I have a HP 8870. 1.2g Athlon, ME, 128k original, upped to 512k, a new Maxtor ata133 60g 7200rpm HD, new SB 24bit audigy sound card, and a brand new 128meg ATI Radeon 9700pro. I have decided I want a newer computer, but I have spent some cash on some newer components that were expensive...to me at least. For instance that graphics card was 400 bucks, it hurt, but worth it to me. Now, because I have invested money in these things, I don't want to buy them all again with a new computer. So, for a while I was looking for a bare bones comp, or something that had really awful HD, sound and video cards, so I didn't have to pay for them twice...I could just install the things I already have. I began thinking though... **Can I buy a new motherboard (I want one with 8x agp capability) and processor, and just slap it into my case and still use all my drives, HD, op sys, and sound and video cards? I have never "built" a computer, but I have successfully installed a couple sound cards, a video card, and a hard drive. So, I feel fairly confident attempting something like this. I suppose I am going to have to get a new power supply for the motherboard..? **I guess my main concerns are: Will a new mobo physically fit in my case?(are they pretty much a standard size?) Will everything I have already work with it?(I am hoping to just remove the old motherbaord and install a new one, with a new processor of course, and have it work with all my stuff. -I am aware of obvious things like pci/agp slot availability, and the other physical..sort of connector issue type things lol...I guess I'm saying I'm not "totally" clueless... Any advice, or links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Matt.

OK, I apologize... I just read a very similar post, and should have had the sense to check before posting mine, but I didn't... Apologies. However, If anyone has any additional info that would be more specific to my situation I would still appreciate the expertise, or opinion. I am looking forward to upgrading to ddr, processor, and I suppose a case isn't out of the question either. I used to be turned on by amd processors, but lately I have noticed that even their highest end chips, at least the chips I have had access to checking out, aren't as "fast" as some of the pentium 4's... which I have seen near 3 gigs if I am not mistaken. Anyone know if amd is making any new processors available soon? Or, are they still clocked faster than some pentiums... should I not worry about it? Thanks again, Matt.

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3501424/ I've heard that combos are a good way to go... Any opinions of this one? Thanks, Matt.

You could just get a MOBO, CPU, and Memory and use all or most of your existing stuff. With a new MOBO, your OS might choke looking for drivers or, it might just "plug n play". Your new MOBO will probably fit the HP case. The last HP desktop I looked inside of had an ASUS ATX MOBO in it.

Personally, I hate HP cases. Don't ask, long story. Since you can pick up a nice case and powersupply for around $40 (and cheeper) I'd spring for a new ATX case. As far as the MB, everything you have should work dandy with it. I'm rather partial with AOpen components, but that's just because I have a good distributer and I get wholesale prices on stuff:) Check out the AX4B 533-tube, awsome board for music lovers... CP

hello if your case is not a full tower case you might want to get one for ease of working and lots of room for expantion and most of all better cooling features

Thanks much all... A new case sounds like a good option. I am now concerned about drivers... How much of a problem am I going to have from a driver/OS standdpoint, when putting in a new motherboard and processor? Will it require a lot of work, and searching for drivers and stuff? Or, is this all readily available to consumers? Thanks again, Matt