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**Syvarius** · 08-11-2006, 05:33 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Before you even go buying a processor, do you know if your motherboard can support what you're looking for?

If it can't, it won't do much good unless you get a new motherboard to go with it.

When I built my computer, I got most of my things from two places:

http://www.allstarshop.com/
This site I like most. Nice People. I got everything except the CPU and CPU fan from here.

http://www.newegg.com/
The CPU came from here. I don't like this place, but the CPU was $70 cheaper, so...

Speaking of which, I still have a picture left (of the inside anyway) on my computer. Darn fan on the inside was heavy.
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5434/dscf0005hp0.jpg

**Smurvis** · 08-11-2006, 05:58 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Oops, I meant motherboard and processor. That's why I was asking about the size and being sure it fit. I'll edit the post.

And thanks for the sites, Syv. I'll check those out.

**Syvarius** · 08-11-2006, 06:14 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Oh, that's not too hard.
When looking at a motherboard, it'll usually name what CPU it uses in the title of it. After that it's only a matter of matching them both up, like so:

http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/prod...32MBCUPSTK8QSA
http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/prod...32MBCUPSTK8QSA

I wouldn't worry about them not fitting if they're matched up like that, but careful putting the CPU in -- they can break pretty easily if it's put in wrong.

**Smurvis** · 08-11-2006, 06:37 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Hmm... that's not what I meant either. I don't mean matching a motherboard with a processor... I mean matching both of them with my casing.

I was going to get a motherboard & processor from my friend... but he said it wouldn't fit. As in... the tower/casing was too small for the bigass motherboard/processor.

Or is that not a common problem and I was just unlucky?

**Syvarius** · 08-11-2006, 07:00 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

The tower huh?
That (from seeing others do the same) isn't too uncommon when upgrading your stuff like that.
If the things that you're getting are what you do want, the best thing to do would be to get a bigger tower -- it's not that expensive depending on what you choose.

...

Just how big are those parts anyway?

**thetruecoolness** · 08-11-2006, 08:13 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Originally posted by Smurvis

Hmm... that's not what I meant either. I don't mean matching a motherboard with a processor... I mean matching both of them with my casing.

I was going to get a motherboard & processor from my friend... but he said it wouldn't fit. As in... the tower/casing was too small for the bigass motherboard/processor.

Or is that not a common problem and I was just unlucky?

Well you need to look at what type of case you have. There are 4 if I remember correctly ATX, BTX, Micro ATX, and Micro BTX, this will determine what kind of motherboard will fit in your case, unless the motherboard manufacture decides to not comply to the standard, in which case you probably shouldn't get it. Of course the cases for most of these come in 4 different types (Desktop, Mini Tower, Mid Tower, and Full Tower) but these make no difference on what kind of motherboard you can put in them.

And I don't see what's wrong with newegg, they always have some of the best prices, and your stuff pretty much always gets there in 4 days or less. I've built 4 computers with nothing but parts from there, and never had a problem.

**Smurvis** · 08-11-2006, 08:14 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Not that big, just I have a small tower compared to most of my friends.

...do NOT take that out of context you perverts.

**thetruecoolness** · 08-11-2006, 08:26 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Well the size of the casing shouldn't matter too much, just means you'll need to look for a motherboard that will fit the case spec you have. Now your case being 6 years old may have been before the ATX standard but I kind of doubt it as my oldest computer is 4.5 years old now and it is still an ATX standard mid tower. I know a lot of motherboards if you goto the manufacturer site will give you the dimensions of the motherboard, so you can size your cases motherboard area to make sure it will fit, or you can just measure your current motherboard.

So when you look for a motherboard you can look for them by processor support, but for AMD you will want to look at an AM2 socket as that is the new one, and will likely be the one their going to use for a while, Intel I'm not so sure about. Of course this all depends on your budget and what you want.

**Smurvis** · 08-11-2006, 08:37 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

This is the exact tower that I have. Micro ATX type.

As for my budget... it's dirt @$#%ing poor.

I've got 650 MHz and 320 MB RAM. My goal is at LEAST 800 MHz (preferably 1-1.5 GHz+) and 512 MB RAM or better.

I've seen a motherboard/processor combo that cost $120 together, and gave 1.5GHz... but that didn't include additional RAM.

I also saw a super motherboard combo on TigerDirect that gave 2.5 GHz and 512 MB RAM and cost $210 or so after the rebate. Without the rebate it was $255, and the rebate ends on the 31st... I don't trust TigerDirect rebates myself.

Or I could shell out $14,000 for a fully decked out Alienware.

**thetruecoolness** · 08-11-2006, 08:40 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Alright then you'll want to look for Micro ATX (reffered to as Form Factor) motherboards, which there are quite a few of though of course not as many as ATX. So look here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ice=&maxPrice= for AMD, here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ice=&maxPrice= for Intel then choose what kind of processor and other things you want for it.

I believe most Micro ATX are somthing like 9"x9" but I'm not completely sure, but this would be the reason your friends motherboard didn't fit. So you can get an ATX case for around $20 or so, unless you want something fancy, if you can't find a Micro ATX motherboard to fit your needs. I'll see tonight if I can't find something that hits in the $120 to $150 range for what you want.

**Smurvis** · 08-11-2006, 08:44 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

I edited the post you replied to about my budget... just wanted to post to tell you in case you didn't revisit the topic because you didn't see any new replies.

**thetruecoolness** · 08-11-2006, 08:54 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Well look at these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135194
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819104245
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145420

Should give your system a good boost, if you need it cheaper I'll look again later tonight.

**Smurvis** · 08-11-2006, 09:45 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

That's... actually REALLY good.

Lemme ask though... how do you tell how much RAM the new motherboard supports? For example, my current motherboard can support 384 MB... because it has 3 slots and can hold no more than 128 per slot.

With this new one, how many slots are on it? I didn't see it on the page. And if I have 320 in my old mother board, I can just put that in this new one, but a 256 instead, and have 576 total.

But I haven't compared prices yet.

**Caciss** · 08-11-2006, 10:33 PM

Re: Upgrading my computer

Look under the "Memory" on the motherboard pages.

The higher amount of pins it supports, the better.

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