HP Backbird 002 Upgrade

stephanykraft

Honorable
May 8, 2013
3
0
10,510
Can you all give me advice on upgrading my Blackbird 002 rig.

I want to replace the motherboard and chipset to Core I7 but looks like other posts say that won't fit in the box. I love the box, I want to keep the box FOREVER.

Looking to replace the video card too as one of the DVI-s got torn up during a move. Already have a 1200Watt Power Supply new. Want to add SSD drives in Raid 0 config for programs and work data. Thinking 2TB mirrors for drive 3 and 4 would work for the music, video and archives.

Been pricing replacement rigs with Maingear and Cyberpower but it is so hard to part with my Blackbird. Plus the case is so easy for a girl to work on.

How do you go back to a corvette when you owned a ferrari.
 

stephanykraft

Honorable
May 8, 2013
3
0
10,510
Checked it out but it looks like he lost the front USB/Card Reader which I use. So new motherboard would need that functionality.

I understand the issues with the drive mounts will have to be dealt with because of the SSD size differences but not wanting to lose front functionality. The BB is a BEAST to move to access back USB drives.
 

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
Understood on the weight/size. You always have the option to add an external USB hub. But looking at the writeup and picture G it looks like the front panel stuff will connect up (just need power and a USB header) so you shouldn't lose that.

The big take-away is that standard stuff works just fine in your chassis.