Noob PC builder question

[CaldaRaric]

I am wanting to build my first PC. I have a Dell computer already. The question is, can I just buy new mobo, cpu, case, and then just reuse my DVD rom, video card, PSU, etc? And if I could do this would I be able to just transfer the hard drive from my old PC to a new one with new mobo and such, or would I have to buy a new hard drive and OS?

[Dave21]

You can, but what model of the Dell desktop do you have?

[CaldaRaric]

It is a Dell Dimension E510.

[liambl]

I would be hesitant to use the PSU, it most likely will not have the power to supply the new components.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by CaldaRaric I am wanting to build my first PC. I have a Dell computer already. The question is, can I just buy new mobo, cpu, case, and then just reuse my DVD rom, video card, PSU, etc?

Don't reuse the DELL power supply. You might be able to reuse the DVD, video card and a few other items...or you might not. Depends on what kind they are.

Originally Posted by CaldaRaric And if I could do this would I be able to just transfer the hard drive from my old PC to a new one with new mobo and such, or would I have to buy a new hard drive and OS?

You might be able to reuse the hard drive (depends on what type it is...IDE or SATA) but you won't be able to reuse the OS and will need to buy a new copy. The OS on the DELL hard drive will look for the DELL motherboard BIOS before it will boot up. If it doesn't find the DELL BIOS, it won't work.

Honestly, I wouldn't even bother taking the DELL apart. Just build a whole new computer from the ground up.

Cricket

[Ethdios]

I would assume that since you're wanting to build a new computer, your current one is at least somewhat old, and therefore the video card in it probably isn't really anything all that special... If you're gonna get a few new parts, you might as well just do what Cricket said and get all new parts. I was gonna do the same thing you're considering (reusing some old parts with new parts) but I just said screw it and decided to get everything new.

I think you probably could reuse the DVD drive, though.

[CaldaRaric]

The PSU and Video card are upgraded. I have a 400W PSU and a GeForce 8600GT.

My hard drive is a SATA with is what the mobo I am looking at takes.

I didn't know the thing about the OS looking for the Dell mobo. Good to know before I build a new one. What is the cheapest XP or Vista will go for?

[rwest]

1.When you get your XP or Vista disk sitck it in your dell. You may have to get to the dell bios to tell the pc to boot to the cd drive first. Turn off the pc with the new OS disk in it.
2. Turn on the the unit with the OS disk in it.(cold boot) Choose boot to cd.
3. Repartiton the dell hdd to use the entire disk space and then only format it using the new OS, don't let Windows load. You will now have a formatted hdd for your new system, the hdd won't be a Dell anymore. The only disadvantage here, is that if you ever want to run the dell again you will have to buy another OS for it.

I'm not sure about Vista but my XP disk lets me do this.

[CaldaRaric]

I do not have the disk because I bought this computer retail from Dell. Or are you talking about when I get the new OS for the new build?

[liambl]

That is for a new purchased OS disc.