Building a new computer, reusing a few parts.

[jxeboy]

Hello, I hope this is the correct section to post in.

I want to build a new computer, but I don't have the budget to do a 100% new build, so I will try to do it in phases. I have been putting a little extra money aside for a few weeks, and am almost ready to do the first part of build and am in seek of advice to make sure I maximize the money I am going to spend.

Right now for a PC I have

P4 3.0ghz
x1950pro 512mb
Windows XP 32bit
1G ram
500W power supply
Acer 22in 1680x1050


Now I want to reuse as many parts as possible from this computer when building my new one. I figure the first step I should take is getting a new case and cpu. That will also require me to get a new mobo and ram.

Right now this is what I have picked out for a mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425

and the CPU to go with it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214

For ram i'm looking at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

and case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099

I'm also looking at getting windows 7. The home version is 99 dollars on newegg, im pretty sure this is the cheapest around? I wish it wasn't so expensive.

If i'm overlooking something, or picking parts that I could get similar ones for cheaper please let me know.

Also is my current 500W power supply good for this?

I know I will be bottlenecked by my graphics card. But that will be my next planned upgrade when money is available.

Thanks for taking a second to help me out.

~Jake

Update.

Thanks everyone for helping me choose what I want. I understand this isn't a typical build.

After reading what everyone suggested, this is what I put together. I will purchase within the next couple days, so please let me know if there is anything wrong with what I've selected.

Reused gear

Power Supply
XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W 500W ATX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817189005

From what I understand, this should be enough to power everything until I get a new graphics card.

GPU
HIS H195PRF512DDN-R Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFireX Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161061

As I've said, i know this is extremely underpowered, but these two things will be my next upgrade.

I will also use my optical drive, sound card, internet card, and peripherals from my old PC.

NEW STUFF

CPU
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432975

It would have been nice to go x58, but the added cost just doesn't seem worth it at the moment.

Case
Rosewill Smart One ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432975

OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425

RAM
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

I went up to 6gigs with this, because I read i7's run better with 6 rather then 4.



That should be about anything. if you have any other suggestions please let me know, especially if they are how to make this a bit cheaper

Thanks again!
~Jake

 

[Alvin Smith]

Yer old PSU ain't gonna work ...

Your graphics card is NOT compatible with that mobo ...

About the only things you can salvage are the Case and the Monitor/spkrs/kb/mse

PSU must be a 24 pin and might as well be SLI/xFire ready

GPU must be PCIe 2.0 (x16) ... (Not any flavor of AGP ... simply will not fit).

RAM must be at LEAST DDR2 ... DDR3 is current standard.

You CAN, also salvage your optical drive but your HDD is likely way too slow and small for current OS/Apps ... Some folks try to limp, tho ... not at all worth it.

Save up!! ... You will need $450 as an absolute bare min (plus OS)

= sorry ... them are the true facts.

 

[jxeboy]

Thanks for looking at what I've put up here. If I am not mistaken I thought my graphics card would work. It is a PCIe card, not AGP, please correct me if I am wrong. And I believe the Ram I put in the link is DDR3. My current harddrive, while small, is 150Gigs and 7,200 rpm sata. I don't believe they've changed very much? As for the PSU, thanks for the heads up, this is what I have currently, I believe it is 24pin, but it may be too low of a wattage?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189005

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[jxeboy]

I am also thinking of the i5 instead of the i7, since i've read a bit more, the difference isn't too big http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

 

[tkgclimb]

Here, you tell us whether the card is agp or pci-e
http://img.zdnet.com/techDirectory/_NVPCX.JPG

After that it looks good, the hard drive will work fine (assuming it's working).

and running xp until you can get win 7 will also work.

(if you plan on getting a fancy gpu down the road, a nicer PSU now or then might be in order)

Also you see if you can find some combo deals and save a buck. Also that case is expensive if you wouldn't mind cutting back. Cases, though it may not seem like it, are easy to upgrade. Because as long as it's atx, you really don't have to worry about compatibility.

Edit: look just saved you 20 bucks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430493

And this might interest you
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432114

 

[Alvin Smith]

OH !!!

You must have a Prescott ?! ... Not a socket 478 ??? .. sorry 'bout that !!!

