Updating my old Comp.

Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

It's just not worth it, the money will be much better spent buying a new
machine.

John

tech support wrote:
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

It's just not worth it, the money will be much better spent buying a new
machine.

John

tech support wrote:
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

tech support wrote:
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

Then at this point, all we can do, is analyze the computer case.

Regular (the most common) computer cases are ATX standard. They can
take a full-sized ATX motherboard at 12" x 9.6". Or, the smaller
cases are suited to microATX, at 9.6" x 9.6". The mounting holes on
the two standards have a common subset of holes. And a new microATX
motherboard, can take the place of your old microATX one. (You
can fit a microATX in a standard ATX's place, but not vice versa,
because there wouldn't be room.)

The "I/O plate" area on the back of the case, holds a thin metal plate.
It snaps into place. It has holes in it, matched to the motherboard.
When you buy a new motherboard, the old plate snaps out of the case,
and the plate provided with the new motherboard, takes its place. There
are springy metal contacts on the plate, and they're intended to rub
against the side of the I/O connectors, to help reduce EMI. You install
the plate, before lowering the motherboard into place. The fun part,
is getting the motherboard I/O connectors, through the holes in the
I/O plate.

That I/O plate has a standard location, and a number of standards,
including regular ATX and microATX, have that at the same location
relative to the motherboard.

The computer case can be super-tiny and thin. In that case, only
low profile cards fit. Some slim Dells are made that way. Not recommended,
due to the difficulty of finding add-in cards that fit.

As the case gets larger, you get room for more hard drive racks. Some
cases have the racks turned towards the front. That is great for an
"install once and forget" situation. But if you're always removing
drives, there are a few cases with side-mounted racks. Like the
Antec Sonata family. It has one front mount rack, and a side mount
rack.

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-129-024-S08?$S640W$

Case dimensions also come into play, when selecting video cards. The
high end video cards have been getting longer and longer with
each generation. You might see cards being 10" long for example.
If you have a "lower rack" in your computer case, this can
bump into the video card. I'm lucky - I have a ten year old
computer case, which is missing the lower rack. It means I'll have
less problems fitting a video card, than other people have. On
the other hand, I have a severe limit on the number of drives
that fit in the case. And I can't have a side-mount rack either.

So have a look at your case. Check it for room for various things.
Check it for layout. Does it have a removable motherboard tray ?
My cheesy case with the missing lower rack, turned out to have
a removable tray. I didn't realize it did, until I took it apart
one day and noticed the screws. Turned out to be a very useful
feature. My current motherboard, only fits if I use the tray
(due to my choice of aftermarket CPU cooler).

If buying a replacement case, make sure it has features that
make doing your build easy. Like no crossbar, half way down the
opening on the case. That is less common now, and modern cases
tend to have unrestricted access to the motherboard area. If
you want to install the CPU heatsink/fan, before loading the
motherboard into the case, sometimes that crossbar gets in the way.
Then you have to fit the CPU cooler, with the motherboard
already installed in the case.

The ATX power supply standard, has two dimensions which are standard.
(The part that bolts to the case - the faceplate dimensions.)
Some supplies can be longer than others, extending further inside
the computer case. If you were to buy a 1200W power supply,
and had an old, long, CDROM drive you were using, they might
get pretty close to one another.

There is another standard called BTX, but there is no reason to
be thinking in that direction. That was never popular with home
builders.

So chances are good, that you could reuse the case. But check
the dimensions, the size of things, before "getting married" to
the old case.

ATX article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atx

BTX - the "mirror image" standard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTX_(form_factor)

Your power supply probably has a 2x2 ATX12V connector. That is
what powers the processor on modern systems. You might be missing
connectors for SATA hard drives (adapters are available) or
PCI Express auxiliary power connectors (adapters are available).
You can continue to use your existing supply, if the new components
are not high end stuff. For example, if you buy a video card that
uses 200+ watts, then the old ATX supply for sure, is not going to
be reusable. But if you're building a low end system, it is possible
even a 350W can be reused. Dual core 65W processors helps in that
regard.

