I am looking into building my own rig / save money while doing it (Alienware X51 re-usable parts)

DinkyPoo

Reputable
Oct 6, 2014
10
0
4,510
I own a Alienware X51 right now and i am looking to put together a new RIG and possibly save some money while doing it.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/24YTjX
These are the items i have put together so far.

I was curious if i would be able to Re-Use the RAM / HDD from my Alienware x51
I would obviously have to Reformat my HDD (Im guessing) and put in a new OS.

I have 1TB HDD and 8GB Ram in the alienware x51 and i'm not really looking into upgrading those until the future.

Is it do-able?
 
Solution
Your new motherboard will come with a DVD disc that will help you install drivers for every feature. Other drivers and updates can be found via Microsoft Update.

To enable Microsoft Update, open Windows Update and on the left pane click "Change Settings"
There you will find the option to enable Microsoft Update.

Follow this guide to get rid of old drivers
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/remove-old-drivers-after-upgrading-to-new-hardware/

As long as you have the new drivers everything should be fine. You can leave the old drivers of you want, they just take up some space.

DinkyPoo

Reputable
Oct 6, 2014
10
0
4,510
I am upgrading my motherboard because the one that is in my computer is a mini and wouldn't be compatible with what im building, so Would reinstalling a OS be 100% needed if getting a new Mobo?
 
The OS that came with your Alienware is an OEM copy, which is tied to the original motherboard. Running your HDD on a new board will work but Windows will not validate. So you will need a new license for your version of Windows (by buying a new copy of it)

If you buy a different version of Windows you will be required to do a reformat to install the new OS. And if you validate using an OEM key it will be locked to the motherboard that its running on.

OEM copies are cheaper.
 

DinkyPoo

Reputable
Oct 6, 2014
10
0
4,510
I attend college and my school has given me a couple copies of Windows 7 Premium that i will be able to install on the HDD, I believe a key would come with it. So i should be set with that in guessing?
 
Your new motherboard will come with a DVD disc that will help you install drivers for every feature. Other drivers and updates can be found via Microsoft Update.

To enable Microsoft Update, open Windows Update and on the left pane click "Change Settings"
There you will find the option to enable Microsoft Update.

Follow this guide to get rid of old drivers
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/remove-old-drivers-after-upgrading-to-new-hardware/

As long as you have the new drivers everything should be fine. You can leave the old drivers of you want, they just take up some space.
 
Solution

Vic 40

Titan
Ambassador
What's the hardware in this dell/alienware?

You could buy for instance a nice mini-atx case and transfer all to that with a new psu and gpu.

Maybe your typing on it? If so could you do this,

Download the next program=hwinfo32,
http://www.hwinfo.com/download32.html
open it,click run,close the top window which is the system summary,click save report at the left top,in the next window at the bottom check=dot "short text report" after that next,you'll get to see what is in your pc,copy that by clicking "copy to clipboard" and right click and paste in you next post.

I probably spoke to soon,it seems this has a very specific motherboard,but still the cpu might be good to use.