Upgrading My PC

numanoid

Hi Folks

I am a new user who has been recommended to try this site by a PC literate friend. I am seeking advice on the potential pitfalls of upgrading my existing PC to try to improve it’s storage capacity and it’s speed.

I currently have an Advent 8595 (@ 1998) with a Pentium II (400 mhz) processor and an 8 Gb hard drive. In addition to the CD rom and floppy drive, I have installed a CD rewriter, a sound card and a 56k modem. I have 256mb RAM and have upgraded from Win 98 to Win 2k Pro and from Office 97 to Office XP Pro. I have various other bits of software (i.e. digital camcorder, digital camera etc) loaded as well and am currently using 54% of the hard drive.

If possible, I would like to install a Pentium 4 motherboard and processor and about a 40 Gb hard drive. I would intend to reinstall all my existing hardware as listed above and the current 8 Gb hard drive as well.

Therefore, I would like to know of any of the potential pitfalls that this might entail. My friend has alerted me to the fact that the motherboard may not fit the casing I currently have so what are the solutions to this? Additionally, he has said that my existing RAM may not be compatible. Is this true and are there ways round this?

Apart from these, can anyone suggest other dangers that are lurking out there? Also, does anyone know if this is financially viable or should I start popping pennies in the piggy bank now and hope that Santa is good to me come Christmas?

Any suggestions/ideas you have will be greatly appreciated and particularly, if any of you have tried this before and succeeded (or failed).

Thanks in anticipation.

Numanoid

Shrimp

Hi,

If you could tell how much your willing to spend, this would help us help you.

Thanks

maddy

If possible, I would like to install a Pentium 4 motherboard and processor and about a 40 Gb hard drive. I would intend to reinstall all my existing hardware as listed above and the current 8 Gb hard drive as well.

I highly recommend an AMD Xp board and processor. At the moment Maplin are doing a really good deal on a mb/cpu bundle. Even cheaper if you can get to the UK to buy it! I'm doing that this weekend

169.99 GBP. weirdly, €280
A90BK- M7NCD nForce2 Socket A Motherboard

• For AMD Athlons to XP3200+
• 2 DDR Memory slots for DDR 200/266/333/400 to 2GB
• 5 PCI, 8x AGP, CNR, USB 2.0, 6 channel audio

A39BF - Athlon XP 3000+

• Incorporating Quanti- Speed architecture
• Athlon XP CPUs offer excellent performance for home or office applications
• Chipset: nForce2 400 + MCP

A94BU - Igloo 2421 XP3000+ CPU Cooler

• Cools AMD Athlons up to XP3000+
• Fan Speed: 2,400 RPM (+/-10%)
• Airflow: 45.91 CFM (+/- 10%)
• Fan Noise: 35.0 dBA


Therefore, I would like to know of any of the potential pitfalls that this might entail. My friend has alerted me to the fact that the motherboard may not fit the casing I currently have so what are the solutions to this? Additionally, he has said that my existing RAM may not be compatible. Is this true and are there ways round this?

That is entirely possible, especially maybe with this bundle. You would need to specify exactly what RAM you have. I know PC2700 and PC3200 are compatible. You could get around it by selling your RAM, or swapping it for something nice...The casing is no biggy-cases have become really cheap now. Especially Peats. The best all round solution would be to go with this bundle or something similar, 512 RAM for the board above is only about €100. What are you going to be using it for? What about Vid card?

numanoid

Thanks for the quick reply Youssef. I think if it was gonna cost more than £200 (€300) it wouldn't really be worth my while. I have checked on eBay and some motherbaords retail for about £50 with the Pentium 4 between £50 and £150. Obviously the cheaper the better.........

Thanks for the interest.

numanoid

Shrimp

I would advise that you tried www.aria.co.uk. All the prices are in pound so it will make it easier for you to pay and calculate costs, they are also pretty cheap.

I was also looking at systems, to see if it is worth your while, you may be better buying a new PC, have a look at these:

Arianet AXP Office 2 Base Unit It's the top PC on the list.

The above PC includes:

- AMD Duron 1600MHz (266MHz FSB)
- 52X CD Reader
- 256Mb PC2100 (266MHz FSB) Memory
- Floppy Disk Drive
- 40Gb Hard Drive
- Arianet MIDI Tower Case w/front USB
- Asrock K7S41GX Motherboard
- PS2 Keyboard
- Integrated 32MB Graphics Accelerator
- PS2 Mouse
- 5.1 Surround Sound output
- no speakers included
- no modem included
- Integrated 10/100 Network Adapter
- 1Yr Return to base warranty


If you need more help just ask, it's not a problem.

mrhappy42

Be aware of older boxes...the power supply might not be 350W and 2A for standby.

check out komplett..

Shrimp

What do you mean by "older boxes"?

Stephen

I think he means the power supply in the existing case probably won't be sufficient for a new P4/A64 system.

Shrimp

Oh exactly, thats why I advised him that it may be worth his while getting a whole new system instead.

See above for details.

savemejebus

If you don't go for a full machine you can get this for under €300

AMD XP2500+ upgrade bundle, cpu, mobo, ram, and cooler €225

and

seagate barracuda 80gb drive €63

total of €288

Don't know what the mobo is like though, and the hard drive has only 2mb cache. For a few euro extra you could get this mobo and this hard drive. it's what i'm going to do , i think....