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General discussion

Upgrading Motherboard / Processor / PC Altogether

Aug 21, 2004 4:22PM PDT

Hello. First off I want to thank everybody who reads each others posts and adds a little help.

I have an HP Media Center Editon PC 864N. I love my computer, except there's no room for future expansion.

All of my PCI slots are taken up (there's only three), I have a flimsy 200W power source, and there's no open drives. It runs hot, and there's only one fan.

I want to buy a new case. I have my heart set on this Silverstone case (http://xoxide.com/ssttjo4.html). Yet, it only has two fans, and I would love to find an aluminum/steel case with exhaust fans on top.

Also, I want to buy a new motherboard that supports my current processor, yet will leave me room to update my processor in the next couple years.

Can anybody offer me any advice on a case or mobo?

THANKS

Here are my specs:

Product Specs - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=bph08150

Motherboard Specs -
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bph07942

Discussion is locked

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Re: Upgrading Motherboard / Processor / PC Altogether
Aug 23, 2004 6:16PM PDT

If you take out your hard drive and install it on another mother board you will most likely need to resinstall windows. SAVE your data before you move the hard drive.

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Re: Upgrading Motherboard / Processor / PC Altogether
Aug 24, 2004 8:35AM PDT

By the time you go through upgrading an HP computer, you could build a new system or have someone build a new one for you. I am not criticizing what you want to do. HP computers as well as Compaq are not really designed to be upgraded.
If you are still set on getting a new case, try the Lian brand case. Go to http://www.newegg.com and search for that brand of case. The PC-61 case, which I own, is made of all aluminum and has 4 fans, 2 intake, one on top and one in the rear for exhaust.
You never specified what you were going to use your system for, but I have found the Gigabyte motherboards to work quite well. I presently own the 7N400 Pro 2 board which supports socket A processors.
Good luck on your search.