heat sink?

[|D|-Char-ley_Killa]

i have a dell and I am getting a new case and mobo but i am not sure if i can keep the same heatsink that comes with the dell 8400 for my new mobo, can i even use it or is it worth it to buy a better one and if that what one. has to be under like 30-40 bucks, and im not over clocking. thx!

[DeathFromAbove]

Re: heat sink?

Youd could use it as long as your CPU is the same but I would say get a better one. WRONG SECTION! GO TO HARDWARE! and you might have to buy win xp again

[|D|-Char-ley_Killa]

Re: heat sink?

why would i have to buy windows xp again

[Arec]

Re: heat sink?

You're probably better off getting an entirely new system if at all possible. You're looking at some serious headaches if you try to get a new mobo into an old system w/old components, and you'll void your Dell warranty (if it isn't already expired) in the process.

[Arec]

Re: heat sink?

WindowsXP is tied to your system. If you change out major components, it may want you to activate a new copy because it thinks you're on a new system. Like I said, you're probably better off just going with a new system entirely. A lot of headaches come with doing major upgrades on old systems.

[|D|-Char-ley_Killa]

Re: heat sink?

my warranty is almost up thats not a problem, and i really have no consern with all the work + new system costs to much. i bought a dell and now i regret it so much and i only have about 300-400 bucks to spend this is alol i can do

[|D|-Char-ley_Killa]

Re: heat sink?

hmm, i didnt know what about a reformat? or do i really need to reinstall xp or could i blow that part off

[Arec]

Re: heat sink?

If you only have a few hundred bucks you'll have to make due with the difficult upgrade and quite likely having to reinstall a lot of software and buy components you didn't think you'd need to. If at all possible, try to save up to $1k and you can buy a really good basic gaming system for that.

[|D|-Char-ley_Killa]

Re: heat sink?

well i have all the stuff i need and i have been talking to people that will tell me everyhting i need to do this. and i cant really save 1k caus im only 15 and i dont have a job, so its kinda hard. new system= not an option.

[Arec]

Re: heat sink?

Are you sure that your old processor is the same socket and a speed that your new motherboard can handle? What about your old ram? Is it the same pin count as the new motherboard takes? Graphcis card? An older motherboard may have AGP, while the good new ones are mostly PCIe x16. Is your old HD PATA or SATA? Will the new motherboard support it?

There's a lot to think about when upgrading the motherboard and using old components. I hope you get everything worked out with as few problems as possible.

[|D|-Char-ley_Killa]

Re: heat sink?

yeah i have all that stuff the same im not that retarded, there r just a few things that i dont know, like the heat sink, and if i have to reformat my hard drives

[Master Cheif]

Re: heat sink?

Sometimes you may not have to reformat. If the change of youre hardware is too drastic then windows wont be able to handle it and you'd need to reformat. Im not 100% sure if a new mobo is too big of a change. And heatsinks are specific to processor types, most times if youre procesor chip fits then the heatsink will fit.

[mrbucket]

Re: heat sink?

why would i have to buy windows xp again

Maybe not, i had to call microsoft after i replaced my old mobo for a new one. I just said the old mobo fried, and i was replacing it. They gladly gave me a new code to activate. Just make sure your stuff is compatible with what you already have, like others are saying. GL

[Chu-Dog]

Re: heat sink?

If you get a new HSF, Zalman makes really easy to install, all copper heatsinks, with or without leds. I also tried out a cooler master, good cooling but a little harder to install.

[imported_Mutrino]

Re: heat sink?

The heatsink is the least of your problems.


First, no you dont have to buy a new copy of Winblows. When transferring the HD it might ask you to reactivate thats all. I dont know why anyone would think you have to reformat your drives.

RAM : if your MOBO supports it just transfer the sticks.

Videocard : transfer a PCI card to a PCI slot, same applies to AGP

Processor : make sure your new board has the right socket. If it is the same socket chances are the heatsink will fit also.

Cd drives : just plug in.

Now, the PSU is where you could have a problem. Dell uses PSU's with non standard pinouts on their connectors, one of the reasons Dell sucks, which means you might NOT be able to use your old PSU. Be careful, the connector might fit but you might not have the right voltage on the right pin potentially damaging your new board. Do yourself a favor and just toss, i mean throw away and dont keep it, the PSU from the Dell machine and buy a good 500 W or so standard PSU.