Almost a Newbie 2 W7. I have a few questions.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
       #1

    Almost a Newbie 2 W7. I have a few questions.


    1.I currently run XP32SP3, I have my main 150 GB drive which has XP installed then I have a 1 TB internal backup drive with all my video and miscellaneous files. I plan on trashing my current 150 drive and getting a new 10k 150 GB main drive, can I just install windows 7 onto that new drive, then plug in my backup drive after the full installation and all my video files will be ready to be watched? If not, what is the easiest way to keep my 1 TB worth of videos? Does that backup drive have to be formatted again to work in W7? My main goal here is keeping my video collection.

    2.This is what I have ready to order to rebuild my old P4 pc, please give me any advice on my selections. The idea is to build a budget gaming pc with my existing tower, dvd drives and 750 watt power supply.

    Processor:AMD Phenom II X4 965

    MoBo:ASUS M4A88TD-M/USB3

    Ram:G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

    Video Card:GeForce GTX460 768MB

    Will there be install issues with this MoBo in my HP case? My current MoBo is:

    Motherboard: ASUS PTGD1-LA
    Socket LGA775
    HP Pavilion a1050y


    Thank You.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 752
    Windows
       #2

    Hello there, let me see if i could answer this easily.

    1) Yes, your data HDD will be untouched and ready to be played (every single file in there) unless you have a specific file types that WMP12 can't reproduce, IE: .mkv, .mov, .mp4

    2) If you're only using the HP case, it should be fine. About the processor, you could step up to the Phenom II X6 1090T which is listed on newegg for 200$. About the motherboard, you don't need the 880G Chipset since you will use a Video Card. The 870 Chipset will be better for you (ASUS M4A87TD/USB3).

    I guess that clears it out :) if you have other questions, please just ask :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #3

    Welcome to SevenForums

    I would not count on a new MB fitting in an old HP case. You also may need a stronger power supply for a newer MB & CPU.

    Here is my latest build:

    https://www.sevenforums.com/overclock...ml#post1157908
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #4

    1. Disconnect all drives and leave only the new drive on when you install Win7 - just a precaution. The Win7 installer sometimes plays strange acts with the bootmgr when multiple drives are availabe to it. The stuff on the 1TB drive should be fully usable. Right click on the top folders there (e.g. Videos) and "Include" them into the W7 library. That gives you the easiest access.

    2. If you build new anyhow, I would absolutely include a 60GB SSD for the OS (appr. $100) - that will beat even the fastest spinner hands down. On the other hand 8GBs of RAM may be an overkill. I hardly ever use all my 4GBs - even the 3GBs on this system. But check your PSU.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello Punkster! Thanks for responding so fast.

    OK, I have mostly .avi and .wmv, but I do have a lot of .mkv files. Are you saying they won't work because the Windows player doesn't recognize those file types and there is no way around that ie-plug-in, or that windows 7 itself won't recognize them? Or can I just download a player that plays .mkv and that solves the issue? Will windows 7 play and allow my .mkv files under any circumstances? This is a big deal because all my sitcom dvd sets are ripped then converted onto my backup drive in .mkv, I just find that file type the best quality overall for video and sound, and I don't want to have to rip and convert again. Let's hear some good news on that.

    I will look into that processor. Is there an actual game where the processor I listed wouldn't play well on compared to the X6 1090T? Good deal, a cheaper MoBo will save me a little coin. What exactly is different from the 880G and the 870?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 752
    Windows
       #6

    The main difference between the 880G Chipset and the 870 Chipset is the fact that the 870 doesn't have an integrated video card (which is useless, because you're throwing a GTX 460 in it) the rest is the same.

    Well, the processor itself wont make a huge difference i guess.. but here:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007671%20600005863&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=343|19-103-727^19-103-727-TS%2C19-103-849^19-103-849-TS

    That's a comparison between both processors, personally i think that the Phenom II X6 is a deal at 200$, but if you don't need the extra 2 cores (most games won't benefit from 6-cores), i guess you could save up 40$ and use it to upgrade the GTX 460 768MB to a GTX 460 1GB version :)

    About the files, no, you could just download Shark007's codec pack and that's it, all files can now be played in WMP and Windows Media Center without any issues whatsoever :)

    In the attachment you'll find the differences between both GTX 460s
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thank you, glad to be here Doc.

    If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious sh*t.

    I had concerns with fitting a different type of MoBo in my case. Will the issue be just space, it's actually got a lot of room, or is it the actual securing of the MoBo? Really? I just bought this power supply not long ago. What is the best way to add up how much wattage I need? It has a 2.0 PCI-E power cord, I think two maybe even. It wouldn't be such a big deal if I could easily sell some of my existing parts and make some extra cash to go toward new parts but I'm unable to post on craigslist for some reason now, I have no idea where else to post ads for free. That's why I still have 2 CRT mitsubishi 22" Diamond Pros in mint condition stored in my closet, don't know what to do with em.

    Thanks for your time, and nice build btw. I hope to be in pc builders heaven by end of year, but for now it's budget time.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #8

    Yes, I have had problems with the correct holes, mounts, standoffs for the MB being in exactly the right places. Also whether there is a small rectangular panel for the back ports being removable. Most new MB come with a new back port panel.

    You power supply sounds like it might be ok.

    eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

    I buy most of my stuff from NewEgg, TigerDirect, Fry's Electronics, & eBay.

    It's good to look for some of their Combo Deals !

    Hope you have some Good Luck with building this
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hey whs.

    Thank you for the detailed info.

    I was honestly looking for a SSD for my main drive at first, I just thought 60GB was too little for the price. Is it a true 60GB, or like regular moving drives is it more like 50GB? And are they that much faster? I just might have to reconsider being I haven't pushed the checkout button yet on most the parts I plan on ordering next week. So 4 GBs of the DDR 2 or 3 are enough for most games and programs? If so I will definitely change my order to a 4GB package. Any certain RAM that just rocks over the others? From what I'm reading, power supplies as low as 650 are safe for the set-up I want. Please verify your concerns. Other than what's listed I will be using two dvd drives, the two hard drives. I have a 2 fan set-up not counting the fan/heatsink on the cpu, a single receiver for my Razer keyboard/mouse and the basics. My printer, modem and sound system is all powered independently.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 74
    Home 7 64 on Alienware and Asus. W8 on Lenovo.
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Wow, you're fast. I had no idea newer MoBo's had integrated vid cards on them still. I imagine the GTX 460 is of course the better option than the integrated video card on the 880G MoBo?

    Thanks for the comparison. Being I'm stuck on a tight budget until end of year when I will be able to invest much more cash in a brand new system all around, that extra 40 bucks would be better in my savings. haha Use it to upgrade the video card. Quit giving me ideas like that! *kidding* I just might being the video card, at least in my opinion, is the king of the rig and an even gig sounds better than 768.

    Awesome. That's what I wanted to hear. I love my .mkv's.

    I'll check on that attachment.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 16:37.
Find Us