Is this upgrade as easy as it seems??

[m@yles]

Given, here's my current Machine:

Mobo: Epox kx133 K7 - SLOT A - EP-7kxA(+)(3 Dimm slots)
Ram: 128 Pc100 (one Module)
Processor: AMD 700Mhz (Pluto K75)
G.card: Geforce 4, 64Mb
CD-Rom: 50X
CD-R/RW: 40x12x48
HDD: 20 Gb
PSU: 230V (unknown type)
O/S: win 98 SE


Proposed upgrade Idea:

Here is the Upgrade bundle pack i want to improve my system:

Http://komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?actio...4&GrpID=1&s=pl

Spec: - Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz Boxed PC533
- MSI 865PE NEO2-LS S478/800MHz, GbLAN, DUAL-DDR400 Mainboard
- DDR-DIMM PC2700 512MB
Questions:
1. Other than changing over parts, and plugging it all back in, is there other things do i need to consider, like Bios Adjustments for example?
2. Is it still ok to use this upgrade machine with win98Se? or will an upgrade to Win 2000/XP be mandatory, given the Ram amount?

Many Thanks.

[onedaddycat]

512mb will work ok with win 98, but it's the max recommended. (and in fact any more CAN cause problems)

As far as the rest of the upgrade, it looks ok; but you should go ahead and replace that power supply, (you may have to)

Also this upgrade will require a format and reload of your hdd if you want it to run correctly.

hope that helps.

[m@yles]

What kind of PSU should i be looking at?

Have you got any ideas what psu would suit the system i wish to upgrade to?

Im not to hot on Psu's and types...


Thanks again.

[SuperSparks]

Enermax and Antec are the best IMO. Go for at least 350Watts. This is my favourite supplier (though I like Komplett too):

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...plies_123.html

You might find these articles helpful:

http://www4.tomshardware.com/howto/2...pplies-05.html

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1774

You might also want to think about upgrading your OS. I'm starting to hear that 98 is not coping well with the latest hardware (and why should it, it was introduced at a time when 64Mb & 35 or 4000MHz were high end).

[MACH2]

I would look into the options ugrading the present system. Obviously a stick pc 133/ 256 would help a lot.
Check mfg'r for max cpu upgrade/supported.

hope it helps.

mach

[ProfessorU]

You totally want a new OS. That rig will probably see a 150+GB harddrive in its lifetime and you'll want to be able to use it. Plus security, and support reasons... and XP is the bomb-diggety compared to win 16-bit. Or maybe 2k if you're into the server side of stuff.

Make sure to get XPpro if you're using multiple monitors. 2k and 2k3 work for that too but it's kinda rickety.

[Calpitor]

A new power supply will be a necessity. Once you get the board you will see a new connection to the board, an ATX 12V Power Connector: JPW1 This 12V power connector is used to provide power to the CPU. I highgly recomend Enermax and Antec as well.

[kallikru]

Hmmm - a board capabable of running at 800 Mhz FSB and using dual channel RAM - bundled with a 533 MHz FSB processor...and PC333 MHz (non-dual-channel) ram....the price may be ok but IMHO not the combination. Ok, it'll leave you room for future upgrades but in that case both processor and RAM will have to go.

I just installed Win98SE on a system with Intel 875P chipset - fastest I ever build...no problem.

[ProfessorU]

XP really is more stable. It will boot faster, and you'll have better driver support, and better MS support... 98 phone support and much of the rest of support is scheduled to go offline in less than 30 DAYS, paid incident support goes offline in six months, etc. Don't expect to find any new hardware in 2005 for windows 98, and don't expect to be able to connect to the internet safely after MS stops releasing updates.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lif...onsumer.mspx#6

[kallikru]

Originally posted by ProfessorU
XP really is more stable. It will boot faster, and you'll have better driver support, and better MS support...

Maybe more stable but what also needs to be considered is compatibility. If you have a stack of older progs you still want to be able to run you can play Russian roulette with MS' statement that XP is "95% compatible" with older programs - the remaining 5% often cover a lot of the programs you have in your stack...

Boot faster..? Well, it certainly shows the desktop a lot quicker - but at that point the system hasn't finished booting...that will take a minute or two more. Until then the system isn't really of much use.

Driver support is important but I don't think manufacturer's driver support (for fx. Win98) will end simply because MS says it will no longer support W98 - too many people still use it. As for the end of MS' own support (lots of policy & $s involved..) - isn't that exactly one of the reasons why VDr and similar boards are so successful?