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General discussion

Merging 2 computers

by Kolzz Jul 30, 2007 1:01PM PDT

ok so here it is
i have 2 computers, both HPs, and i was wondering if i could take the processor, gfx card, and ram (motherboard if necessary) out of onea nd put it into my other to make a faster computer.

i figure i would need another psu and another case to fit it all, but theoretically woudl it work?

both computers have agp type gfx cards and Pentium 4 processors

thanks
`Mike

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Maybe
by jackson dougless Jul 30, 2007 1:34PM PDT

You could probably do it, but what's the point exactly? You'd basically just be moving everything from one case to another.

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Thanks
by Kolzz Jul 30, 2007 2:03PM PDT

well my whole point was to make a generally better computer
make it run faster, better, prettier

my parents just got a new laptop and gave me free reign with their computer so i wanted to try some stuff out

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No...
by John.Wilkinson Jul 30, 2007 1:36PM PDT

In short, it just doesn't work like that. The RAM can be added to the other computer if it's the same type, but that's about it. The graphics card could only be added in that fashion if both were the same SLI or Crossfire models and the motherboard supported it, which is not applicable in your case. And two processors cannot be combined in a single computer unless the motherboard and processors were designed for it, which they're not. While theoretically possible it's something a group of experienced computer engineers may fiddle around with, not the average end user. Now, there are some programs where you can distribute the workload between two separate computers, but for practical purposes that won't be beneficial...Windows will still take the same amount of time to load, your games won't run any faster, etc.

Sorry.
John

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Actually...
by jackson dougless Jul 30, 2007 1:51PM PDT

Unless Intel has changed things recently, they don't make special SMP chips like AMD does. You can pick up any two like CPUs, put them into a SMP board, and be good to go. Of course that doesn't help much if you have two CPUs of different speeds. But Intel chips have always been great for SMP setups. I'm not sure if AMD adds some additional logic to their SMP chips, that attempts to make them operate more efficiently, or if it's just an attempt to subsidize their generally lower than Intel desktop chip prices. Anyway, unless some things have changed, Intel chips can more or less be plugged into any old SMP board.

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Things have changed...
by John.Wilkinson Jul 30, 2007 3:30PM PDT

The average Pentium 4 actually does not provide multi-processor support like its predecessors did. Intel decided it wasn't needed by the average user purchasing the product and stripped it away to reduce costs and simplify the design. Now you're forced to purchase models specifically designed for such setups or go multi-core instead.

John

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