Upgrade from PIII to P4

[tbucket32]

I currently have a PIII 500MHz. Over the past year I have been upgrading the smaller things (like HD, DVD, a CD burner, video card, sound card, speakers). Now I want to do my motherboard and chip. I want to go to a P4 2GHz. Will I have to buy a new case and power supply or can I just drop it right into what I currently have now?

Thanks for the help!

 

[lhgpoobaa]

well it depends.
if your current case and motherboard is ATX standard then u should be able to keep the case (just make sure its got at least 1 casefan for ventilation)

PSU definately not. for starters it will most likely be horribly underpowered, but also lack the proper 12v P4 connectors. get a decend brand name 300W psu or better.


other stuff: you will also need new ram. to use sdram with the P4 is just not on. fast DDR or RDRAM only. also make sure you get a P4 2.0A, not the older 2.0.

Asteroid 2002 NV7: The <b>REAL</b> solution to the Israel/Palistine problem!

 

[Crashman]

He's right on all counts. Being that DDR400 is almost as good for the P4 as PC1066 RDRAM, and you don't plan to overclock, I recommend that. Also, if you have a Dell, beware, Dell uses a standard power supply CASE and ATX CONNECTOR, but the power supply is Dell's own standard, wired differently. So if you have a Dell in an ATX case, don't even try to use the power supply!

<font color=blue>By now you're probably wishing you had ask more questions first!</font color=blue>

 

[tbucket32]

I know I need new Ram. Don't want to buy a Corvette and put a Chevette engine in it!
I recently had power supply problems and went and purchased a 300W. I have read that Asus mobo's have a connector that allows you to use the old PS connector Is this a bad idea? Should I just got spend the extra ~$125 on a new case and supply? Problem with that is that I have a desk unit which I built around my current computer.
I am going to add a couple more fans to my case when I upgrade. I want lots of airflow.
As for a Dell...I avoid them like the plague.

 

[jlanka]

the P4 is technically a "super ATX" meaning that it takes a normal ATX header (20 pins) but also has either one or 2 additional connectors which only a P4 compliant PS will have.

<i>It's always the one thing you never suspected.</i>

 

[Crashman]

Most of the big power supplies on the market right now have the extra power connections for P4 boards.

<font color=blue>By now you're probably wishing you had ask more questions first!</font color=blue>

 

[xxsk8er101xx]

More then likely yes. You need the new ATX standard which i think is version 1.04? or 1.03 ... a good case from antec is about 100 bucks at <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com</A>.

good luck

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