HELP!! Upgrading my rig, trying to avoid any possible problems.

[Kerby1280]

I've decided to upgrade my Alienware with the latest and greatest hardware. I thought about buying a whole new rig from them but decided it would be much cheaper just to upgrade the internal components.

Here is my current setup:

Asus P4C800-E Deluxe mobo
Intel P4 3.2ghz Extreme Edition processor
2x 36gb WD Raptors
2 gb(4x512mb) Corsair XMS Low Latency RAM(3x3x3x8 CAS Latency)
ATI Radeon 9800XT with Artic cooler
Soundblaster Audigy ZS
Alienware 420w PSU
*All factory installed by Alienware- I've been very happy with this rig but feel its time to upgrade since its about two years old now.

Upgrading to:

Asus A8r32 MVP Deluxe
AMD FX-60 Dual Core w/ Zalman CNPS9500 HSF
2x 36gb WD Raptors(keeping from old rig)
250 gb WD Caviar Sata2 w/16MB cache
2 gb(2x1gb) PC-3200 OCZ Platinum Edtion RAM(2.5x2x2x5 CAS Latency)
ATI X1900XT
X-Fi Fatality
Seasonic S-12 600w PSU

Pics: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g246/Kerby1280/DSC01030.jpg

Will I be able to migrate my current Raptors to the new mobo? They are currently in RAID-0. I would like to use this as my main hdd with the 250gb Caviar as my data hdd. I would also like to keep all my current data on it when moving to the new mobo. Is that possible? I've heard that when you switch RAID controllers you can not do it. Should I just delete everthing on the Raptors and do a fresh install of Win XP on the new mobo?

What other possible conflicts can I expect to run into?

I plan on starting this project this weekend. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[deathwalker]

Ya, I would think just dropping that Raid array into the new mobo would not work well at all..something I would avoid. However, I would slave in the new 250 into the old system, format it and copy over all my important data files mp3/doc/jpeg/favorites/address book, etc. That way when you get your new install up and going you can just drop the 250 into the new system and you have everything there that you would not want to lose.

 

[Kerby1280]

For the Zalman CNPS9500, do I install it with the fan facing towards the rear opening or with the fan towards the front of the case? I would assume towards the rear so it can blow the hot air out the rear. Correct??

 

[Ika]

CPU fans towards rear. Generally front is for intake and back is for exhaust.

btw, if you're looking for performance in a CPU cooler and aren't a Zalman fanboy, you might want to consider other coolers (Tuniq tower cooler, TT big typhoon, Scythe Ninja). If you have space in your case you should definitely consider getting a 120mm CPU fan, as they push much more air at lower RPMs. I think since you have an Alienware case, that space shouldn't be a problem, but you should check anyway.

btw, if you already have an audigy2 ZS, I would suggest not spending the money on an X-Fi, unless you REALLY like sound quality. otherwise its too much money for very little improvement.

 

[daveybrat]

Why spend all that money on a full system upgrade? Your 3.2GHz processor is not that slow and you already have 2GB of ram.

Why not just pull that 9800 video card out and get an Nvidia 7800GS AGP video card for now. That'll give you a huge increase in gaming performance and only set you back $300 or less as opposed to what you were going to plunk down.

Just my opinion 🙂

 

[Kerby1280]

Originally posted by: guoziming
CPU fans towards rear. Generally front is for intake and back is for exhaust.

btw, if you're looking for performance in a CPU cooler and aren't a Zalman fanboy, you might want to consider other coolers (Tuniq tower cooler, TT big typhoon, Scythe Ninja). If you have space in your case you should definitely consider getting a 120mm CPU fan, as they push much more air at lower RPMs. I think since you have an Alienware case, that space shouldn't be a problem, but you should check anyway.

btw, if you already have an audigy2 ZS, I would suggest not spending the money on an X-Fi, unless you REALLY like sound quality. otherwise its too much money for very little improvement.

Thanks for the suggestions. I thought about going with the Scythe Ninja but decided to buy the Zalman.

 

[Kerby1280]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Why spend all that money on a full system upgrade? Your 3.2GHz processor is not that slow and you already have 2GB of ram.

Why not just pull that 9800 video card out and get an Nvidia 7800GS AGP video card for now. That'll give you a huge increase in gaming performance and only set you back $300 or less as opposed to what you were going to plunk down.

Just my opinion 🙂

I thought about that too. I consider just getting a 7800GS but I wanted SLI or X-Fire and decided the upgrade to PCI-E was the way to go. Plus I have a Dell 2005FWP LCD monitor and wanted to have all my games at native resolution with all effects on. I wouldn't be able to do this with the 7800GS. I can't wait to see COD2 and FEAR at 1600x1050 with all effects on.

 

[Kerby1280]

Okay I've backed up all my important datas on my RAID. Now do I go into BIOS and delete the RAID? Then connect the HDDs (Raptors) to the new A8R32 mobo and create a new RAID setup? Please help, I want to make sure I'm doing this right.

 

[JSFLY]

Originally posted by: guoziming
btw, if you already have an audigy2 ZS, I would suggest not spending the money on an X-Fi, unless you REALLY like sound quality. otherwise its too much money for very little improvement.

I dont think hes concerned about cost. He bought a FX-60 for Christ Sakes.

Originally posted by: Kerby1280
Okay I've backed up all my important datas on my RAID. Now do I go into BIOS and delete the RAID? Then connect the HDDs (Raptors) to the new A8R32 mobo and create a new RAID setup? Please help, I want to make sure I'm doing this right.

Yes you got it.

 

[Kerby1280]

What about installing Win XP? Do I hook up dvd/cd drive to new mobo and put Win cd in and boot to the drive with cd? Please help.