OK - New Plan

[BigMark]

So here's what I'm thinking now... tell me if you think it'll work.

I've got a basic little Compaq deal:
600 MHz Celeron (I know, boo hiss)
18 GB Hard Drive
128MB RAM
and the like.

I've decided not to buy a new machine, just update this one. I'm adding another 256 MB of RAM, an 80 GB hard drive (as a second, not a replacement), and video/sound cards. To make this new stuff (and me) happier, I'm getting a new case. I figure this will let me get more power, better and more cooling, and make it easier for my big ol hands to get around in there.

My question is this: Let's say I have all this stuff and on down the road I want to upgrade to a new processor and motherboard. Can I use my current (18GB) hard drive that is set up for my Compaq with that? I'm thinking that buy using that, I can avoid having to buy a full version operating system and having to go through and hunt down drivers for all my shit. And if I do that, how much more difficult will it be to run a system recovery if (when) I fuck everything up?

 

[mathmajors]

You can change processors without worrying about OS or hard drive, etc. I would have another PC online just in case I needed some drivers, though. Probably Windows will take care of it, though.

 

[BigMark]

OK, groovin. Thanks.

 

[Savio]

well,

upgrading already built machines like compaq's and HP's and the like are a pain. They throw everything in there with no room for much of anything. Everything is behind everything else. It's a very inefficient way to build one but who am I to speak, I'm not making the billions. And no wonder consumers have to buy a computer every 4-6 years b/c they can't upgrade worth a damn.

 

[mathmajors]

You're right. I'd just get a new one.

 

[Y2Buddy]

I think it's a good idea stretching out a little more life out of what you got. Some you can, some can't. Just don't pull your hair out over it

 

[jasper]

Savio has a good point. Most of the motherboard and case designs for big brands like Compaq, HP, etc. are "proprietary", as in a). you can't fit one of their motherboards into any other case and b). you can't fit anything but their motherboard in their case. Mark, you said you were buying another case, do you know if your motherboard will fit a generic case?

I had this same problem with an e-machine. I solved it by basically buying a standard case and a pretty good motherboard that I could use for both P3s and Celerons. Then I ripped everything out of the e-machine, including processor, put it in the new one, and everything has worked fine. I've been able to upgrade memory, processor, add more hard drives, etc., all because I went to a generic case/motherboard. The damn e-machine motherboard only had like one or two PCI slots too. Now I have 5 i think.

My suggestion? Go to pricewatch.com, find a good generic case and a good motherboard that will fit your processor (I think if it's a socket 370, many Celerons are, you'll have no problem upgrading to a P3 later when they're cheaper). Total that should run you about $150 if you hunt for good prices, and it will allow you to upgrade things a lot easier than if you kept the Compaq motherboard.

 

[The Brain]

You can get a decent Mobo/Case/Processor Combo all for a little more than that anyways

ECS 5PCI/4xAGP 3 SDRAM upto1.5GB, SOUND/LAN 10/100MB/sec for Pentium 4 with cpu - Celeron 1.8GHz 478-Pin, Cooling Fan & Heatsink $ 169

P4 400W ATX Power Supply and CASE P4 -400Watt 3-5.25,2-3.5, 1 3.5 Hidden Cable and Screws included (Part - 107-LTSA) $16

 

[BearBryant]

P4 400W ATX Power Supply and CASE P4 -400Watt 3-5.25,2-3.5, 1 3.5 Hidden Cable and Screws included (Part - 107-LTSA) $16

where is this? ..thats a damn good price

 

[Savio]

Originally posted by The Brain
You can get a decent Mobo/Case/Processor Combo all for a little more than that anyways

ECS 5PCI/4xAGP 3 SDRAM upto1.5GB, SOUND/LAN 10/100MB/sec for Pentium 4 with cpu - Celeron 1.8GHz 478-Pin, Cooling Fan & Heatsink $ 169

P4 400W ATX Power Supply and CASE P4 -400Watt 3-5.25,2-3.5, 1 3.5 Hidden Cable and Screws included (Part - 107-LTSA) $16

That blows!!! Onboard crap sucks! IRQ conflicts waiting to happen