Q: I want to learn more on computer building and need a direction to keeping my hardrive and installing new parts to it overtime. Is that possible? If so, for how long do you suppose can I keep adding and replacing parts?
A: Each component is different. You can keep your hard drive but if the capacity is way smaller compared to all the cheap and big hard drives available today, you may as well get the data out and move to a nicer new one. I have had the same 2 hard drives for almost six years now and they are still kicking butt because I defrag them often, do maintenance on my system, etc. Some people would buy a hard drive and have them die after a couple weeks only! Always make sure they come with decent warranty. Computers get old TOO QUICKLY, I'd buy a nice case with lots of room, a new motherboard that supports new generation gear, lots of memory, a nice hard drive and an ok video card and keep any old component you don't have money for... and replace those as time and budget allows.