Is it possible to upgrade a motherboard from a Sony Desktop?

[vbx]

Thinking about upgrading the motherboard, CPU and of RAMS and keeping the same case. Is this possible? I labeled the things on the motherboard that is needed for this to work. So far, I can't find a motherboard with label #4 and #2. I know, most of you will say just get a new case right? Since I would probably have to buy a new heatsink for the CPU since the cpu slot might not be located in the same location..

Label
#1 = PSU fan
#2 = Have no clue. It connects to something from the front panel (maybe the memory card slots)
#3 = Hard Drive Fan
#4 = Front USB and Video Cable input
#5 = Power on button?

 

[Assassin48]

Thinking about upgrading the motherboard, CPU and of RAMS and keeping the same case. Is this possible? I labeled the things on the motherboard that is needed for this to work. So far, I can't find a motherboard with label #4 and #2. I know, most of you will say just get a new case right? Since I would probably have to buy a new heatsink for the CPU since the cpu slot might not be located in the same location..

Label
#1 = PSU fan
#2 = Have no clue. It connects to something from the front panel (maybe the memory card slots)
#3 = Hard Drive Fan
#4 = Front USB and Video Cable input
#5 = Power on button?
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7572/sdc11145z.jpg

so all you want is everything new except the case

this is possible just remove the screws holding the motherboard to the tray

 

[mrw1986]

It's possible...looks like a mATX board. Do you have a model number of the desktop?

 

[Assassin48]

It's possible...looks like a mATX board. Do you have a model number of the desktop?

look at the pic i guess

PTGD-vx

google here i come!

 

[vbx]

Yeah, keeping the case, graphic card, and hard drives.

Its a SONY VGC-RA830G which is supposedly liquid cooled, but as you can see, it not.. lOL.

 

[Assassin48]

Yeah, keeping the case, graphic card, and hard drives.

Its a SONY VGC-RA830G which is supposedly liquid cool, but as you can see, it not.. lOL.

its a Asus OEM PTGD-VX MB

how much do you want to spend

and that cpu is going to be hard removing it

i tried it on my old case and i gave up

maybe the liquid is inside the heatsink?

 

[vbx]

My budget for the motherboard alone is > 150 give or take.

- and yes, I spoke with a sony rep and they claim there is a "special" liquid running thru the copper pipes..

 

[Studabaker]

2, 4, and 5 all look like they're just USB headers. #4 not so much, at first I thought it was an IDE cable until I had a second look, it really just looks proprietary.

Anyway, most boards have at least a couple of extra USB 2.0 headers, that'll be listed in the stats. When you look at mobos on Newegg, you can count the fan headers and see where they're at too.

Also whatever you can't use on that case, you might be able to replace some other way (do you really use all those front panels anyway?).

 

[Assassin48]

My budget for the motherboard alone is > 150 give or take.

Biostar
$50 after mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138079

you would have to upgrade to ddr2 and a max of 4gb

#4 is FDD connector

 

[vbx]

Biostar
$50 after mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138079

you would have to upgrade to ddr2 and a max of 4gb

#4 is FDD connector

That motherboard won't fit, its a rectangular shaped while the case will only support the sqaure shaped board. I'll keep in searching on NewEgg!

 

[Assassin48]

That motherboard won't fit, its a rectangular shaped while the case will only support the sqaure shaped board. I'll keep in searching on NewEgg!

you know its side ways right the one on the egg?

i am pretty sure thats a matx board

 

[Studabaker]

#4 is FDD connector

Doesn't look like it. Look at the IDE and FDD connectors next to each other up top. #4 doesn't resemble anything I've seen before.

 

[Studabaker]

That motherboard won't fit, its a rectangular shaped while the case will only support the sqaure shaped board. I'll keep in searching on NewEgg!

you know its side ways right the one on the egg?

i am pretty sure thats a matx board

I'm with Assassin on this one, your case should have at least an extra inch at the bottom. If not, you know, there are decent cases out there for $40

 

[Assassin48]

Doesn't look like it. Look at the IDE and FDD connectors next to each other up top. #4 doesn't resemble anything I've seen before.

can you remove the motherboard from the tray?
and post the pic of the tray itself

you might need to drill some holes for the stand offs

 

[vbx]

#4 is probably for one of these panels:

Looks like it's not going to work. I might just buy a HP Firebird. Its only 1300. And forget the headaches.

 

[vbx]

can you remove the motherboard from the tray?
and post the pic of the tray itself

you might need to drill some holes for the stand offs

What exactly are the "stand offs"

edit: never mind, google ftw.

 

[Studabaker]

It's the bottom one and it's highly proprietary. This is the problem with pre-build PCs, my friend. You should start building your own systems, it'll be cheaper for more! We're here to help every step of the way.

Stand offs are little towers that suspend the motherboard from the case.

 

[Assassin48]

What exactly are the "sand offs"?

its what keep your mother board above the tray so it dosent short out

and for 1300 you can build one yourself thats probably wayy better then that

we are always here to help you out if you have any questions

 

[Assassin48]

It's the bottom one and it's highly proprietary. This is the problem with pre-build PCs, my friend. You should start building your own systems, it'll be cheaper for more! We're here to help every step of the way.

Stand offs are little towers that suspend the motherboard from the case.

i was a few secs late lol!

 

[vbx]

Yeah, still debating,
1) try to upgrade the board and cpu (cheapest, but might not work),
2) build my own (fun factor)
3) HP Firebird (looks cool and liquid cooled)

 

[Studabaker]

i was a few secs late lol!

haha lol it's crazy how we both said pretty much the same things. think about THAT, vbx!

 

[Assassin48]

Yeah, still debating,
1) try to upgrade the board and cpu (cheapest, but might not work),
2) build my own (fun factor)
3) HP Firebird (looks cool and liquid cooled)

haha lol it's crazy how we both said pretty much the same things. think about THAT, vbx!

i would go with #2
if you want i can make you a list of a better computer for that much money
can you say i7 920

@Studabaker
great minds think alike

 

[vbx]

What do you think about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113092

Gateway i7 powered desktop
----
Motherboard
Chipset Intel X58
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core i7
Installed Qty 1
CPU Speed 920(2.66GHz)
L2 Cache Per CPU 4 x 256KB
L3 Cache Per CPU 8MB
CPU Socket Type LGA 1366
CPU Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type NVIDIA GeForce GTS 150
Graphics Interface PCI Express x16
Memory
Memory Capacity 6GB DDR3
Memory Spec 2GB x 3
Memory Slots (Available/Total) 3/6
Hard Drive
HDD Capacity 750GB
HDD Interface SATA II
HDD RPM 7200rpm

 

[Assassin48]

What do you think about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113092

Gateway i7 powered desktop
----
Motherboard
Chipset Intel X58
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core i7
Installed Qty 1
CPU Speed 920(2.66GHz)
L2 Cache Per CPU 4 x 256KB
L3 Cache Per CPU 8MB
CPU Socket Type LGA 1366
CPU Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type NVIDIA GeForce GTS 150
Graphics Interface PCI Express x16
Memory
Memory Capacity 6GB DDR3
Memory Spec 2GB x 3
Memory Slots (Available/Total) 3/6
Hard Drive
HDD Capacity 750GB
HDD Interface SATA II
HDD RPM 7200rpm

$1300 +tax+shipping
hmm it looks good but let me see something brb

 

[vbx]

Ebay has it with free shipping. Plus I can use the 14% live.com coupons. Very tempted.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gateway-Desktop...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

Final price after Live.com cash rebate: 1074.95

Not bad!