First market+ build

[felix559]

I'm currently in Afghanistan and am planning on building up my desktop when I get home. I've never done this before, so any and all suggestions and comments are welcome. Help me turn this mass market sheep into a wolf!

CPU: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 524 with HT Technology
(3.06GHz, 533MHz FSB, 1MB L2 cache)
Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

Chipset: ATI Radeon® Xpress 200
Memory: 1GB DDR (2 × 512MB), 400MHz (PC3200)
Expandable to 2GB
Hard Drives: 320GB (2 x 160GB-7200rpm, 2MB cache)
Optical Drives: 2 x 16x multiformat dual-layer DVD±RW
(Up to 8.5GB with dual-layer media)
Write max: 16x DVD±R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 4x DVD+R DL, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW
Read max: 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-ROM
Media Reader: 9-in-1 Digital Media Manager™ (Memory Stick®, Memory Stick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, CompactFlash®, MicroDrive, SmartMedia, xD-Picture Card™, USB 2.0)
Video: ATI Radeon® Xpress 200 integrated graphics
Up to 128MB of shared video memory
PCI-Express® (PCI-E x16) slot available
Sound: 6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio
Network: 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
Modem: 56K ITU V.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
Peripherals: Standard multifunction keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse, amplified stereo speakers (USB powered)
Ports/Other: 5 USB 2.0 (1 in front, 4 in back), VGA external connector, parallel port, serial port, 2 PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse), 5 audio ports (2 in front, 3 in back)

[shadowpr]

If those specs are your current system, I wouldn't consider upgrading. Just build a new one all together.

What is your budget?

What will the primary use of the computer?

Will you need a new monitor, keyboard, and mouse?

[felix559]

I'd like to salvage as much as possible from my current box, and keep it somewhere between 3-5 hundred. I've already got a great trackball and upgraded keyboard, but will need a new monitor.

This computer has become my tv and stereo, so I'd like to focus on sound and speed. It'd be cool to hook it up to my plasma!

[flanzig1]

If that systems is a prebuilt like Dell or HP, you probably have little or no options for CPU up-grade. Can always add more ram. Could add in a video card that has HDMI ouput for TV which probably means getting a bigger PSU.
As for a monitor in the 19" to 22" range, your looking at between $170 to $250.

[felix559]

Copy that. It is a market build, but I wanted to pull the opticals, ram, and harddrives. I'm looking to get a new tower; nothing big or flashy, and new mother/chipset, audio and video. A monitor is a must, but will be an easy pick.

[felix559]

Here's what I'm looking at...
Video
http://www.amazon.com/PNY-GeForce-S-...049826&sr=1-19
Audio
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-.../ref=de_a_smtd
Tower
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15136

I'm gonna need help picking a motherboard and processor though. I don't know a dammit about this stuff.

Planning on max ram and moving over my 2 dvd/r drives and 2 160gb harddrives

I've read alot of good stuff about ASUS, so I'm lookgin at different stuff now!!!

[shadowpr]

I wouldn't worry about the sound card. The mother board will have onboard sound that whould be good.

The problem with salvagging those 4 drives is that it's probably ide connections, and newer mother boards will only give you enough for 2.

Your ram is already outdated, and not worth reusing either.

You're basically looking at almost an entire rebuild.

You could probably keep 2 of the 4 drives, and get new ones to replace the ones you can't use.

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131278
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115052

[felix559]

What about a psu? Maybe I missed it, but I coudn't find any reference for power.

[shadowpr]

The antec sonata comes with a power supply.

[felix559]

Knew that. Shoulda clarified before axing. Thanks for all the inputs!

[Chris Linder]

I totally agree with everyone. That sound card was a bit much , unless your doing some pro recording like a DJ or something. Even then you can find much cheaper ones. You said your budget is around 3-5 hundred. Heres what I would do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131186
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115032
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

unless your doing some gaming then this will be far from enough. But just for a swift desktop work station this is where you want to be.

[felix559]

Could I get away with just swapping the motherboard/cpu/ and ram?
Will a microATX replace a full size or even mount in the tower?

[mattaggie]

If your tower can fit ATX, then yes the micro will fit also. A new motherboard is only going to have the ability to connect 2 Pata devices. You have 4 (2 HDD, 2 optical). So maybe for now just use 1 of each, and then buy a SATA HDD later when you have the money. You are also probably going to need a bigger Power supply than is currently in your case. It kinda a domino effect; to upgrade one part, another part needs to be better, which means a third part needs to be better, etc.