newbie Building a new computer

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wakkoguy

Member
Feb 10, 2003
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Here's the situation. My dell dimension 8300's mobo just fried. I have to get a new mobo, however I don't want a dell one because they are too expensive. This also means that I have to get a new case as well.

I am looking at these cases: http://www.antec.com/Detail.bok?no=466
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144002

I have an antec smartpower 400. The p180 does not come with a psu
the other two do. I am looking to do this for as cheap as possible
I have a 2.8ghz p4 northwood cpu. I also have a geforce 6800 agp card. then the standard hard drive, dvd burner etc.
What case and motherboard should I get? I don't mind selling my card and moving to a pci-e card either.
 
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o1die

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
4,785
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71
I would get an 865pe chipset board with 4 memory slots. Hyper Microsystems, Inc has an Intel LAD865 board with 4 dimm slots for $57 shipped that should work fine if you're not overclocking. Other 865 boards are listed on pricewatch. I would avoid via and sis chipset boards. Pci-e is not a good cost effective option with socket 478. The only board I could find for sale in the usa was an asus p4dg1 for $144 at TopmicroUSA. Any of the cases will work fine, but the shiny ones tend to scratch easily. Also, be sure your windows cd will work on a non-dell motherboard. Some dell pc's come with a special xp cd that will read the bios when posting, working only on dell boards.
 
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wakkoguy

Member
Feb 10, 2003
117
0
76
Will I be able to upgrade my processor later if I get that motherboard?

can i get links to that mobo?
 
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o1die

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
4,785
0
71
I've never been able to post a good link. It's listed in the motherboards section of pricewatch under "865". Or use a search engine to find the vender. You won't want to upgrade the cpu later. Socket 478 high end cpus are pretty expensive. If you really want to upgrade, make the switch now to socket 939 or 775, while prices are dropping. Fry's electronics has several combo deals on the dual core 805 and 930 cpus where the motherboard is free. Same for socket 939. For overclocking, you might check out a gigabyte board (refurbished) at monarch computers for around $25. Just go to the refurbished section and select motherboards. It's the last board listed at the bottom of the screen. Refurbished boards are also sold at newegg, most without any accessories. I've had pretty good luck with them. I download the drivers off the manufacturer's website. To check them out, I also download the manual and look for voltage adjustments in the bios (for overclocking) before ordering.
 
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wakkoguy

Member
Feb 10, 2003
117
0
76
I'm sorry but I am new to all of this, socket 478 is what i have?
What is the price range for me to upgrade now? would it be better to wait and upgrade?
 
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o1die

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
4,785
0
71
If all you can afford right now is a new case and 478 mobo, then go for it. You can finish upgrading later.
 
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o1die

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
4,785
0
71
The Intel board should work fine. Windows should find enough devices to avoid a format. But you might have to reload some Intel drivers off the motherboard cd.
 
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