Reuse parts?
 

Hello: First of all thanks for the help, this is great!
I have a XP pro P4 Dell workstation 390 that I want to replace before XP goes dark. I want to build a "nice" system though I do not need power computing. I will go overboard as usual. I have not bought any of the bits and pieces of the new system yet other then a book on the subject that is on its way (Build Your Own Computer by Macrae). Is there anything of value that I can reuse from the Dell? I'm sure I'll have more ?'s later and will search the forum to not ask about things that have been talked over already.
Thanks, KDM

I doubt there would be anything in that Dell worth reusing. Post the service tag number and we can look up its configuration to make sure.

If you want a parts recommendation, we would be happy to give it to you right in this thread. Post your budget for just the computer (without peripherals) and what you will be using it for. Also, I assume you are in the US, what state are you in? Do you have a "source" for an operating system? If not, Windows 7 Home Premium is 100 bucks, 7 Pro is $140. You won't find much love for Windows 8 here, especially for a desktop computer. Works great with a touchscreen on a mobile device.

XP is not going to go "dark" - there just won't be any more support.

It's quite dated, but we have a build your own PC article right here:

Build Your Own PC - PCMech

You may want to leave your old Dell in tact and use it for Linux or donate it or give it away. It's worth something to someone working.

XP ''Dark?"
 

I thought that it would be unwise to stick with XP after M.S. stopped supporting it with patches? Once I get the new one up and running I'll donate or recycle the Dell. Does the drive wipe function in CCleaner work well enough to live the hard drives in the old machine when I get rid of it?
Thanks, Duke

Agreed. Once an OS is no longer supported this means they are no longer writing patches that take care of vulnerabilities that the bad guys could exploit. That is a definite downside to staying with XP.

CC will basically only wipe junk in a number folders that you don't necessarily need. It will not wipe your entire drive, which you want if you are going to be handing your computer over to someone. Use Darrik's Boot and Nuke to zero out your hard drive. It's free and works very well. Select the option that make a few passes of your entire hard drive for the best security.

You will need to burn a boot disk, but its really easy with DBAN.

Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing

Thanks David M......
 

Thanks for the advice David. Let me please ask you this: what brand of MoBo's are considered the most reliable? It seems that Asrock gets lots of complaints.
Duke

Asus

Yup...the professional builders all recommend Asus.

As I said in my original post - how about a budget and planned use? We can give you a balanced and reliable parts list.

Budget and Use......
 

GLC: I don't need a powerfull PC but am a "gear head" so I'll want more then I need. I surf, e-mail do a bit of home business; forms, printing, background checks for new tenants; nothing heavy. Budget is not set but would like to stay under $2k and then get a new monitor on top of that. My Dell 2000 FP is, I think, 10-15 years old and starting to have some dulling and kind of a dull white "cloud" on the upper right that comes and goes (does not rain!). I bought this current Dell workstation 390 partly because it came with high level support for life (advice only after warrenty), they still will walk me through problems. No new Dell, even workstations, have that anymore. I also have a two year old Mac Book Air that would probably do everything I need but I am so used to sitting down at my desktop many times a day (I am retired) that I want to keep that kind of setup.
Thanks, Duke Masters in Berkeley

We can keep it *WAY* under 2 grand and still have a very powerful machine. 2 more questions - what state are you in, and do you have a Microcenter anywhere near you?

NorCal
 

GLC: I'm in north California and the nearest Microcenter is 400 miles south. Are they a good supplier? I notice a lot of recommendations on this site are for NewEgg. Either way when I'm ready I'll decide on the hardware (with help of course) and then shop around. There is a computer recycle organization in town that sounds like they will also take my large box full of old modems, routers and hubs; it is overflowing.
Duke

Here is another quick ? that has crossed my mind: I like the idea of a SSD for the boot drive, what is the proper size for that?
Duke

We usually use Newegg links for recommendations, but in CA you will have to pay sales tax. The only reason I asked about Microcenter is they sell CPU's in store at below cost. Here are some suggestions - the case is just an example, you of course should get a case that you like the looks of. We usually recommend 120gb for a boot SSD. That gives you room for the OS and your most used programs.

