Another CPU + Mother Question =)

[sandmtrailboss]

Well I currently have a 1.3ghz celeron processor and I assume a compaq motherboard. I'd like to purchase a new setup and was wondering should I get a prebiult combo or piece one together? If so what would I need? Oh and It has to be under $150 , need to use my other cash on a 9600 pro =)

I'm asuming that the cpu mobo combos are cheaper , are there and nforce2 combos out there for cheap? I tried searching www.newegg.com but I cant locate a catagorey the has cpu mobo combos.

Thanx a bunch for any help :) !

[Sentrosi]

Mobo Combo's may get you it all in one, but you're probably going to pay a bit more for it because of the convenience. If your budget is under $150 check this setup out:

Motherboard: Epox 8rda+ (linkage: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=N82E16813123191) for $80.00

Processor: AMD XP 2100+ (Linkage: http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80163-R) for $71.00

That comes in just over your budget, and you get a nice setup to boot. Now, memory is going to be a different story. Chances are your memory might be SDRAM. If that is the case you're going to have to get DDR RAM memory. A 512Mb stick will run you between $40 and $80 depending on the quality and where you get it from. Go shop around at http://www.pricewatch.com and look at the RAM. Post ones you think will be ok and we'll let you know if it's going to be good or not.

[sandmtrailboss]

Ack I totaly forgot I have sdram , my current motherboard can only use that =/ ( I guess i'll just gather up some ddr and then install the mobo and ram at at a later time) . That setup you showed me looks nice and thats a decent price range. Should it fit into my current setup , I have a compaq presario 5410US with a side slide away panel for easy access to the insides , do think the motherboard will fit? Do I need to by anything else to make everything work or those to thing include everything I need?I'd hate hating to go threw the trouble and disapointment of returning. Oh by the way thanx for the info you've already given me
:)

Edit : oh and I found this ram on pricewhatch.com
http://store.yahoo.com/dccsale/dcc5146pc18n.html

[PallarAndersVis]

DO NOT -i REPEAT- DO NOT install a new motherboard into your compaq system UNLESS it is a COMPAQ motherboard. I guarantee that you're new motherboard will fry. Compaq/gateway/dell/hp all make their own parts compatible with ONLY thier own parts. This is the way these big companies operate. They want you to upgrade from them. You are going to have to get a new power supply with your motherboard. You may or may not be able to use the same case, but cases are cheap anyways.

You arent going to find a good motherboard/processor combo for under 150 unless you want to get another weak celeron. 150 is how much you expect to spend on the processor alone. Just save up some extra money and start building a whole new system. You could probably sell your compaq for a little cash since its got SDRAM. You'd just be better off replacing the whole thing

[sandmtrailboss]

Whoa thanx alot man , glad you told me. ack what should i do know? getting a new ower supply and case will probably be over my budget. Yeah your probably right , I think I'm just gonna use this birth day money to but a good cpu combo and ram , then just save up for a couple month s and a case . I'll just use my current hard drive and other stuff.

so now my upgrade list goes...
ATI 9600 pro
New Mobo + cpu combo
DDR ram since i currently have 512 sdram
New power supply
new case
+ plus extra cables, wires , and random pieces I might need.
Most likely over my budget , I'm off to look on ebay ! :)

[TF_MrA]

hmm, heres what u do. buy an abit nf7 motherboard. 85 bux, and one of the best on the market. as for cpu, get a athlon 2500+ xp. i think its 90 with a heatsink. for a case, go to www.tigerdirect.com. they have reallyt good prices, and cheap shipping for cases. you can get a mid tower case witha 425w Power supply for like 60 bux. and ram, if you have the money, get 2 512 sticks of ddr333, or if not get just one stick. and the 9600 pro is a good card, i have it. but if you have a little extra dough, the 9700 non-pro is only 210 bux on pricewatch.

[sandmtrailboss]

Cool man , thanx for the tips. Yeah the athlon 2500+ looks nice :)

[Doobz]

Originally posted by PallarAndersVis
DO NOT -i REPEAT- DO NOT install a new motherboard into your compaq system UNLESS it is a COMPAQ motherboard. I guarantee that you're new motherboard will fry. Compaq/gateway/dell/hp all make their own parts compatible with ONLY thier own parts. This is the way these big companies operate. They want you to upgrade from them. You are going to have to get a new power supply with your motherboard. You may or may not be able to use the same case, but cases are cheap anyways.

You arent going to find a good motherboard/processor combo for under 150 unless you want to get another weak celeron. 150 is how much you expect to spend on the processor alone. Just save up some extra money and start building a whole new system. You could probably sell your compaq for a little cash since its got SDRAM. You'd just be better off replacing the whole thing

that's crap, i have a gateway system, i've replaced the video card with a 9800 Pro, the power supply with an Allied 400w, and the case with a Chenbro Xspider

Gateway at least does not propriatorize they're stuff so much that you can't put new stuff in, they basically just lock the BIOS down, that's about it

[Daleon]

I'm not sure about Compaq systems frying non-compaq MB's. But most won't hold a standard atx mb b/c the panels are different and mounting holes are off, etc.

I would never bother trying to use a pre-built case for an upgrade anyway.

If your getting your video card now and waiting for the rest your best off. Prices are always dropping, and once the AMD64 has been out a while XP's will be even cheaper. Also ppl will be selling off their fairly new and fast XP systems to upgrade to AMD64's. So you might find an entire setup used off forums somewhere for a great price or ebay. Just be careful who you buy from.

[TF_MrA]

Originally posted by Doobz
that's crap, i have a gateway system, i've replaced the video card with a 9800 Pro, the power supply with an Allied 400w, and the case with a Chenbro Xspider

Gateway at least does not propriatorize they're stuff so much that you can't put new stuff in, they basically just lock the BIOS down, that's about it

umm, you can always upgrade that stuff, with any computer. you cannot however, upgrade the motherboard.

[PallarAndersVis]

Originally posted by Doobz
that's crap, i have a gateway system, i've replaced the video card with a 9800 Pro, the power supply with an Allied 400w, and the case with a Chenbro Xspider

Gateway at least does not propriatorize they're stuff so much that you can't put new stuff in, they basically just lock the BIOS down, that's about it

its not crap. alot of major companies do it. you never know WHEN they may do it, so it's no use to risk it. I know my DELL was like that, and Ive gotten information like this before about lots of other companies.

but if you want to risk it, then i dont care. its not my computer.

[Rbstr]

I've done it with a Gateway Case , infact i put new everything in it nothing but the on/off switch and the case itself :) . i just sugest Looking very closely and making sure the Stuff lines up right, if it doesn't then you need a new case:D

[NoSurrender]

that ram is wayyy 2 fancy for some1 like u thats overclocking ram and if i may suggest id stick with PC3200... Unless your gonna become a overclocker which is dangerous 2 your components and adds on the cost

[PallarAndersVis]

its not the case thats incompatible, its the power supply. if you want to switch everything out, including the PSU, then its fine. its just a case like any other

[sandmtrailboss]

Thanx for all the info guys , you've really helped me ! :) I guess the motherboard and compaq question is still being debated =)

[SecondRaven]

erm dont know.....wish i could help

[Doobz]

i can tell you i've never had a prebuilt that had it's own proprietory mobo so i couldn't put new stuff on it. my current gateway has nothing left except the mobo, memory and processor, and those are all getting replaced this christmas

almost all use the ATX form factor, and if it uses that, you can put it in any case that has enough room and supports ATX form factor, as most do

but to answer your question, i would probably buy a asus a7n8x delux revision 2 and an athlon xp 2500+