Gateway Parts

Computer parts question?

I have a 4 year old HP computer. The processor and motherboard got fried. So i want to get new parts. Do i have to get the same ones or can i get better ones? Because a friend of mine told me that if i get different ones ome things might not work (cd rom for example). Now the parts i was looking at will fit my computer (the processor will work with the motherboard, so will the graphic card). So i want to ask if all the other parts will be compatible and will work.

Public Comments

1. As long as everything is compatible it will work, you might need to reinstall some drivers but they should work.
2. buy a new mobo with a 775 socket for the processor you can get one very fast
3. The biggest compatibility problem when buying a new processor or motherboard is makin sure they work together, but since you're actually buying them together you won't run into that problem. CD-ROMs, hard drives, and parts like that are almost universally standardized so there's a 90% chance you're fine there too. One thing you definitely need to check though is your memory: memory standards have changed a bit in four years, so make sure you new board is compatible with your old memory (or just get completely new memory altogether - the newer modules are pretty darn cheap). Finally, if you use MS-Windows then check with Microsoft before swapping out the boards. If you have an OEM windows license (which you probably do since Windows was isntalled for you at HP) then it's gonna freak when it sees the new motherboard and think you illegally copied it into a new computer. If you shmooze Microsoft tech support enough they might give you a new product code so you can re-activate your license. If you catch them on a bad day though then they're going to force you to buy windows all over again.
4. if you are going to change the motherboard and processor and maybe the memory then theres no point upgrading unless you have the very good computer case, chances are you might also need to buy a more powerful power supply if your mother board and its components requires a more powerful one. if you look at it you are going to replace 80% of your system, not too mention the hassle of buying parts that are compatible to each other. at the end you will end up spending more than custom built ones so might as well get a new one. im not sure where you are from but in UK some shops offer barebone systems, barebone systems are CPU only deal which means you only buy the main unit so theres no monitor, keyboard or audio speakers or mouse, its just the main unit. this would be a bit cheaper compare to a complete system. and you can still use your old monitor and peripherals. ebay is the best place to buy barebone systems because they are 40% - 50% cheaper compare to well know computer shops, you might also want to visit www.dell.com they do barebone systems too. checkout this link just to have an idea: http://computers.shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=intel+i3&_sacat=179&_dmpt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&_odkw=&_osacat=179&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313 http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/inspndt/ct.aspx?refid=inspndt&s=dhs&cs=19&ref=dthp hoe this helps