Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods > Help. Swapping pre-built parts into a new case

Help. Swapping pre-built parts into a new case

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - Help. Swapping pre-built parts into a new case

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
saab93   08-05-2008 at 05:19:38 AM

Sorry if this is in the wrong place wasnt sure where to put this.

I am looking to upgrade my video card in my pre built hp a6152n to an ati hd 4850. Now the hp case is a little small and im worried about the card overheating. I already have a larger case. I will also have to upgrade the psu and finding one that would fit in the hp case would be hard as well. So i was wondering if swapping all the hp parts into another case would be a probelm. Also would overclocking the q6600 be possible in a larger case due to not as many heat issues. Just to tell you, everything is crammed pretty tightly in there.

Specifications
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 GHz, 1066 MHz front side bus)
Memory: 3GB (Maximum allowed: 8GB (4 x 2 GB) (64-bit OS), 4GB (4 x 1 GB) (32-bit OS))
Hard drive: 400 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec) 7200 RPM
Optical Drive: 16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 12X RAM (+/-)R DL LightScribe SATA drive
Modem: 56K bps data/fax modem
Video Graphics: Integrated graphics
Sound/Audio: Integrated High Definition audio
Network (LAN): Integrated 10/100/1000 Base-T networking interface
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Refurbished: 90 Day Warranty
I/O ports
1 x 15-in-1 card reader
2 x 1394
6 x USB
1 each x Headphone, Microphone, Line-In (Front)
2 x PS2 (keyboard, mouse)
1 x VGA
1 x LAN
1 x SPDIF out (coaxial)
1 x SPDIF in
1 each x Audio (side speaker out, rear speaker out, center speaker out, line-in, line-out, microphone)
Expansion slots
1 x PCI (None available)
1 x PCI Express x16 (One available)
2 x PCI x1 (Two available)
Drive bays
2 x 5.25" (One available)
2 x 3.5" (One available)
1 x Pocket Media Drive (One available

Do You guys think i even need to switch the case in the first place?

The case i have is pretty old but i dont think that would be a problem.

Thanks so much for your help as I am a noob when it comes to fixing computers.

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
aevm   08-05-2008 at 06:00:20 AM
- 2 +

I don't think you can overclock the CPU on a motherboard provided by HP. They come with BIOS locks against that. Sorry...

Yes, use the larger case. Make sure it has at least two fans. Buy an Antec 900 or RC-690 if the larger case doesn't have good cooling.

The PSU in your HP has 300W. That's totally inadequate. You need a PSU with at least 32A on the 12V circuit to support the HD 4850. There's a 650TX at newegg for example that would do nicely.

Reply to aevm
chookman   08-05-2008 at 06:53:35 AM
- 1 +

Agree with aevm, another issue you may run into is connecting the power button and front LEDs. I know Dell has a proprietry connector that generally includes front USB and audio which will not work with another case so maybe give this a check first also.

------------------------------ "This thread made me strap on my lolerskates and head for my roflcopter."
 Reply to chookman
Noya   08-05-2008 at 07:30:42 AM
- 1 +

And if you can (and want to), pick up a cheap P35 board that has decent overclocking for your Q6600.

So:
$75-85 - P35 motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] rder=PRICE
$55 - Corsair 450vx (33amps on the +12v)
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx [...] 66485.html
$144 - ATi 4850
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showt [...] 0&t=883566

Reply to Noya
chookman   08-06-2008 at 12:52:42 AM
- 1 +

^good point that will solve any motherboard/case compatibility issues in one swoop

------------------------------ "This thread made me strap on my lolerskates and head for my roflcopter."
 Reply to chookman
saab93   08-06-2008 at 02:43:36 AM
- 0 +

1st of all thank you guys so much, but i still have some questions.

Noya i never thought about motherboard. So if i change that will all my settings on my pc be retained and (this may sound dumb but) will the motherboard work will the hp parts? This would be smart for crossfire cause the micro atx asus board only has one pci express x16 slot. I will look into this as this is a really good idea, but i probably will do this down the line. That is if the board i have fits. Thanx Noya

Also, will this swap be easy, like is there any order things have to be put in, cause i have never done this before. All i have done was change a video card. I just want to know before i ask a friend to do it.

Reply to saab93
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods > Help. Swapping pre-built parts into a new case
Go to:

There are 1150 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.435 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?