If I change my processor to a faster speed, keeping the same chipset and change memory to faster and larger quantity of memory, will I have any problems with my computer booting and working ok.

 

If the motherboard and chipset support the processor you wish to upgrade to you won't have any issue. Try to jam a CPU that isn't supported in and your dead in the water.

Or are you talking about 'overclocking' your current CPU? Again, if your MB allows it, go for it but your odds of burning up your CPU jump dramatically.

As forthe memory, you can only go as fast as the system but (ie, Motherboard) allow. Using a differnet type will put you dead in the water again.

If the PC is more than 3 years old scrap it and get another. Period.

Happy computing!

 

I built this system and your probably correct on scrapping it and just building another one. I just havent had any issues with this computer, I'm not a gammer so I dont need top of the line stuff. I can overclock stabily to 500 mhz greater.

If i just built a new system can I still use my old harddrive or do I have to get a new one.

 

Recommendations on mobo and processor?

 

I considered upgrading my P4 2.8 to the 3.4 Extreme edition just for the heck of it....the freaking processor costs $1100. Forget it, I'll buy a new one in another year or so.

 

Could I get by changing mobo, processor, memory. Keeping coolers, video card (since I am not a gamer) and anything else I have forgotten.

Looking at :
Abit Fatal1ty AN8 SLi mobo
Athlon 64 X2 5200+
2GB of DDR400

Keeping:
Zalman coolers for processor and Northbridge
Siluro OTES video card 128mb

 

You can use your old hard drive but it would be highly recommended to format and do a fresh install. You might get by with a repair install if you really don't want to re-install programs or lose anything but that's usually asking for problems.
With the price of hard drives I would suggest getting a nice new fast SATA II drive (if the board supports it) and doing a fresh install on that. Then put your old drive in as a slave so you still have all your documents, pictures, data, music, etc. One tip. Don't put the old drive in as a slave until you have the new one formatted and Windows installed. That way you don't format the wrong one by mistake. I speak from experience on that tip.

 

If you change the MB or processor, Windows XP, assuming that is what you have, will need to be reactivated. In which case it is better to just format and start from scratch. Then you don't have drivers left around from the other system. Also registry entries and files from software you installed, uninstalled, or updated.

 

It looks like that Abit board doesn't have an AGP slot which is what your Siluro video card needs. You would have to upgrade to a pci-e video card, or two. If you're not a gamer or do intense graphics work there's not much need for a SLI motherboard that will run two video cards so save yourself some bucks and get a different model that supports AGP or has a single pci-e slot if you plan on upgrading to a pci-e card.
You'll have to check Zalman's site to see if your coolers will work on whatever board and cpu you choose. Even if it fits the cpu it there might be things in the way on the board.
Good choice on 2gb of ram.