Motherboard broken, need a new one

sam.bird91

Reputable
Oct 5, 2017
48
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4,535
Recently my motherboard conked out on me, however everything else in my PC appears to be working completely fine. My only issue is that the computer is 3.5 years old now. My broken motherboard is an ASRock H97M-ITX/ac. Here's the rest of the build:

Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz
4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
2.5 SSD and HDD
Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card
EVGA - 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply

My issue is don't really know what motherboard to go for. I want to upgrade the size from Mini-ITX to at least Micro ATX, along with a new case. However I don't want to spend much money because I know eventually I'll have to upgrade my processor, and therefore will need a newer motherboard.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

Also what's the process of actually getting the computer to work after installing a new motherboard? I know how to install it, what do I need to do with my OS (Windows 10) to get it working correctly again? I can't currently access anything on my computer, due to the broken motherboard.

Currently got my eye on this one: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/2TXfrH/asus-motherboard-h81mplus
 
Solution
Unless you have special requirements there's no need to spend a ton of money on a motherboard. Based on the equipment you have listed pretty much any board will work for you and as you are planning a CPU upgrade in the future (hopefully after spectre has been fixed) let price be your sole guide to what you get.

As for windows my understanding is that if you have registered your Microsoft account you can re-instal windows, that said however, I also understand that a new mother board qualifies as a new computer as far as the Microsoft licence is concerned and therefore you will be required to purchase a new licence. Please note this is my current understanding based on what I have read and is not from personal experience.

shag00

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2010
316
0
18,860
Unless you have special requirements there's no need to spend a ton of money on a motherboard. Based on the equipment you have listed pretty much any board will work for you and as you are planning a CPU upgrade in the future (hopefully after spectre has been fixed) let price be your sole guide to what you get.

As for windows my understanding is that if you have registered your Microsoft account you can re-instal windows, that said however, I also understand that a new mother board qualifies as a new computer as far as the Microsoft licence is concerned and therefore you will be required to purchase a new licence. Please note this is my current understanding based on what I have read and is not from personal experience.
 
Solution