Upgrading my PC motherboard possibly building my own?

Question

I want to upgrade my HP PAVILION 754n that has a pentium 4, 2.5ghz and 512mb sdram (will be upgrading to the maximun of 2 512mb slots this week) with 80gb

I want a new CPU preferably a dou core and I would like to build my own PC by using the parts of my old PC

is it ok to buy a new motherboard that supports a duo core CPU, plus a new CPU and RAM that is compatible with that motherboard for now. I just dont want to buy all the parts to build an entire PC all at once (cant afford it right now) but I want to build it along the way by later buying a new graphics card, a new power supply, DVD drive, possibly extra storage to make it like 300gb, and well any extras that I would want after that wouldnt be a problem, but I just want to know if what I have in mind is a good idea? Im estimating that spending around $400 on the new motherboard,CPU and RAM would do it (not on the entire PC parts I know that would be more) I just dont want to spend alot more in one shot

Thanks

Answer 1

First, check to see if the case and PS are proprietary. Many brands are like that. That setup cannot be reused if it is proprietary. BTDTGTTS. I use GENERIC cases now when I build a PC. The Power Supply should handle 350 Watts or better.

If it is not proprietary, it should handle an ATX form factor motherboard. They come in a MICRO factor as well. Then invest in a GOOD motherboard that is upgradeable to Dual or even Quad Core microprocessors. 4 or more RAM slots that handle DDR2 ram.

I went with a Tforce 550 MB because I am a cheap person and I don't need the latest and greatest......

Answer 2

Dude you're sorta bottlenecking (seem it up) by capacity of having that i7. such as you, as quickly as I first desperate i had to create my own computing device i had the physique of concepts that i in my view mandatory an i7 or I wont have a sturdy device. it is fake. while you're attempting to shop funds then i do no longer advise the i7 in any respect, extraordinarily in basic terms for gaming. An i7 might in basic terms do you any sturdy in case you intend on utilising cpu in intensity courses like adobe after outcomes, sony vegas etc. An i5 (or while you're on a smaller funds, an AMD card) will do you in basic terms superb. different than that i might in basic terms advise changing the ram to 2x4GB using fact the 4x2GB will rather be extremely slower. yet another tip to shop funds, maximum motherboards at present incorporate a valid card geared up in, you're on no account incredibly going to need the sound card till you propose on producing song or some thing else that evolves especially around audio. different than that i think of you're sturdy.

Answer 3

I've always built my own. A word of warning::the off-the-shelf brands such as Dell,HP,Gateway,etc.,often use power supplies,case designs,and other little tricks to make them non-compatible with the generic type ATX motherboards. Good Luck! And have fun doing your upgrade! :-)=

Answer 4

you need to go to sites that sell the boards and check out the specs so you can make an informed decision i would just max out the ram on the present board get a couple of dvd writers a bigger hdd and have fun www.tigedrdirect.com and www.newegg.com sell boards and you can brouse to check the pecs