From Dell upgrade to a new build

[Bob338]

I requested advice about upgrading a Dell Dimension 4400, or attempting a new build in this thread, Upgrade a Dell motherboard?.

I've read as much as possible including the rewbie instructions for a new build and it looks like I need to try it. I use my system for fairly heavy home/office functions, including word processing, financial analysis, light photo editing, programs dealing with ballistics and significant internet and E-mail use, no gaming, and it's on a LAN ethernet network with three other computers and a wireless laptop. I'd like to have the capability of upgrading to a new Windows OS at a later time if necessary or indicated. I'd also like to use as many of the components as possible from my curret computer. My current system has the Harmon-Cardon HK206 speakers, Samsung 206BW Monitor, Linksys 10/100 PCI adapter, Logitech LX710 Wireless Keyboard/Mouse, and a NVidia GeForce3 Ti 200 card, all of which I figure I can use in a new system. The graphics card I may not use as the motherboard I've spec'd has onboard graphics.

I've had one great suggestion here for utilizing the old hard drive in the new computer as a second drive and I'll also use a ZIP drive and a 3.5" floppy drive out of the old Dell if possible. I don't know if it's worth considering reusing the Lite-On LTR 24102M 24x CD-RW drive which has had light use. Budget under $1000 and around $500 would be wonderful. Suggestions on these?

Here's what I'm considering:


ASUS M3A78-EM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard 78.99
http://www.newegg.com:80/Product/Pro...82E16813131324

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor 52.99
http://www.newegg.com:80/Product/Pro...82E16819103211

OR

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3.1GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADV60000DOBOX 72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103272

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

?? LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106264

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 49.99
http://www.newegg.com:80/Product/Pro...82E16822136113

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 for System Builders - OEM 139.99

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Licensed for 3 PCs - Retail 74.95

I'm in a quandry on the cases but I'm leaning to the Antec. These are the three I've considered.

IN WIN IW-Z589T.AQ350BL Black Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply 59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811108073

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...lack%20Aluminu
I'll need a PSU for this item I believe.

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail 129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

All advice welcomed. I spec'd the WD hard drive (rather than Seagate,) because of software available from them for cloning to the new hard drive but since I don't know what I'm talking about, that's just my consideration. Thanks

[glc]

Seagate has excellent cloning software. HOWEVER - you can't clone the Dell drive to a new build, Windows will NOT work.

On the Intel side of the house, may I suggest an Asus P5KPL-CM board? Match that up with something like a E5200 processor.

I would not move the zip drive over - the best thing to do is copy the contents of your zip disks over to a USB flash memory key. I also wouldn't bother moving the old CD burner over.

Here is another case/PSU to consider:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811153089

You will not need the graphics card or the network adapter.

I would simply pull the old hard drive, copy the contents to the new system, then reinstall it in the old system, wipe it, reinstall Windows the way it came from the factory, and find another use for the old system rather than having something that's gutted and not usable.

[Bob338]

Originally Posted by glc Seagate has excellent cloning software. HOWEVER - you can't clone the Dell drive to a new build, Windows will NOT work. On the Intel side of the house, may I suggest an Asus P5KPL-CM board? Match that up with something like a E5200 processor.

Thanks GLC, I was aware of Windows not working, I was more interested in the data and other programs. I did spec XP Pro for the new build.

I'm very much aware of your love affair with Intel. I've been told that the AMD processor has a better ability than Intel to fully utilize the 4 Gigs of memory I intend to use. Is that not correct?

In your opinion is the Seagate HDD as good or better than WD? I've had good luck with the latter as I've never had problems.

I'll use that case you suggest. Thanks.

[glc]

It's not a love affair. It's based on 15 years of experience, with reliability and stability being my criteria, not performance. I was simply showing you an alternative in the same class as your choices.

Nothing wrong with WD drives, but I'd still suggest 16mb cache.

Programs will all have to be reinstalled, you can't just copy them and expect them to work. There are a few exceptions, but they aren't very common. The only way around this is - buy the exact same version of XP that's on the Dell (Home, Pro, Media Center), clone the drive using boot media, then do a XP repair reinstall on it. There is still no guarantee that this will be successful, so be prepared to start over.

You can save about 50 bucks with XP Home - you only need Pro if you need to log on to a domain. Workgroup networking with Home works the same as with Pro set to simple file sharing.

[raftero]

i just finished a build for myself with the Asus P5KPL-CM board (that glc) recommended, and the e5200 it is really a nice build, i found an Antec case with 380 ps on sale for @69 at newegg but it is now $99 the case glc recommended is i am sure very good and i highly recommend the asus board and pc. i installed xp home in it.

[phigdon]

for what you are going to spend on the 6000+ get this chip instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300
if in the future you are going to be needing more slots for add on cards I recommend spending $20 more and getting the M3A78 PRO board.
RAM is personal preference but I have the M3A78-T version and use corsair dominator's. the main reason is that I know for a 100% fact that these are compatible.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145214
HDD-dont get it. you're looking at a 250gig 8meg cache drive. get this one instead, its only $15 more, has twice the capacity and 32meg cache.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

[Bob338]

Thank you genltemen for the excellent advice and suggestions. I've spent considerable time considering alternatives and I've come up with a revised spec included below. I'd love to have used an ASUS Intel mobo, especially since I do own stock in the company but could find nothing that had the features of the AMD board at the price. I do have a couple of concerns with the AMD board because of a number negative reviews. I read ALL the reviews for all these components. I concluded that many of tne negatives were brought about by operator error and folks trying to do things the equipment wasn't designed to do.

The other concern I have is the size of the mobo. I've gone to an ATX board and wonder if the size of the board is compatible with the chosen case and won't affect expandability in the future.

