I'm a newbie to all this so please excuse me stupid question. I have an old Hewlett Packard and I want to replace the mobo with a new one . How do I figure out what size mobo is already in there so I know what size to buy?

what make and model is it? i'll be able to tell you after that

It's a 4445 Pavilion, need any more info?

i think that case is based on the NLX platform. although i am not too sure, you can fine a nice case to go with that new motherboard for a fairly inexpensive price.....
look on www.newegg.com for some stuff. and if i may ask how much were you planning to spend on a PC?

I'm looking to spend about $100 on a good mobo if that sounds reasonable

Planning on buying a new processor as well? AMD or Intel preference?
If you wanna go AMD, you can get a mobo and case for about $100.

Shuttle AN35N Ultra motherboard

Aspire Turbo Case

Basically you need to look at a few things, besides just the size.

Size - is it ATX or microATX or other (AT, babyAT etc). Chances are its one of the first two and good chance its microATX. All the HPs I have been into made within the last 3 years are of the small pain-in-the-ass variety with microATX mobos.

PSU - if your just replacing the motherboard check the available connections to the motherboard. Is the main power connector the standard 20 pin or is it proprietary? Is there an auxilary 4 pin connector or not? Of course if your also replacing the power supply this is not a concern - but then you have to look at the mounting for the PSU. Are the screw holes in the standard location? Is there room for an ATX power supply or microATX power supply in the HP case?

Other connections - are the connections for the front power switch and LEDs on the HP case standard and able to connect to your new motherboard??

Thos are your main concerns but if you have the time I would also pop the old motherboard out and check to see if the standoffs are in the correct locations for the new motherboard. Most all of the above problems can be overcome if you want to put the effort forth - but you may not.

Of course you could always go for new case, motherboard and power supply. Just depends on how far you want to go. No matter what you choose make sure your new motherboard will accept your old memory and processor - as you could see this could get complicated.

I recently took the guts out of a HP 532w and transplanted them in a standard ATX case. I had NO problems whatsoever. I kept the original power supply out of the HP - it mounted in standard fashion and went easily into the new case. The motherboard on the HP was a standard microATX motherboard and mounted effortlessly. The front panel connectors were also standard and marked clearly - took all of about 30 mins tops. A tickle of the power switch and away she went without a hitch.

Ask if you need more help. I would suggest if you dont know the answers to all of the above questions; that you bust out the digital camera and take a bunch of pictures of the mofos internals. We can then point out potential problems or tell you if it will be smooth sailing.

So that Shuttle AN35N Ultra motherboard does have a processor with it, right? If it does then that would be great with that case you showed me. I'm pretty sure that's what a want to do. Thanks alot guys.

Quote: Originally Posted by ps2guy525 So that Shuttle AN35N Ultra motherboard does have a processor with it, right? If it does then that would be great with that case you showed me. I'm pretty sure that's what a want to do. Thanks alot guys.

No it doesn't come with a processor, but you can get a decent one for around $80.
Of course, if you upgrade your processor and motherboard you may need to upgrade your RAM as well but not necessarily.

Quote: Originally Posted by aaronrkelly Basically you need to look at a few things, besides just the size. Size - is it ATX or microATX or other (AT, babyAT etc). Chances are its one of the first two and good chance its microATX. All the HPs I have been into made within the last 3 years are of the small pain-in-the-ass variety with microATX mobos. PSU - if your just replacing the motherboard check the available connections to the motherboard. Is the main power connector the standard 20 pin or is it proprietary? Is there an auxilary 4 pin connector or not? Of course if your also replacing the power supply this is not a concern - but then you have to look at the mounting for the PSU. Are the screw holes in the standard location? Is there room for an ATX power supply or microATX power supply in the HP case? Other connections - are the connections for the front power switch and LEDs on the HP case standard and able to connect to your new motherboard?? Thos are your main concerns but if you have the time I would also pop the old motherboard out and check to see if the standoffs are in the correct locations for the new motherboard. Most all of the above problems can be overcome if you want to put the effort forth - but you may not. Of course you could always go for new case, motherboard and power supply. Just depends on how far you want to go. No matter what you choose make sure your new motherboard will accept your old memory and processor - as you could see this could get complicated. I recently took the guts out of a HP 532w and transplanted them in a standard ATX case. I had NO problems whatsoever. I kept the original power supply out of the HP - it mounted in standard fashion and went easily into the new case. The motherboard on the HP was a standard microATX motherboard and mounted effortlessly. The front panel connectors were also standard and marked clearly - took all of about 30 mins tops. A tickle of the power switch and away she went without a hitch. Ask if you need more help. I would suggest if you dont know the answers to all of the above questions; that you bust out the digital camera and take a bunch of pictures of the mofos internals. We can then point out potential problems or tell you if it will be smooth sailing.

That is not a ATX based case. it is an older NLX form factor. and if memory serves me it is also AT standard....but i am not sure. but there is no mobo that will fit that case.

