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Thread: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

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    Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Hi guys, first time poster Good to be here. I'm currently in the process of designing a new computer for myself. It'll be a relatively high-end PC for gaming and some audio/video work, but the purpose of this post is to see if you reckon I can re-use any of the components from my old PC.

    The parts I'm thinking of keeping are:

    - Case: Cooler Master Centurion 534
    As far as I'm aware, this is a pretty decent case and I've always liked how it looks and have never had a problem with it.

    - PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower 750w (four 12A rails, total load of 60A)
    When I bought my original PC, I splashed out a bit extra on a decent PSU that would last in the future. It's a decent brand and I've been told that the power it provides will still be sufficient for a new computer - but it is entering its 4th year of use. Is it ok to carry on using it?

    - Optical drives (2x Samsung black DVD RW)
    I can provide more info on the specific drives if you want, but is there any reason I might need to upgrade my DVD drives?

    - Sound card (Creative X-fi Music)
    I'm not sure whether to keep this or not. Since upgrading to Windows 7 I've had some minor problems with Creative products, but is it worth spending the extra money on a new sound card? I don't think I would notice much of a difference.


    Thanks a lot!

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    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    I don't see a reason to upgrade the components you mention.

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    The only consideration would be the case if you are going to be buying components that generate a lot of heat as that case doesn't shift all that much air and could lead to overheating.

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    boop, got your nose stevie lee's Avatar
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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Optical drives (2x Samsung black DVD RW)
    I can provide more info on the specific drives if you want, but is there any reason I might need to upgrade my DVD drives?
    are these IDE or SATA?

    they dont have IDE sockets on motherboards anymore. at least not on the ones ive been looking at, both intel and AMD ones, both expensive and the cheapo ones.

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by stevie lee View Post
    are these IDE or SATA?

    they dont have IDE sockets on motherboards anymore. at least not on the ones ive been looking at, both intel and AMD ones, both expensive and the cheapo ones.
    They are SATA

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    boop, got your nose stevie lee's Avatar
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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    in that case then, everything should work in the new one.

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    If you are intending to sli cards, then I would consider a new case and psu, a new case for potential heat issues as mentioned earlier.

    Running a 4 year old psu pretty hard with sli might cause you issues also. Single card shouldn't be a problem.

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by planet436 View Post
    If you are intending to sli cards, then I would consider a new case and psu, a new case for potential heat issues as mentioned earlier.

    Running a 4 year old psu pretty hard with sli might cause you issues also. Single card shouldn't be a problem.
    I am only intending to use a single card - maybe something like a Radeon 6950 or 6850? (I am seriously behind on my graphics cards these days - must do some research!)

    Will the case be ok for this?

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by onearmedbandit View Post
    Hi guys, first time poster Good to be here. I'm currently in the process of designing a new computer for myself. It'll be a relatively high-end PC for gaming and some audio/video work, but the purpose of this post is to see if you reckon I can re-use any of the components from my old PC.

    The parts I'm thinking of keeping are:


    - Sound card (Creative X-fi Music)
    I'm not sure whether to keep this or not. Since upgrading to Windows 7 I've had some minor problems with Creative products, but is it worth spending the extra money on a new sound card? I don't think I would notice much of a difference.


    Thanks a lot!

    What types of problems are you having with the sound card?

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by Blackmage View Post
    What types of problems are you having with the sound card?
    Some of the features that were available on Windows XP don't appear on Windows 7. I presume this is more a driver problem than a hardware problem. Sometimes its operating software freezes or crashes.

    I don't think there's anything wrong with the card itself, though.

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Yes it should be fine, esp with a 6850

    As that case has 5x 5.25" bays, you could pick up a Scythe Kama Bay and still use both dvd drives.
    http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/ac...00_detail.html
    Annoyingly I cannot find that for sale any longer
    ps the original was better than the plus version, which used one of scythe's slim fans which doesn't have nearly as much air flow, you can replace the fan but it's annoying.

    I have found a Lian-Li version of the same thing http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-11063.html not that cheap though.
    or in silver http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/L...ver_25485.html (not sure what that retailer is like)

    They would give you a bit more air flow, but as it is you should be ok

    cheap option would be sharkoon fan frame http://www.scan.co.uk/products/shark...r-120mm-fan%29 however that's designed to go behind mesh drive bay covers not replace them.
    These push the price back up http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-11061.html but I'm sure you could find something cheaper if you look.
    Here we go these should fit http://www.coolermaster.nl/shop/prod...roducts_id=375

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by onearmedbandit View Post
    I am only intending to use a single card - maybe something like a Radeon 6950 or 6850? (I am seriously behind on my graphics cards these days - must do some research!)

    Will the case be ok for this?
    Yes it will be fine, if you haven't done already I'd add another intake fan to the front of the case.

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by onearmedbandit View Post
    Some of the features that were available on Windows XP don't appear on Windows 7. I presume this is more a driver problem than a hardware problem. Sometimes its operating software freezes or crashes.

    I don't think there's anything wrong with the card itself, though.
    Are you talking about the Dolby® Digital and DTS® driver?

    Have you updated your drivers?

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Yes it should be fine, esp with a 6850

    As that case has 5x 5.25" bays, you could pick up a Scythe Kama Bay and still use both dvd drives.
    http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/ac...00_detail.html
    Annoyingly I cannot find that for sale any longer
    ps the original was better than the plus version, which used one of scythe's slim fans which doesn't have nearly as much air flow, you can replace the fan but it's annoying.

    I have found a Lian-Li version of the same thing http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-11063.html not that cheap though.
    or in silver http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/L...ver_25485.html (not sure what that retailer is like)

    They would give you a bit more air flow, but as it is you should be ok

    cheap option would be sharkoon fan frame http://www.scan.co.uk/products/shark...r-120mm-fan%29 however that's designed to go behind mesh drive bay covers not replace them.
    These push the price back up http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-11061.html but I'm sure you could find something cheaper if you look.
    Here we go these should fit http://www.coolermaster.nl/shop/prod...roducts_id=375

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    Re: Building a new PC - can I use any of these old parts?

    Interesting idea with the extra front fan. For just over £20 I'll definitely consider it if you guys think it'll be effective in helping to keep the system cool!

    Ok well the consensus seems to be that the PSU, DVD drive and sound card should be fine to keep, and the case will probably be ok with a single gfx card but perhaps think about increasing its airflow.

    Good stuff, thank you everybody I'm gonna go away and design my system. I'll be sure to come back to see what you think!

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