Upgrading A PC With Used Hardware

[dersta]

As some of you will know I have ordered my new pc from PCS and I am waiting for it to be built and delivered but I have decided to use some of the hardware parts from my old Dell PC and upgrade my brothers Dell PC for him but I have a few questions regarding the process:-

I am planning to add the ram, graphics card, soundcard, tv card and maybe the power supply unit from my pc to his pc.

Would it be wise to add these items one at a time or all at once?

For example... if i add the 4gb of ram from my pc to his pc after removing his 512mb ram does the pc read and recognise it automatically and update the bios or do I have to update the bios manually?

The ram is DDR2 so it should be ok to just add it to his pc as a big upgrade for him, but will he notice any difference in speed as he uses his pc for normal day to dat processes?

The graphics card should be ok as long as there is space to fit the card i suppose and the psu can take the extra juice required to run it lol

The sound card and tv card should also be fine as long as there are enough pci slots available.

Can anyone here see any issues with what I plan to do and does anyone have any hints and tips so that I dont mess it up?

I know that there is not much spec detail here for you to go off but as long as the basic principles are right I should be ok to go ahead.

Cheers!

Dersta

 

[Rakk]

Would it be wise to add these items one at a time or all at once?

Personally I'd go for one change at a time, it will take quite a lot longer, but if you get any problems, you'll know exactly which bit caused the issue

For example... if i add the 4gb of ram from my pc to his pc after removing his 512mb ram does the pc read and recognise it automatically and update the bios or do I have to update the bios manually?

It 'should' be able to see it automatically without any intervention from you, if he's on a 32-bit OS he may only be able to see 3.5GB ish of it though

The ram is DDR2 so it should be ok to just add it to his pc as a big upgrade for him, but will he notice any difference in speed as he uses his pc for normal day to dat processes?

Depends how much of the RAM he's currently using, which probably depends on how much stuff he has open, I suspect it will make a nice difference cos I suspect it's probably currently having to use the page file as its not got much RAM.
Make sure however that its is the same sort of RAM, ie. if his old machine only has DDR instead of DDR2, its possible his motherboard wont like the DDR2 RAM (it might be fine, I just dont know).

Would probably be helpful if you coudl find out the PSU in his machien and teh one you're taking apart, if his is a lot less you may find you need to replace his PSU to cope with all the extra/new stuff you're adding.

I know Dell often have custom motherboards and other custom stuff making them difficult to upgrade but hopefully with both being DELL machines, all the bits will be compatible.

 

[vanthus]

I agree with Rakk,also about the possibility of problems if the motherbord is different.
Wouldn't it be easier just to give him the computer as it stands?
just a thought,ignore it if it's a stupid one.

 

[Buzz]

Yeh id 2nd Rakks post.

Installing hardware 1 at a time is prob best and certainly if they use drivers. IE GPU/sound card etc.

Ram will be fine can put that in anytime really, but for hardware with drivers is best to install hardware turn on comp and install its drivers then shut down and do the next part.

The ram will need to be suitable for the motherboard you are installing it in. If it is the same as ram already in you will be fine.

Its all fairly straight forward but make sure you ground/earth yourself while touching any components as you could short it out from built up static in your body.

 

[Rakk]

Wouldn't it be easier just to give him the computer as it stands?

Haha, I shoulda thought about that, it does sound the simplest solution

 

[dersta]

I agree with Rakk,also about the possibility of problems if the motherbord is different.
Wouldn't it be easier just to give him the computer as it stands?
just a thought,ignore it if it's a stupid one.

That would be easier but I think the motherboard in my pc is broken thats why Ive ordered a new one

Thanks for all of your comments so far, they have made me fairly confident of upgrading the ram and the graphics card for sure

Dersta

 

[keynes]

That would be easier but I think the motherboard in my pc is broken thats why Ive ordered a new one

Thanks for all of your comments so far, they have made me fairly confident of upgrading the ram and the graphics card for sure

Dersta

Hello Dersta,
What case do you have? I tried to upgrade a dell inspiron and had problems fitting a new motherboard on it as well as upgrading a new GPU (too hot).

 

[dersta]

Hi rubensolo,

My case is a Dell XPS/9200 case and my brothers case is a Dell Dimension 5000 so it will most likely have a different motherboard.

Guess I won't know for sure until I open his case up and see what slots are available and what I can and can't add for him.

Cheers!

Dersta

 

[baron75mk2]

i had an alienware ( made by dell ) , they had built it in such a way that you couldnt put a standard power pack in to it ( some kind of strange custom pack with the fans on the back of the pack & big shroud covering it with lugs & recesses for the pack) - hopefully being that they are both dell they will have the same PSU desighn & wont cause you a problem.

but take a look at the packs mountings if its completely covered with no air holes then it will be one of these strange cusytom PSUs , but if they are both the same custom PSU then hopefully there will be no issue changing them over.

For what its worth i would install the PSU & the gpu & then the ram afterwards ( just keep the ram that is in there for now) , as its not really worth changing the ram out with no GPU as you need the GPU in there to check that the ram has been registerd in the bios correctly (unless it has an on board gpu that is ?)

Only other thing to consider is that there is enough airflow for whatever GPU is being installed as some GPUs can throw a lot of hot air in to the case .