I would stretch (or wait) for an X58 ... The Socket 1156 only has PCIe 2.0 lanes for the GPU slots (not the rest of them) which means that USB3/SATA3 implementations use up most/all of the remainder. ... not so for X58 (all 2.0).

= al =

 

[jxeboy]

oh I know for a fact its PCIe, and I plan on upgrading within a month after I get everything else. I'll probably pick up the PSU then if it's not an issue using the one I have now.

I'll look for some combo deals. Any cases you'd recommend? I can't help but read the bad reviews on some cheaper ones. I don't move my computer at all, but I don't really want to have to buy a new case down the road.

Thanks for your input.

 

[jxeboy]

OH !!!

You must have a Prescott ?! ... Not a socket 478 ??? .. sorry 'bout that !!!

I would stretch (or wait) for an X58 ... The Socket 1156 only has PCIe 2.0 lanes for the GPU slots (not the rest of them) which means that USB3/SATA3 implementations use up most/all of the remainder. ... not so for X58 (all 2.0).

= al =

I'm not exactly sure what this means. I don't ever really plan on going with more than one video card. SLI or crossfire setups get a bit confusing to me. So I understand the 1156 only has 1 PCIe slot, but that's all I really see myself using.

I guess I should have said that I will use this computer for competitive sim racing, specifically Iracing. And it's biggest requirement is the processor, a graphics card takes a back seat, and it's not really that demanding for it overall.

Thanks again
~Jake

 

[Alvin Smith]

I guess the Prescott P4 started using PCIe (prolly not 2.0, tho) ... and I am just going to guess that your PSU might have a 24 pin connector, as well (tho prolly not extra GPU power connectors) ...

.... You must be very very careful with this build ... it is a mine-field BUT I think you might actually be able to salvage MUCH ... If your PSU is under 480 Watts you are gonna have to be very carefull with your calculations ... very.

 

[Alvin Smith]

OK ... I MUST bail, I have a big schedule from now until Friday morning ... I'll try to check in ... I wish I had time to suss all (exactly) what you have and to vet all the compatibility ...

... For now ??? Just be really carefull and do not make ANY assumptions.

We need an exact model# for mobo/psu/gpu if you did not already post.
Links without descriptions are poor forum ettiquite and fewer techs will help if they have to chase links ... post the entire description with exact model#s.
(along with any links)

= Al =

 

[jxeboy]

Alright, I'll try to be as specific as possible.

New Stuff

CPU:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425

RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Case:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Although, mentioned there might be a cheaper case out there that does the same job, suggestions would be nice.

OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Old/reused Stuff

Power Supply
XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W 500W ATX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189005

GPU
HIS H195PRF512DDN-R Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFireX Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161061

I can't find info about my HD, but I assure you its 150gig 7,200 rpm western digital SATA. I also have 2 other smaller HD's that I might hook up later if everything works.

I also have a newer CD/DVD drive that should be fine as well.

I have a soundblaster sound card which is PCI, and a PCI internet card as well. So I believe that covers all of my computer components.

I will definitely upgrade PSU and GPU soon after.

~Jake

 

[tkgclimb]

If you wanted to get a beast computer then I would suggest you go the way alvin suggest with x58 and A higher class CPU.

but is sounds like to me you are running on a budget. So go with the p55 it's a good chip with good value. If your programs are CPU intensive, you might want to step it up to an i7. Overclocking your i5 will also yield good results.

I'll be back in a bit after I look at cases And possibly good combo deals.

If i'm correct what we are salvaging (for the moment) is the OS?, Monitor, and gpu

As for the psu it will work with your system until you decide to upgrade the GPU and start overclocking the CPU (if you decide to)

 

[tkgclimb]

Case is cheaper and comes with free shipping, and slightly nicer (i think)
NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series CS-NT-BETA-EVO Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059

The ram gets 10$ off with a promo code and very similiar
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

And best of all you can get them together and save even more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432142

 

[Alvin Smith]

OK ... You DO have a Prescott platform and it sounds like you know exacly what you have ... It also sounds like you have your head screwed on right, regarding your expectations of needing to upgrd the PSU/GPU very soon ... The 150GB HDD will prolly do fine, for boot/apps (tho you'll need to reload ALL if you upgrade.

Seriously, tho ... if at all possible ... limp on what you have and save up for a (nearly) complete build ... to avoid having to keep jerking around and reloading your OS/Drivers/Config ... what a PITA !!! (unless you just love all that).

