Hardware compatibility question

  • Thread starter Thread starter nkjg
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nkjg

Hi all,

I have no idea if this is the right section to post in
(it's probably not), but I know that there are a lot of
people here who have non-standard (i.e. not store bought)
computer setups.

Anyways, here's the deal. I have a system as follows:
P4 1.8 GHz
768 DDR PC2100 Ram (266 MHz)
40GB HD
48x/24x/48x CD-RW

My deal is this. The whole thing sits on the Dell
motherboard that came with it. The motherboardruns at
400MHz FSB, has built in audio and video (don't know
about audio, 64MB DDR Intel Extreme Graphics), 3 PCI
slots and NO AGP!!!

IMO (and I think others will agree with me), the
motherboard is crap. I'd like to upgrade my video card,
but I don't have an AGP slot which means that the video
output is going to be about the same as what I have. I've
actually tried putting in an ATI 9000 PCI card, and I
ended up getting a lower FPS in Morrowind (game with lots
of 3D rendering) than I did with my stock Intel card.

Ok, hopefully you're still reading at this point. My
question is this: Would it be possible for me to go out
and get a new motherboard which is capable of handling a
P4-HT i.e. 800MHz FSB (for future upgrade purposes), and
new video and audio cards and put everything together?
I'm not worried about loosing my data on my HD since I
would move anything that I wanted to keep onto my laptop
and clean install XP (a retail version).

Either post here or e-mail me at
(e-mail address removed).

Thanks in advance,

Nick
 
Hello

To answer your question yes go for it, you can go out
and do that, but keep in mind you would have to buy a
new case.

Alvin
 
If this is a Dell sys box you may have to modify the box in order to fit a
non Dell mb - at least thats what I've had to do in the past.
You wont have any problem in getting a new mb to handle yr existing
hardware.
 
Hey there,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Just double checking. I think that my P4 chip that I have
is running on an 845 chipset (I think...) Is the 865
chipset that you find on the new HT supporting backwards
compatible?

Thanks again,

Nick
 
A lot of i865 motherboard states that they can handle 400FSB processors but
I do not really know if that is true (have not done this). Also, by placing
your old P4 chip on to HT enabled motherboard does not automatically give
HT. The processor must be able to do it, so only a few 533FSB and most
800FSB processor do HT.

Y.
 
Not only the case, but maybe you will need a new powersupply. Dell
powersupply are usually only compatible with their motherboards.
 
Hey there,

Thanks again for the reply.

I know that my old processor won't HT on the new board,
but in future I might buy a new HT processor.

Yeah, some new parts are definatley in order:
Motherboard
Power supply (the Dell box is rated at 180W)
Video card
Case (the Dell box looks like crap too =P)

Thanks a million guys!

Nick
 
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