OK! Asrock AGP motherboard, but what CPU...

[NeilF]

I've been told I can simply change my motherboard and CPU and not have to do a complete re-install, as long as I uninstall MB specific drivers (from XP Pro corp.) before the upgrade.

The MB that was recommended was the Asrock AGP one - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-011-AK

But what CPU would you recommend?

1) My existing memory will be fine with this? Or should I address that as well?
2) Is the stock fan OK for a bit of an overclocking and not too loud (I like my systems on the quiet side)? Or should I shell out for an upgraded cooler?

Ideally don't want to go too far beyond £130 on the entire thing...

Thanks...

The biggest thing here is I simply want to uninstall the drivers, take out the old MB, put in the new one, and go... I do not want any hassle!!! I really cannot be doing with that ie: 30 mins job!

 

[Munky1080]

Basically I'd get a something with as high a multiplier as possible. That was overclocking yields better results. Something like an e2200 would be best. Also - i doubt that you'll just be able to uninstall the motherboard drivers and switch motherboards. Windows might need reactivation and, in my opinion, you should always format after a motherboard change.

 

[NeilF]

Basically I'd get a something with as high a multiplier as possible. That was overclocking yields better results. Something like an e2200 would be best. Also - i doubt that you'll just be able to uninstall the motherboard drivers and switch motherboards. Windows might need reactivation and, in my opinion, you should always format after a motherboard change.

Well, I'll only do this upgrade if it's plug and play, which a number of people on another thread have assured me they've done... If this is not the case then I would not want to go down this path...

 

[NeilF]

Basically I'd get a something with as high a multiplier as possible. That was overclocking yields better results. Something like an e2200 would be best.

Excuse my ignorance here, but the E2200 uses a FSB of 800... Why not get something which makes full use of the 1066 FSB that MB is capable of?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-190-IN

Or are you just being mindful of cost?



Also is the standard heatsink/fan good enough for a reasonable overclock and not too noisy?

 

[MikeTimbers]

If you buy a chip that is designed to run at 800 you can then use the motherboard's 1066 capability to overclock to that speed. This mobo doesn't overclock well so you need a chip with a slow default bus and a high multiplier to overclock it.

 

[NeilF]

If you buy a chip that is designed to run at 800 you can then use the motherboard's 1066 capability to overclock to that speed. This mobo doesn't overclock well so you need a chip with a slow default bus and a high multiplier to overclock it.

OK... So the 2.2 as recommended must be 11*200=2200... So to overclock it you could for example increase the FSB to 250 and get 2750 etc etc?!?

The thing that appeals to me about this MB is also that there is a clear upgrade path CPU wise. ie: In a year or two, you could put a nice upgrade in there in the shape of another far faster CPU... eg: Even quad cores!



Is it worth considering an E4600 instead of the E2200?

 

[dun]

Well, I'll only do this upgrade if it's plug and play, which a number of people on another thread have assured me they've done... If this is not the case then I would not want to go down this path...

Why is it so important that it is "plug and play" mate? Surely a reformat so the system runs at its best isn't too much trouble?

 

[NeilF]

Why is it so important that it is "plug and play" mate? Surely a reformat so the system runs at its best isn't too much trouble?

If I'm going to reformat that would equate to a lot of re-installing and resetting up etc, which TBH I'd rather do when a change of OS necessiates it...

Basically I'm just after a nice quick fix option (eg: less than an hour)


As for running at its best, if a plug play works out basically indecernable from a full reinstall, then what's the problem?

Let's say bootup takes 10% longer, as I'm upgrading the system this will be unoticable as it will all be running quicker, and booting up quicker than before anyway.

I certainly don't think actual runtime will be any slower from a plug and play and a re-install...

 

[Fothsn]

I personally wouldn’t take the risk, every time I’ve upgraded and swapped motherboards my OS has never worked its always blue screened, I always reformat. I can’t say anybody I know would recommend a motherboard swap and keep the same OS, a full format and fresh install is always needed. Can’t you ghost all you documents ect?

 

[NeilF]

I personally wouldn’t take the risk, every time I’ve upgraded and swapped motherboards my OS has never worked its always blue screened, I always reformat. I can’t say anybody I know would recommend a motherboard swap and keep the same OS, a full format and fresh install is always needed. Can’t you ghost all you documents ect?

Worrying! Did you just swap them over? Or did you (as recommended) remove drivers and ensure your IDE driver was set correctly...?

