Changing motherboard and need opinions

[tymoskov]

Hello,
So I am thinking about changing my motherboard in my pc.
I have an ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131942
with an AMD 8320 with stock cooler.

I was thinking of changing to an ASUS M5a97 LE R2.0 with a Cooler Master Hyper T4.

I'm not planning on overclocking.

I wanted to see if these would be good choices. I'm not stuck with either of those choices so if you have better suggestions that would be great! Though I am trying to keep the price around 100$, lower would be better.

Thank you,
Tyler

 

[cin19]

I recommend to get the GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128651 and the T4 cooler.

Or if you want the M5a97 LE R2.0, then you are better to get this cooler---ZALMAN CNPS8900 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118126 Because this cooler can cool down the temps on cpu, ram, and the EFT (MOSEFT), etc. http://i.testfreaks.com/images/products/600x400/164/zalman-cnps8900-extreme.33683876.jpg Here is info for the VRMs section (MOSEFT) on MB http://cdn.overclock.net/0/0f/600x584px-LL-0fab9f91_600x616px-LL-0c343af0_3581_880GM-USB3_no_IDE.jpeg Both of your MB and the LE version don't have the heatsink on that, and GA-970A-UD3P has that http://geizhals.at/p/1025817.jpg , also GA-970A-UD3P has 8+2 power phase (VRMs) too.

 

[tymoskov]

I recommend to get the GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128651 and the T4 cooler.

Or if you want the M5a97 LE R2.0, then you are better to get this cooler---ZALMAN CNPS8900 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118126 Because this cooler can cool down the temps on cpu, ram, and the EFT (MOSEFT), etc. http://i.testfreaks.com/images/products/600x400/164/zalman-cnps8900-extreme.33683876.jpg Here is info for the VRMs section (MOSEFT) on MB http://cdn.overclock.net/0/0f/600x584px-LL-0fab9f91_600x616px-LL-0c343af0_3581_880GM-USB3_no_IDE.jpeg Both of your MB and the LE version don't have the heatsink on that, and GA-970A-UD3P has that http://geizhals.at/p/1025817.jpg , also GA-970A-UD3P has 8+2 power phase (VRMs) too.

Okay thanks! Now when I change the motherboard I shouldn't have to re install everything right? What about drivers for the new board? and will I have to delete the old drivers? How? and best way to remove the old thermal paste for the stock cooler Im using now.

Thanks again,
Tyler

 

[cin19]

When you switch the MB, you don't have to reinstall everything if the PC can boot fine, and the OS will reinstall the chipset driver, audio driver, etc. Also if the PC can boot fine you need to update the driver too by windows update, but you need reactivate the windows, and if you have problem during the boot then you need reinstall. If you use the SSD the you are better to reinstall the OS.

Using 90% rubbing alcohol and a q-tip, and let it seat for a while to dry. After that you can reapply the new thermal paste.

AMD chipset driver. http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/chipset?os=Windows+7+-+64
Other like network driver, audio, I will go to the manufacturer website to get the newer one.