KVR Audio

Pouckypluysch · Post by **Pouckypluysch** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:05 pm

I've been really happy with my current PC, but I reach cpu-limits more and more often. Now with Intel's quad core cpu's available, I'm getting more and more eager to upgrade. But it's quite an investment.

I was wondering... Could I replace only the motherboard and cpu from my current pc (that has an AMD Athlon XP 3000+ cpu)? I could reuse all other components and save little by little to replace them piece by piece. Or might other components (ram, sata-disks) not be compatible?

The alternative is to sell the entire pc, and get a completely new one, but that would probably be less cost effective. I don't think I'll be getting that much for my current pc.

I know I would probably also have to get a new version of XP, as I believe Windows XP OEM sees the mobo as the one computer it's licensed for. But that would be the case in both scenario's.

metamorphosis · Post by **metamorphosis** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:08 pm

Yes. Ram might not be compatible, you'd have to check yourself.
XP OEM does no such thing-
m@

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:38 pm

If what you've got is an XP3000, then you probably wouldnt be able to reuse the RAM or graphics card with a quadcore-capable motherboard. You might also need to replace the psu.

3*s · Post by **3*s** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:58 pm

You can try the old power supply, but if anomalous things begin happening for no reason from time to time (crashes, hangs, memory errors) after getting everything set up, you'll probably know where to look.

Bad ram or RAM configuration errors can cause similar problems. Keep in mind that the SPD values (default RAM configuration settings stored on the RAM stick) aren't always correct or read correctly by certain mobos. This is one reason why it's a good idea to buy ram from a known vendor (ie not some nameless Taiwan company). You can always check their website for information if you need it.

Pouckypluysch · Post by **Pouckypluysch** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:19 pm

I have a good brand for RAM - don't know by heart which brand again; I believe it's Kingston - but it was one of the many things I chose carefully when I ordered my current pc. What kind of compatibility trouble could I expect there?

I didn't expect compatibility problems with my graphics card. What could go wrong?
I have a Maxtor G550 dual head.

vonRed · Post by **vonRed** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:35 pm

this: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?M ... e865PE&s=n should allow you to keep using anything you have in your current PC. Combined with one of Intel's E21xx CPUs it's also cheap, and quite good for what it is.

this: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?M ... -SATA2&s=n isn't quite so good, but it lets you upgrade the other bits one by one.

Pouckypluysch · Post by **Pouckypluysch** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:06 pm

Thanks for the tip. Motherboards cost less than I thought, actually.

I didn't find any e21xx processors on the Intel website, though. But those are dual core, aren't they? I would prefer to upgrade to a Core 2 Quad processor, or similar.

Dominus · Post by **Dominus** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:08 pm

For your XP License, you can always call Microsoft for a new unlock code, just tell them you upgraded your computer. They're pretty forgiving about stuff like that.

For the upgrade, you're going to need to replace your power supply, video card, and RAM. Are your hard drives SATA? New mainboards only have one 40 pin PATA port, allowing two PATA devices, and you've probably got a burner as well that's PATA.

vonRed · Post by **vonRed** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:19 pm

Pouckypluysch wrote:Thanks for the tip. Motherboards cost less than I thought, actually.

I didn't find any e21xx processors on the Intel website, though. But those are dual core, don't they? I would prefer to upgrade to a Core 2 Quad processor, or similar.

They are, though both those motherboards will take quad-core CPUs.

Pouckypluysch · Post by **Pouckypluysch** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:46 pm

Dominus wrote:For the upgrade, you're going to need to replace your power supply, video card, and RAM.

But in that case, isn't replacing the entire pc more cost effective? I mean, the optical and hard drives and the casing will be about the only things I won't be upgrading then. I'll probably be able to buy replacement for them with the money I'll get by selling the current pc...

Did you see the mobo's vonRed suggested? Looking at the specs he seems right about being able to keep my current components, except for maybe the psu.

Reverse Engineer · Post by **Reverse Engineer** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:49 pm

Sorry for the hijack here, i'll be quick.

Can anyone answer this: If i bought a motherboard from the US, would i have any problems powering it in a UK computer? Or any other problem that may occur.

jouni · Post by **jouni** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:12 pm

Mobos use standard 12V and 5V from the PSU. So only thing which is "US" locked for power in computer hardware, is really the PSU. And even there old ones might have switch for 110V and 220-240V, or PSU is autoswitching. Please check from the PSU the voltages to be sure, but usually it's just down to having right cable from the PSU to the wall. If the PSU is already something like 500W, I doubly you will have problems. Of course more watts might not be bad idea.

The memory incompability might be just that new mobos want other type of memory, such as DDR2 or DDR3 and your old mobo might have DDR sticks. So obiviously they are not compatible. Also gfxcard might be problem as new mobos practically only have PCIe connection for gfxcards. So if your old gfxcard is AGP, it won't work. Rest you probably can safely just keep - of course CPU coolers and such go with the CPU too.

If the computer case is old one and it's not really that well cooled, you might get troubles of increased heat production from CPU and possibly new GFX card.

Reverse Engineer · Post by **Reverse Engineer** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:18 pm

Mark Vera wrote:Mobos use standard 12V and 5V from the PSU. So only thing which is "US" locked for power in computer hardware, is really the PSU...

Thanks for the reply, i need a patricular MB (long story

), and the only ones i could find are in the US and Canada.

Sorry again for the hijacking Pouckypluysch.

Pouckypluysch · Post by **Pouckypluysch** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:28 pm

Reverse Engineer wrote:Sorry again for the hijacking Pouckypluysch.

That's okay.

ew · Post by ew » Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:46 pm

Dominus wrote:For your XP License, you can always call Microsoft for a new unlock code, just tell them you upgraded your computer. They're pretty forgiving about stuff like that.

Nine times out of ten, you won't even need to do that. If your current install's over six months old, your new install will be recognized as the default. The only time I've ever had to call Microsoft about an unlock key is when one of my machines fried a mobo three months into the install; replacing that raised a flag.

ew

Can I replace only mobo/cpu, or should I replace the pc?