Ok here is the question. I have a old 800MHz Celeron comp built by Alienware. 512 megs of ram.. g2 vid card blah blah blah. I want to build my self a new comp. The case its all in is an ATX(i think) type case. It's a full server(300w power supply) case and i'l love to use it again to save some cash. Can I just get a new MB with either a P4 or Athalon of my choice plus ram and vid/sound cards and toss it all in this case or do I need to totally start over? Thanks guys.

You should be able to use the same case as long as it's not too small for the new MB. I have done this many times with my old cases untill they got too old to trust anymore. Take some measurements of the area in the case and see if you can't find a MB that will fit for it. If I know AW they have pretty decent size cases so I don't think you would run into any problems. :)

yea its a big ass full tower. 5 bays + the 3 1/2" floppy. I'd like ot just use the same hard drive. it already has everything i need on it and plenty of room left over. Cool. thank you.

One thing you should do before you stick all the new stuff in there is clean the case out. Take some rubbing alcohol and wipe out the inside. Clean the power supply fan off really good with Q-tips. It's a pain to do but well worth the effort. The case will be nice and clean for the new equipment that you put in it. :)

You might need a new PS if you plan to get a Pentium 4. The early ATX power supplies didn't have a 4-pin 12V CPU connector. I'm not sure if AMD processors use that connector though, so you might be able to go that route.

www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-436&catalog=22&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-436&catalog=22&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1)

You will not be disappointed with that MB. If you want to shave off features go with the non-delux version, either way you'll be very, very, very pleased with the results.

I've built many systems using that line of Asus boards and believe me, they're awesome. AOpen is a pretty underrated brand too but I haven't used them for a few years. Abit is good too, but for non overclockers Asus is better imo since they build quite a few more different types of boards that might cater better to you.

P4's are good too, just check into Asus' line of p4 boards if your really interested but Athlon XP's are the best bang for buck lately it seems.

Radeon 9600XT is the best video card you can buy atm in terms of price/performance, otherwise a 9700Pro is still one hell of a video card if you want something a little better. You sound like your on a budget but don't go under a 9600XT, you'll regret it later.

As for the CPU, get the fastest you can afford after all the rest is said and done, games lately are much more intensive on the video card than CPU it seems.

If you got spare cash get an Antec or Enermax 350W or higher, older PS's can be flakey with Athlon's cause they draw power differently than P4's and not every PS can keep up all the time and without knowning your model i haven't a clue.
AMD approves powersupplies that are certified and they keep a list at their website, but if you buy a high watt PS from a name brand you don't really have to worry about it being AMD approved or not.

Good luck.

BTW with the Sound Storm audio built into the Nforce2 chipset you really shouldn't waste any money on a sound card. It hogs less CPU resources than an Audigy 2 for gaming and some people swear it produces better quality sound, So unless you want some specific features from an add in sound card, I wouldn't bother with one if you go this route.

Oh and hell yeah, Bush in 2004 :P

What exactly are the Nforce2/3 MB's? Is it Nvidia on board graphics card? I hate proprietary componants...

its the chipset in the board. go K8T800, much better imo.

nForce is just a chipset. They *do* make boards with integrated video, but that's not nForce. Most boards, previously, had one of a couple chipsets - VIA, probably being the most common. Those chipset drivers handle things like how the AGP slot talks to the rest of the motherboard, or how the IDE interface sends data base. nForce is just another in a long line these chipsets.

It's a good chipset, but there's nothing wrong with VIA either.

Ahh, Ok thanks guys. Jeeps and 4x4's I know. This computer building thing is a new thing to me so I'm totally noob'n it here.


So far I have found:

Asus a7n8x Nforce2 MB for $124
1024 megs of ddr 2700 ram for 174
2800 AMD for 156
ATI Radeon 9600xt for 159.95

I'm sure I could find better prices when I get closer to buying after the new year. Crossing my fingers I plan on using everything else off my old comp including hard drive. I'm sure my Windows XP will freak out so if you guys know any hurdles around that sure to be nightmare speak up. maybe just format and re-install? thanks again guys. MY goal is and above average machine. Not the best just and very competent playing comp.