Does anyone know what motherboard this is?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
W

WiiUMasterGman

Reputable
May 11, 2016
1,142
2
5,665
Solution
R
OK, well if you really need to go pre-built, why not just get a pre-built that actually meets your needs?
For example: here's a HP from Bestbuy canada with an i5 and RX 480 for less than your suggested build above: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/hp-hp-pavilion-560-p029-vr-ready-desktop-v9b19aaabl/10587034.aspx?path=91cbe73def1fd5b4f281a972a251c25een02

Here's another option: a more gamer-looking build with a better CPU and motherboard for just a little extra on your latest suggestion, after you've added the cost of Windows 10: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/cyberpowerpc-cyberpowerpc-gamer-panzer-pvr1050-pc-intel-i5-6600k-2tb-hddd-8gb-ram-windows-10-english-pvr1050/10538779.aspx?path=0a74ccd3adb660f7d2307051094090eben02

I...
Sort by date Sort by votes
R

rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
4,366
29
26,990
I'm pretty sure those ThinkCentre M82 motherboards use a custom power connector, which is NOT compatible with any standard ATX power supplies which you'd need to power an RX 480. Have a look at this thread: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkCentre-A-E-M-S-Series/M82-tower-intentionally-crippled-power/td-p/1160477

I'm also not at all sure whether it's a standard ATX or mATX motherboard. I'd have to look into it further, but I think the PSU issue kills you anyway.

If you look at that thread some people seem to have found converter cables for standard ATX PSUs, which could work just fine. But you'd need to track one down. You'd then need to confirm whether it is, in fact, a standard motherboard form factor. Many OEM units like that one don't line up properly in mATX or ATX cases... again you'd be sunk.

The last thing to check for is the case and front panel connections. Motherboards and cases you buy off the shelf have standardised connectors for things like power and reset buttons, LEDs, front panel USB and audio, etc. Sometimes aftermarket cases use entirely different (and not compatible) connections.

Doing what you're trying to do *can* be a really cost effective way of getting a decent budget gaming computer. BUT, you have to really do your research. Loads of issues can crop up.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

WiiUMasterGman

Reputable
May 11, 2016
1,142
2
5,665


What do you suggest I do? Do you know any i5 computers that I can use as a bare bones computer.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
4,366
29
26,990
Just looking at that build... all you're using from the Lenovo is the motherboard, CPU and OS... and that's costing you $340. That's really not a great deal.

The OS is about $115 (assuming you're fine with W10 home... which most people are).
So that leaves $225 for the CPU + Mobo. You can easily do a solid i3 build for that, while also upping the RAM to 8GB (which is definitely worthwhile). You can do that no problems on your current budget.
If you friend really wants a genuine quad core then he would have to increase his budget a little. But considering he'd be getting new, faster parts under warranty, that's totally justified (if it's affordable, of course).

There are heaps of other options too. Ryzen is launching soon. It looks like the first round of releases are the high end 8 core parts, they'll be too expensive unless your friend is prepared to up his budget substantially. However, all the leaks indicate that quad core with hyperthreading models will be launching later (who knows when!?) and priced extremely competitively. Your friend could well find that in a month or two his ~$250 budget for RAM, CPU and mobo could get a really solid mid range gaming platform on Ryzen... though that is speculation at this stage.

The new hyperthreaded Pentiums also mean that your friend could put a cheap Intel build together now, and then save up for an i5 (or even an i7 if she/he wanted) in future. Because the Pentiums are so cheap (~$90 Canadian), it means you're only wasting a relatively small amount of money.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

WiiUMasterGman

Reputable
May 11, 2016
1,142
2
5,665


Even though I'd rather go with your option of building my own or waiting for Ryzen but he doesn't really have the time. His dad doesn't trust me to build it my own so he'd rather know that the Pc is 'somewhat' built already
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
4,366
29
26,990
A couple of other cost-saving options...

If you can use the rebate, you can save $40 by going with this Powercolor RX 480: https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131706&nm_mc=AFC-C8JunctionCA&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JunctionCA-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10592396&PID=3938566&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-%zn
That's a ridiculous bargain actually for Canadian pricing. That's cheaper than any RX 470s I can find, and almost $50 cheaper than the cheapest 3GB 1060 I can find. Assuming that's displayed correctly, grab that for sure.

Another option is to grab a ~250GB SSD and ditch the HDD for now. That'll save you $20 or so. 250GB is good for the OS and a few games. Get your friend to save up for the HDD and add it later. That's actually a much better long-term option as the 250GB drives are usually significantly faster, and 250GB is better for the OS... I've lived with 120GB drives and had to keep cleaning things up to avoid running low on space.

