Need to upgrade... Help me out. (NEWBIE)

[neomits]

Ok. Here's how it goes. I currently have Pentium III800 that came with my computer I got from Dell. I've had it for about 2 years now and seeing as I can't fully utilize my GF3, I'm thinking about upgrading. I've been recommended and heard that an Asus A7V266 board with an AMD XP chip is a good combination. Now here are my questions.

First of all I've never replaced a mobo or CPU... I've done HD's, ROM drives, PCI cards and RAM but that's it. So I'm new at this.

Would this be a good setup for me to go with or is this TOO much for me and is there something lower?

How much would this run me? I'd like to keep it at or under $300.

Whats the difficulty level of putting something together like this with what I already have (HD, DVD, CDROM, Vid card, sound card, etc.) Is it a lot of work with all the jumpers and stuff? If so should I look for a place that will get it ready for me so that all I have to do is connect a Hard Drive and I'm ready to go?

Sorry for being a newb but I guess thats how you learn... Thanks for your response in advance.

 

[jasonlee123]

First of all, you should definately replace the mobo yourself, don't be silly.

Second, if you are willing to spend $300 then this is what I would do:

a. Buy an MSI K7T266 Pro-RU for $110+ (pricewatch.com)
b. Buy 2x256MB modules of 184pin DDR SDRAM $176.38+

You save $13.62. This is my favorite board on the market and it will fit
your GF3 nicely with it's 4x AGP and KT266A chipset, RAID 1 and DDR SDRAM.

You should be able to download a guide from Dell explaining step by step
how to change your mobo. If you need someone to walk you through it I
would be happy to do so for $10 paypal (considering I own a small bizz and
have virtually not time).

PS. Don't forget the fact that replacing your mobo using the same install of Windows
will cause it to redetect the mobo's chipset and drivers.

Hope this helps.

 

[jasonlee123]

Forgot 2 dope details:

1. My email {Email@MarinComputerSolutions.com}
2. This board has
a. 4 USB 2.0 (480Mbps) ports
b. 4 USB 1.1 (12Mbps)

[ilink/firewire 400Mbps]

 

[neomits]

well the 300 bucks would mostly go towards the Mobo AND the CPU.. I dont' have that yet. Could I use just normal SDRAM on these motherboards? Or do I have to get DDR. If I can wait I may wait a bit before upgrading the memory because I have 512 SDRAM and the DDR could wait till I get a bit more doe

 

[jasonlee123]

DDR only.

 

[moosey]

make sure you buy from a good seller.. like newegg.com
also, get the asus a7v266-e (the best). save some money and only get 256 ddr. do you really need 512? especially at the current prices.

 

[Blain]

Check out these "How To" videos. They're pretty good instructions for someone starting to "build"

Or you could just head over to Amazon and buy a used 12th edition with CD for about $12 or so shipped.

 

[Buz2b]

Didn't see it mentioned (or maybe I'm missing something) but you cannot use the Dell Case for your new setup. The case and some of the connectors from the Power Supply are proprietary to Dell. You will need a new PS and case to do this build.

 

[neomits]

<< Didn't see it mentioned (or maybe I'm missing something) but you cannot use the Dell Case for your new setup. The case and some of the connectors from the Power Supply are proprietary to Dell. You will need a new PS and case to do this build. >>



AHHH thats another question I had. I saw an auction on ebay that had a Asus A7V266-e board with an AMD XP1700 chip, and 256 DDR Ram all built together and it said that all you needed was an HD and an ATX case and you were ready to go. I didn' know if my case qualified as and ATX case or not.

Yeah if I had to get DDR memory (which I guess I have to if I want to upgrade) there is no way I'd get 512, I'd get 256 or even 128 for the meantime.

Anyone else preferences on whether I should get the Asus A7V266 board or the MSI K7T266?

Edit:
Yeah I will not be planning on overclocking (which I guess the Asus is good for) so any other board recommendations would be good.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

You could go for a Northwood 1.6A and DDR motherboard for under $300. With RAM prices as they are, ya might have to go a little over your budget to pick up 512mb of DDR right now. Those new Northwoods are known to overclock like mofos and are of a very respectable speed. Just thought I'd add one more option not yet covered.

 

[Buz2b]

<< I didn' know if my case qualified as and ATX case or not. >>

It is actually an ATX style of case, but the chances are that a "non-Dell" board would not line up properly for the slots, etc without some sort of major modifications (if at all). So, best include a new case/Power Supply in your budget. You might have to lower your sights a bit on the other items because of this.

 

[neomits]

Ok, is this a good deal/buy?

AMD Athlon? XP processor 1700+
ASUS A7V266 DDR Motherboard
256MB Viking PC2100 DDR Memory
Heat sink and fan by Cooler Master
Fully assembled & Tested by TC Computing! Free Tech Support From TC Computing
Softwares included: CyberLink PowerPlayer and PowerDVD, Video Live Mail, PCCillin and PC Probe and More
Limited one year warranty

All for $320.00 plus S&H

and then THIS case for $44.00 Plus S&H


Comments Suggestions?

I went up to just under $400.00 But now I have DDR RAM and a Case

 

[neomits]

Anyone... BUMP!!

 

[waqasusman]

The price of 1700+ on newegg is 124, shipped free. I don't know about the exact prices of the Asus Board and the Viking memory, check the price of the board on newegg.com, I think it should be 70-100, the viking memory must be a little cheaper ($55-70) than the crucial micron memory ($80+).
124
+90
+65
-----
Total = around $280 including s&h

you're also getting heat sink and fan, plus software, I don't know how much they're worth, you can add the price to 280 and see whether you need all those softwares or not. You'll be paying around an exta $30+shipping for TC, but you'll get it assembled and have tech support. I have never assembled a pc though I have been playing with all other stuff, but still i would prefer to do it myself when I upgrade my system.

 

[Buz2b]

The "non-RAID" version of the AsuS @ Newegg is $135.00, w/free shipping. The XP1700 (retail, w/HSF is $124.00 w/free shipping. Add in about $82.00 for the RAM and you are at $341.00. Mind you, that is ordering all seperate. You are getting a "package deal which usually means a good savings. So, you are right in the ballpark. Forget adding in the price of the software, most of that is giveaway stuff anyway! Long story short-if they are "preassembling" it and giving tech support then I'd say it is a pretty good deal.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

<< Ok, is this a good deal/buy?

AMD Athlon? XP processor 1700+
ASUS A7V266 DDR Motherboard
256MB Viking PC2100 DDR Memory
Heat sink and fan by Cooler Master
Fully assembled & Tested by TC Computing! Free Tech Support From TC Computing
Softwares included: CyberLink PowerPlayer and PowerDVD, Video Live Mail, PCCillin and PC Probe and More
Limited one year warranty

All for $320.00 plus S&H

and then THIS case for $44.00 Plus S&H


Comments Suggestions?

I went up to just under $400.00 But now I have DDR RAM and a Case >>

well as you did not post a link or even an url for whoever "TC Computing" is..I'll say itsa suck deal...you have listed an Asus A7V266 ...not the E version..so by your listing of the TC computing deal...itsa kt266 board rather than a 266a board...big difference there. Try this deal for $259.00 +$7.shippingwith this case for $64 shipping combined w/ bundle still only 7dollars for all if shipped/ordered at same time on with a buy on CT3264Z265 memory thru the AT/Crucial HotDeal Ram connection for around $84 two day free shipped. Total $414