New motherboard questions
Looking for a new motherboard and probably a new case, got a bunch of questions:
1. What is a good Mobo right now for AMD 2700+? I think the abit NF7 was the one recomended to me. I would just transfer the CPU and everything I have installed in my current system to the new MOBO. I have:
Radeon 9800
80GB Western Digital HD
1.0 GB PC2700 DDR Ram
Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS
DVD +/- RW
DVD ROM
Antec 430W PS
AMD 2700+
I would like an 8X AGP enabled MOBO if possible, but I guess it doesn't really matter, I doubt I would be able to afford anything with PCI express, don't even know if there is anything available with it yet...Ive also never upgrade a MOB so I am in the dark as to what to look for.
2. How hard is it to change out a CPU? Never done it before. Ive changed just about everything else but the MOBO and CPU, little nervous about it.
3. How hard is it to change out a MOBO? Just unscrew a few screws?
4. Do I need to completly wipe my hard drive? I like how I have everything set up right now and don't want to wipe it. Im not sure if i could even wipe it without buying windows, the only thing i have right now is the restore disk that came with the comp...
and finally:
5. Will any case do? I don't need fancy windows or anything, but would like something a little bigger than what i have for more fans and better airflow, also looking for at least 2 front USB ports, but I think they are pretty much standard now. How hard are they to hook up?
Thanks for your help!
1. What is a good Mobo right now for AMD 2700+? I think the abit NF7 was the one recomended to me. I would just transfer the CPU and everything I have installed in my current system to the new MOBO. I have:
Radeon 9800
80GB Western Digital HD
1.0 GB PC2700 DDR Ram
Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS
DVD +/- RW
DVD ROM
Antec 430W PS
AMD 2700+
I would like an 8X AGP enabled MOBO if possible, but I guess it doesn't really matter, I doubt I would be able to afford anything with PCI express, don't even know if there is anything available with it yet...Ive also never upgrade a MOB so I am in the dark as to what to look for.
2. How hard is it to change out a CPU? Never done it before. Ive changed just about everything else but the MOBO and CPU, little nervous about it.
3. How hard is it to change out a MOBO? Just unscrew a few screws?
4. Do I need to completly wipe my hard drive? I like how I have everything set up right now and don't want to wipe it. Im not sure if i could even wipe it without buying windows, the only thing i have right now is the restore disk that came with the comp...
and finally:
5. Will any case do? I don't need fancy windows or anything, but would like something a little bigger than what i have for more fans and better airflow, also looking for at least 2 front USB ports, but I think they are pretty much standard now. How hard are they to hook up?
Thanks for your help!
0
Comments
CPU isnt that hard. Take the HS off and lift the lever and it comes out. Make sure to not use too much pressure while taking the HSF off or you might crush the core.
Its best to do a repair install of XP when changing mobos since of all the drivers changes and it might freak XP out.
Any mid-tower or bigger case will do. A full tower is better for cooling and so on for bigger cases. I personally like the Chieftec cases because of the drive rails, HDD cages, and all the other features. They come in lots of colors as well as window and several different fan configureations.
You'll need to consider what heatsink/fan your using. Some HS's don't fit some boards. Check the MB's site to see what fits
Changing a MB and proc the first time is a little nerve wracking. But not to hard.
Make sure you ground yourself, static is not your friend!
When removing the HS (when your striping the old MB), be careful unattaching it. If it is a clip type, make sure what ever tool you use to undo the clip is securely in the clip. (Thermalright has a good tutorial of doing this).
If the HS is screw type, then just loosed evenly.
AMD's site will help you with getting out the proc.
To change the MB, yes it's about 9 screws. Strip it of everything before you remove it.
You will need to change the back plate(where all your connections go). It will be provided with the new MB. It's a snap fit.
No, you do not need to wipe out your HD's. They will bolt in and go.
One thing that I really like about the NF7 MB, is their owners manual. It tells you alot about what all the settings in the BIOS are for. And the first time you boot up, it's going to the BIOS. So, reading the owners manual will help you get through it. It will also show you how to mount everything on the MB.
As for a case, I really like NewEgg.com Go through their selection, I'm sure you'll find something.
Good Luck;
Dragstk
As long as you're not overclocking, a version of the A7N8X, one of the NF7s, or one of MSI's nForce2 boards are all valid choices.
If you want to overclock, get the NF7.
Swapping boards out is dead easy; it's the software that could be a problem. Windows XP doesn't like motherboard changes. I would back up my files before swapping boards, although you may be lucky, in which case a repair install is all that should be necessary.
I'll take a look around and see if I can find a case. There's someone else I was going to recommend one to anyhow, so I'll do both at once. However, I've got to clean up my room first... it's driving me absolutely insane.
I personally feel that 'puter stuff on ebay is a crapshoot (unless you're Tex) and most stuff ends up going for close to new anyway.
KingFish