Cannabilize Dell and build new system

[markf]

I have a 2 year old Dell XPS 710. The motherboard has fried. New Dell MB is about $300 on Ebay and $450 from Dell. I am so disappointed by Dell that I am thinking of taking all of the parts I can use out of it and buying the rest of what I need to come up with a new system. I use the system for my work which is high end visualization with 3D Studio Max, AutooCAD, Photoshop, etc.

I built only one system before. 6 years ago. Still runs good but I'm no expert so I'm hoping for some review and any advice or correction you all may have.

What I have in the Dell XPS -

Core 2 Quad 6600 2.4GHz, 1066FSB - re-use

4 - 2 GCorsair DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz - I added this a year ago and will re-use

nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX - re-use

160 G SATA HD - re-use original drive with XP

160 G SATA HD - re-use. This drive I added and is the main drive I was using. Has XP 64 bit, all of my apps and etc.

DVD-CD R/RW - re-use


What I plan to buy -

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160
I believe I need a new case because the XPS case would need modifications to accept a new MB

ASUS P5Q SE PLUS LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131347
Lots of MB's out there. This one seems to fit the bill

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
becasue the one in the Dell has a unique plug end that will only work with a Dell MB. (One of the many reasons I am unhappy with Dell)


ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
I believe I need a new CPU cooler becasue the one in the Dell is a unique and will only work with a Dell MB.

So that's what I'm planning. The 4 items will cost $380.

I have some question about re-using the drives that already have the OS and everything installed. Once I get the system assembled would I be able to just use the drives as is or do I need to reinstall Windows and all of the apps? I had it set up as dual boot. After the POST I had could choose to boot to the original XP 32 bit drive or the XP 64 bit drive that I added. After it started up I could see and access both drives in Windows Explorer. I'd like to keep that configuration.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[FooseinSB]

I'm not the biggest hardware expert so I won't try to tackle that aspect of your plan, but I can tell you that when replacing a motherboard on an XP machine, in all except the rarest cases you will need to run a Repair Installation of XP.

And yes, if you plan on booting to both the 32- and 64-bit OS's, you'll need to repair-install both. Most of your apps should run after the repair installation, with some exceptions (I usually have to reinstall AVG, for example).

Also, if you're reinstalling both the 32-bit and the 64-bit OS's, you'll need Retail versions of both (your Dell OEM disc won't be valid on a new piece of hardware).

If you find that you're never booting to the old OS (as has often been the case with me), you might want to consider just reinstalling the 64-bit version, as you'll still have access to all your data. Presumably your OS selection screen boots to that one by default anyway.

HTH,