I would only salvage the Case and the optical drive ... MIGHT limp on that PSU.

= but, that's just me =

 

[jxeboy]

OK ... You DO have a Prescott platform and it sounds like you know exacly what you have ... It also sounds like you have your head screwed on right, regarding your expectations of needing to upgrd the PSU/GPU very soon ... The 150GB HDD will prolly do fine, for boot/apps (tho you'll need to reload ALL if you upgrade.

Seriously, tho ... if at all possible ... limp on what you have and save up for a (nearly) complete build ... to avoid having to keep jerking around and reloading your OS/Drivers/Config ... what a PITA !!! (unless you just love all that).

I would only salvage the Case and the optical drive ... MIGHT limp on that PSU.

= but, that's just me =

But we ALLLL love tinkering with computers don't we?

haha,
anyways, thanks for the advice. I can't reuse the case since it was a dell (POS) proprietary system. I will upgrade the video card and power supply soon enough. Just trying not to break the bank the day there is actually money in there. I understand I will have to do a complete format and everything. I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. A fresh start will be nice, I don't think I've done it in about 5 years, and with all the knowledge I have acquired since then, I'm sure it wont hurt.

I probably wont buy for a few days yet, so I'm still open to suggestions. I appreciate the help so much. I have never totally built a computer for myself before. I've done a few simple ones for other people, but nothing that was looking for any performance.

~Jake

 

[jxeboy]

I am considering going to the i7. But is the cost really worth it? I don't plan on overclocking. I never wanted to get into that stuff, but will I wish I had the i7 in a couple months?

~Jake

 

[Alvin Smith]

Well, by the end of 1984, I had already lost count of how mwny computers I had built ... personally ... for myself ... I have built about a dozen and as many, for my immediate friends ... and HUNDREDS in the corporate labs I have worked in, tho all of that is quite a blur.

After my Northwood (the P4 I THOT you had) build, I stopped caring about PCs and started editing ... Sorry, but Prescott was an odd-ball transitional PIG of a platform that came out at a VERY awkwa5rd time, in platform development.

Prescotts were hot and power hogs and the BTX case standard was just a FIASCO ... SO glad I got to sleep thru everything up to the X58.

To my mind (architechturally), everything between northwood and X58 is just pure junk.

Hail Nahalem !

 

[jxeboy]

My question is if there are any affordable GOOD x58 boards. I can't see the difference enough to give out another 150 for one.

 

[tkgclimb]

Remember, You can still go i7, without going x58, if you want the extra hyper threaded "cores" or the extra speed.

 

[Alvin Smith]

1156? ... meh ... NOT !!!



A cheaper X58 ??
ASROCK (premium or "deluxe") ... I think ... is fairly solid and should be no worries.

 

[jxeboy]

do I dare go open box

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163R&cm_re=ASROCK-_-13-157-163R-_-Product

 

[geofelt]

For gaming, your graphics card will be all important, not the cpu. The i5-530 32nm clarkdale duo is a perfectly adequate cpu to drive a 5850 class graphic card:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i3-gaming,2588-13.html

A 5850 class card will give you exceptional gameplay at 1920 x 1200 resolution or less:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-radeon-hd-geforce-gtx,2676-5.html

Cases are a personal thing. If you like lian-li,(and I do also) then get one, you will not regret it. Otherwise the Antec 200 or 300 are quality cases that do not cost much.

Have you considered a micro-ATX? The motherboards cost a bit less and you could put it in a lian li PC-V351B cube case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112222

Your psu is not on my short list of quality units, but it should have adequate power to run a 5850 card. Since it has been working for you, go ahead and reuse it.

Are you a student? If so, you are eligible for academic pricing on windows-7.

 

[jxeboy]

Yes I am a student. How do I go about getting the academic pricing?

 

[tkgclimb]

I guess I should have said that I will use this computer for competitive sim racing, specifically Iracing. And it's biggest requirement is the processor, a graphics card takes a back seat, and it's not really that demanding for it overall.

So a powerful cpu is important, and going x58 would be nice, but it's more expensive. What Kind of budget are we working with?

 

[geofelt]

Yes I am a student. How do I go about getting the academic pricing?

Here is a link to get you started:
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/windows/buynow/default.aspx

You need a .EDU email account.