Good luck,
Paul

tech support wrote:
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

Then at this point, all we can do, is analyze the computer case.

Regular (the most common) computer cases are ATX standard. They can
take a full-sized ATX motherboard at 12" x 9.6". Or, the smaller
cases are suited to microATX, at 9.6" x 9.6". The mounting holes on
the two standards have a common subset of holes. And a new microATX
motherboard, can take the place of your old microATX one. (You
can fit a microATX in a standard ATX's place, but not vice versa,
because there wouldn't be room.)

The "I/O plate" area on the back of the case, holds a thin metal plate.
It snaps into place. It has holes in it, matched to the motherboard.
When you buy a new motherboard, the old plate snaps out of the case,
and the plate provided with the new motherboard, takes its place. There
are springy metal contacts on the plate, and they're intended to rub
against the side of the I/O connectors, to help reduce EMI. You install
the plate, before lowering the motherboard into place. The fun part,
is getting the motherboard I/O connectors, through the holes in the
I/O plate.

That I/O plate has a standard location, and a number of standards,
including regular ATX and microATX, have that at the same location
relative to the motherboard.

The computer case can be super-tiny and thin. In that case, only
low profile cards fit. Some slim Dells are made that way. Not recommended,
due to the difficulty of finding add-in cards that fit.

As the case gets larger, you get room for more hard drive racks. Some
cases have the racks turned towards the front. That is great for an
"install once and forget" situation. But if you're always removing
drives, there are a few cases with side-mounted racks. Like the
Antec Sonata family. It has one front mount rack, and a side mount
rack.

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-129-024-S08?$S640W$

Case dimensions also come into play, when selecting video cards. The
high end video cards have been getting longer and longer with
each generation. You might see cards being 10" long for example.
If you have a "lower rack" in your computer case, this can
bump into the video card. I'm lucky - I have a ten year old
computer case, which is missing the lower rack. It means I'll have
less problems fitting a video card, than other people have. On
the other hand, I have a severe limit on the number of drives
that fit in the case. And I can't have a side-mount rack either.

So have a look at your case. Check it for room for various things.
Check it for layout. Does it have a removable motherboard tray ?
My cheesy case with the missing lower rack, turned out to have
a removable tray. I didn't realize it did, until I took it apart
one day and noticed the screws. Turned out to be a very useful
feature. My current motherboard, only fits if I use the tray
(due to my choice of aftermarket CPU cooler).

If buying a replacement case, make sure it has features that
make doing your build easy. Like no crossbar, half way down the
opening on the case. That is less common now, and modern cases
tend to have unrestricted access to the motherboard area. If
you want to install the CPU heatsink/fan, before loading the
motherboard into the case, sometimes that crossbar gets in the way.
Then you have to fit the CPU cooler, with the motherboard
already installed in the case.

The ATX power supply standard, has two dimensions which are standard.
(The part that bolts to the case - the faceplate dimensions.)
Some supplies can be longer than others, extending further inside
the computer case. If you were to buy a 1200W power supply,
and had an old, long, CDROM drive you were using, they might
get pretty close to one another.

There is another standard called BTX, but there is no reason to
be thinking in that direction. That was never popular with home
builders.

So chances are good, that you could reuse the case. But check
the dimensions, the size of things, before "getting married" to
the old case.

ATX article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atx

BTX - the "mirror image" standard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTX_(form_factor)

Your power supply probably has a 2x2 ATX12V connector. That is
what powers the processor on modern systems. You might be missing
connectors for SATA hard drives (adapters are available) or
PCI Express auxiliary power connectors (adapters are available).
You can continue to use your existing supply, if the new components
are not high end stuff. For example, if you buy a video card that
uses 200+ watts, then the old ATX supply for sure, is not going to
be reusable. But if you're building a low end system, it is possible
even a 350W can be reused. Dual core 65W processors helps in that
regard.

