Can I replace a motherboard, CPU, and graphics card but keep the rest if the computer was bought and preassembled?

CosmicCactus · Feb 8, 2015

So bassically I got a hand me down desktop and I'm looking to keep the case, fans, pci chip, and powersupply(i'm flexible here) and I want to replace the Motherbord, graphics card, and CPU. This desktop was bought from a store by the previous owner. Can I just replace the three parts check compatibilaty and start up like new again?

jmonarch · Feb 8, 2015

A lot of that is going to depend on what you have and what you want to go to. It also depends a lot on what you plan to do with it. Depending on what the memory is you might need to replace that as well.

Rynhe · Feb 8, 2015

sure you can i upgraded my old rig... some parts of it you can do the same as long as the parts are compatible... the gpu is the easiest to replace as long as the mobo has pcie slots but the cpu and ram are the hardest cause they must be compatible with the motherboard... if you can post your current parts we can help you chose the new parts

CosmicCactus · Feb 8, 2015

Rynhe :

graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 450 graphics are integrated
processor: AMD semperon Proccessor 3600+
not sure wha a disk drive is but here ya go: ST312021 5ASDisk Drive

idk what else to give device manger isnt clear. Ill be back with more info.

CosmicCactus · Feb 8, 2015

here my system Info, should be more detailed:
System Information report written at: 02/08/15 18:46:03
System Name: SECRETARIA
[System Summary]

Item Value
OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Basic
Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name SECRETARIA
System Manufacturer Compaq-Presario
System Model GN573AA-ABA SR5223WM
System Type X86-based PC
Processor AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3600+, 2000 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 1 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 5.10, 7/16/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "
User Name secretaria\
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 1.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 894 MB
Available Physical Memory 84.0 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 387 MB
Page File Space 1.17 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

[Hardware Resources]

CosmicCactus · Feb 8, 2015

jmonarch :

I want to make a gaming build good enough to run Evolve(awesome game) well. I posted my specs lower in the thread, i am fine with literally replacing all the innards of my computer.

jmonarch · Feb 8, 2015

I googled that model and found the full specs. You may be able to reuse the optical drive but I doubt it. It is probably and IDE interface not sata and most motherboards now don't have IDE connections. The memory is DDR2 so that won't work with newer boards. I can't find the model of the power supply but my guess is that it won't work either. Since this is a case for them I can't look up the model # to get specs on it so until you tear it down you won't know what mounts it has to know what size motherboard it will accept. I fully appreciate that you want to use some of what you have but sometimes you have to scrap it and start fresh. What kind of budget do you have to work with?

Rynhe · Feb 9, 2015

yeah those parts are too old to be compatible with modern parts, you will need to build a whole new computer rig... if your case is also old i woudnt recomend to use it because old cases dosnt have a very good ventilation system usually just one or two slots for pc case fan and most the times are 80mm.... plus the space is not long enough for some gpu like gigabyte with WindForce 3... if you have a budget we could help you build it or you can see in pcpartpicker.com a lot of completed rigs that are in your budget

CosmicCactus · Feb 9, 2015

jmonarch :

Found my exact model on newegg: Please tell me I can still atleast use the case. 400$ max If i need an entirely new build I have one but I just wanted to see If I could cut costs.
edit; forgot link my model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

CosmicCactus · Feb 9, 2015

Rynhe :

my model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883109020

jmonarch · Feb 10, 2015

I looked at that and I don't think you will be able to use any of it. You may be able to use the case but I wouldn't recommend it for the same reason that Rynhe stated. I isn't going to have good ventilation and if you can mount fans you will probably be limited to 80mm with don't work as well and are usually louder and the 120 and 140 fans used in current systems. I will pull up a couple things for you later today and post them for you as possible options. $400 max isn't going to give you a lot of options but can probably be done. Do you need monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers or just the PC?

CosmicCactus · Feb 10, 2015

jmonarch :

i sated before that if needed i have a build ready,but i thought that i could cut costs. well thanks for everything anyways. but i would still like to see some of those options and i have a $600 budget

jmonarch · Feb 11, 2015

Sorry for the delay, I put something together on pcpartpicker with the minimum specs on most but a decent GPU. This would work for evolve's recommended specs and most other games now and for a while. It probably won't do games maxed out but should play decent for mid settings for $577.69.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NZyy3C

CosmicCactus · Feb 17, 2015

jmonarch :

Thanks for the build and help me out. Check out this one and tell me what you think feel free to add anything if necessary and keep Evolve in mind. Thanks! http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Avocados305/saved/hmcmP6

jmonarch · Feb 18, 2015

That should work.

CosmicCactus · Feb 22, 2015

jmonarch :

thanks alot and do I need a optical drive or can I install drivers on a usb and download them like that?

jmonarch · Feb 22, 2015

you should be able to just download the drivers and updates directly to the computer once it is up an running. The only thing you would need on a USB drive would be windows if you don't have an optical drive.

Can I replace a motherboard, CPU, and graphics card but keep the rest if the computer was bought and preassembled?

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