need to know what else I need for my computer

H

HelpMeImRetarded

New Member
Trying to figure out what else I need to complete my computer. I plan on gaming on it. I'm probably going to give a bunch of unnecessary information so bear with me, lol.

I have a mouse/keyboard/monitor/operating system.

I also have a video card already and it is a
Sapphire Radeon HD4870 1 GB(GDDR5 Memory) PCI-E

a 2GB Kit of ram (two different sticks) brand is "crucial"

I have a 500w power supply, is this enough to support my video card? etc (It's at my friend's house, I can get additional info off of it if needed)

Basically I'm trying to work off of my old dell desktop computer and when I hold up my video card to it I feel like it's not even going to fit lol.

So I know for sure that I need a new motherboard because the ram and video(graphics?) card don't fit into it.

Also at the moment I'm kind of tight on cash, so I'd prefer to salvage my old processor until I can get a newer one if possible. It's a Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz Processor.

Only other thing I can think of is a computer case, since my current one might be too small.


Am I missing anything painfully obvious that I've forgotten? If I want to keep my old processor are any of the newer motherboards compatible with it? I need one that works with all my stuff and I don't even know where to begin. T_T
 
So your are using parts from your old Dell? What slot processor is it...478 or 775? If its a 478 you might as well save your money and build yourself a new computer as it will be very hard finding a motherboard for it. What brand and model of power supply do you have? What kind of memory do you have DDR or DDR2? We need all kinds of more info.
 
The memory is DDR2. The model/brand of my power supply i'll have tomorrow. The processor is 478. :/

So if I get a motherboard and a Processor will I be pretty much good to go? Also, have hard drives really "changed" much over the years aside from more space on them? Do I need to worry about the one I have being incompatible?

If you need any additional info let me know, i'll be checking this thread pretty often.
 
Not too many HDD issues - most lower end boards seem to have one IDE amongst the SATA's. Depending on your case, you might be able to fit the card in, but how many fans can it take to keep it cool? If not, a new case, motherboard and processor should do.
 
Do you want to keep using DDR2 RAM? Or buy new DDR3 RAM?
You would need
CPU, Motherboard, DVD burner, HDD and case.
What is your budget?
 
@sdsmods I'm just going to get a new case to be safe. It's pretty small.

@daisymtc DDR2, preferably. I don't really have a "set" budget. I was hoping to get away with only spending $300-400 total. Heh.

So I (for sure) need a case, a motherboard that's compatible with everything, and a CPU.

As far as the DVD burner/HDD go, is there any information I can give you about the specs of my computer to see if I can just keep the old ones? Or am I definitely going to need new ones?

Also, I'll post the brand/model of the power supply ASAP.
 
OK, if you want to keep DDR2 RAM with $300-400 overall. Go for AMD.

HDD and DVD burner - the modern interface will be SATA, but most motherboard still keep 1 IDE which allow you to hook upto 2 IDE device. However, I won't recommend you keep your main HDD with IDE, because it is too slow. While for DVD burner, it would be up to you, a new one is just $25 anyway.

Here is my suggested list for $300-400
CPU - AMD Phenom II x4 955/ 965, depends on how much you want to spend.

Mobo - Any of these. I personally would prefer AMD 770 chipset

HDD - Grab a SATA Seagate 7200.12/ Western Digital Caviar Black

DVD burner - Something with Free shipping??

Case - Don't know what type you like. Just suggest a budget case
 
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In my opinion, you don't need a new DVD burner. Use that money on your other components. Your HDD will work but as has been said, it's going to be a bit slow compared to a SATA II 3Gbit/s.

The graphics card should be PCI-E, otherwise it's not worth buying a new motherboard for and you should wait and save for a PCI-E card. Make sure you're earthed or at least touch a radiator before/when handling internal components.

If I were you, I'd check my case to see if it had mounting positions for the "ATX" style of motherboard (the most common), so you could save the money from that. A new case isn't gonna make your games run better. If it really is too small, then I guess you haven't much choice (you could get something cheap and nasty off eBay, probably).
 
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