So I have a nVidia 560ti and it is being bottlenecked big time by the rest of my rig. I'm looking to upgrade (getting ready for D3!), but it will be the first time that I have ever upgraded or installed new parts myself.
I'm planning on getting a new motherboard, a new processor, a new power supply, and new RAM. I have a few questions:
I have been told by a friend that I would be forced to do a complete wipe of my hard drive, and would basically be booting the computer from scratch the first time. Is this the case? What happens to all the things on my hard drive? Are they erased and would I have the whole hard drive to use again?
I have also been told by the same friend that I would need a new CPU fan. I currently have a multisocket fan, and I believe that it would match the socket of my new mobo/cpu. Would I be able to re-use my old cpu fan or would I need a new one?
I'm half looking forward to this upgrade, and half nervous because I'm not super familiar with these things. If anyone has any advice for me beyond answering these questions, all help is appreciated!
Thanks buds!
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Playing a Wizard. Looking for Demon Hunters to play with.
So I have a nVidia 560ti and it is being bottlenecked big time by the rest of my rig. I'm looking to upgrade (getting ready for D3!), but it will be the first time that I have ever upgraded or installed new parts myself.
I'm planning on getting a new motherboard, a new processor, a new power supply, and new RAM. I have a few questions:
I have been told by a friend that I would be forced to do a complete wipe of my hard drive, and would basically be booting the computer from scratch the first time. Is this the case? What happens to all the things on my hard drive? Are they erased and would I have the whole hard drive to use again?
First, post what parts you currently use. Second, nope, untrue. While it may be easier backing up your data and formatting with the new motherboard, you shouldn't need to. Keep in mind it's only legal if Windows 7 didn't come with the motherboard. EG, if it's a prebuilt from Dell or HP, no not legal to use that copy of Windows with a new motherboard. I'm not even sure it would activate, based upon what I've read. In that case, you would need to buy a new Windows 7 license. If it was built from scratch piece by piece, it is legal.
Generally what you'll want to do is back up the important files regardless. Turn off the computer, replace all the parts, turn it on. When booting for the first time, Windows will say something has changed and it will repair on next boot. Install your new motherboard's drivers and you should be good. Worst case scenario you have to reinstall Windows.
I have also been told by the same friend that I would need a new CPU fan. I currently have a multisocket fan, and I believe that it would match the socket of my new mobo/cpu. Would I be able to re-use my old cpu fan or would I need a new one?
All CPUs will come with a heatsink and fan. While it isn't the best, if you aren't overclocking it is perfectly fine. You'd need to post the fan, what you currently have for a cpu and what you are buying.
I'm half looking forward to this upgrade, and half nervous because I'm not super familiar with these things. If anyone has any advice for me beyond answering these questions, all help is appreciated!
Thanks buds!
The most important thing is to take it slow. You don't want to start prying something out of the case if it's stuck. You could always go a search for "replacing motherboard" or "replacing psu" or whatever. Your CPU will come with directions. Pretty sure your motherboard will as well.
My current parts (ones I'm looking to replace) are as follows:
Case (not being replaced) - http://www.apevia.com/productsInfo.asp?KEY=X-CRUISER-BK
Motherboard - Asus M2N32 SLI-deluxe
RAM - 2GB of DDR2
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ @ 2.71GHz
PSU - Cooler Master 600W (this has been crapping out on me for a while; overheating)
The computer was put together by CyberPower and currently runs on Windows XP.
These are the parts that I'm looking to upgrade to:
My current parts (ones I'm looking to replace) are as follows:
Case (not being replaced) - http://www.apevia.com/productsInfo.asp?KEY=X-CRUISER-BK
Motherboard - Asus M2N32 SLI-deluxe
RAM - 2GB of DDR2
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ @ 2.71GHz
PSU - Cooler Master 600W (this has been crapping out on me for a while; overheating)
The computer was put together by CyberPower and currently runs on Windows XP.
