Upgrade older pc

[pavermech]

I have acquired an AST 486/33 computer. I was thinking of using the case to build a computer. This will be my first project. It has a 205 watt power supply and I would like to know what speed processor an what mother board that this power supply would support. Would it be better to change the supply? All commnts welcome.
Thanks!
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[hiredgoonz]

That should be fine for a basic P2/p3 system...Athlons/Durons are supposed to have at least a 250...

I ran a P2 450, w/dvd, cdrw, 10gb hd, 2 voodoo2 cards (supposedly power hogs), modem, nic, vid and sound and never had any problems with it, so I don't know how much of the power supply recommendations are b.s.

[tjaymadison]

What was 205 watts when that system was new probably isn't 205 watts anymore. Although the only moving part is the fan, the other parts don't exactly "wear out", but they do undergo stresses from cycling on and off. Compared to the cost of many items in a PC, the PS is usually fairly low. In addition, you'll be limiting yourself to motherboards that have an AT socket, or possibly both AT and ATX sockets. A fair majority of newer mobo's are ATX form factor, and the case probably does not have the mounting holes in the right places, nor the correct backplane for things like the USB and PS/2 ports. If the thing runs well enough, and you can afford to keep it intact as a second system, you could throw a CD-RW in it and make it a dedicated burner/MP3 music box.

[Rick]

For what it's worth.
A new clone/no name case with 235 watt P/S will cost the same as a new P/S for your old AT case. $39.00

Why not spend the money . Get both. and Mount what ever you want.

Those old AT formfactor M/B are getting a little hard to find.

[Paleo Pete]

AT boards can still be found if you look. For the case you describe I would stick with a classic Pentium, which will limit you to about 266MHz, or possibly something like a lower end P-II might work. With a 205W power supply, don't cram it full of goodies, stick with basics, and it should be OK.

CSO (http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com) and Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) both should have boards listed that will fit the case you have, as well as other cases that will allow you to go with other hardware, depending on what you want.



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[pavermech]

Thanks for the input. I think I'll go with a new ps if I can find a mother board. By the way, where can you find both for 39.00?
Thanks again! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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"Beam me up Scotty...! No intelligent life here"

[Paleo Pete]

You'll have a hard time finding power supply and motherboard both for $39. Check [http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com]CSO[/url] and [http://www.pricewatch.com]Pricewatch[/url] for the best prices you're likely to find.

You'll find plenty boards that will use the power supply you already have, many of the first generation Pentium boards will handle up to P-266 and the 205 watter should handle them, and the components won't eat up as much power as some of the newer stuff does. I'm running a 230W, with P-233MMX, 64MB, 2 hard drives, Matrox Mystique, 3 1/2" & 5 1/4" floppies, tape drive and CD ROM, heavy duty CPU fan and extra case fan. The 230W power supply handles it well.

With your 205W you should be able to run board & CPU, hard drive, CD ROM and one floppy with no problems, and the earlier PCI video cards don't need as much power as some of the newer AGP cards do.

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[Randy_tx]

IF you can outline to us what you WANT to build ....we can certainly give better advice about whether you can use the case and power supply from the 486-33 machine. My advice is stay away from a 5-7 year old power supply...you will have problems soon almost for certain and when you are new to building computers, the fewer irritants the better http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


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I'm putting a new Fat32 partition in my Head Drive...hope it speeds me up.......