Recommended CPU + motherboard?

[giaviv]

Hey guys,

It looks like i messed up my Gigabyte P35 DS3L. The question is, should I get a new motherboard, or get a different socket motherboard + a new CPU?

I currently have a Q6600, HD 4870 1GB Toxic and 2*2GB DDRII. I mostly do office work and watch movies though I do game a bit and enjoy it.

I would like to spend under $200 for a new motherboard + CPU (if I decide to not stick with my Q6600 by just getting a new motherboard for less than that). Is it worth upgrading for that amount of money or does a Q6600 + P35 DS3L beat a $200 setup? In other words, if I get a new motherboard + CPU for $200, will I get better performance compared to just getting a new motherboard and sticking with my Q6600?
If you think I should stick with the Q6600, which motherboard should I buy?

Thanks!!

 

[mosox]

What's wrong with your mobo?

 

[giaviv]

the CPU pins got bent and I am not getting any display...

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/312610-31-what-wrong-computer

 

[mosox]

Try this:
http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Bent-Pins-on-a-CPU
You can also use a .5mm mechanical pencil, it fits the pin.
http://www.viddler.com/explore/HardOCP/videos/13/

 

[giaviv]

thanks, i tried all that but no success, which is why im resorting to buying new components..

 

[mosox]

I say try again, the new 775 mobos use DDR3 RAM.

 

[giaviv]

i did, i tried like 5 times. i'm not even sure its the motherboard anymore - the pins look pretty straight. something else might have gotten damaged in the move and i really dont know where to start the debugging without getting another mobo. what does it mean that the new ones have ddr3? how does that affect me?

 

[giaviv]

any idea guys?

 

[mosox]

You can get this and reuse the CPU
ASRock P43DE3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157174
RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231425

Or if you can sell the CPU, this and reuse your RAM
MSI 785GT-E63
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130266
AMD Phenom II X4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

 

[giaviv]

thanks mosox! how will the performance compare if i do a mobo + CPU upgrade as opposed to a RAM + mobo upgrade?

 

[mosox]

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/88?vs=53

But if you change the CPU the best for future proof purpose would be to sell both the CPU and the DDR2 RAM and get a a mobo with the newest socket though and the DDR3 RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131734

$259.97

 

[giaviv]

okay i've confirmed that the problem is with the motherboard. i bought a new one just to test it out and everything boots up properly.
the question is, what do i do, and what will give me the best results for the money?
option a - $55 sticking with the mobo i bought (GIGABYTE G41M-ES2L which I think is a downgrade from my P35 DS3L right?) and keeping my current config
option b - $160 getting the ASRock P43DE3 mobo and DDR3 ram and sticking with the Q6600
option c - $100 (assuming i can sell my Q6600 for a $100) getting the MSI 785GT-E63 mobo, AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU and sticking with my DDR 2 RAM
option d - $140 getting an ASUS M5A87 mobo, AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU and DDR3 RAM and selling my CPU and RAM.

I am leaning toward either a) or d), but any suggestions are welcome (including other hardware that I should look at) - thanks so much!

 

[mosox]

Since you got that board keep it, you can buy an aftermarket cooler, overclock the CPU to 3GHz and you're set for some time, you can upgrade later.

 

[giaviv]

i see.. so do you not think its worth it to put down $140 for a new board, Phenom II X4 955 and DDR3? I feel like this board is kinda weak as it only goes to 800MHz with the memory.. thoughts?

 

[mosox]

No, not right now, new CPUs are around the corner. 800 DDR2 is fine, it's like 1333 DDR3.