Replacing my Motherboard

Uncle Yang · 05-11-2008, 07:36 PM

This is my current PC (url below) except i have added a nVidia geforce 8800GTX graphics card, and 2 additional gigs of RAM.

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/del...-30919189.html

I plan on replacing my motherboard and processor to keep up with the times, you know, and i need to know if my current harddrive and all my other current components will work with the mother board below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128083

Thank You!

**tecknomage** · 05-12-2008, 11:09 AM

This is not advice on selecting a new motherboard, you choices look OK at first glance.

But, when it comes to RAM (memory)...

WARNING - The memory DIMMS you install must be an exact match to your motherboard. ALSO, the manufacturer of the motherboard is Lord and Master when it comes to what memory to use.

Do not depend on reseller sites to give you accurate choices, but I'm not saying you cannot order from resellers. You need to use your motherboard's manufacture site to select your memory, and many will end up recommending a reseller (like NewEgg).

**linderman** · 05-12-2008, 05:14 PM

Nice choice in motherboard

you will need to change to DDR2 memory though ?????? right now your old motherboard is using DDR-1 PC3200 memory

yes your hard drives will work (provided you dont have more than two IDE devices like cd-rom and hard drives >>>>> the newer motherboards can only support two IDE devices all else is the newer SATA stuff

I would also suggest you dont run that video card with the original power supply from Dell ????? you will need a bigger and better power plant like the Thermaltake Toughpower 650 watt

or Corsair TX-650 watt

as for ram & motherboards / I respectfully disagree or at least expound on the informational statement above, the memory manufacturers have a higher level of help fullness and support when it comes to memory / the motherboard manufacturers dont make memory, therfore they will not guarantee anything about memory >>>> most motherboard manufs have a QVL list (qualified vendor list) which they print on their websites and motherboard manual, this list will have a small number of memory stick models which have been tested and found to run with the given board you may have purchased

but a much higher level of responsibility and reputation goes with the ram stick manufacturer, they offer website memory stick selectors which GUARANTEE compatability with your motherboard, you will find the ram manuf will do whatever they have to do; to make sure you get ram modules that work with your board >>>>>> I once had a fussy mobo which Crucial memory sent ram sticks back and forth 4 times >>>>>> before I got sticks that worked

they ate all the shipping and it was all second day delivery too! ...................... no motherboard manuf will ever do that !!

enjoy, you have some tough $$$$$$ decisions ahead of you

Uncle Yang · 05-12-2008, 06:21 PM

Oh yeah! i forgot, im packing a 550W PS. is that good enough?

Also, i plan on putting all this stuff in this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146027

will it fit?

and will this processor go into the motherboard chosen

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

Uncle Yang · 05-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Also, will this RAM go into the motherboard and function fully?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231172

**linderman** · 05-13-2008, 03:42 AM

YES that case will work nicely

YES the E8400 CPU will work and is an awesome choice

the ram you have chosen is also a good pick

well done

the 550 watt PSU though is under powered for such a system

what is the make and model of it ?

Uncle Yang · 05-13-2008, 03:18 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=antec%2b550

i reaallly dont want to buy a new PSU though...
is there anyway i can still upgrade without breaking my power envelope? Perhaps by buying a lower grade motherboard or something?

**linderman** · 05-13-2008, 06:07 PM

well the good news is you have a high quality power supply; so "if" any 550 watt unit can pull the wagon; yours will

the only thing I would say is make sure the case cooling is better than most set-ups >>>>>> the PSU gets its air from inside the box, make sure your PSU is not breathing hot video card /cpu air make sure you have atleast 240mm of air intake and at least 200mm of air exaust >>>>>> you should forget any illusions of "quiet" system

go for high rpm 120mm fans that have atleast 2,800 rpm's

Uncle Yang · 05-13-2008, 06:25 PM

do you have any case recommendations? i chose the one i chose based on looks

**linderman** · 05-13-2008, 06:42 PM

My favs are

Thermaltake Armor Jr.

Coolermaster Stacker T01

Antec 900

Coolermaster Centurion >>>>> only $50.00 for this ONE !!

look on mwave.com then click on refurbished / then click on power supplies & cases .......... many times they have some really hot deals on new units that are production over stock and they are MINT

I usually squeeze the lemon in the case department >>>>> so if you want to save a few bucks; then look at the centurion

**linderman** · 05-13-2008, 06:49 PM

ANTEC P180 MID TOWER NO POWER SUPPLY 4x5.25" 1x3.5" 6x3.5"(hidden) & FRONT I/O CONNECT (Refurbished Bare Product No Accessories w/15-day Warranty) (*Limit 1 pcs/customer)

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewprodu...2D+Refurbished

05-11-2008, 07:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Uncle Yang Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14 OS: XP, SP 2	Replacing my Motherboard This is my current PC (url below) except i have added a nVidia geforce 8800GTX graphics card, and 2 additional gigs of RAM. http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/del...-30919189.html I plan on replacing my motherboard and processor to keep up with the times, you know, and i need to know if my current harddrive and all my other current components will work with the mother board below. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128083 Thank You!

