Old Case New Comp.. Need Help

[Dr Cuervo]

My family recently bought a new computer and I am taking the old one off their hands. I was planning to build myself a new computer anyhow so I figured I could save a few dollars by using the old case. However I'm not sure if it will work or not and need some help.

The old computer is a dell dimension 4550 P4 2.67 GHz

I wanted to use the case and basically build the model on the homepage but I'm not sure if the new motherboard/Processor/Graphics Card and such would fit inside the case and was looking for some guidance.

Would I be able to do this or would I have to get a new case and just take some of the old parts that are still usable?

Thanks

[DirtyRasa]

Could you post what MOBO/GPU/CPU you are going to use? It would help to know so to give you better information!

I'll go look up the dimensions of the Case for you.

I was looking around for the specs of the case to see what formfactor it was but can't find anything on it!
Sorry I can't help at the moment. But please do list the GPU/MOBO/CPU you are planning on using and one of the moderators will be able to better help you

[Dr Cuervo]

MB: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
GFX: eVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896 MB DDR3 PCI-E

I also have a dell dimension 4100 that has been sitting around for quite some time. That case seems to be more standard. Would using that case be a good option rather than buying a new one?

[The Wise Monkey]

The problem is that Dell and other manufacturers usually use a strange size motherboard to stop people from upgrading things themselves. Best thing to do is get a tape measure out and have a look for yourself.

The GTX260 is 10.5" long, so this could be one of the issues.

[Dr Cuervo]

Thanks for the help guys.

I was able to find out that the 4100 case is standard ATX size but I would need to upgrade the fans and power supply which would end up costing me the same as a new good case w/fan and psu. The 4550 is not a standard size and it will not fit the MB/GPU.

On another general question. Would it be worthwhile to buy a MB now that has i7 capabilities (about $150 more) with the intention to upgrade to i7 at a later date when I have more money/it is more proven or would you just wait and replace the MB and CPU at the same time.

With the build I'm about to make I plan on just going Core 2 Duo and the MB I'm looking at doesn't specify that it supports i7 technology.

[The Wise Monkey]

You wouldn't be able to upgrade from a Core 2 Duo CPU to an i7 without buying a new motherboard as they use different sockets (775 as opposed to 1366).

It depends on what you are going to be using the computer for. If you are going to be doing lots of video or photo editing, then it is worth spending the extra money for an i7. For gaming, the E8400 will offer better performance. For general multi-tasking, it might be worth considering a Core 2 Quad e.g. the Q9550.

[Dr Cuervo]

Ok so I'm pretty much all set up to purchase my parts for this new computer. These are the parts that I'm going to be purchasing new.

CASE:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

MB:http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205144

CPU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205144

GPU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434

HD:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

RAM:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

My only problem is that all of the suggested DVD/CD drives are currently unavailable from newegg/amazon. I was wondering if someone could offer a suggestion that is currently available from newegg that won't die on me or have adware like the lg one is claiming.

Thanks

[DirtyRasa]

As for a optical drive, I bought this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188 since everything else was out of stock when I went to buy my parts as well. So far it works perfectly and there are NO problems with it! I haven't tried writing a disc on it though.

[Dr Cuervo]

Ok I've now ordered everything except the optical drive and the OS. I'm going to wait to order the optical drive and OS together when the samsung drive becomes available. However, while looking through which OS to purchase I stumbled across 2 different alternatives, both similar.

Both are the Vista Home Premium 64 bit version but one comes with a "free" upgrade to Windows 7 and costs $10 more. Here are the links.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485

The second mention 32-116-674 for Tech Guarantee but I could not find what exactly that means. Is there any advantage to buying the second option over the first?

Thanks

[The Wise Monkey]

The second link is only 32-bit, and that mention is for the 32-bit product with a tech guarantee. If you do a search on newegg for 32-116-674, you get 32-bit Vista with a tech guarantee.

All of that is kind of superfluous, because the first link you mentioned is an excellent deal and is definitely the one you should be going for. :D

[Dr Cuervo]

I recieved all of the parts today and I am in the process of building my new computer and I ran into a problem.

I have the Antec Sonata III case and I can not seem to find the PSU fan connection. I looked through all of the manual and it did not mention anything about the psu fan connection although it did reference the fact that it had a psu fan. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Dr Cuervo]

Ok, so I took out the psu, found no more cables and figured that the fan must be powered through either the 8-pin or 24-pin cables. Seems that I was right as all of my fans were spinning, although it takes about 1-2 seconds for the cpu one to start(is this bad?).

The First screen loaded up showing a whole bunch of numbers and devices and with an error saying boot failed, insert boot disk.

The only things I currently have connected are the cpu, gpu, and case plugs for the speaker, power, etc.

On another note, there is only a blue LED showing solid on the front of the case, the universal power symbol in the middle of the power button does not light up.

I will also post this in first boot problems because that is where I actually think this goes.