So yeah I am building a new PC and to cut back on it's cost I am reusing my HDDs (2) and my optical drive. This'll be my first build where I am reusing parts and so I have no idea on what to do. I am going from Windows Vista to Windows 8.1 and really the only files I care to save are my game saves. Can I just transfer the save files to a usb drive then add them to the Steam/Origin folders? Also, since I'm a noob, what exactly do I have to do to reuse these parts? Links to guides and stuff are very helpful. Thanks.
Well the first we need to answer two questions, what's the budget and what do you want it to be capable of? Also, I'm guessing you have no specific seller, graphics card, or processor preferences but that's helpful to know too.
What the? I was posting this on a different forum? How did it type and post here? Don't tell me my preview was actually a posting on these forums? LMAO!
what forums were you meaning to post on? as long as you save the SATA cables and have enough ports on your new mobo, I'm pretty sure you won't run into any problems reusing parts
Yes. You can probably just put them onto one of the HDDs instead. You're going to have to wipe one of the drives to put Windows on. That's most likely going to be the drive with Vista on it, but before you commit to anything have a think about the age and size of both drives and how you want your files organised. First thing is first, before you buy anything, make sure your drives are SATA drives. This is most likely the case, but do it to be thorough. If they're not, you're in trouble. The old chunky ribbon cables have gone out of fashion. This matters for your DVD drive. My motherboard doesn't support them. I don't think many new motherboards do any more.
OH BOY OH BOY! can I help? you can PM me if ever you need details. but there's lots of stuff to learn, more than I probably can't cover in one post. First step is probably posting in a forum exactly as you have done, so Yaay! (and I don't think it's a mistake to post here either) then you want to choose the parts you need without forgetting anything and without going overboard on anything, this way the assembly and start of use of the new machine happens in one fell swoop. then there's the assembly and what I need to tell you all depends on what experience you already have. As for keeping parts, good idea! that's the whole point of building PCs, especially hard drives. careful that they aren't too old, it may be time to copy over their data to prevent against possible failure. (very rare). As for tom's hardware. You'll find better help at case builder's enthusiasts forums like overclock.net or overclockers.co.uk the first of which I've found extremely information-rich and well organized.