Here's the revised spec. Your critique or additional suggestions will be welcome.

ASUS M3N78 PRO AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8300 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail 98.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131320

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail 74.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145214

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor - Retail 77.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106264

Foxconn TS001-V-D350A Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Delta ATX 2.2 350W Power Supply 44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811153089

Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3 for System Builders 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116511

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Licensed for 3 PCs - Retail 74.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116511

FYI, the build totals $561.89 including $175 for software and it seems to have all I need plus the expandability and capability of upgrades in the future at what seems a very good price. Your thoughts or suggestions please?

[tomtoon]

will you need a graphics card or is the integrated sufficient?

[glc]

The Foxconn case is a small case but it will hold a standard ATX board.

If you do get a video card, the PSU won't handle a very strong one. Onboard video is good enough these days for everything except gaming, as long as you have enough system memory to handle the sharing.

[Bob338]

Originally Posted by glc The Foxconn case is a small case but it will hold a standard ATX board.

Will adding cards or additional cooling in the future be a problem? Alternate suggestion for a case? How about the rest of the components, are they all compatible?

I have no plans for a video card and wouldn't expect to ever have a need.

tomtoon: it's onboard.

[tomtoon]

Yes integrated/onboard same thing.
I was just wondering if it was sufficient for you.

The case will be big enough for max 2 PCI-cards probably.

[glc]

The case is big enough to put anything you want in it except a huge video card, and it has no cooling issues. I've been building with that case for years.

[phigdon]

everything looks great. If the PSU ever becomes an issue they are pretty cheap and easy to change out. If you plan on putting in a phenom at some point in the future stick with the 1006 RAM, if you dont you can get the same memory in DDR2 800 and save a little cash. In past threads here I have learned to put in what you want to upgrade to though.

[Bob338]

Originally Posted by phigdon everything looks great. If the PSU ever becomes an issue they are pretty cheap and easy to change out. If you plan on putting in a phenom at some point in the future stick with the 1006 RAM, if you dont you can get the same memory in DDR2 800 and save a little cash. In past threads here I have learned to put in what you want to upgrade to though.

Didn't catch that; thank you. I certainly have no plans for the future as those requirements are unknown to me now. What are my chances of wanting that upgrade later? Besides, at age 79 I may become "obsolete" before my computer! I can save 40 bucks now!

[Bob338]

Tried to order my parts today and Newegg is out of stock on both the specified case and the hard drive.

No rush here but do I wait (I'm on auto-notify,) or do I find something else? I didn't order anything as I'm sold on what's specified. Any thoughts or alternate suggestions?

[tomtoon]

I would probably get a different case and hard drive then:

Antec 300 : $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Corsair 400W PSU : $39.99 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

WD 500GB: $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136149

[glc]

I would recommend this WD drive (SE16, not a GP):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

I would recommend this case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811173028

The PSU is a Delta. Same one that's in the Foxconn.

The Antec 300 is a very nice case, and that Corsair power supply is outstanding, but let your budget decide here - the Asus case will save you some bucks.

[Bob338]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Not that it matters to you, but out of courtesy here's the list of what I ordered this morning. I spent most of yesterday reading reviews on cases and hard drives just to completely satisfied with the choices.

ASUS M3N78 PRO AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8300 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail 98.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131320

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor - Retail 77.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106264

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 49.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Power Supply - Retail 59.99
Additional 15% off w/promo code "Jansave15", ends 1/20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3 for System Builders 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116511

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Licensed for 3 PCs - Retail 74.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116511

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM 5.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

Thanks. Hopefully I won't have to scream for help during the build.

[Bob338]

Amazing! Didn't have to holler for help here once! Did have to call Western Digital on connections for the hard drive. Their online instructions were a bit confusing and conflicted with the PSU instructions. Newbie question, or I should say, reassurance.

I'm installing the OS as I sit here on the old machine. The service from Newegg was outstanding, ordered on Friday, shipped on Friday and sat with UPS over the long weekend, delivered Tuesday evening (I'm in the country at the tail end of the route,) and immediately started in. Pretty simple really, just followed to guidelines in the sticky at the top of this board and everything went off without a hitch and everythiing worked as it's supposed to. Most of the time was taken in trying to set up the wiring neatly. I made the mistake of looking at a thread in the case mod forum of some guy who did a masterful job of routing his cables and while I had no intention of trying to copy a job that took a year, I did want it to be neat.

Still may have problems and questions. Couldn't make many changes in the BIOS for reasons I can't fathom but I may not need it, the ASUS BIOS in the board seemed to handle everything, at least enough to get this far. In any case, thanks to those that helped and advised, not sure I could have tackled and done it without the help. Appreciate it. I've taken some pictures and will post links at later time FWIW.

[Bob338]

I'm having a helluva time trying to transfer data from the old machine to this new one.

Can someone point me to a tutorial and such transfers? I'm particularly interested in my address book in Outlook Express and data in a small password encrypted program call Any Password. I've tried through a home network and even had problems in copying some CD's and utilizing them to "restore" data in the new machine but did manage to get that done. The voluminous address book is daunting as is a fairly detailed list of passwords in the other program.

Really pleased with this machine, it flies by comparision! And thanks again to the contributors.

[glc]

C:\documents and settings\your username\application data\microsoft\address book

Import the .wab file.

You HAVE to enable display of hidden folders and files to see that, and I recommend you unhide extensions for known file types. That will be in Folder Options on the View tab.

Don't use CD's, use a USB flash key to transfer data. The act of burning a CD makes the files read-only and programs have a real hard time importing read-only data.

What I really recommend is pull your old drive and connect it with USB to your new machine, that makes it easy to go in for what you need.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=2020&cat=HDD