- Nov 2, 2014
- 2
- 0
- 4,510
About 2 years ago i purchased an Alienware desktop. For 13-14 year old me, It was the coolest thing ever (although now I realize I could have spent the money better elsewhere). I'm almost certain that the motherboard has crapped out on me and i'm looking to replace it. Thing is, I'm going to try to take this opportunity to try and upgrade several other components as well.
1.) I'm debating whether or not I should keep the regular R4 chassis and just insert new components or completely buy a new, lighter, and cheaper chassis (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156293) and fill it with some salvaged and new parts.
2.) Since my motherboard crapped out i'm worried that my i7-3820 might have also been damaged. If so, I was planning to replace it with either an AMD FX-6300 or an FX-8350 which seem to have lower performance when compared to the 3820. Is there any way to check to see if the CPU is damaged? If i were to purchase an FX CPU, I would use this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128651). If I was able to salvage the 3820 should I purchase a replacement Alienware motherboard or would it be possible to buy another? If so, any ideas on what motherboard I should look into?
3.) Right now I have a GTX-555, which is in desperate need of an update anyway. I was thinking of purchasing a R9-270x (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127761), but I'm not sure if I should go with its Nvidia equivalent instead.
These are the 3 main questions I wanted to ask. I'm pretty sure that the PSU, hard-drive, and DVD drive are salvageable, so I don't think I need any help with those.
*note* I'm not in the market for super expensive components. My price-range for the above questions are anywhere from $400-$600 (though I might be able to deviate a bit).
thanks to anyone brave enough to help me with the problem (especially with all the questions I'm asking).
*optional question* would it be best to upgrade to 8.1 or can I stay with Windows 7?
1.) I'm debating whether or not I should keep the regular R4 chassis and just insert new components or completely buy a new, lighter, and cheaper chassis (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156293) and fill it with some salvaged and new parts.
2.) Since my motherboard crapped out i'm worried that my i7-3820 might have also been damaged. If so, I was planning to replace it with either an AMD FX-6300 or an FX-8350 which seem to have lower performance when compared to the 3820. Is there any way to check to see if the CPU is damaged? If i were to purchase an FX CPU, I would use this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128651). If I was able to salvage the 3820 should I purchase a replacement Alienware motherboard or would it be possible to buy another? If so, any ideas on what motherboard I should look into?
3.) Right now I have a GTX-555, which is in desperate need of an update anyway. I was thinking of purchasing a R9-270x (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127761), but I'm not sure if I should go with its Nvidia equivalent instead.
These are the 3 main questions I wanted to ask. I'm pretty sure that the PSU, hard-drive, and DVD drive are salvageable, so I don't think I need any help with those.
*note* I'm not in the market for super expensive components. My price-range for the above questions are anywhere from $400-$600 (though I might be able to deviate a bit).
thanks to anyone brave enough to help me with the problem (especially with all the questions I'm asking).
*optional question* would it be best to upgrade to 8.1 or can I stay with Windows 7?
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