05-12-2008, 11:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
tecknomage TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 510 OS: WinXP Pro SP3	Re: Replacing my Motherboard This is not advice on selecting a new motherboard, you choices look OK at first glance. But, when it comes to RAM (memory)... WARNING - The memory DIMMS you install must be an exact match to your motherboard. ALSO, the manufacturer of the motherboard is Lord and Master when it comes to what memory to use. Do not depend on reseller sites to give you accurate choices, but I'm not saying you cannot order from resellers. You need to use your motherboard's manufacture site to select your memory, and many will end up recommending a reseller (like NewEgg). __________________ Tecknomage Computer System Specialist IT Technician

05-12-2008, 05:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,905 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Replacing my Motherboard Nice choice in motherboard you will need to change to DDR2 memory though ?????? right now your old motherboard is using DDR-1 PC3200 memory yes your hard drives will work (provided you dont have more than two IDE devices like cd-rom and hard drives >>>>> the newer motherboards can only support two IDE devices all else is the newer SATA stuff I would also suggest you dont run that video card with the original power supply from Dell ????? you will need a bigger and better power plant like the Thermaltake Toughpower 650 watt or Corsair TX-650 watt as for ram & motherboards / I respectfully disagree or at least expound on the informational statement above, the memory manufacturers have a higher level of help fullness and support when it comes to memory / the motherboard manufacturers dont make memory, therfore they will not guarantee anything about memory >>>> most motherboard manufs have a QVL list (qualified vendor list) which they print on their websites and motherboard manual, this list will have a small number of memory stick models which have been tested and found to run with the given board you may have purchased but a much higher level of responsibility and reputation goes with the ram stick manufacturer, they offer website memory stick selectors which GUARANTEE compatability with your motherboard, you will find the ram manuf will do whatever they have to do; to make sure you get ram modules that work with your board >>>>>> I once had a fussy mobo which Crucial memory sent ram sticks back and forth 4 times >>>>>> before I got sticks that worked they ate all the shipping and it was all second day delivery too! ...................... no motherboard manuf will ever do that !! enjoy, you have some tough $$$$$$ decisions ahead of you __________________ Why would YOU try to power a $300.00 video card with a $70.00 power supply ? Do YOU enjoy trouble shooting ? Last edited by linderman : 05-12-2008 at 05:21 PM.

05-12-2008, 06:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Uncle Yang Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14 OS: XP, SP 2	Re: Replacing my Motherboard Oh yeah! i forgot, im packing a 550W PS. is that good enough? Also, i plan on putting all this stuff in this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146027 will it fit? and will this processor go into the motherboard chosen http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

05-12-2008, 08:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Uncle Yang Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14 OS: XP, SP 2	Re: Replacing my Motherboard Also, will this RAM go into the motherboard and function fully? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231172

05-13-2008, 03:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,905 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Replacing my Motherboard YES that case will work nicely YES the E8400 CPU will work and is an awesome choice the ram you have chosen is also a good pick well done the 550 watt PSU though is under powered for such a system what is the make and model of it ? __________________ Why would YOU try to power a $300.00 video card with a $70.00 power supply ? Do YOU enjoy trouble shooting ?

05-13-2008, 03:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Uncle Yang Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14 OS: XP, SP 2	Re: Replacing my Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=antec%2b550 i reaallly dont want to buy a new PSU though... is there anyway i can still upgrade without breaking my power envelope? Perhaps by buying a lower grade motherboard or something?

05-13-2008, 06:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,905 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Replacing my Motherboard well the good news is you have a high quality power supply; so "if" any 550 watt unit can pull the wagon; yours will the only thing I would say is make sure the case cooling is better than most set-ups >>>>>> the PSU gets its air from inside the box, make sure your PSU is not breathing hot video card /cpu air make sure you have atleast 240mm of air intake and at least 200mm of air exaust >>>>>> you should forget any illusions of "quiet" system go for high rpm 120mm fans that have atleast 2,800 rpm's __________________ Why would YOU try to power a $300.00 video card with a $70.00 power supply ? Do YOU enjoy trouble shooting ?

05-13-2008, 06:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Uncle Yang Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 14 OS: XP, SP 2	Re: Replacing my Motherboard do you have any case recommendations? i chose the one i chose based on looks Last edited by Uncle Yang : 05-13-2008 at 06:26 PM.

05-13-2008, 06:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,905 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Replacing my Motherboard My favs are Thermaltake Armor Jr. Coolermaster Stacker T01 Antec 900 Coolermaster Centurion >>>>> only $50.00 for this ONE !! look on mwave.com then click on refurbished / then click on power supplies & cases .......... many times they have some really hot deals on new units that are production over stock and they are MINT I usually squeeze the lemon in the case department >>>>> so if you want to save a few bucks; then look at the centurion __________________ Why would YOU try to power a $300.00 video card with a $70.00 power supply ? Do YOU enjoy trouble shooting ?

05-13-2008, 06:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,905 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Replacing my Motherboard ANTEC P180 MID TOWER NO POWER SUPPLY 4x5.25" 1x3.5" 6x3.5"(hidden) & FRONT I/O CONNECT (Refurbished Bare Product No Accessories w/15-day Warranty) (Limit 1 pcs/customer) http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewprodu...2D+Refurbished __________________ Why would YOU try to power a $300.00 video card with a $70.00 power supply ? Do YOU enjoy trouble shooting ?*