Machine revamp

[pengyman89]

ok, so came to an appifany (sp?) for the machine. I'm running an HP m7160n, almost all stock apart from a RAM upgrade, video card, and PSU. I was thinking about cooling for the new 8800gt going in but i don't particularly want to void the warranty as i've never tried that sort of thing before.

The Idea: take everything out of the HP chassis, get a new chassis, and put everything in there. looking at a tower that leaves plenty of room for customization later on, looks good, and will help keep everything running smooth.

I don't have experience building PC's (yet), but i've been following hardware forums and such religiously for the past few years now (which isn't bad considering i'm in high school) and feel ready to do it. All I would be doing is transferring the parts over.

What i'm unsure about is how easily the parts will come out of an off the shelf system. What I need to consider before attempting and also looking for chassis ideas.

I have been looking at the antec 900, although i would like to keep the cost below $100 (CAD) if possible. However, if the quality is worth saving up i have no issues doing so.

In the case, again, i am looking for future customization possibilities, keeping things cool (possibile upgrades to watercooling later in life), bay expansions (right now have a DVD-ROM and a burner, as well as secondary usb ports, svideo, firewire on the front [would 'like' more than 3x5.25' bays]), possibly throwing some pretty blue lights in and maybe some whistles and bells for aesthetic value.

Online purchasing is a possibility, keeping in mind that it would need to be shipped to canada (ontario).

Thanks all!

[Wii]

HAHA! Good luck trying to pry those computer components (especially the motherboard n processor) out of your computer! Ripped apart my friends Sony Vaio desktop...GOOD GOD! Maybe it's not the same for HP's but I sorta had the same thought...there's enough room in my HP for a 12" card though

[Groundbound1]

One thing you should consider, is the fact that HP/Compaq (same company) like to use thier own connectors for power/reset/ hardrive activity LED and such. A generic case will most likely have standard connections for these functions.(geared more toward the after-market motherboards.) It's not impossible to figure out what each lead does, but it can be a little confusing for the uninitiated.

Just one thing of many to think about.

[pengyman89]

so maybe I should look at getting a better mobo at or around the same time i get a new case? get something better that will give me even more upgrade room and then just transfer everything to the other board.