For several years now I have been using an older desktop computer (purchased in April 2000) at my radio. Within the last year, this computer has developed several problems:
- Excessive Power Supply Fan noise - replaced with an ATX power supply that I picked up at the Orlando Ham Fest for about $10.
- Failing Hard Disk Drive - replaced with a new 80GB hard drive purchased from newegg.com
- Outdated Windows98 Operating System - replaced with a OEM copy of Windows XP purchased from newegg.com.
After these problems were fixed, I was still left with a terribly slow system that utilized a Pentium III processor working at 600MHz with 128MB of RAM that was not compatible with the new Vista operating system. Also, the system had no onboard LAN capability so I used a USB-to-Ethernet adapter that I happened to have on hand for my internet connection. Plus the two USB ports were low speed USB 1.0 compatible and the existing motherboard provides no Serial ATA drive capability.
Faced with these inadequacies and a desire to ultimately build my own computer, I began researching possible motherboard/CPU replacements for this system. Driving this research was the desire to upgrade the motherboard and CPU for the least amount of money but still give me the performance that I would like and need for controlling my radio station and for performing basic work on the internet. I finally came across an article written by Norm Higgs:
http://forbiddenpc.blogspot.com/2007/07/build-your-own-pc-for-400.html
This article formed the basis for my upgrade path. As described in this article, I finally decided to purchase the following items:
- MSI K8MM3-V Socket 754 Motherboard - $39.99
- AMD Sempron 64 2600+ 1.6GHz CPU - $29.00
- Corsair DR400 512MB Memory Module - $26.99
All items were purchased from newegg.com and came to a total of $103.81 with shipping. When the items arrived, I removed the case power supply then started disconnecting all connections to the old motherboard. After removing the old motherboard and IO shield, I inserted the new IO shield then figured out where to move the motherboard standoffs to accommodate the new motherboard with its mini-ATX form factor. (The old motherboard had the ATX form factor.) The case had the correct holes for the mini-ATX board so I just had to move the standoffs to the new position.
After installing the motherboard into the case and checking the fit with the IO shield, I installed the new Sempron processor into the 754 socket and then worked on installing the heat-sink/CPU fan over the processor. I ended up having alot of trouble getting the heat sink to latch over the processor and was forced to remove the motherboard from the case to complete this installation. After finally, getting the heat-sink/CPU fan assembly firmly attached to the CPU, I installed the single 512MB dual in-line memory module (DIMM) then installed the motherboard back into the case. Finally, I made all the connections from the existing hard drive, CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, front panel switches and lights and replaced the ATX power supply. After connecting main motherboard power, CPU power, and power to all periphery components, I powered the unit up and found that I had connected the main front panel power switch backwards. I corrected this problem then started reloading the operating system and software.
Several days later now, I am very happy with the results of my motherboard/CPU replacement. I now have an adequately fast system that has good upgrade capabilities (SATA drive, graphics board) and is Vista compatible. In addition to faster CPU, faster front-side bus, and faster (plus more) mai