is this possible (upgrade)

[Bramp]

so I got a 4 year old emachines desktop with a 2.66 celeron D (that is not a dual core for those of you who associate that D with that, lol) anyways 768mb ram blah blah old crap that is just too slow to even run yahoo mail with the banner flashing on the top of the page. lol. So I was thinking why not swap the MB so I can have a new processor and dual channel ram while keeping my existing hard drives and CD, DVD drives, PSU etc to make this like under $200 because I am really cash strapped?

Is this possible? or are all my connections too old to fit on new MB?

P.S this is a work machine, I have two PCI video cards so I can run 4 monitors. not sure on the power supply, maybe have to upgrade that too if this is doable?

Thanks, and sorry for long post.

 

[bomberboysk]

so I got a 4 year old emachines desktop with a 2.66 celeron D (that is not a dual core for those of you who associate that D with that, lol) anyways 768mb ram blah blah old crap that is just too slow to even run yahoo mail with the banner flashing on the top of the page. lol. So I was thinking why not swap the MB so I can have a new processor and dual channel ram while keeping my existing hard drives and CD, DVD drives, PSU etc to make this like under $200 because I am really cash strapped?

Is this possible? or are all my connections too old to fit on new MB?

P.S this is a work machine, I have two PCI video cards so I can run 4 monitors. not sure on the power supply, maybe have to upgrade that too if this is doable?

Thanks, and sorry for long post.

Definately will need power supply, emachines stuff is about as low end as you can get. Hard drives and optical drives should be fine though the hard drive is probably pretty slow and will limit you.

 

[johnb35]

You might have a problem with the case connections to the motherboard though just like any other OEM manufacturer.

 

[Bramp]

Is there anyway I can take measurements to check if the connections for new MB fastenings are correct - what are the standard measurements?

I know how to use a drill too if they are not. << is that feasible?

You might have a problem with the case connections to the motherboard though just like any other OEM manufacturer.

I can always upgrade HD down the road (when more coin is available), I am pretty sure CPU, and ram are bottleneck right now. CPU always running 100% from stupid banners and crap.. uhg..

Definately will need power supply, emachines stuff is about as low end as you can get. Hard drives and optical drives should be fine though the hard drive is probably pretty slow and will limit you.

 

[johnb35]

Modding the motherboard connections is gonna take more than a drill and some time, if its even possible to do. You will need to most likely do something to the existing connector to make it fit the new motherboard. OEM machines usually make the motherboard connector one big clump of wires. New cases come with individual connections for the power led, hdd led, reset button if equipped.

 

[schw32m]

which e-machine is it?

 

[Bramp]

which e-machine is it?

T3624

Modding the motherboard connections is gonna take more than a drill and some time, if its even possible to do. You will need to most likely do something to the existing connector to make it fit the new motherboard. OEM machines usually make the motherboard connector one big clump of wires. New cases come with individual connections for the power led, hdd led, reset button if equipped.

I will take pictures of everything when I get the time so you guys can see if this is worth it or not for me.....

 

[schw32m]

Ok the original board is a micro ATX. So anything that fits that form factor will fit inside the case..

You will have to upgrade the PSU. Be sure of your measurements on the replacement to make sure you have room. The bolt pattern on the case is standard ATX.

The front panel controls (switch, HDD LED, power ON LED) will transfer to the new MB as they are all individual connectors. The Card reader will be not problem as it uses a standard MB USB header. If there is a back exhaust fan, replace it with a 90mm instead of the stock 80mm (it has holes to fit a 90 so no worries)

Drives are all IDE so if you change out and want to keep the original drive configuration you will have to get a SATA to IDE adapter for the HDD or replace HDD with a SATA drive. The optical drives will be fine on the IDE.

If you plan to use high end video cards make sure you have space. There are only 3 add on slots so be aware of the limitations.

Space is at a premium in those mini-towers so watch your cable management and don't get crazy with heatsink sizes as you are not going to have a lot of extra room.

 

[Bramp]

Thank you schw32m for your knowledgeable post. How or where did you get this information? I am not questioning your answers, I just want to be sure I am doing the right thing as this is my only work computer and I can't destroy it

I will play with newegg over the weekend and see what parts I can come up with, thanks everyone..

bedtime, passing out... lol...

Ok the original board is a micro ATX. So anything that fits that form factor will fit inside the case..

You will have to upgrade the PSU. Be sure of your measurements on the replacement to make sure you have room. The bolt pattern on the case is standard ATX.

The front panel controls (switch, HDD LED, power ON LED) will transfer to the new MB as they are all individual connectors. The Card reader will be not problem as it uses a standard MB USB header. If there is a back exhaust fan, replace it with a 90mm instead of the stock 80mm (it has holes to fit a 90 so no worries)

Drives are all IDE so if you change out and want to keep the original drive configuration you will have to get a SATA to IDE adapter for the HDD or replace HDD with a SATA drive. The optical drives will be fine on the IDE.

If you plan to use high end video cards make sure you have space. There are only 3 add on slots so be aware of the limitations.

Space is at a premium in those mini-towers so watch your cable management and don't get crazy with heatsink sizes as you are not going to have a lot of extra room.

 

[schw32m]

Thank you schw32m for your knowledgeable post. How or where did you get this information? I am not questioning your answers, I just want to be sure I am doing the right thing as this is my only work computer and I can't destroy it

I will play with newegg over the weekend and see what parts I can come up with, thanks everyone..

bedtime, passing out... lol...

Part of it is from here which gives me the basic specifications. The rest comes from doing repairs on a lot of e-machine systems over the years. I also have 2 reworked T series boxes that I did MB replacements in for my own use..

As a side note: You will have to reinstall or install a new OP system if you replace the MB.

 

[bomberboysk]

Thank you schw32m for your knowledgeable post. How or where did you get this information? I am not questioning your answers, I just want to be sure I am doing the right thing as this is my only work computer and I can't destroy it

I will play with newegg over the weekend and see what parts I can come up with, thanks everyone..

bedtime, passing out... lol...

Open up the side panel, check the ~bottom left area of the motherboard where case connections would be. See if you can find the front panel connectors, and if you can check if its a single connector or multiple small connectors.

 

[Bramp]

Part of it is from here which gives me the basic specifications. The rest comes from doing repairs on a lot of e-machine systems over the years. I also have 2 reworked T series boxes that I did MB replacements in for my own use..

As a side note: You will have to reinstall or install a new OP system if you replace the MB.

My OS is on the hard drive, I have no installation CD, is this a problem? Because if I have to buy an OS i'll be way over budget.

Open up the side panel, check the ~bottom left area of the motherboard where case connections would be. See if you can find the front panel connectors, and if you can check if its a single connector or multiple small connectors.

I will open her up and look everything over prior to making any purchases to double check everything (connections etc). I may also take pics if I am unsure about something.

Just spread out 500bucks and you might get a whole new CPU. Wonder why if u trying to spend so much time to search for possible upgrade.

Since xmas is coming, Every shop should be having discount. Just grabb a new CPU.

the difference from $200/$250 to $500 from someone who has no steady work is riches lol. I certainly wish I had $500 to spend but I don't, so I will try to accomplish this IF it is feasible. If it is not feasible then I will just continue to save and maybe in another year or two we can build something.