Buying a new motherboard and compatability

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saltiren

saltiren

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Dec 11, 2012
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Hello I am building my own computer and am looking for a cheap enough motherboard or will this current one suffice ( Doubt):

AM-37 D33007 Motherboard

I have two components selected already and are these compatable with the motherboard above:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3865543&csid=_61
Kingston HyperX Red 2x4 GB Ram

And the GPU:

http://www.aztekcomputers.com/HD4650PCIE10244PB-GENERIC-2556680.html
Ati Radeon Hd 4650 1gb

Now I realize this motherboard is not very good, so I would like suggestions of new motherboards. Around the 50-100 dollar range, I am on a budget. Thank you!
 
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Thank you for the info. I am building a computer to be used for gaming but I am on a limited budget and cannot afford the high end things. And I believe this Motherboard is from 2001, so how is it not worth upgrading? I currently have a 512 mb Ram in the motherboard now so I really need an upgrade (This is an old computer I know).
 
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Interesting, I seem to have lost the flag because I moved the post.

Hehe, 2001 is 11 years ago now :)
-The very cheapest modern processor will run circles around anything that could be in that board. Modern processors will not work in old boards.
- You will pay MORE for memory to put in that board than you will for memory in a new board.
- The GPU you have chosen requires a PCI-E slot. I think your board has an AGP slot. You might still be able to find an AGP card, but doing so would not be wise. When your motherboard dies, you cannot use the AGP card in a new system. They don't make new AGP motherboards.

Upgrading tech this old never works out.

Your board
http://www.ascendtech.us/e-machines-am-37-d33007-motherboard_i_mbdam37xpathdmb.aspx

Any upgrade to this board will involve an upgrade to the processor as well.

If you can't afford much more, you might want to look on Craigslist or some such. You can find a more modern machine that might be upgradeable... I would be happy to advise you in that sort of search.

To upgrade your current system:

2GB DDR PC2100 (This is max) $32
http://www.amazon.com/KOMPUTERBAY-266Mhz-DDR266-PC2100-DESKTOP/dp/B003CH8NZ2/ref=sr_1_fed0_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1355290046&sr=8-5&keywords=ddr+sdram+pc2100

AGP video card $54
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161318
 
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Thanks man. I am not really looking to 'upgrade'. This computer works but I wanted really to upgrade it along the way until all the parts are new and it can be up to par with the rest of the pack. I was starting small and realizing the place to start is the Motherboard. I would greatly appreciate a motherboard that can accept the GPU and Ram I bought for a cheap price. Thanks.
 
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Oh also, I was reading your guide to choosing parts, and I came across this:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-790GX-G65-4DDR3-1600-CrossFireX-Motherboard/dp/B001V9KQPS

It was on the lower end of your AMD recommendations. I just have a few questions:

Is this a Good Motherboard? I found that it is compatible with my Ram selected I earlier and should be with my GPU.

Is this a Mobo/CPU Combo? I'm a bit confused about that. If not then what CPU do you recommend?

Thanks for the help.
 
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No, it doesn't work that way. The processor receptacle on your board is called "socket A" That is entirely different from an AM3 socket like that found on a modern AMD motherboard.

IF you bought that motherboard:
- It would not work with your current processor
- It would not work with your current hard drive or optical drive
- It might not work with your power supply.

You want to bridge to a newer system, but there is no way to do that. There is no upgrade path.

If you buy a new motherboard, you will need a new processor to put in it. You will need a new hard drive because there is no place to plug an IDE drive on a new motherboard.

Here is an upgradeable newer board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128564

And a processor to go along
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871
Note the $10 off promo code

(This can all be done with Intel as well. But since you seem more comfortable with AMD, I just went with that.)

And compatible memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144495

If you bought those three items you could wait on the graphics... the motherboard has some built-in graphics.

But again, your hard drive could not be installed and neither your optical drive... and of course your operating system would be a problem.
 
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True, I am more comfortable with AMD. I grew up with Intel for most my life but I have come to admire AMD. But anyway, I have not yet bought the Ram and GPU. I think it would be smarter holding off and buying a motherboard. I like the one you selected, but I was looking for a Motherboard/CPU combo. Having just this would be fine also, but I have been looking at the Phenom II series of processors. Any recommendations? Thanks again for all the help.

 
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Not quite a Phenom II is the point I was trying to make. I will shop around and see if I can get a good price.


 
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I like the first choice, because I am looking for a good deal and plan not to overclock the CPU (Yet, :3). I think that once I acquire my Motherboard I will hop on that CPU while the deal lasts and get that fan. Thanks alot for the help, couldn't have done it without you.
 
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I need to buy an OS, don't I? I like Windows Vista 64 bit Ultimate (What I have right now) and I found one here:

http://www.discountmountainsoftware.com/miwiviulfuve4.html?cmp=gpl&utm_source=googlepla&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=Microsoft+Windows+Vista+Ultimate+Full+Version+64+Bit+(Promotional+Label)&utm_campaign=googlepla&gclid=CLanpPGMmrQCFUjZQgodEGMAkg

I don't have the disc I used for this computer any more, so I need to buy a new one right?
 