This is about $1500 or so after tax and rebates, no video card, the onboard video is adequate unless you are gaming. The power supply is strong enough to support a video card if you ever want to add one.

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

SeaSonic M12II 650 SS-650AM 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Semi-modular Power Supply - Newegg.com

ASUS P8Z77-V LK ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - Newegg.com

Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K - Newegg.com

CORSAIR Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML16GX3M2A1600C10 - Newegg.com

Intel 520 Series SSDSC2CW120A3K5 - Newegg.com

Western Digital WD Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - Newegg.com

ASUS BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Black Blu-ray Burner - Newegg.com

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Newegg.com

ASUS VE248Q Black 24" 2ms LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Speakers 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50,000,000:1 (1,000:1) - Newegg.com

Thanks again: I'll keep all this in mind and keep researching. All these niffty parts and pieces!!! I'll time this to be built, tested and running at least a couple of months before XP goes "dark".
Duke

There is no point in planning a build now if you aren't going to build it in the next couple of weeks. Parts and prices are constantly evolving and changing.

I'll keep on looking into the latest and greatest and re-evaluate as I get closer to dropping the hammer. M.S. will pull the plug on XP in April of '14 so I have a while to decide. Todays hot stuff may be on sale then or something compleatly new will have come up. Or I may get tired of waiting.
Duke

I started looking at operating systems and it was confusing: It seems some "packages" are for resellers not for home built systems? What is the proper type of package for a home builder? The O.S. also adds quite a bit to the total tab is there a way to save some $ on this part of a home build?
Thanks, Duke

That is one thing I recommend you buy now if you want Windows 7. It's going to be gone from the shelves by next April. The OEM (reseller) packs are fine for home builders and save you considerable money over retail. You just can't get free support from Microsoft.

Is it just coincidence that Win7 will be off the shelves in April '14 at the same time that XP support goes away?
Duke

I'm guessing at that - with Windows 8 now out and 8.1 coming soon, 7 is no longer being produced and when the supply is gone, you will have to go to the gray market to get it. Heck, you can still buy XP on the gray market but it costs more than it did before it "officially" went away.

The old gray market, she ain't what she used to be. ;) I have been contemplating getting a Win7. I was afraid it would already be gone, but was still there when I checked. It is nice to know now long I have and should get on it sometime just in case they quit making them.

Maybe I should buy 10 Windows 7 licenses for a future scalp for those who hate Windows 8 but don't know it yet.

I'm still on XP but I read a lot of negative comments on W8 here, is it not a good OS for some segment of the computer using population? Or just not good period?
Duke

It's a good OS if you have a touchscreen tablet. Standard desktop computers, the interface can be frustrating.

Is 8.1 supposed to be for the desktop then? I hadn't really looked into it. But I did kinda think it strange that they're saying 7 wont be around too much longer with 8 around, and 8.1 on the horizon-especially since 8 was really designed for the touch screen. What gives?:confused:

edit:
Ya know I just realized I'm jumping in a build thread. Sorry Duke-one. I shouldda' started a different thread.

Rumor has it that 8.1 will bring back the Start button, but prerelease versions as of yet have not done so.

So if California legalizes marijuana like Washington did, will all the silicon valley companies here release nonsensical irrational things similar to Windows 8? You have to admit, it does seem Windows 8 was at least partially influenced by drugs. The difference between 7 and 8 is similar to the difference between A Hard Day's Night and Yellow Submarine. 8.1 might just have app icon blobs that float around the desktop like a lava lamp. Maybe Ballmer is leading by example and has become a dope smokin' hipster? Maybe 60 Minutes needs to do a report on what MSFT employees are smoking in the parking lot on their lunch breaks?

From Rwest:
Ya know I just realized I'm jumping in a build thread. Sorry Duke-one. I shouldda' started a different thread.
Choice of a OS and the components that will run it; seems to me part of a build, no?
Duke

As I continue to look into building a PC I realize that my current video card is still possibly useful. Can you all tell me if my NVidea Quadro FX3450 is worth keeping? Will it work in a newer mobo? Would I need an old style slot for it?
Thanks again, Duke