MB dead..need to upgrade. Need Advice...Please Help

mfitch

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2008
11
0
18,510
I posted this a couple days ago and got some great advice,,,just want to try one more time to confirm my decisions.

Ok I am reaching out for some help and advice. I had a home built system with the following components listed below.

1) Antec Nine Hundred Case

2) Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe MB - DEAD!!

3) AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

4) MSI Geforce 7900 GS 256MB PCI-E x Video Card

5) 3GB Kingston PC3200 DDR400

6) 2 x 500GB Hard Drives

7) 2 x DVD+RW plextor 708A and a sony dru-820a

8) Ultra ULT31852 X2 X-Connect 550W Power Supply

9) 2 x 20" Samsung Monitors w/ DVI connections but I also have a 26" LG LCD 26lc2r that I can use instead

10) Plan on running vista

Long story short I had to ship the computer and in shipping the MB was damaged from what I have been told because now the computer will not boot or go to Bios or what ever it doesn't do when the MB is dead. This info is from a trusted source. So that said,,,I have been living off my laptop
and it is beginning to take a toll on it.

What I am asking is can anybody tell me what I should do given the current components out there,,,I have been out of the loop for a bit and don't know whats out there now.

1) do I look for a refurbished MB or is there a comparable one to it that is still being made?

2) Are any of the components worth saving and just reconfiguring the system with some new parts?

3) Do I just start over with the latest and greatest?

My Requirements:

1) Most speed and overall performance for the money.......on the net and when just multitasking at home

2) able to play any the latest games,,,I am not playing any multiplayer anymore and does not have to be flawless just able to play them with a decent picture

3) Would like to not spend more then $5-600...I know that just killed a lot of options. I am a little flexible though if its worth it.

So there it is,,,All suggestions are welcomed

Also,,,,if you recommend starting over,,,is anything I have listed worth posting on ebay?
 
See my sig.

Sounds like you should probably upgrade. You can't buy a 939 board any more.

A P43 board, E7300 CPU, 4830 or 9800GT, 4GB RAM would put you right around 400. If your Ultra PSU is still in good shape it would handle that, as long as you didn't OC.
 

mfitch

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2008
11
0
18,510
Prox,,,Thanks for the help. After a lot of looking and reading I came up with this? Can you let me know what you think?

1) Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz

2) GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

3) G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

4) SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB

5) PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W

6) ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

Thanks again
 

mfitch

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2008
11
0
18,510
Also is it worth spending an extra $40 for the 1GB radeon 4870 when I don't do much online gaming and am running 2 - 20" monitors??

And is it worth getting more the 4GB of ram with these components running vista 64? I read nothing uses more then 4GB?

Thanks for all your advice!!
 
Please cancel the advice on the Sunbeam cooler. I'm removing it from my recommended list due to problems with the clip installation on many boards. You MB specifically will be too cramped.

These two parts:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
along with this TIM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Would be my recommendation. If that is too much expense, go back to the AC7.

The Sapphire 1GB 4870 is, in my opinion, the best bang for the buck single card, tied with the GTX 260 core 216. I think you would be happier with the card for a longer period. Just depends on your budget.

Nothing in your usage description leads me to think you need more than 4GB.
 

mfitch

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2008
11
0
18,510
Ok,,,that fan was actually recommended to me on the original post. Thanks.

I agree about the video card,,,I might as well get the extra power for a little extra money.

As for the ram....where memory is so cheap,,,,if I put 8Gb in there,,,would it hurt,,,even if it does not all get used?
 

mfitch

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2008
11
0
18,510
Well....I dont really know much about all that and overclocking so I guess the 4GB will have to do.

Thanks for all your help!!
 

mfitch

Distinguished
Dec 29, 2008
11
0
18,510
So I just opened the case and realized I only had 1 HD that is SATA the other is an IDE. I cant use the IDE anymore right?

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500641AS-RK SATA HD


Also,,,my DVD Burners are IDE also I think.

DRU-820A and a Plextor PX-708A,,,Can I use these anymore with the new MB?

I have a feeling my budget just doubled,,,so while I am at it. Do I need a sound card or would you recommend TV Tuner card?

Thanks again
 
Your board will support two IDE devices. The third one is out of luck ;)

As to sound, again see my guide linked in my sig.

Do you want to watch TV on your computer? If so then you might want a tuner card, I don't know.