Pelican Parts Forums - computer problem

Pelican Parts Forums (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/)

- Off Topic Discussions (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/)

- - computer problem (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/789551-computer-problem.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by azasadny (Post 7832307)

Most hard drives are SATA. I have software that will let me make an exact copy of a hard drive, so a new drive would have everything copied over to it. The key here is the motherboard and what it will support. SCSI drives are rare, unless you are talking about a server, so I'm assuming your drive is SATA. A 1TB drive is about $50.

What software do you use to copy hard drives? Boot sector and all. Is it free?" Is it easy to use? I had good experience with "Drive Image" way back when. But now I need to upgrade and have not been successful in finding an appropriate and simple drive copy program.

Yeah, but the old box already has 6GB of it and right now I don't have the $100.

No new motherboard uses DDR2, it has served you well, junk it or sell it on eBay, somebody may buy it...

That Gigabyte MOBO has dual channel memory slots.

You can populate and run with one 4 GB stick and add a second as funds / needs dictate.

Current Microcenter circular has a PNY (name brand) 4 GB stick of DDR3 on sale for $37.00, a no brand 4 GB stick for $34.99 and a Kingston 8 GB 2 stick kit for $79.99

Or Tigerdirect, 1 4GB stick DDR3 $35 out the door plus $5.00 rebate get's it to $29.99. Disclaimer: tigerdirect were a partner when I was at CA and their rebate center sucked, you need to do everything right.
ADATA XPG V1.0 Destktop Memory - DDR3 1600, 4GB, Blue - AX3U1600W4G11-RD at TigerDirect.com

I use Acronis True Image Premium to image copy hard drives...

You could always do that Quad core CPU bundle at $69.99.

Performance wise it's a small notch up from what you have.

Not demonstrably better but still better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche (Post 7831336)

Once a year I haul all my PC's from around the house and my office outside for a little spring cleaning.

Screw those little cans, I hit them with 100psi of shop air.

Shocking how much crap comes out.

Yes but don't spin up the little fans with it they weren't designed to spin that fast

Been reading up on RAM etc to see what options I have.

It's looking like it may be more cost effective for me to just go get a whole new box. The broken one is 6 years old and so are all the peripherals in it (fans, pwr supply etc.).
If I got a new box with SATA drive(s) in it, could I just sub my present SATA drive in or would it be easier/better to use it as a slave?
I was running Vista 64 without any problems, and liked it better than my wife's Win 7. I don't really want to go to WIN 7 or 8, but if that's what will be so be it.
If looking at new boxes, what cpu should I be looking at as a minimum? The old computer handled my pics and videos fairly easily and quickly. I'm not sure how much of that was due to its being a quad core processor.
Any suggestions would be helpful. If I have to I'll use my DVD player/burner from the old computer. I definitely will be using the old HD in some fashion as all my pics etc are on it and my old old computer won't interface with SATA as far as I know.
I really appreciate everyone's input so far.
Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas (Post 7835305)

It's almost always cheaper to build your own than buy a retail box. There are exceptions, you could find a crazy blow out / loss leader sale or good deal on a factory refurb but we are not talking savings of 50% over building the box yourself.

As far as the 6 year old peripherals.

The case is not a wear item, no need to ever replace.

Case fan, you can find them all day long everyday from $5.00 and up and take 5 minutes to swap out.
case fan : Micro Center

Power supply. You can get 500W starting at $20.00. 15 minute swap.
Diablotek EL Series PSEL500 500 Watt ATX Power Supply PSEL500 - Micro Center

CD/ DVD. For readers only $10.00 and up. Writers $15.00 and up. 5 minute swap.
dvd drive : Micro Center

Hard Drive. 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA drive, $55.00 and up. 5 minute swap.
Toshiba 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive DT01ACA100 - Bare Drive 965038 - Micro Center

Add in the the $69.99 AMD bundle plus new RAM you can walk out of Microcenter with everything you need all at once for $200.00

Personally if funds are an issue I would not replace functioning peripherals until necessary.

I would strongly consider grabbing a hard drive as that is the most critical component related to data loss but the other stuff I'd take a wait and see approach.

If you are totally paranoid about data loss grab 2 hard drives. The Gigabyte board in the bundle has an onboard raid controller.

OK. So the gigabyte bundle + the Kingston 8gb 2 stick ram package, a little work to r&r the MOBO and I'm up again with close to or a little better performance than the old computer had, and it's only @$160.
Is the video 'built-in'?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas (Post 7835405)

Performance on the CPU is a bit better.
AMD Phenom II X4 955 vs FX 4130

You may see some small gain from the MOBO as well.

MOBO has onboard VGA and DVI.