These are the parts that I'm looking to upgrade to:
whats your video card? you need 4-6 gigs of RAM(total), you'll never use even close to 6 gigs let alone 8. and buy a new video card, and your good to go for playing any game on high/max settings as long as your video card is bomb.
your processer is fine. just make sure the RAM and video card you get from www.newegg.com is compatible with your motherboard.
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"once the pretty hardcore gamers we had testing inferno found it fairly difficult, we then we doubled it" -trolololol jay wilson
I got it to replace an old vid card that died, but didn't realize that it would be too high-end for my computer, so now I have to upgrade to meet its standard.
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Playing a Wizard. Looking for Demon Hunters to play with.
My current parts (ones I'm looking to replace) are as follows:
Case (not being replaced) - http://www.apevia.com/productsInfo.asp?KEY=X-CRUISER-BK
Motherboard - Asus M2N32 SLI-deluxe
RAM - 2GB of DDR2
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ @ 2.71GHz
PSU - Cooler Master 600W (this has been crapping out on me for a while; overheating)
The computer was put together by CyberPower and currently runs on Windows XP.
These are the parts that I'm looking to upgrade to:
As far as the CPU fan, Thermaltake's website says it IS compatible with the AM3 socket. http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1151&ID=1548#Tab1
So going by that, you should be fine using it with the new processor/motherboard. I'm going to assume it came with several different parts for different sockets? Hopefully you kept those. I'm not sure how much different your current socket is from the AM3. It's possible if the heatsink was purchased long enough ago and your current socket vs the AM3 are different enough, they didn't include the parts for it to work. However now that the AM3 is out, they do include those parts with new purchases. I hope that makes sense. If all else fails, the CPU will come with a heatsink/fan, so if your Thermaltake doesn't work, you'll still be fine.
I got it to replace an old vid card that died, but didn't realize that it would be too high-end for my computer, so now I have to upgrade to meet its standard.
well honesly your only lacking RAM. you can get 6 gigs (4 gig + 2 gig) just to over compensate and not have to worry about going up for years. your processor and everything else is fine. unless of course your new video card isnt compatible with your mother board
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"once the pretty hardcore gamers we had testing inferno found it fairly difficult, we then we doubled it" -trolololol jay wilson
If the Thermaltake fan doesn't work with the new CPU/motherboard I will just use the stock fan that comes with the new CPU. Maybe eventually I'll upgrade the CPU fan as well. I'm assuming that I would need to get some thermal paste for my Thermaltake, or would the new CPU come with it in the box?
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Playing a Wizard. Looking for Demon Hunters to play with.
I'll install everything into the new motherboard, then place the board into the computer and hook everything up, right? It seems that installing the parts will be the easy part of the process. Then I'll have to boot from BIOS, right? I think that will be the more complicated step...
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Playing a Wizard. Looking for Demon Hunters to play with.
I'll install everything into the new motherboard, then place the board into the computer and hook everything up, right? It seems that installing the parts will be the easy part of the process. Then I'll have to boot from BIOS, right? I think that will be the more complicated step...
make sure you ground yourself so you dont fry your motherboard. after you hook everything up you just start your computer. and then insert the driver disc for the mother board. your not replacing your harddrive which is what all your computer info is on so you dont have to do anything crazy.
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"once the pretty hardcore gamers we had testing inferno found it fairly difficult, we then we doubled it" -trolololol jay wilson
There are plenty of guides out there if you look for them, heres the first one that came up in a search for "Building a Gaming Computer".
I install the cpu, fan and ram only before installing the mobo into the case. Once the mobo is in then i start adding the cards.
Are you running a 32 or a 64 bit system? If your not sure,clicky
If you have a 32-bit system you dont need 8 gigs of ram, a 32 bit system only utilizes a little over 3 gigs
Good point on the 32-bit thing. OP, if you are running a 32bit version of Win 7 it would probably be advantageous to get a 64bit copy. Of course at that point you'd want to format/install.
