Need help finding a motherboard that can work for my odd situation

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jovijout

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Hello guys, I am currently trying to fix my screwed up computer. It was a gift from a while ago, an old alienware area 51
I had to do a BIOS update. However, it failed and I believe my motherboard to be bricked..

My question pertains to finding a motherboard that would work.
I currently have an
i7-980 processor, i am told that the chipset is x58.
2 ATI Radeon HD 5970 cards, crossfire.

I tried looking for a new motherboard however the ones that seem to work also appear to be unpleasantly expensive.

Would it be possible to switch from intel to AMD and use a processor that supports that and the Radeon graphics cards?
Would I then have to change my shell, the power supply and all other things?

Now attached is a picture of what it looks like inside, mind it this is not my computer, mine is currently at the shop getting its bios flashed...
big_area-51-motherboard-area.jpg


any recommendations friends?
Possibly a combination of motherboard, processor, and shell?
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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You have an i7-980. That's comparable to what amd currently has to offer, while you'd have a new cpu/mobo what you wouldn't have is anything better. So switching to amd would be basically a waste.

The windows in your a51 is tied to the motherboard. If you replace the motherboard your copy of Windows will now be void. It'll also no longer be recognised as a Dell product. You'll now have a custom pc and any and all Dell related stuff will be bunk.

On the plus side, only the motherboard is Dell. Everything else is the same as anything bought aftermarket, so everything from ram to hdd to gpus is transferable. This means if you replace the cpu/mobo for something better, and buy a new windows, the only cap you'll have on determining exactly how far you go is budget.

If the mobo is bricked, change it. If your change is total, change the cpu/windows. The rest can remain. Dell is a proprietary brand, but not so proprietary that it redefines ATX standards in an ATX case.
 
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jovijout

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Thank you for the reply.
Not to worried about the windows being void, dont mind purchasing a new one.
I would like to change the mobo, however i have a hard time finding something that can support an x58 chipset at a reasonable price.
I understand you saying that switching to AMD would be a waste... However, it seems like I can find an AMD processor and a motherboard to support at an overall reasonable price..
Could you recommend a motherboard for my current situation?
Because i have been told by a few people that only an LGA 1366 board will work with my current cpu. And the fact that these boards have been relatively hard to come by based on my current searches, makes me even more eager to change to an AMD processor (AMD currently over Intel as I am still in college and my budget is constricted to a degree). I also feel like my cpu is already in the cpu grave....
Any more advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
 
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jovijout

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Thanks mate, i am thinking of using the factory cpu cooler i got from alienware if that is compatible!
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Yes and no. The cooler itself is compatible, its just a pump. What's not compatible is the mount. Intel uses a square mount with a separate backplate. AMD uses an elongated mount, the 2 are distinctly different. In order to use the Dell cooler, you'd need a mounting kit amd am3/am3+ boards. That's an Asetek pump, same as corsair h55 and a few others. Not hard or expensive to get an AMD kit on eBay.
 
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jovijout

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I see, so in order to retain the cooler I would have to get a new mounting board and whole AMD kid.
but this can be avoided if i just get another cooler right? Therefore i would be set with getting and amd board and cpu, or would i still need a new mounting kid?
 
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