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help converting OEM microATX compaq to modern gaming rigs

T

trake1

Member
I'd like to convert 2 old compaq OEM DDR MicroATX AthlonXP 32 bit WindowsXP systems to modern microATX core2duo or phenomII710/720 gaming systems, and, I'd like to keep the existing WindowsXP hard drive w. existing OEM licenses, and keep the case and reuse as much as possible. The model is compaq sr1630nx.

I've read "How to install a new motherboard without reinstalling Windows" and feel confident I can keep the existing WindowsXP.
http://arstechnica.com/hardwar...installing-windows.ars

They already have 9600gt512 video cards and antec 500watt power supplies. Really looking for help with good priced microATX M/B, DDR2 RAM, and CPU.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Left4Dead, Fallout3, FarCry2, etc.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
$220 per system, 450 total.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA - newegg, mwave, zzf, etc.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Not a fanboy 🙂 ... don't care

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Need to keep compaq cases, keep 9600gt, keep hard drives, keep dvd drives, keep windows xp - No Reformat , No reinstall of WindowsXP. We have no CDs and they work perfectly w. teh XP already installed.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes and I like the e5200, e7400, phenom710/720. Cannot for life of me figure out a M/B

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I don't know about cooling in a compaq case

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
This month, March 09
 
You're going to need to re-install Xp. It's not like Vista, it's not smart enough to change it's HAL from single proc to multi. Not to mention, it may not even recognize a modern systems drive controller. Plus there's a few modern boards that don't even support XP. At the very least, you should do a fresh install.
 
But we have no XP or vista other than the preinstalled XP on the existing hard drives. How could I reinstall XP without a Windows CD? There is no budget for buying Windows. Especially when it already works and is already paid for. Thanks for your ideas though. We appreciate them!
 
Borrow a friends' windows XP OEM cd. Or, borrow a friend's windows xp retail, and change the file to make it oem. Play with nlite to slipstream your drivers into the computers.
More then likely, You are going to have to reinstall windows. If you have the OEM key still on your computer, you should be okay.

As for motherboards, maybe the ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard for the Phenom II X3 710 (no way a 720 will fit in that budget). You can also pick up some CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 for $20AR.

If you go intel, maybe check out the ASUS P5QL-CM LGA 775 Intel G43 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard for $90, Foxconn G45M-S LGA 775 Intel G45 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard for $85AR, or the ZOTAC GF9300-A-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard @ $110.
 
I'd be carefully about the thermals inside of an OEM case. Most are not designed properly to handle a heavy load (such as gaming on mid-high end equipment). Unless there is enough ventilation for the CPU, hdds and other sensitive components to breathe, you'll have issues with heat as well as a space issue if you decide to use an aftermarket CPU heatsink and a future upgrade to any 10.5" video cards.

Just a thought for you to consider.
 
This might be quite a hurful experience. I'd open up one of these systems and take a good, long, hard look before spending any money on parts. I'd be extremely worried about cooling and subtle internal dimensions that undoubtably vary from model to model and especially when dealing with an entirely different platform, which is what you plan on doing.
 
FYI anything that you do with using your windows hard drive with another motherboard would be a license violation. That said your budget wants and needs seem unrealistic.
 
nerp and somethingsketchy, thanks for the advice about heat. I looked again at the compaq case and it seems to have a really good 120mm case fan and 2 sets of side panel stiple holes, so I think I'll give it a go.

Syran, that's a great idea and friends at work gave me CD's to borrow and I do have the OEM Microsoft license # on the side panel. They say I just have to phone in to reactivate after I swap motherboards. And I have to follow all the steps in the ars-tecnica how-to swap motherboard without reinstalling Windows XP guide. If things go awry I can repair using the cds.

I looked at the anandtech phenom II 710 review and saw the e7400 should be close to the 710 at around the same price. http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...howdoc.aspx?i=3512&p=9

So here are my parts choices so far: (Am already over budget 🙁

Intel system cost
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128357
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $52.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115206
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit $44.99
Intel Total w. tax and shipping $241.35


AMD system cost
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813138138
BIOSTAR A760G M2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103648
AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W $119.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit $44.99
AMD Total w. tax and shipping $252.50


Any way I can bring the cost down? There is a recession!

Your thoughts are very appreciated and valued. You all are letting me know it may be a challenge. But I am intent to succeed and maybe even blog a how-to for other cheapskates.
 
Any reason you have to do expensive Ram? There are plenty of $20-$25 deals AR out there, you can get 2 sets for under the $30 mark easy if you can hold out on the fact it will cost you $5-8 / set.
 
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