Currently I'm on Windows XP Home Edition (I think I remember it being 64 bit).
I would most likely be looking to upgrade to Windows 7 if I also upgrade my hardware. So, with the 8GB RAM I should shoot for a 64 bit Windows 7?
If you have the Home Edition it's going to be 32bit.
Right now, unless you do heavy multi-tasking, Windows 7 32bit and 3ish GB of ram is enough. However, those days are quickly coming to an end. Not to mention the majority of the 8GB you want to get will sit unused. Get the 64bit Windows 7 and you'll be set for quite awhile.
Also, will you be buying a legitimate copy of W7, or use a burned DVD?
I suppose I could get either one without much hassle. I'm assuming that the only legal way to obtain it is to buy it. What would you suggest? What impacts would each have on my experience?
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Playing a Wizard. Looking for Demon Hunters to play with.
My GF is telling me not to worry about running into trouble if I get a copy of W7. "That's what forums are for", she says. Lol...I dunno, I may pick up a legit copy for myself because I plan to build a whole new computer as well before D3 comes out.
Here is the info about my drives:
HDD: Hitachi HDP725050GLA360
DVD: Optiarc DVD RW AD-7910A
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Playing a Wizard. Looking for Demon Hunters to play with.
Interesting info about the cost of HDDs and the floodings in Thailand. Didn't know anything about that. I'll let you know how the build goes (hopefully I'll be doing it soon)!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing a Wizard. Looking for Demon Hunters to play with.
I'm planning on getting a new motherboard, a new processor, a new power supply, and new RAM. I have a few questions:
I have been told by a friend that I would be forced to do a complete wipe of my hard drive, and would basically be booting the computer from scratch the first time. Is this the case? What happens to all the things on my hard drive? Are they erased and would I have the whole hard drive to use again?
I have also been told by the same friend that I would need a new CPU fan. I currently have a multisocket fan, and I believe that it would match the socket of my new mobo/cpu. Would I be able to re-use my old cpu fan or would I need a new one?
I'm half looking forward to this upgrade, and half nervous because I'm not super familiar with these things. If anyone has any advice for me beyond answering these questions, all help is appreciated!
Thanks buds!
First, post what parts you currently use. Second, nope, untrue. While it may be easier backing up your data and formatting with the new motherboard, you shouldn't need to. Keep in mind it's only legal if Windows 7 didn't come with the motherboard. EG, if it's a prebuilt from Dell or HP, no not legal to use that copy of Windows with a new motherboard. I'm not even sure it would activate, based upon what I've read. In that case, you would need to buy a new Windows 7 license. If it was built from scratch piece by piece, it is legal.
Generally what you'll want to do is back up the important files regardless. Turn off the computer, replace all the parts, turn it on. When booting for the first time, Windows will say something has changed and it will repair on next boot. Install your new motherboard's drivers and you should be good. Worst case scenario you have to reinstall Windows.
All CPUs will come with a heatsink and fan. While it isn't the best, if you aren't overclocking it is perfectly fine. You'd need to post the fan, what you currently have for a cpu and what you are buying.
The most important thing is to take it slow. You don't want to start prying something out of the case if it's stuck. You could always go a search for "replacing motherboard" or "replacing psu" or whatever. Your CPU will come with directions. Pretty sure your motherboard will as well.
Case (not being replaced) - http://www.apevia.com/productsInfo.asp?KEY=X-CRUISER-BK
Motherboard - Asus M2N32 SLI-deluxe
RAM - 2GB of DDR2
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ @ 2.71GHz
PSU - Cooler Master 600W (this has been crapping out on me for a while; overheating)
The computer was put together by CyberPower and currently runs on Windows XP.
