upgrade MB and Processor

[slaird]

My father wants to upgrade his Motherboard and Processor (but still wants to use his PC 133 memory). Do you have any suggestions as to the MB to get? (Thinking on-board as much as possible, but I have a sound card, modem, lan)

I was thinking a MB that can take PC 133 and DDR. Or maybe if someone has a really good deal for a MB/Processor/Memory combo.

The other question I have is "Is it feasible to buy a Server machine to use for normal use? What are the differences?"

Thanks for your help.

P.S. He has a AMD 500 MHZ, ~380 MB RAM

[John Prophet]

Its not really feasible to try to use a server at home...unless you REALLY know what youre doing...because there are some basic differences....for instance, often servers can ONLY use "registered" or "ecc" ram..which costs more.

There are other differences etc.

That being said...lots of people have bought the Dell server..I cant think of the model right off hand....400c 600c..something like that, lol.....there are articles etc showing how to use them for home use etc. Dell has them as low as less than $300 sometimes.

But frankly its more of a hassle and there is no real benefit. The regular home computers nowadays are so powerful that a server for home use doesnt really make sense to me.

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here is a decent MSI motherboard that uses both types of memory http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...130-404&depa=0 it has onboard video,sound,lan. It will take up to an athlon 2600+ thoroughbred processor.

there is also the ECS K7s5a but frankly it is a little picky..I wouldnt recommend it for newcomers...

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...135-126&depa=0

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here is an Athlon XP2000 cpu http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-383&depa=0

you can get the athlon and the MSI board for $114 shipped...that would be a major upgrade from what you have.

[RAR]

A couple other questions you may want to consider:

Is the computer a properitary brand (Compaq, Dell, HP, etc...)? If so, most of them have properitary motherboards which are different sizes than what you may purchase.

The other thing to consider is the power supply. If you get a better board and faster processor, it may need more juice to run it stable.

Can you give a few more specs of the existing computer and maybe let us know what your father's budget is so we can give you some more suggestions.

[slaird]

John-
The question I posed comparing a Server vs. Home Computer does stem from the suggested use of the Dell Server at home (I've seen on this site I believe). Is a Server Machine more stable??? I didn't think about the memory being special.

So do you think it is a good deal to put the Dell Server in as a home workstation for someone w/ experience?

RAR-
The board is not proprietary. It is one I put together for him a while back. It is a EP-MVP4A. It has a 300W power supply I believe (no markings on the side that is open). He has a cd-writer in it and has already purchased a dvd-writer +/- for it. The video is standard on-board. Has a simple sound card, a modem and a lan card. (He may need a new video card for DVD playing) No gaming needed.

On the new computer he would to play/record DVD's. He also would like to use it as the main computer for a local area network.

He has considered buying a new machine altogether, but also is looking into just upgrading. His budget is varied... maybe $300 for a new computer or just over $100 for an upgrade or so. He is basically a deal shopper and likes to feel that he got a good deal (like many of us on this site).

[scorman]

why bother?
check out this deal incl board,AMD 2400+, 256MB for $99 +S+H
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...%20C&CatId=188

if you don't have an ATX case ..they can be gotten for about $30 shipped

[PinataUT]

Yeah I can't see trying to recycle THAT memory these days.

Better to give away any components you don't think you'll be using - assuming you can find any takers.

[bill1971]

But hang on to that PC133 memory. As production has moved to the various flavors of DDR, PC133 now sells for a premium of approx. 30+% over DDR.

- Bill

[HeadBand]

What Kind of CPU do you intend on putting in this new setup?

I did this a while back with a celeron2.2 on an ASrock board that was like 40$ with integrated AVL and had DDR&PC133...It is a very stable board and I have pretty much finished my plan to get an agp videocard (since my old board didn't have an agp slot) and now ddr memory....next i'm probobally gonna get a board with AGP/PCI express and DDR/DDR2