Where could a find a good AMD processor to fit it?

www.newegg.com

I'd recommend the Athlon Mobile XP 2500 if you can swing it.

That looks like a good price for me. I've never installed a processor into a mobo though, where could I find a guide on how to do that?

Quote: Originally Posted by Chrome_Rust That is not a ATX based case. it is an older NLX form factor. and if memory serves me it is also AT standard....but i am not sure. but there is no mobo that will fit that case.

CR, it's not NLX...it's mATX...check out these e-bay pics (because the frigging HP site has NO PICS and NO INFORMATION on the frigging form factor )

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=51107





Personally, I'd recommend looking into building a new system. Why? Here's a few reasons:

1. The chassis you have is gonna be a pain in the ass to work with because it's really small;

2. The power supply that's in there (if it's not a proprietary design) will NOT be enough to satisfy the requirements of current machines (not to mention there's no 4-pin AUX connector on it);

3. Almost any aftermarket mobo you stick in there is going to require a video card, which you don't have because you have integrated video on your HP;

4. The cooling required for modern processors will NOT be there with this system due to it's compact fanless design;

5. There's not likely going to be enough room between the power supply and the heatsink on the CPU due to the design 'hovering' the power supply over the heatsink (you likely don't even have a fan on your current CPU - it's just using air from the power supply fan)

6. The BERG connectors are likely using a proprietary connection, so you'll have to disassemble that, and figure out which wires go where

In other words, I don't think you'll be upgrading this system for $100. Even if you DID find a motherboard that fit, you'd have to buy a new CPU and memory, because you won't be able to use the HP parts in your new mobo, you'll likely have to get a video card, and a new power supply, just to start. Because the new power supply won't fit in the case, you'll have to get a new case. See where I'm going with this?

It's such a piece a crap, I figured I wouldn't be able to upgrade it. Well, if I bought the mobo, case, and processor that godfoot showed me, could I use the cd-rom and HD until I can save enough to buy new ones and a video and sound card?

Quote: Originally Posted by ps2guy525 It's such a piece a crap, I figured I wouldn't be able to upgrade it. Well, if I bought the mobo, case, and processor that godfoot showed me, could I use the cd-rom and HD until I can save enough to buy new ones?

Yes - that won't be a problem at all. BTW that shuttle board you referenced above is a full ATX board and wouldn't fit into your HP case anyway.

Personally, I prefer Abit, and would go with the Abit NF7, AMD Athlon Mobile 2500+, ThermalRight SLK900U, 92mm Antec fan, 2x256MB RAM with an Antec 400w power supply. Pretty much any case will do, however one that I just bought (which comes with an Antec 380w whisper quiet power supply and a 120mm fan is a great looking case, highly moddable, quiet, cool, and easy to use...it's the Antec Sonata case.

All can be had for $450.98 at newegg.com...

I even did the shopping...hopefully this link will work for you...

http://secure.newegg.com/app/shoppin...tem=20-145-499

The motherboard is on special until 4pm Pacific, so ya better order it right away if ya wanna save some loot!!!

bump so you don't miss the special (see my post above)

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp_joose CR, it's not NLX...it's mATX...check out these e-bay pics (because the frigging HP site has NO PICS and NO INFORMATION on the frigging form factor ) http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=51107 Personally, I'd recommend looking into building a new system. Why? Here's a few reasons: 1. The chassis you have is gonna be a pain in the ass to work with because it's really small; 2. The power supply that's in there (if it's not a proprietary design) will NOT be enough to satisfy the requirements of current machines (not to mention there's no 4-pin AUX connector on it); 3. Almost any aftermarket mobo you stick in there is going to require a video card, which you don't have because you have integrated video on your HP; 4. The cooling required for modern processors will NOT be there with this system due to it's compact fanless design; 5. There's not likely going to be enough room between the power supply and the heatsink on the CPU due to the design 'hovering' the power supply over the heatsink (you likely don't even have a fan on your current CPU - it's just using air from the power supply fan) 6. The BERG connectors are likely using a proprietary connection, so you'll have to disassemble that, and figure out which wires go where In other words, I don't think you'll be upgrading this system for $100. Even if you DID find a motherboard that fit, you'd have to buy a new CPU and memory, because you won't be able to use the HP parts in your new mobo, you'll likely have to get a video card, and a new power supply, just to start. Because the new power supply won't fit in the case, you'll have to get a new case. See where I'm going with this?

oops i guess i was wrong, reason i thought it was NLX was i had a machine in the Shop once that looked like that one and it was NLX.....thanks for keeping me truthful! +rep

I would have suggested the Abit as well, but he did state that he wanted to keep it under $100. I just pointed out that he could get a quality mobo (not the best but far from the worst) AND a case for right at $100.
By the time you factor in the new processor and RAM to support it though you will be between $300-400 anyway though but at least you won't have a proprietary POS any longer.