Factors: processor and memory, sometimes the additional cards that are installed
in the computer. What you want the computer to be when complete, cost.
Make a list, in one column have the current main board and all the components in
your computer. In the other column list what you want. Research your new main
board, change the column of the new main board, some of the features of the new
main board may be different or better than what the old board has, such as
embedded network capability, you can get rid of the network card, or the built in
Audio is of better quality than the old sound card you have. Two of you main
concerns are the processor and the memory of the new board, can you use your
current processor and memory or will you have to upgrade that also.
Costs - in the old days you would gather up two or three catalogs, go through
them and compare costs of one item from one company to another company. Maybe
the item had the same manufacture, maybe not. A little tedious if you were
buying a lot of different items. Now you can make a list with a spread sheet,
research your items on line and compare. So do your research, an hour now will
save you a lot of money later when you order the parts to do your upgrade.
Quality - This should be one of your questions while researching costs. If you
buy cheap you get cheap, spend less now and you may be spending more later.
You have selected you motherboard, you know if you are re-using some components or
buying new.
The next thing you need to know is will it fit your computer case? Check the
dimensions or go to the manufactures web site and down load the installation
guide, it will give you insight to the physical characteristics of the main
board. Like the lay out of the ports, where the drive connectors are. With this
information you can compare you case and the location of cables. Nothing like
getting the new main board and finding you have to modify the case to get to the
keyboard and mouse ports because they are in a different place than the old one.
Or finding that the hard drive cable is four inches to short because the
connectors are in a different place.
This site contains a lot of information. As
with any publication not all information is available due to space, time, or
subject constraints.
If you have a question that you did not find the answer
on this web site you a can
ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date
answer possible!