These are the parts that I'm looking to upgrade to:
Motheboard - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=779339&CatId=7248
RAM (because it's cheap) - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=40739&pagenumber=1&RSort=1&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=5&body=#ReviewStart
CPU - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5752143&CatId=4432
PSU - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7195038&CatId=2533
This is the CPU fan that I currently have in my case: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3071635&CatId=798
Everything look do-able?
Thanks for the reply by the way, superfula.
whats your video card? you need 4-6 gigs of RAM(total), you'll never use even close to 6 gigs let alone 8. and buy a new video card, and your good to go for playing any game on high/max settings as long as your video card is bomb.
your processer is fine. just make sure the RAM and video card you get from www.newegg.com is compatible with your motherboard.
I got it to replace an old vid card that died, but didn't realize that it would be too high-end for my computer, so now I have to upgrade to meet its standard.
Yeah parts look solid. No qualms at all.
As far as the CPU fan, Thermaltake's website says it IS compatible with the AM3 socket. http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1151&ID=1548#Tab1
So going by that, you should be fine using it with the new processor/motherboard. I'm going to assume it came with several different parts for different sockets? Hopefully you kept those. I'm not sure how much different your current socket is from the AM3. It's possible if the heatsink was purchased long enough ago and your current socket vs the AM3 are different enough, they didn't include the parts for it to work. However now that the AM3 is out, they do include those parts with new purchases. I hope that makes sense. If all else fails, the CPU will come with a heatsink/fan, so if your Thermaltake doesn't work, you'll still be fine.
well honesly your only lacking RAM. you can get 6 gigs (4 gig + 2 gig) just to over compensate and not have to worry about going up for years. your processor and everything else is fine. unless of course your new video card isnt compatible with your mother board
If the Thermaltake fan doesn't work with the new CPU/motherboard I will just use the stock fan that comes with the new CPU. Maybe eventually I'll upgrade the CPU fan as well. I'm assuming that I would need to get some thermal paste for my Thermaltake, or would the new CPU come with it in the box?
I'll install everything into the new motherboard, then place the board into the computer and hook everything up, right? It seems that installing the parts will be the easy part of the process. Then I'll have to boot from BIOS, right? I think that will be the more complicated step...
make sure you ground yourself so you dont fry your motherboard. after you hook everything up you just start your computer. and then insert the driver disc for the mother board. your not replacing your harddrive which is what all your computer info is on so you dont have to do anything crazy.
I install the cpu, fan and ram only before installing the mobo into the case. Once the mobo is in then i start adding the cards.
Are you running a 32 or a 64 bit system? If your not sure,clicky
If you have a 32-bit system you dont need 8 gigs of ram, a 32 bit system only utilizes a little over 3 gigs
Good point on the 32-bit thing. OP, if you are running a 32bit version of Win 7 it would probably be advantageous to get a 64bit copy. Of course at that point you'd want to format/install.
I would most likely be looking to upgrade to Windows 7 if I also upgrade my hardware. So, with the 8GB RAM I should shoot for a 64 bit Windows 7?
If you have the Home Edition it's going to be 32bit.
Right now, unless you do heavy multi-tasking, Windows 7 32bit and 3ish GB of ram is enough. However, those days are quickly coming to an end. Not to mention the majority of the 8GB you want to get will sit unused. Get the 64bit Windows 7 and you'll be set for quite awhile.
The 8GB ram being unused isn't too big of a deal, because it's not very expensive. More the merrier!
I suppose I could get either one without much hassle. I'm assuming that the only legal way to obtain it is to buy it. What would you suggest? What impacts would each have on my experience?
Here is the info about my drives:
HDD: Hitachi HDP725050GLA360
DVD: Optiarc DVD RW AD-7910A
Interesting info about the cost of HDDs and the floodings in Thailand. Didn't know anything about that. I'll let you know how the build goes (hopefully I'll be doing it soon)!
The stock fan with whatever new case you get will be fine. Only if you start overclocking shit do you need to worry about extra cooling.
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