Help with rebuilding a PC

[fueldump]

Hi, I am about to try and update my old PC. This will involve me salvaging as many parts from my old system. So bear with me because I am a complete novice with this.

I have just purchased an AOPEN MX46-88N motherboard (from ebay) and my question is what else do I have to buy to make it work? I appreciate that Iwill have to buy a PCU, but any advice on which one. Do I need a fan to cool it down? As I said I am a complete novice so any advice (helpfull) would be great. I anly want the PC for web stuff etc I don't need a gaming PC.

Thanks in advance

Fueldump

[pilotwolf]

What spec was your old system?

PW

[Stoney X]

fueldump,

If you purchase a new processor then it will come with a fan so no need to worry there. Two things I can think of that you will need to check. Does your new MB use the same spec memory as the old and does your psu (power supply unit) have the correct plugs. Older psu's don't have the processor plug that is now needed. A new one will cost £15-£20.

Regards
Stoney

[fueldump]

Pilotwolf, sorry I have got no idea sorry. I hope to open the thing up this weekend It was/ is a Tiny computer. I will have a look at the spec when I get it and post it here.

Thanks
Fueldump

Thanks Stoney I guess I will find out when I open it up if the conectors will fit.

[rotorcraig]

If you do a Google search on something like "build you own" motherboard cpu you will find loads of sites that take you through what components you need.

You will also find explanations on what needs to match (eg PSU must be compatible with Motherboard, Motherboard must be compatible with both CPU and RAM, etc).

Haven't posted direct links to any here as, they are all invariably online PC shops who want you to buy your new bits and pieces from them!

RC

[fueldump]

Thanks again, I am looking for the cpu at the moment. One question I have is does it matter what FSB speed it is? Also the P4 seems a lot more expensive than the celeron. What are the thoughts about the celeron?
Thanks again

[pilotwolf]

was thing along the lines of do you have:

Floppy drive, modem, ACP cadrd etc...

Useful to know what memory you have and what size hard drive too...

You probably won't need to buy much.

PW

[fueldump]

Sorry Pilotwolf, yes I have got a dvd floppy etc, So I intend to reuse them. I don't know if the RAM is compatible with the new motherboard. I guess I will find out when I get it. When I do open it I will post what is already in.
thanks yet again
fueldump

[spannersatcx]

If you purchase a new processor then it will come with a fan so no need to worry there

Not true I'm afraid, a lot of CPU's (AMD in particular) come as OEM rather than boxed, if buying OEM then you would have to get a heatsink and fan seperately.

What does the MOB support intel or AMD, what type of memory does it support, does it support SATA etc etc, these things will be in the manual that will hopefully come with it.

I did a search for the MOB model you quote but could not find the model number you are saying the nearest I could find was a -800 not an 88.


I don't wish to sound rude but I think you should of done a bit of research first before buying!

[fueldump]

spannersatcx ,

you are probably right but hey ho fortune favours the brave ( or stupid) so they say. You are right it was the 800 model it was finger trouble on my behalf.

So thanks for replying if you have any other advice I would be gratefull to recieve it

regards

Fueldump

[pilotwolf]

Whatever you end up buying its worth looking here as they re pretty cheap.

Have used them on numerous occasions and always been very happy with the service.

PW

[fueldump]

Thanks Pilotwolf I will have a look.

How do you get the "here" to take you to the web site by the way

cheers
Fueldump

[pilotwolf]

You should be able to double click on it...

or type WWW.EBUYER.CO.UK into the navigation bar.

PW

[spannersatcx]

Full details of the MOB can be found here AOPEN a downloadeable manual here

If you are in the UK, some places to look are DABS Planetmicro Microdirect Novatech

It supports P4 CPU, AGP 8X, DDR 400 [PC3200] memory 2 slots, onboard sound, USB2, ATA133.

Not sure what the spec is of you original PC but you may well be better off buying a new case with sufficient PSU, approx £35, CPU and Memory. I recently did an upgrade on the kids pc although with an AMD 2800+ new case new mob and memory and it was around £200. You should be able to use all the peripherals that came with it i.e. floppy, HDD, CDROM cables etc.
You may well have to start afresh with the operating system as it doesn't always like big changes like this so back up all your important documents etc.

[Binoculars]

This has got to be a windup, surely?

Go to Belarc run it and post the results here to give those who know what they're talking about something to work with. If you can't do that, you can forget about building your own computer.

....err, I don't include myself in that number btw, I'm just here to learn. But it sounds to me like someone saw a Ferrari gearbox cheap on ebay, bought it and now wants step by step instructions to fit it to their Ford, they're just not exactly sure what sort of Ford they have. Maybe I'm missing something? If so I apologise.

[Spitoon]

Also the P4 seems a lot more expensive than the celeron

The best way to consider a Celeron is as a cut-down version of the P4. If your Tiny is a few years old either processor is likely to look like a huge improvement but if you compare a P4 and Celeron of the same speed, the P4 will run almost all programs faster. In the long run the P4 is probably the better buy.

The motherboard appears to have an on-board graphics adaptor but it looks as if it's pretty rudimentary so, unless your Tiny has a separate graphics card, you'll probably need one of these too. FWIW, all Tinys I've ever seen had on-board graphics.

Again, if your old computer is a few years old you'll probably need new memory too.

If the old one is not P4 based you'll almost certainly need a new power supply.

But the good news, floppy, DVD, hard disk, keyboard and mouse should be easily transferable to your new machine.

I would also recommend E-buyer - they have good prices, are reliable when it comes to delivery and are pretty good at returns if you have any problems.

Despite the odd comment from others, I'd wish you good luck in upgrading your computer - everyone who does it starts from your position. With a bit of help you should find that it's not too daunting!

[fueldump]

Thanks Spitoon

I am looking forward to delving into this. I am going to pick up the pc today it has been in storage due to moving house.(i'm using my company laptop to reply to you)

spannersatcx,

You have been a great help so far, I will keep you up to date on hows things are progessing


Binoculars, no this is not a wind up, I am just trying to do something that I have never tried before. I will try that website and let you know what the spec is

Kind regards

Fueldump

[Stoney X]

spannersatcx, I hear what you are saying about fans, but when I said

If you purchase a new processor then it will come with a fan so no need to worry there

I had already checked what processor fueldump's new md take (I presumed the 88 should be 800 so a P4) and also presumed that he wouldn't be buying OEM (and hoping he wouldn't buy the chip off eBay escpecially if the chip had been 'seperated' from the heat sink/fan).

fueldump, I'll PM details of an online shop to you that I highly recommend for both price and service, just in case you do need to get a few extra bits.

Regards
Stoney

[Binoculars]

I wish you the very best of luck!

[fueldump]

Hi guys I have bought P4 2.8MHZ WITH 533MHZ bus speed(whateva that means) I have got the pc now and will connect to the internet and post on here what the spec is ( as per binoculars suggestion) Thanks once again for all the suggestions and help
regards

Fueldump