Using old PC to build a new one.

[Uncle Mike]

I have Dells Dimension E310. I want to use the case, and just buy new parts. Can I do this? Will it work? Also if it does what parts would work well with it (Mobo, PSU) ? I want to build me a pretty cheap, but powerful system for gaming.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I wouldn't try to use the old Dell case since Dell sometimes uses non-standard motherboard sizes and a new case can be had for cheap. We could help you optimize a build for your intended use and budget if you fill in all the information found in the "How to ask for new build advice" sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[rwpritchett]

Also, from my experience with my in-laws' Dimension, the front panel hookups are proprietary. Probably better to get a new cheap case.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I may be blind, but I dont see that sticky.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[Uncle Mike]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 3 months

BUDGET RANGE: 600-800$

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing web.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Screen, keyboard, mouse.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com or any other cheap, reliable website.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: I'm thinking intels i3, maybe i5 cpu. Also radeons graphic cards I heard are good.

OVERCLOCKING: idk, is it important? should I?

MONITOR RESOLUTION: not needed

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would really like just a cheap, basic case. Nothing fancy. The cheaper the better.

 

[flyboy86]

MONITOR RESOLUTION: not needed. This is needed. You need to tell us what resolution your monitor is for us to suggest a gfx card

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You're not going to get an i5 gaming system at your budget. AMD owns that budget range. Here's a nice build that fits your budget:

Rosewill Wind Knight Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147135

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.378399 $61.98 (Case + DVD burner)

AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843

XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.365636 $232.98 (CPU + GPU combo)

GIGABYTE GA-770T-USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128431&Tpk=gigabyte%20770t $79.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=g.skill_ddr3_1600_cas_7_4gb-_-20-231-303-_-Product $114.99

Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035&cm_re=antec_500w-_-17-371-035-_-Product $74.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181 $54.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_home_64_oem-_-32-116-754-_-Product $99.99

Total - $719.91

 

[Uncle Mike]

What happens if I run the pc without windows 7?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

What do you mean? Do you already have an OS? New systems perform best with 64-bit Windows 7, but i suppose you could use an older OS if you already have the install disks. You can't use your Dell disks, though. I think the $100 is well spent on 64-bit Windows 7 for a new system.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Yea, i'll just do that, i'll buy windows 7. I have some pretty old stuff lol.

One more thing. I have wireless internet. Right now i think I have netgear, and I get no signal most of the time or its very low. Whats a good wireless card I can put in my system so it'll get amazing signal?

 

[Uncle Mike]

Best answer selected by Uncle Mike.