Help on upgrading my old system

[Fi1thy]

Hey. I'm shortly going to be upgrading my PC with a whole new Motherboard, Processor, Graphics Card and RAM, before i do so though i just want to make sure that what i purchase will be compatible. I currently have an old motherboard, AGP graphics card and DDR RAM etc. and this is the first time i'm ever goin to attmept really putting a computer together. I'm keping my old power supply:
Hiper HPU-4M580 580W ATX2.2 PSU
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...123&subcat=461

and Hard Drive, however am upgrading everything else to the following. Please let me know if its all compatible:


Asus M2N-SLi Deluxe (Socket AM2) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MB-144-AS

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...odid=MY-058-GL

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4800+ 2.50GHz (Socket AM2) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-201-AM

OcUK ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...odid=GX-064-OK

I'm also curious about how to install these components. Ive printed out the tutorial/manual on how to build your own PC from this website, and i'm planning on just following that. However because im not getting a new hard drive will i face any problems? and i also plan on reformatting, should i do this before or after ive installed the new components? I'll also be installing Vista if thats of any significance.
Thanks for any help

[pam123]

I was worrying about your power supply but the one you've got is fine.
You can format the drive when you install Vista or, if you want to be super thorough, you can zero it out (that's a full erase) using dban : http://dban.sourceforge.net/ before you install the new parts.

Just remember to take your time.

[Katreat]

Looks compatable. If you are going vista you might want to think about a 10x card, but it would add over $100 to your build to get something that would have the speed of 1950. If using your old HD I would agree with Pam and do a full wipe just to start fresh with Vista.

Kat

[Fi1thy]

thanks for the help. Do you think it would be best to install Vista after ive replaced all the components?
So i just disocnnect it all etc, install all the components, and then put in the vista disk and reformat & install?

[glc]

That's pretty much it - but I recommend you follow the below linked procedure before installing the motherboard in the case just to make sure your new base components work:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

If you already have XP, I wouldn't necessarily install Vista yet unless you have a real need to. You can reuse your XP install without a repair reinstall if you simply change the IDE controllers in device manager prior to shutting down. Procedures are in this thread:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=151522

Note my post (#3).

[Fi1thy]

thanks for all the help guys its very much appreciated. However i think i've started confusing myself with all this new info...
should I basically:
- Use DBAN to completely wipe everything off the hard drive
- Take out all the components i wont be using anymore (Mobo, graphics card, CPU & RAM)
- Maybe have a quick clean around the case
- replace the parts i took out with my shiny new ones and get em all into place and hopefully working correctly
- Then, boot it up and enter BIOS and set it to boot from the disk, then insert the Vista CD and restart, then have it install Vista
- Then install all the drivers for the new components etc...

I'm not sure whether i need to install the drivers before or after i've installed vista or something...and do you think its really necessary for me to use Dban and completely wipe the hard drive, or would just reformatting in its place do the trick. I.e: reformat using the windows XP disk, then once its done, turning it off and taking out all my current components etc.
I'm just trying to avoid any driver conflicts really. I'm not sure whether if when i reformat, when i've put in all the new components the drivers for the old ones will still be installed...if that makes any sense...
If possible just a suggestion of what someone would do if they were in my place would be pretty helpful....or just pointing out where i've undoubtedly got it wrong. Thanks again for any help

[glc]

If you plan on wiping the drive and getting a fresh start, just use the Vista CD to repartition and reformat the drive. Drivers are installed AFTER the OS is installed.