Can I transfer older drives into a new computer

whtevr86 · 07-04-2008, 06:25 PM

Hi I need to pretty much get a new computer. I want it to be able to run 3D games well. I figure I need at least like Intel Duo core or Express type processors. Dell had a "gaming" computer for $1200 wing wangs that didn't look too bad. They don't give you detailed information about the motherboard and such. So basically I want to take the hard drives and one of the CD drives out of my old computer which is about 6 yrs old and put them in the new one. The drives are less then 6 yrs old tho. They are both western digital, a 40 gig and an 80 gig IDE 40 pin? Does that make sense? They are both 7200rpm.

I built this computer I have currently but honestly I have not been keeping up with the advancement of computer technology so I don't know what to do any more. My sound card is old but I really like it. It has 5.1 suround sound, a front bay for mic inputs, i/o for external midi devices and an optical in. But do motherboards have regular PCI slots any more? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. BTW happy 4t of July.

dai · 07-04-2008, 09:23 PM

the newer m/boards only have one ide channel for 2 ide devices they are mainly sata orientated these days
to use more you would need a pci ide card

**sobeit** · 07-05-2008, 10:30 AM

it may be better just to put them into a usb external case and use them for storage that way.

07-04-2008, 06:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
whtevr86 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY Posts: 4 OS: XP SP3	Can I transfer older drives into a new computer Hi I need to pretty much get a new computer. I want it to be able to run 3D games well. I figure I need at least like Intel Duo core or Express type processors. Dell had a "gaming" computer for $1200 wing wangs that didn't look too bad. They don't give you detailed information about the motherboard and such. So basically I want to take the hard drives and one of the CD drives out of my old computer which is about 6 yrs old and put them in the new one. The drives are less then 6 yrs old tho. They are both western digital, a 40 gig and an 80 gig IDE 40 pin? Does that make sense? They are both 7200rpm. I built this computer I have currently but honestly I have not been keeping up with the advancement of computer technology so I don't know what to do any more. My sound card is old but I really like it. It has 5.1 suround sound, a front bay for mic inputs, i/o for external midi devices and an optical in. But do motherboards have regular PCI slots any more? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. BTW happy 4t of July.

07-04-2008, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 41,798 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Can I transfer older drives into a new computer the newer m/boards only have one ide channel for 2 ide devices they are mainly sata orientated these days to use more you would need a pci ide card __________________

07-05-2008, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 5,267 OS: windows/linux	Re: Can I transfer older drives into a new computer it may be better just to put them into a usb external case and use them for storage that way. __________________ Do not feed the trolls.