Fitting new motherboard to pc ?

G47

Ive been given a PC case from a friend, he said he wasnt sure if anything still works and i was wondering if i could buy another motherboard and swap it with the 1 thats already inside,

johnmc

Yes you can.

You'll need to check that the new MB will physically fit.

Take a look at what you've got and you'll find the make / model written on the MB. Do a Google and it'll tell you what you need to know. Or you could take it into your local computer shop and ask them.

fwor

That will depend on how old it is. There have been a series of motherboard size/layout standards over the years, and the oldest are no longer used by mobo makers.

You may also have an issue with the power supply, which may not have the right connectors for the current generation of boards.

And if you are uncertain whether the power supply is working I would replace it (or have it tested), as a failed power supply can potentially damage a new motherboard.

You can find complete info on the form factors of all of the various styles of ATX-based mobo here:

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

G47

fwor wrote: »

That will depend on how old it is. There have been a series of motherboard size/layout standards over the years, and the oldest are no longer used by mobo makers.

You may also have an issue with the power supply, which may not have the right connectors for the current generation of boards.

And if you are uncertain whether the power supply is working I would replace it (or have it tested), as a failed power supply can potentially damage a new motherboard.

You can find complete info on the form factors of all of the various styles of ATX-based mobo here:

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

ok thanks, ill take a look inside

G47

Ok ive had a look inside of the PC and so far ive found its a pstriot PK 500 200, ill check whats written on the mb

mdbarber

if its an old machine whilst the board may fit in you could face other problems like psu compatibility and ventilation probs.
TBH no offence but if you have to ask this very basic question it may prove somewhat of a challenge.

G47

mdbarber wrote: »

if its an old machine whilst the board may fit in you could face other problems like psu compatibility and ventilation probs.
TBH no offence but if you have to ask this very basic question it may prove somewhat of a challenge.

well its why i asked, nothing ventured nothing gained, i could always buy another psu so thats not an issue, i may buy 1 anyway as id rather be safe,

Conor_3

In addition to that, if you buy a new motherboard, you'll need a new CPU, new memory and probably new HDD and DVD/CDRW drive as well if it doesn't have an IDE interface.

In short, apart from the case, you'd need pretty much a new PC.

Igol

Maybe you should be asking yourself what can I salvage from the old PC?
Replacing the motherboard is a pretty big step, as already said your pretty much building a new PC.

almillar

If it's a Patriot PC (as in a branded computer builder like Dell etc) it could have lots of non standard stuff in it, like the connectors for the lights/switches on the case and even the power connectors on the Mobo. If I understand correctly, and it's a broken 500mhz machine, you'd be better recycling it, and spending £20 on a new case to build a computer in. Possibly take out the RAM, and the processor/fan to sell them, but you would need to identify them correctly to stick them on eBay for a few quid. Hard drive may be usable in another machine...
HTH

exup

if you are thinking about getting inside PCs and upgrading /building them - Haynes do a manual for building PC's now - think I saw a copy at Halfords not so lng back.