|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,246
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,246 |
Originally posted by Pienstars:
Thanks for the tip. My biggest problem is that I'm not too computer savy. I've added memory and switched vid cards but that's about the extent of my computer knowledge. I would love to build a whole new system from scratch but with my limited knowledge I think I might end up in over my head and that's why I was considering upgrades to this machine. How can I find out what other motherboard/cpu/powersupply would fit this case? Right now it's a pentium 4 1.3 ghz. I'm not sure what kind of motherboard and power supply it has now but I could dive into the system and find out. I also need a new hard drive because this one is running out of space "20 gb". I know I basically need all new components but I'm not sure I could complete this project and get it working correctly. The only components I would likely keep would be my new vid card and my dvd burner which is fairly new. Thanks for the advice, as you can see I'm a novice and could use it.
PC's are really really easy to build. The hard part is troubleshooting your own pc. But seriously, a "How to build your own PC" is a worthy investment. Especially with the prices of parts these days.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 937
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 937 |
Hard drives aren't that hard to put in. I've had Western Digitals and Maxtors and they both came with a set up disk. The disk has step by step instructions to format and partition the drive. If your going to upgrade the motherboard you may have to get a new case. I found a pic of the 8100 and the back doesn't look like a standard ATX board would fit. But if you upgrade the case your options are wide open. Pretty much any motherboard and powersupply will fit in a standard case. If you upgrade the board you may not have to get a power supply. I checked out some specs on the 8100 and it says it has a 330w supply. So if thats true you may be in good shape. It will just depend on what kind of board connector it has. 
Former owner: 1999 Contour SE Sport
Current: 2000 Eclipse GT
There are three ways to do things: the right way, the wrong way, and the Max Power way!
Isn't that just the wrong way?
Yeah, but faster!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 239
CEG\'er
|
|
CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 239 |
Originally posted by maxx_power76:
If you upgrade the board you may not have to get a power supply. I checked out some specs on the 8100 and it says it has a 330w supply. So if thats true you may be in good shape. It will just depend on what kind of board connector it has.
For a good while Dell was using a standard ATX style connector on their power supplies, but the wiring was different, so if you changed the power supply it would fry the Dell board of if you changed the motherboard the Dell PSU would fry your new board. I dont know if they still are but I have an 8100 and I just did some quick testing with the volt meter and am 99.9% sure that it has proprietary wiring. Sorry, but a motherboard upgrade will require a power supply upgrade.
Totalled 99 SE Sport
03 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T
APR DPP 93 Octane chip
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,957
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,957 |
kinda hard to choose. I mean that ram is expensive but can run faster. I Would still got with a new mobo,cpu and case combo. But to get good stuff you will be spending more than you would in upgrades. But you will be gaining alot of know how and that would save you lots in the future. But that p4 with rambus is a good system because of the ram. Motherboards that i have had no problems witha are soyo. Ive had problems with ASUS, ABIT, and gigabyte. I currently have a gigabyte and i am very dissatisfied. I loved my abit but i fried it. so i decided to get a gigabyte and it sucks.
NEED AN SVT REAR BUMPER!!! pm me
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 239
CEG\'er
|
|
CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 239 |
Originally posted by lsneo:
But that p4 with rambus is a good system because of the ram.
Problem with that is that he is saddled with an extremely slow 400 Mhz front side bus and very limited options to upgrade to a faster CPU. My 8100 is an old socket 423 P4 so the highest it can go is 2.0Ghz and there is no option for overclocking. That said, you could take a 2.4Ghz P4 with an 800 Mhz FSB and PC3200 DDR, underclock it to 2.0Ghz, and it will still be faster than the RAMBUS setup with the same speed processor. RAMBUS had its day a few years ago when DDR was stuck at PC1600 or PC2100, but with high speed DDR and the emergence of DDR2 there really is no point in continuing to dump money into old slower technology like RAMBUS.
Totalled 99 SE Sport
03 VW Jetta GLS 1.8T
APR DPP 93 Octane chip
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,451
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,451 |
Wow, thanks for all the great info guys.  I'm seriously considering building this new machine because like you guys said, I'm limited as to how much I can upgrade this machine. I might still slightly upgrade this machine too as it's been a very reliable cpu and I hate to just stick it in the closet. I'll make sure to post for advice on what to buy if I end up starting this project. Thanks
Vinny 2000 T-RED CSVT
MODS: 18" REV model 2 ST200 struts/Roush springs
CTA intake Pipe/K&N Filter
Dtec Heatshield
Optimized TB
True Duals w/ magnaflow mufflers/resonators
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 606
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 606 |
Go ahead and splurge! Get the new motherboard, RAM and CPU like planned... Also get a case with power supply, a hard drive, DVD-RAM, and a KVM switch like this: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-107-407&DEPA=0That will allow you to use your keyboard, monitor and mouse on both machines... switching between them with a double-tap of the 'Insert' key or something like that. Use the older machine for downloading, email and web browsing etc. Use the new one for playing your games and running your other apps. They can share folders when networked so you can move stuff you download to your new machine. Just a thought.
'95 'stiqueLS 2.5L ATX
S&B / CTA intake
KEM Mag-Plus wires
1/4" TH fix
Homemade heat shield
Xenon bulbs
Fog light rewire
ATX cooler
Flowmaster 942042
Blacked-out pseudo-chrome
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
