New computer build.
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Printer Friendly Page
- Plusnet Community
- :
- Forum
- :
- Other forums
- :
- Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc
- :
- Re: New computer build.
New computer build.
17-04-2013 12:20 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
My current computer is around 5 years old. Is it false economy to go down this line of a rebuild ?
My concern is that the motherboards are DDR3 will all the existing internal leads connect to a new motherboard?
Could there be any compatibility problems with external hard drives, card readers etc. ?
What about the software on my existing hard drive, could I just boot up and go or would everything have to be reinstalled?
Does anyone know of a good website that provides this info and any tips from anyone who has rebuilt a computer using new & old bits.
Thanks
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 12:39 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Quote My concern is that the motherboards are DDR3 will all the existing internal leads connect to a new motherboard?
DDR3 relates to the memory which you are replacing anyway.
Modern motherboards will only provide one IDE ( if any! ) connection and instead provide usually 4 or 6 SATA. So if your existing discs or DVD drives are IDE they will also need replacing with SATA ones. You may also need SATA cables depending on how many are supplied with the motherboard.
Power supply may also be a problem as modern motherboards require an ATX 12v supply rather than the old ATX ( see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX )
If your kb and mouse are PS2 style connectors then the new motherboard may not have those and you will need USB kb & mouse.
Shouldn't be, if they are USB connected
Quote Could there be any compatibility problems with external hard drives, card readers etc. ?
Quote What about the software on my existing hard drive, could I just boot up and go or would everything have to be reinstalled?
Almost certainly a reinstall. You may also need to change to a 64bit OS to take advantage of additional memory above 4Gb.
Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 12:41 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
I used to do this but recently lack of funds means no pc expansion for me.
As to OS depends on what you have installed. M$ will probably need re-validated and if it was tied to the original box a NEW copy , Linux will just reconfigure and usually boot as normal.
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 1:01 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 1:07 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
I've used them a few times to get data off old IDE drives.
York.
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 1:33 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 1:40 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Dell have a habit of having chassis, power supplies, motherboards, and cabling, which at first sight LOOKS like standard ATX format, but frequently have subtly different fixing holes or connectors - so that you have to buy Dell replacement parts !
Some Dells are OK, but many aren't !
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 2:11 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 3:27 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
That's the bit I can't make my mind up on. I want to stick with a desk top, no requirements for a monitor or OS system, if keyboard or mouse connections are wrong, no real problems as they are cheap enough to replace.
Quote from: ejs For a "few hundred pounds" you could easily buy a new cheap laptop, or complete desktop base unit (no monitor nor copy of Windows).
I Would want to stick with Intel with a fairly fast processor which really gets me asking is it worthwhile to replace stuff or as you suggest buying a new desktop base unit, which will no doubt come with at least 1 years guarantee.
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 3:38 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Quote from: Hairy Most ATX (normal) M/b's use the same connector for power (sometimes multiple ones)
The connectors have changed slightly (20 to 24pin), if you're lucky, the PSU may have an additonal 4pin block to provide compatability.
Also, the PSU must have the P4 connector.
Then, depending on what else you buy, graphics cards with high power requirements require 1 or 2 PCI-E power connectors, for SATA drives you'll need SATA power connectors, you can get molex adapters for these, but given it's age, it may be worth considering a new PSU too.
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 5:05 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Quote That's the bit I can't make my mind up on. I want to stick with a desk top, no requirements for a monitor or OS system, if keyboard or mouse connections are wrong, no real problems as they are cheap enough to replace.
I tend to agree with ejs , it's probably simpler just to get a complete desktop. In fact I'm currently debating exactly that for the BIL. I actually built his current system myself some years ago and now he wants to upgrade but it's debatable whether it's better for him ( and less hassle for me! ) to get something like one of these https://www.aria.co.uk/Systems/Home+and+Office/Next+Day+Systems/ or for me to get the bits to do an upgrade. There's really little difference in price since there's only probably the case that's reusable from the old system. I'm currently looking at either the I3-3220 or the I5-3470 ( or possibly the FX-6300 ? ) based systems from the aria link but either way I'm going to have to replace his XP with Win 7 64 bit Pro so that should be fun!.
Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 5:12 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Note that it comes without an operating system unless you add it to the order
Re: New computer build.
17-04-2013 5:34 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.
Re: New computer build.
18-04-2013 2:37 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
Thanks for the responses.
Re: New computer build.
22-04-2013 2:08 PM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Highlight
- Report to Moderator
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Printer Friendly Page
- Plusnet Community
- :
- Forum
- :
- Other forums
- :
- Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc
- :
- Re: New computer build.