 

[pingwing]

iv just switched motherboard and processor before without bothering to uninstall the drivers before (it was xp pro 32bit and amd to my intel e8200). Come to think about it i did the the other way between 2 laptops on vista (my sisters celeron laptop to my turion one). As you seem to be doing it between 2 intel setups it should be fine to just plug the os disc into the new set up and let windows do its thing

 

[Fothsn]

Worrying! Did you just swap them over? Or did you (as recommended) remove drivers and ensure your IDE driver was set correctly...?

A couple of times I’ve removed drivers just to see if it made a difference but it never did, I would always get the bluescreen on the windows loading screen, In Vista I just got a blank screen, the motherboard swaps have all being Intel based chipsets, this is my own personal experience though so you may well find it works but you will have all sorts of files tied to your motherboard which IMO is asking for trouble.

 

[NeilF]

A couple of times I’ve removed drivers just to see if it made a difference but it never did, I would always get the bluescreen on the windows loading screen, In Vista I just got a blank screen, the motherboard swaps have all being Intel based chipsets, this is my own personal experience though so you may well find it works but you will have all sorts of files tied to your motherboard which IMO is asking for trouble.

*groan* - Your comment has just put me off doing it And I really cannot be doing with hours and hours of re-installs and setting stuff up again just to get to where I was

Did you ensure the IDE driver was set correctly before swapping over?

 

[Fothsn]

*groan* - Your comment has just put me off doing it And I really cannot be doing with hours and hours of re-installs and setting stuff up again just to get to where I was

Did you ensure the IDE driver was set correctly before swapping over?

I don’t really want to put you off an upgrade mate, maybe wait for a few more people to post what experiences they have had? I’m just giving you mine

I defiantly had it all setup correctly although I knew I was going to reformat and put a clean install on so want 100% committed to get it to boot and fully work etc.

 

[NeilF]

I don’t really want to put you off an upgrade mate, maybe wait for a few more people to post what experiences they have had? I’m just giving you mine

I defiantly had it all setup correctly although I knew I was going to reformat and put a clean install on so want 100% committed to get it to boot and fully work etc.

A number of people have said they've repeatedly done it and it's worked fine

If I had to do a clean install, I'd put a new hard drive in TBH!

 

[uv]

A number of people have said they've repeatedly done it and it's worked fine

I've never had an issue doing it

You just need to be ultra paranoid in making sure you've removed all driver traces.

Driver Cleaner and CCleaner, and you're good to swap the install between hardware

 

[NeilF]

I've never had an issue doing it

You just need to be ultra paranoid in making sure you've removed all driver traces.

Driver Cleaner and CCleaner, and you're good to swap the install between hardware

Did you go thru Device Manager and remove stuff as well?

ps: Driver Cleaner is just for video cards isn't it?

 

[marc2003]

i'd just build a new rig if i was you. your ddr1 ram and agp 3850pro will easily sell for a lot more than it will cost to buy brand new ddr2/pci-e replacements. then you won't be stuck using that nasty board.....

and switching motherboards and hoping windows will still work is a horrible idea. i just don't understand how anybody can't put aside a couple of hours for a clean install. it's not exactly everyday you do such a thing.......

 

[NeilF]

i'd just build a new rig if i was you. your ddr1 ram and agp 3850pro will easily sell for a lot more than it will cost to buy brand new ddr2/pci-e replacements. then you won't be stuck using that nasty board.....

and switching motherboards and hoping windows will still work is a horrible idea.

Maybe... But it's:-
1) Not a couple of hours but more like lots of hours... I have lots of software installed and configurations etc... Even down to things like apache and php servers. All those would need reinstalling/configuring.. We're not just talking about install Firefox and job done...
2) Cost - If I'm going to do a fresh install I'd put a new hard drive in. It's a missed opportunity and also it's far safer as you have a complete backup sitting there when you realise you've forgotten something...

If £100 can get me to an E2200, without a re-install, I'll be happy...

If I have to re-install then TBH I'd build an entire new system (with Vista) from scratch and slowly migrate everything over...

i just don't understand how anybody can't put aside a couple of hours for a clean install. it's not exactly everyday you do such a thing.......

Welcome to my life, with other commitments, better things to do and things called kids


It does seem a lot of people do just remove the drivers, change MB, and off they go. TBH, it's not much different to your first start up where everything is detected...

 

[pingwing]

I seriously want to re-itterate that it will be fine to just swap over the motherboard and windows automatic update should be able to handle the new hardware. The only real thing no need to be confident of is that the original install is stable so the instabilitys arnt carryed over/made worse