Replacing Mobo, Case, Graphics Card

[Kev Sharratt]

Hi

I built a PC for my daughter nearly 2 years ago and she is looking for an upgrade.
The existing machine is in a Maxi Case (4 drive bays) and she would like a Mini with the neons. I am trying to see what items would need changing.

1. Obviously the case itself - could I re-use my current PSU
2. Mobo - The existing is an Asrock ATX format, I believe I would now need a Mini ATX. The processor is an XP2500+ with 1 gig of 3200 ram, I have read that if you put the processor in a 400FSB Mobo instead of a 333FSB it then is overclocked to act like an XP3200.
3. Graphics Card - I am as a side issue about to change the graphics card (planning on upgrading from FX5200 to 9800 Pro. Two things, do I need to be concerned about the graphics card size in a Mini Case, secondly if I am changing the mobo should I look at PCI express (what about existing PCI items).

Please could I have your thoughts and recommendations & anything else that I should consider

Many Thanks

Kev

[Kev Sharratt]

Done a quick search and found that you cannot get an Athlon XP Mobo with PCI express so I would also have to change the CPU. That would be too costly so I will Have stick with AGP

Thanks Kev

[krazefinn]

I don't believe the average user yet would notice any performance issues "having to stay with" AGP. Modern 4x/8x AGP cards will certainly still perform very well, and run 99.9% existing program requirements. Are there any games etc that "require" pci-Ex to run all the bells and whistles?

If you are able to run the proc at 400, obviously with adequate cooling and apropriate jumpers/dips/bios in order to configure, the OC will be nice. I believe in most cases the AMD chips (k7 and newer) all invariably run at the next speed spec. An example would be the early 200 mhz rev "b" durons, which on many chipset platforms would easily run 266 without a hitch for an easy, and substantial "in-spec" overclock. There were a few chips reportedly which would not, but in all the ones which I set up that way I never encountered one that wouldn't (not saying some wouldnt). I suspect the same is still true, and have also run many 266TBird/ T-bred/XP chips at 333, as well as one present 333 XP chip at 400 + (412 actually).

Good luck, should be a worthwhile endeavour "even with only" AGP. It also appears your memory will handle it, although may have to increase latency settings slightly. (edit spelink)

[Kev Sharratt]

Thanks for the advice, any recommendations for the Mobo, reasonably priced

Thanks Kev

[BipolarBill]

If you don't want to have to reinstall Windows, you need a motherboard with the same or similar chipset.

VIA:

http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=13&l3=63&model=228&modelmenu=1

SiS:

http://www.asrock.com/product/product_k7s41gx.htm

nVidia:

http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=m7ncg+400

[Kev Sharratt]

Hi current Mobo is an ASRock K7S8X with a sis 746fx north bridge & sis 963L south bridge

thanks kev

[Kev Sharratt]

Hi

Just noticed that the SIS mobo has a 333FSB I was planning on putting the CPU in a 400FSB board in order to overclock it. Any recommendations

thanks Kev

[BipolarBill]

My advice is not ot overclock your daughter's PC. It's not worth it. You should get the Asrock K7S41GX.

[Kev Sharratt]

Thanks Bill :)