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Windows 7 is a bit better, but more importantly it will have better compatibility with new hardware and software. It's quite possible that a new piece of hardware you purchase at some point will only have Win 7 or higher drivers.

Then there is the native TRIM (an important maintenance function) support for SSDs. You WILL be wanting an SSD at some point, because they are a huge upgrade to any PC, and they keep dropping in price.

How about this?
http://snaggstuff.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-full-oem-branded-gfc-00599-brd.html
 
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This is perfect! But I don't know much about SSD's, besides they are newer and hold more or something. Do I need a special port or slot? How much do they run for? I was looking at about 500gb of Memory because I would never use a Terabyte and most of my friends are satisfied with their 500gb. Thanks for the help.

Oh and as a side note, The computer I took apart with the 11 year old Mobo, it has a 1.8 GHz Processor, The AMD Sempron 64-bit 3100+. I might sell it or something. It also has a 100 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 HDD. Should I re-use the HDD? I want more than just 100GB though, it might be a nice addition.
 
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I doubt you could get more than $20 for the old Sempron.

The SSD will work with your new MB. It's just like a hard drive but there are no moving parts. It's very fast. Typically a person wants a large enough SSD to have all their programs and operating system, and then a hard drive to keep extra files like music or pictures or video.

Currently a 128GB SSD will run about $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188
That's an example of a good one. No need to get one right away if money is tight.

Your old Seagate HDD uses a FLAT cable to connect to the motherboard. It's called an IDE or PATA cable. Your new motherboard will not have this type of connection.... that's why it's not compatible :) (see post #8). A new SSD or HDD will have a SATA type of connection, which is compatible with the new board, but not with the old one.
 
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Alright, If I buy this now would I be able to purchase a 2nd one and add it to the motherboard? Because I am using most of my 160 GB HDD On my laptop now. But this computer is almost completed. I need a Case, Power Supply, and Optical Drive. I have my 300W Power Supply from that 2001 computer, I assume that isn't enough. And then I have the Disc Drive that uses a PATA cable. I found a cheap case for an ATX Motherboard here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353006

As for a Disc Drive, I don't want one with Blu-ray or anything like that, just a basic one that reads and maybe burns.
With the addition of the SSD the price of the build comes to $384.09 ( W/o Tax + Shipping). As for the Power supply, I've heard NOT to cheap out here so that seems to be the last big ticket item here. Almost done. 😀
 
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Bare minimum you need a case with one 120mm fan and room for a second. The one you have picked doesn't have either of those qualities, and is more expensive than you think due to shipping.

This would be a great case if you can stand the color
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147160

You are asking if you can buy one SSD up front and add a second? Better to get the one SSD and add a 500GB HDD later if you want to go that route. But yes, you can do either. You can have probably 6 or 8 SATA devices to that board (in a hurry atm or I would look up the number)
 
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That color is pretty awesome. Now all I need is a Power Supply and Optical Drive. I looked online and found there were PATA to SATA converts, so would getting a PATA to SATA converter be a good idea because I have a working Optical Drive that can burn? If not then got any recommendations? And then is the Power Supply which I have little knowledge about. Thank you.
 
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No because a modern DVD burner would be faster, and only costs $18.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136254

IF your optical drive was a very nice one that you paid a lot for, it might make some sense.... I used a PATA optical up until 2008 because it was very good (cost me $80 new). However, new SATA drives that cost $18 are just as good or even a bit better than the old expensive ones.

For a PSU, a power search at newegg came up with this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030
That's enough power that you will never need to worry about it, and very high quality.

If that is too much then this one is adequate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045

While it's not as much power as the Neo Eco, this 450W Rosewill is Gold rated and higher quality than either.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066
 
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There we go! All finished. Here is the build:

CPU: AMD II X4 965 - Quad Core, 6MB L3 Cache, 2MB L2 Cache, 3.40GHz, Socket AM3, 125w ($74.99)

CPU Cooler: Rosewill RCX-ZAIO-92 92mm Sleeve Bearing Fan ($14.99)

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2 AM3+ AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD ($49.99)

Memory: SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive(SSD) ($99.99)

Storage: GeIL Black Dragon 8GB (2x4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 ($32.99)

Video Card: Ati Radeon Hd 4650 1gb Ddr2 Pci Express ($39.76)

Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 Black SECC Steel USB 3.0, eSATA, 3x 120mm Fans Mid Tower Computer Case ($44.99)

Power Supply: Antec VP-450 450W ATX 12V v2.3 Power Supply ($38.99)

Optical Drive: LG CD/DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 6X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 8X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model GH24NS72 - OEM ($17.99)

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit ($66.99)

Total: $481.67 ( W/o Tax + Shipping)


Is this good enough to run lets say, WoW, LoL, Half Life 2/ Gmod/ Tf2, Minecraft or Arma II/Day Z? If you see any problems or anything that might look incompatible be sure to say so, or if you have any comments feel free. Thanks for all your help.
 
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