Printable View
There are metal and plastic standoffs that attach to the case and the mobo is fastened to them through the holes in the mobo.
This one is screwed in, but it will give you a idea of what they look like.
http://www.barovelli.com/comp/mint/mbstandoff.jpg
With all said, you could save quite a bit of time and money and buy a low end Dell that would outperform your current system. I just looked at a special buy for $299 that even included the monitor.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...=D50802V&s=dhs
Just my two cents worth. :cool:
Is the learning experience worth it?
I says yes it is, plus the fact what you whip out, will more up to date and more upgradable than a Dell will ever be.
Once you see how easy computers go together, you will wonder why you ever bought a name brand. But, I will admit that building is not everyone's bag.
Train: I agree in most part. My suggestion was in ref. to upgrading the current HP system in question, which really doesn't have much room for any appreachable gain. I'm not sure if the new hard drive is even useable. I noticed it has integrated video, which leaves a big hole.
Now, if the idea is to build a new system, by all means, go for it. The help available on this board is the best and will always steer you in the right direction. :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by beanman2k
I hear where you're coming from. I think building from scratch would be fun, though. Besides, not looking for overall ultra-high performance. This will be more of a project to keep my free time to a minimum.
Well, you can install a 64MB PCI video card. You will notice that to make a difference as the card will take some of the load off the cpu, thus allowing it [the cpu] to do other things.
Hi:
Some MBs you may purchase have sound and video built in (to save overall costs) be sure new MB has enough slots for your cards (video, sound, etc) exept your current MB may have these built in and the new one may not then you have to look to getting new video card for new board. Look around at some of the MB/CPU combos at zipzoomfly.com or pricewatch.
Kevin
lgbpop:
your point is well made. I always build my own desktop systems and always will. I wasn't sure how much you were willing to play. Good for you!
As to laptops, thats another story. Good luck and I hope I can jump in again with some real help.
Have fun
Okay, here's another question that I hope isn't too dumb: What if anything on the motherboard determines how fast a processor I can put on it? On my computer the HP specs say there's a processor limit of 800Mhz (500Mhz Celeron installed), but doesn't say why that's the limit. Is it a function of the heat buildup or design limits of the circuitry, or both, or neither?
Its a design limit of the motherboard basically the processor setting is a multiplication of the Front side bus speed [MHZ] and whats called the multiplier both or either of which may a set of jumpers on older boards or on newer boards may be set in the bios or even automatically by a locked processor.
So if your board is say running at 100MHZ Front side bus and a maximum multiplier of 8 then that gives you the 800MHZ.
Hope this helps explain it a little.
I did find this additional information on the board posted by another user of the HP 6630 range:
www.donovansmith.us/node/2
Interesting stuff. If I understand all this, by changing the jumper settings you can manipulate the FSB and multipliers and create a higher processor speed, within limits. This is the "overclocking" I've read about, right? Aside from acrid smoke and flames, what determines a board's limits?
There are many factors in regard to a successful overclock ... The term "Hewlett Packard" is not among those factors. Would strongly suggest not playing the OC game with an HP of any sort ... I have a vision of spontaneous combustion, does bring a chuckle, sorry. :p
Its not just the limitations of the boards bios which may not even have the ability written in but also the processor which limits the overclock in that thermal temperatures increase significantly the faster the processors Front side bus or multiplier is set.Thus it may need better cooling plus the voltage applied to the processor may need increasing in 0.1 volt steps until it runs more stable i.e. does not crash the system.
To those who do it its very much an art of jugling performance against design limits.
There are different limitations on the same processor designed speed as not all are the same issue an example of the A series Celeron 500MHZ is the following quote but as has already been said its unlikely the bios HP provide will have these settings written in and altering the FSB can also affect other components on the board:
7.5 x 75MHz = 563MHz
7.5 x 79MHz = 593MHz
7.5 x 81MHz = 608MHz
7.5 x 83MHz = 623MHz
7.5 x 100MHz = 750MHz*
7.5 x 103MHz = 773MHz*
7.5 x 112MHz = 840MHz*
* = Very rare and difficult to achieve. Success rate below one in five
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardwar...ron_oc/c.shtml
Wow, thx so much for all the info. Gonna go shopping and see what I come up with; the end result may not be even close to what I envisioned but it oughta be interesting. Will post back after I order the goodies.