Need some tech advice on upgrades - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

RogueGypsy · 12-03-2010, 04:53 PM

My dinosaur of a PC is showing signs of some impending failures. My hard drive is acting like it's about to give up the ghost and I'm having issues with my CD drive. It's about 7 yrs old, but still does everything I need it to do, other than the HD & CD acting up. I know what I would like to do, I'm just not sure if I can do it with what I have or if it's a good idea

So Here's the skinny:

The Mother board is a D865PERL, 2.8GHz, 2Gigs Ram (expandable to 4), PCI slots (IIRC).

What I'd like to do is remove the failing drive and replace it with a 100Gig SSD for OS and programs only.
Upgrade from XP to Windows 7.
Add a 2TB or (2) 1TB slave drives for storage and media.
Replace my current Sapphire Radeon 9800 series video card, with something faster, that has more RAM and has DVI and HDMI output (it's not compatible with Windows 7).
Junk the CD drive and replace it with a BD Burner.

I'm not opposed to moving to Linux if it's going to interface with my network easily. If I need a degree to do it, not interested.

Any clues if this is doable? Is there a better route to take?

The machine is used to Surf the web and all that entails 98% of the time. I do some photo work on it, but not much. It would be outstanding to be able to use it as a media server as well with 3 other computers in the house. I already have a wireless 'N' router and everything networked.

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ASU2003 · 12-03-2010, 06:01 PM

I would use external USB drives. They are slower, but easier to move from one computer to another.

I would also try Linux Mint. If you have an old, high speed drive, or are willing to buy a small SSD drive that is really fast, it is easy and fast.

Martian · 12-03-2010, 06:32 PM

I do love my Linux, but if you're doing photo editing you might not want to do it through Linux. Getting Photoshop to run properly through WINE is likely to be a bit of a pain. You have the option of using GIMP for your photo editing needs, and while (I hear) it's as powerful as Photoshop, reports are that it's not nearly as user friendly. I have very little experience in this area though, so I can't offer more than that.

Finding a graphics card that will replace your 9800 and offer performance gains might be a bit of a trick. AGP gets rarer every day.

On the other hand, networking nowadays almost always just works. Linux has made some great strides in the area of usability, versus what you would have been facing in 2003.

I'd be absolutely shocked if a system built on an 865 chipset is at all capable of running Windows 7. You'd be much better off sticking to XP. Or joining the rest of us in the 21st century. Take your pick.

Zweiblumen · 12-04-2010, 04:05 AM

I'm running Win7 on P4 2.4. with 1 GB ram. It runs but I wouldn't want to have that as main computer, I suspect that adding more ram would help but I more often see 100% CPU load than 100% memory usage. I would go with Windows XP or some Linux rather than Win7. I tried running Ubuntu on this one but gave up because I felt like it was behaving too much like Windows (bloated and constant updates). I would try some other distribution but that's my opinion.
I have used Gimp some and it lacks in user-friendliness but it is very powerful. Gimp has limitation that make it less suitable for professional use (something with colours and professional printing).
Yours
ZW.

12-03-2010, 04:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
RogueGypsy Insane Location: The Great NorthWet	Need some tech advice on upgrades My dinosaur of a PC is showing signs of some impending failures. My hard drive is acting like it's about to give up the ghost and I'm having issues with my CD drive. It's about 7 yrs old, but still does everything I need it to do, other than the HD & CD acting up. I know what I would like to do, I'm just not sure if I can do it with what I have or if it's a good idea So Here's the skinny: The Mother board is a D865PERL, 2.8GHz, 2Gigs Ram (expandable to 4), PCI slots (IIRC). What I'd like to do is remove the failing drive and replace it with a 100Gig SSD for OS and programs only. Upgrade from XP to Windows 7. Add a 2TB or (2) 1TB slave drives for storage and media. Replace my current Sapphire Radeon 9800 series video card, with something faster, that has more RAM and has DVI and HDMI output (it's not compatible with Windows 7). Junk the CD drive and replace it with a BD Burner. I'm not opposed to moving to Linux if it's going to interface with my network easily. If I need a degree to do it, not interested. Any clues if this is doable? Is there a better route to take? The machine is used to Surf the web and all that entails 98% of the time. I do some photo work on it, but not much. It would be outstanding to be able to use it as a media server as well with 3 other computers in the house. I already have a wireless 'N' router and everything networked. .. .... __________________ Methods, application and intensity of application vary by the individual. All legal wavers must be signed before 'treatment' begins. Self 'Medicating' is not recommend. However, if necessary, it is best to have an 'assistant' or 'soft landing zone' nearby. Any and all legal issues resulting from improperly applied techniques should be forwarded to: Dewy, Cheatum & Howe, Intercourse, PA 17534. Attn: Anonymous.

12-03-2010, 06:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	I do love my Linux, but if you're doing photo editing you might not want to do it through Linux. Getting Photoshop to run properly through WINE is likely to be a bit of a pain. You have the option of using GIMP for your photo editing needs, and while (I hear) it's as powerful as Photoshop, reports are that it's not nearly as user friendly. I have very little experience in this area though, so I can't offer more than that. Finding a graphics card that will replace your 9800 and offer performance gains might be a bit of a trick. AGP gets rarer every day. On the other hand, networking nowadays almost always just works. Linux has made some great strides in the area of usability, versus what you would have been facing in 2003. I'd be absolutely shocked if a system built on an 865 chipset is at all capable of running Windows 7. You'd be much better off sticking to XP. Or joining the rest of us in the 21st century. Take your pick. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

12-04-2010, 04:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zweiblumen Insane Location: at home	I'm running Win7 on P4 2.4. with 1 GB ram. It runs but I wouldn't want to have that as main computer, I suspect that adding more ram would help but I more often see 100% CPU load than 100% memory usage. I would go with Windows XP or some Linux rather than Win7. I tried running Ubuntu on this one but gave up because I felt like it was behaving too much like Windows (bloated and constant updates). I would try some other distribution but that's my opinion. I have used Gimp some and it lacks in user-friendliness but it is very powerful. Gimp has limitation that make it less suitable for professional use (something with colours and professional printing). Yours ZW. __________________ Sodomy non sapiens. : I'm buggered if I know

12-03-2010, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	I would use external USB drives. They are slower, but easier to move from one computer to another. I would also try Linux Mint. If you have an old, high speed drive, or are willing to buy a small SSD drive that is really fast, it is easy and fast.