Good luck,
Paul

On Nov 25, 5:06*pm, tech support tech
wrote:
Hello,
* I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, *and i want to rip its guts out
and put *new hardware in. *The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. *I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. *My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
*Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. *I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. *thanks

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring

-- Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com

On Nov 25, 5:06*pm, tech support tech
wrote:
Hello,
* I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, *and i want to rip its guts out
and put *new hardware in. *The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. *I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. *My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
*Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. *I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. *thanks

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring

-- Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com

Thanks alot Paul that was very informative, that exactly the info i needed at
this point.
I dont know why john john wasted his time posting a comment to my thread
when i specifically said i wasnt interested in the cost tho, i was alraedy
told that it would be cheaper to just buy a new comp.

Thanks alot Paul that was very informative, that exactly the info i needed at
this point.
I dont know why john john wasted his time posting a comment to my thread
when i specifically said i wasnt interested in the cost tho, i was alraedy
told that it would be cheaper to just buy a new comp.

tech support said this on 11/25/2009 5:06 PM:
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

I would caution you that an old PC might have an under powered power
supply for new hardware. It gets worse if you add more drives (as cheap
as they are now). Some case + p/s are like $50. It might not be
worth it. Also the power connectors for new motherboards might not
match the current power supply, or the p/s might not have the new SATA
power plugs. If you have to buy a p/s, now the only thing left is the
case, practically the cheapest part of a system. ...okay the floppy
is cheaper.... LOL

tech support said this on 11/25/2009 5:06 PM:
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

I would caution you that an old PC might have an under powered power
supply for new hardware. It gets worse if you add more drives (as cheap
as they are now). Some case + p/s are like $50. It might not be
worth it. Also the power connectors for new motherboards might not
match the current power supply, or the p/s might not have the new SATA
power plugs. If you have to buy a p/s, now the only thing left is the
case, practically the cheapest part of a system. ...okay the floppy
is cheaper.... LOL

tech support wrote:
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its
guts out and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have
literally no idea where to begin. I want to get a new motherboard
but i dont know what is compatable with this system. My current
motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp. Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well
as ram and if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I
know this will be expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just
what i need to buy that will all work together. thanks

The thing that will limit you is the case. If you are going to have to
replace the case, then there goes the power supply, the mptherboard, the
cpu, the memory, the video card, the sound card, etc. You might be able to
slavage a CD/DVD drive or even the hard disk drive. Beyond that - unless
you purchased high end video/audio - you'll be replacing *everything*
anyway. So building a new custom machine and assembling everything yourself
or purchasing a new third-tier vendor pre-assembled would be best - not for
just a cost thing - but for realistic physical reasons. heh

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

tech support wrote:
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its
guts out and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have
literally no idea where to begin. I want to get a new motherboard
but i dont know what is compatable with this system. My current
motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp. Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well
as ram and if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I
know this will be expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just
what i need to buy that will all work together. thanks

The thing that will limit you is the case. If you are going to have to
replace the case, then there goes the power supply, the mptherboard, the
cpu, the memory, the video card, the sound card, etc. You might be able to
slavage a CD/DVD drive or even the hard disk drive. Beyond that - unless
you purchased high end video/audio - you'll be replacing *everything*
anyway. So building a new custom machine and assembling everything yourself
or purchasing a new third-tier vendor pre-assembled would be best - not for
just a cost thing - but for realistic physical reasons. heh

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Cheaper and more effective and not as costly "Go out a purchase a new one" --
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"tech support" tech wrote in message
...
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks

Cheaper and more effective and not as costly "Go out a purchase a new one" --
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"tech support" tech wrote in message
...
Hello,
I have an old computer, a VPR Matrix 180R, and i want to rip its guts out
and put new hardware in. The only problem is i have literally no idea where
to begin. I want to get a new motherboard but i dont know what is compatable
with this system. My current motherboard specs are; Manufacturer:Intel Corp.
Model845EBT
Version:AAA92334-304
NorthBridge: Intel i845E Rivision E0
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.80 GHz
CPU Socket: 478mPGA
5 pci 1 agp slot

I want to buy a new motherboard and then a new processor, as well as ram and
if i have to a hard drive and a PCI-E graphics card. I know this will be
expensive, but im not asking about the cost, just what i need to buy that
will all work together. thanks