If the budget really is fixed, do consider the Pentium option for now, with future i5 (or i7) drop-in. Honestly, those hyperthreaded Pentiums (like the G4560) are basically identical to an i3, they're very capable gaming CPUs and match pretty decently with a 480. Then you get a drop-in replacement to a i5 or i7.

Or wait a few weeks and see what happens with Ryzen.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
4,366
29
26,990

I don't understand. How is taking a motherboard and CPU out of an old (second hand) computer and putting it in a new case with new components any safer or more "built" than brand new components which are all under warranty and you can be 100% sure are compatible with each other?

Does your friend want a gaming PC?

That is a decent price on the Dell you linked, but:
- you'd need to buy a PSU before adding the RX 480, then you're into the same questions... is the case and mobo compatible with a standard ATX PSU (it might be - but you need to check)... I also don't know what happens to the Dell warranty if you replace the PSU. I wouldn't be surprised if Dell refuses the warranty on an uncertified PSU
- you could still do it significantly cheaper building it yourself, you would be wasting money on a PSU that you don't use and it would be more upgradable in future.

Rather than trying to repurpose pre-builts, why don't you start with the budget and goals for the machine and we can have a look at something that might properly meet your needs?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

WiiUMasterGman

Reputable
May 11, 2016
1,142
2
5,665


I should have said this earlier. His dad doesn't really understand computers. He just thinks that prebuilt is good and custom isn't safe. So that is why I had to involve the "somewhat" prebuilt part. I know that custom is good I've done it myself and it was best experience I've ever had. https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIACY758P2324&cm_re=cybertron-_-9SIACY758P2324-_-Product

I think this is a better option. I am going to assume that CyberTronPC uses a motherboard with 20+4 pin motherboard. I can't find the specs of it on their website.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/K67Hbj

This is what I thought. If you could find the motherboard so I could confrim that this would work that would be the best
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
R

rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
4,366
29
26,990
OK, well if you really need to go pre-built, why not just get a pre-built that actually meets your needs?
For example: here's a HP from Bestbuy canada with an i5 and RX 480 for less than your suggested build above: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/hp-hp-pavilion-560-p029-vr-ready-desktop-v9b19aaabl/10587034.aspx?path=91cbe73def1fd5b4f281a972a251c25een02

Here's another option: a more gamer-looking build with a better CPU and motherboard for just a little extra on your latest suggestion, after you've added the cost of Windows 10: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/cyberpowerpc-cyberpowerpc-gamer-panzer-pvr1050-pc-intel-i5-6600k-2tb-hddd-8gb-ram-windows-10-english-pvr1050/10538779.aspx?path=0a74ccd3adb660f7d2307051094090eben02

I totally understand people getting very nervous about young people spending lots of money on components that they put together themselves. However if you're going to go pre-built, you are much safer getting a pre-built that is actually pre-built to use for the purpose you're intending.

I'm assuming you and your friend are pretty young? Like still at school and dad is funding (at least in part?) the computer? On a non-technical note for a second: If I were you I would try having a mature conversation with your friend's dad. Tell him you've researched your options and show him what you can get prebuilt vs what you can get putting it together yourself. You can explain that most pre-builts come with 1yr warranty, while most components (certainly the critical ones like CPU, PSU, motherboard and RAM) come with 3yrs warranty or more. And that actually, aftermarket components are either identical (all CPUs come out of the same factories) or often higher quality (aftermarket PSUs, RAM and motherboards are usually higher quality than what you find in pre-builts). I'm a dad myself, if you can show him that you've done your research and intend to approach this systematically and carefully, you have a much better chance.

I hear what your issue is and understand what you're trying to do. The Dad is worried about you breaking or destroying something while building, or wasting money on incompatible components, so you're trying to allay his fears with a pre-built... I get that. BUT, it seems to me that what you're actually doing is really a self-built that masking itself as a pre-built, and that's riskier still. You're effectively taking all the risk of a self-built PC -> acquiring different components and putting them together, etc, BUT you're losing the individual warranty and RMA process, and taking additional compatibility risks. The pre-built computer manufacturer won't honor a warranty when you've moved it to a new case, put a GPU and a different PSU in it. And you're going to need to check carefully to see whether the mobo and PSU are compatible, and that the case wiring will work and if you get it wrong... you're left trying to sort it out yourself (the manufacturer will not help you).

It just seems to me that you're spending more money, taking more research time and taking on a higher level of risk just so you can "pretend" to get a pre-built machine to satisfy your friend's dad. If I were in your shoes I'd find the best pre-built I could, and then put together either a better self-built machine at the same budget, or a cheaper self-built machine, and put the case to the dad to show him the options. If he demands a pre-built, then just get the best pre-built you can for your budget.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom