upgrading OLD computer???

[ColterDC 10+ year member]

I have a question though, say I pick out my mobo, ram, etc, how do I know they'll work together? Im just asking because I don't want to buy all new stuff to find out my mobo is too big or doesnt line up to the ouput holes on the back of the case, etc etc.

That's the trick isn't it man.

You can always check out some of those computer forums and talk to the nerds there.

Usually it's pin counts and bus types and comparing the 2 items to see if the numbers align. It's possible, depending on the connection type that your old HD's may not plug into the MB you buy. Had that problem a few weeks ago with some People PC machine and the HD connection on it.

Disclaimer--- I'm no computer guru, but I have built a few machines and also frankenstein a few older machines together. It is kind of fun and frustrating at the same time. Good luck //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

thanks man, im looking at motherboards now, probably a new case. Ill prob just keep these for parts or maybe donate them somewhere.

 

[sobe3yourself. 10+ year member]

I'm a PC, and I'm still alive...

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

I'm a PC, and I'm still alive...

hahaha

 

[Pyle 10+ year member]

I put together an AMD quad core rig for my buddy for right around $200. Just look around and buy used, you can get good deals. Dont bother touching that old computer, you will be upgrading everything in it anyways to get what you want. Go sign up on Overclock.net and look in their classifieds. You can easily build a decent rig for cheap.

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

what are some good brands as far as mobo's go? I see foxconn, gigabyte, etc etc,

 

[Sub Woofin 10+ year member]

thanks for the insight man. Im looking at cases and mobo's now. I have a question though, say I pick out my mobo, ram, etc, how do I know they'll work together? Im just asking because I don't want to buy all new stuff to find out my mobo is too big or doesnt line up to the ouput holes on the back of the case, etc etc.

yea. just make sure every component you buy is compatible with everything else, otherwise your gonna end up with a messed up comp. best of luck!

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

so my manual says to upgrade the video card to use "1.5v, 4x agp video cards", can someone point me in the direction as to what this means? And a good one to buy? I pretty much only need hdmi output. Thanks guys!!

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

bump, been looking at this one, any insight?

HIS H435F512HA Radeon HD 4350 Video Card - 512MB DDR3, AGP, Dual-Link DVI, VGA, HDMI at TigerDirect.com

 

[Sub Woofin 10+ year member]

does your current computer have an available AGP port? one thats not in use?

 

[pieper88 10+ year member]

how much? i wouldnt mind spending ~$200 or so. I already have a torrent of windows vista and a spare 250gb hard drive i could use.

Torrent of Windows Vista. Yeah, good luck with that.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Foxconn and MSI mobos have been terrible for me I'm using a gigabyte right now and though I may have a problem here and there (2-3 times a year at best) for the price I paid it was a pretty good deal. I didn't really read through the thread so idk what you want it to be able to do but feel free to pm me and we can put something together.

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

does your current computer have an available AGP port? one thats not in use?

id be taking the oem one out wouldn't I? Im not at home so I cant look at it, but if I took the original one out and replaced it with a better, aftermarket one id be ok right? If I have a spare pci slot, why couldnt I just use one of those slots? I have 5 pci slots, iirc 2 are being used. But my manual says to use only agp?

 

[Sub Woofin 10+ year member]

id be taking the oem one out wouldn't I? Im not at home so I cant look at it, but if I took the original one out and replaced it with a better, aftermarket one id be ok right? If I have a spare pci slot, why couldnt I just use one of those slots? I have 5 pci slots, iirc 2 are being used. But my manual says to use only agp?

i think you'll be ok, your os will detect it automatically. if not its not a big deal, you can put back the old hardware back to normal. AGP ports are smaller than PCI so it wont work that way. if the manual says agp, then agp must be used