HG's PC upgrade

You might want to upgrade (build a new one) everything soon, That MB has only SATA1 (SATA 1.5 Gbit/s) only, I'm not sure how an eventual SSD would behave with it. Even with SATA2 they run half speed. AHCI mode is essential for it's work too.

I also agree with Mike.

I would only upgrade that PC for the Now.

Don't spend money on components that might just not
be up to par in the near future. A waste of good money.

Put the money asside and when you're ready to build you'll
a bit more to spend on something worth spending on.

This would be akin to a money pit.


Flashorn.

I avoid ready made and brand name computers like a plague. They are always "something special", BIOS is usually a mess or poor with options and upradability next to none. They also tend to install marginal components.
With a little help of manuals and common sense, anybody capable of using a screwdriver can put one together. Easier than average toaster I'd say.
I never bought a complete desktop in my life since last Atari (and that one got modified in a hurry), just keep on upgrading one or few pieces at a time, I'm almost sure there are at least a screw or two since 1995 in my desktop. There's I think only an SSD and RAM that I bought from a store, all other parts were used, bought second hand or leftovers from a junked computer and everything works perfectly, full speed and OCed to max.

Thanks for your concern, guys. Like I wrote in the OP, I'm going to be careful as to what I spend and can use on a new mobo.

Chuck38 said:

Just don't buy from eBay unless they have a return policy.

All in all, it's much better to buy new. It may be expensive, but it will save you from having to replace in a year or two.

-Chuck

I buy locally only, Ebay's too far for me, there's big market for stuff like that here, too many people with no means to buy new. For instance, there were/are many doing Bitcoin mining, AMD/ATI video cards are best for that. As that business is winding down there's a lot of top GPUs going half price with more than a year of warranty left. Many are upgrading piece by piece too so a gen or two back parts are aplenty. Some extra stuff I use to put together computers and give to kids that wouldn't get it otherwise.

Just received my new PSU. Going to install. Wish me luck. Hopefully I'll be broadcasting from 10 Preview soon. :)