anything the old one will be harder. I bet the case it's in isn't designed to be easy to get stuff in and out of.

Great idea, this practice run :-)

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce If anything the old one will be harder. I bet the case it's in isn't designed to be easy to get stuff in and out of. Great idea, this practice run :-)

Yeah I'm going to do it tommorow. So excited for my new build lol. I just keep looking at new parts on newegg.

Still kinda bummed about my hard drive, but ill get over it. the SATA will work better anyways.

[Chazell29]

What arethe chances of me running into a problem, for example computer not starting, not getting any power, no video, etc. im reallynervouse about that.

[LeftyAce]

If you take your time and build the core components outside the case, there's a small chance of the whole thing not working.

The chances of us not being able to figure out what the problem is? Pretty much zero :-)

The chances newegg will exchange the part w/in 30 days, no questions asked? Guaranteed.

The manufacturer warranties on your parts? Between 3 and 5 years :-)

Again, take your time and you'll do just fine.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce If you take your time and build the core components outside the case, there's a small chance of the whole thing not working. The chances of us not being able to figure out what the problem is? Pretty much zero :-) The chances newegg will exchange the part w/in 30 days, no questions asked? Guaranteed. The manufacturer warranties on your parts? Between 3 and 5 years :-) Again, take your time and you'll do just fine.

haha yea that makes me feel better lol. So, assemble the whole thing (right up until i install the drives) outside the case? then just put the motherboard in? Because the guides I read i don'tthink told me to build it outside the case.

[Alaron]

Follow our procedure as you start to be sure your components are good before you load it all into the case. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409 Saves a lot of time if there is an issue with a component.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Alaron Follow our procedure as you start to be sure your components are good before you load it all into the case. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409 Saves a lot of time if there is an issue with a component.

Thanks man will do! Any other tips you got would be appreciated!

[flanzig1]

Read the manuals that come with the parts. The motherboard manual will be your bible,read it several times. If there is something in the manual you can't figure out, post your question.

[Chazell29]

im actually thinking about this Antec Neopower 550W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103941

My friend says to go with a real highend psu like this one. I also like the modular cables. Would that be a good one to go with? Over the Fortron Source?