Replacement Micro-ATX Motherboard / CPU

[DarkKnight1713]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within 2 Weeks

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Office Applications

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Tiger Direct

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

BUDGET: Approx. $200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: As stated in the usage section, this is only for office applications. The PC it is going in is a Dell Dimension B110. After a power outage the other day, the PC fails to power up at all (no fans, beeps, etc...) and the MB has been identified as the culprit. I just need a recommendation for a good MB/CPU combo to get that will fit the Micro-ATX case. I was planning on using the same RAM, but as GhislainG suggested, it's really not worth it. I'll also need a heatsink/fan if the MB doesn't come with one.

 

[GhislainG]

You choices are very limited with your RAM. Since your RAM is worth almost nothing, you should go for a new motherbaord, CPU and DDR2 memory.

This could be a good start:

GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128388

Intel E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

G.Skill DDR2-800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

or A-DATA DDR2-800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

You can also look at AMD offerings as there are lots of decent Micro-ATX motherboard if you don't mind buying new RAM.

 

[DarkKnight1713]

Thanks for the reply. The RAM isn't a major issue since it's pretty cheap now. I've also been considering a bare-bones system and scavenging the dead PC's drives. The budget for the replacement parts/bare-bones is about $200.

 

[Outlander_04]

Its not clear if your previous mb had onboard gfx or if you have a gfx card already

This combo is a stronger cpu than the e5200 and the mb includes the best onboard gfx available .
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.202938
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition
JetWay JMA3-79GDG-LF
$178
It will include a heatsink/fan

Add 2-4 gig of DDR2 ram

The other problem you will face is that dells version of windows will NOT install on a new motherboard and its very unlikely you will just be able to plug your hard drive in and boot the computer without a full reinstallation of windows .
You can by pass this for now by downloading the rc of windows 7 from microsft but eventually you are going to have to pay

 

[DarkKnight1713]

Thanks for the info Outlander. This PC belongs to my parents and they only do office stuff with it so they don't need the best out there. As far as the Dell version of XP goes, I'll have to look into that.

 

[DarkKnight1713]

I hooked up their hard drive to my PC and Windows booted up normally. It just asked to be re-activated before logging in. So I think it should be fine.

 

[dirtmountain]

This cpu/ ram combo - PhenomII x2 550 and corsair DDR2 1066 RAM $140 not counting $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.203429
Motherboard - Asrock 760G with integrated graphics $55.... i just like Asrock more then Jetway
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157153

$202 plus $8.50 shipping to me

If the OS boots up it will sometimes not activate online, just call the phone number and talk to MS, i've never had them turn down a case like this for activation.

 

[GhislainG]

I hooked up their hard drive to my PC and Windows booted up normally. It just asked to be re-activated before logging in. So I think it should be fine.

Is your PC also based on an Intel chipset? If so, that explains why it's so easy.