Fried mobo, need advice

[path12]

So, my motherboard decided to bite the big one last week. I'm trying to find the optimum price/performance level to replace the motherboard/cpu/memory/video card. I'd like to keep it around $500-$550, and my main goal is to make FM scream as much as possible, so 2G of memory would be a good thing if I understand correctly. Should I be looking at an AMD dual core (4200 is around $100 if I'm remembering my newegg search correctly) or should I go for the top end single core?

Any hints/advice are welcome. I find the options somewhat overwhelming as far as making sure everything will work together properly......

[MrIllini]

buy a Mac

[lordscarlet]

I've gone the mac route and I'm quite happy with it. :)

[MrIllini]

I've gone the mac route and I'm quite happy with it. :)

just another reason for us to disagree ;)

[lordscarlet]

just another reason for us to disagree ;)

A) I certainly don't think it's for everyone
B) Have you spent a significant amount of time with OS X?
C) "You can just install Windows on it." :)

[path12]

I've gone the mac route and I'm quite happy with it. :)


GF has a mac. I can't stand it.

[MrIllini]

A) I certainly don't think it's for everyone
B) Have you spent a significant amount of time with OS X?
C) "You can just install Windows on it." :)

a mac can't win without shaq

[gstelmack]

Not sure if you can do the $500-$550 thing if you need to replace all those parts. You may also be looking at a new power supply depending on how old you setup is (or alternately you may not need a new video card). Hard drives are another thing to check, as EIDE has gone the way of the dodo in modern systems. I was hoping to do a big upgrade almost 2 years ago but ran afoul of the power supply / HD issues (which were going to push my cost above the $600 limit I had at the time) and have held off until I get more cash.

Intel Core 2 Duo is the sweet spot for price / performance on CPUs. 2GB RAM is an excellent choice these days.

[MizzouRah]

Intel Core 2 Duo is the sweet spot for price / performance on CPUs. 2GB RAM is an excellent choice these days.

Agreed!

[path12]

Not sure if you can do the $500-$550 thing if you need to replace all those parts. You may also be looking at a new power supply depending on how old you setup is (or alternately you may not need a new video card). Hard drives are another thing to check, as EIDE has gone the way of the dodo in modern systems. I was hoping to do a big upgrade almost 2 years ago but ran afoul of the power supply / HD issues (which were going to push my cost above the $600 limit I had at the time) and have held off until I get more cash.

Intel Core 2 Duo is the sweet spot for price / performance on CPUs. 2GB RAM is an excellent choice these days.

I actually bought a new HD a few weeks ago -- I thought that was the culprit originally for some of the odd startup issues I was having, so I'm brand new there. I had a P4 2.4 going with an 128 MB ATI All-in wonder 9800 (or maybe 9600, don't remember offhand). It was about 3 years old, so I guess I could still use it, but figured I could get a decent upgrade there for around $100 or so......besides, it's an AGP and it looks like most of the dual-core MB's don't have a slot for that.

Noted on the power supply, I do have a 20 pin so that may need to be upgraded also depending on the MB.

What about AMD vs Intel on the dual core? I remember hearing that Intel has grabbed the performance edge again there, but is it close enough to make the lower price of the AMD worth it?

[lordscarlet]

Agreed on the dual core. And, if you're not doing cutting edge gaming I don't think you need to get the top-of the line speeds either. Something under 3.0ghz with a dual core would be more than enough for all other applications.

[Scoobz0202]

As of now, I personally would 100% recommend Intel for the dual core processors. AMD just doesn't compare right now.

[gstelmack]

And, if you're not doing cutting edge gaming I don't think you need to get the top-of the line speeds either. Something under 3.0ghz with a dual core would be more than enough for all other applications.

Agreed on this. My wife has the E6300 (which is 1.8GHz I think) and it's just fine.

When I finally get to upgrade my box, it'll probably be quad-core (octa-core?) 3+GHz :D

[st.cronin]

I thought this thread was going to be about food.

[rkmsuf]

I thought this thread was going to be about food.

put some soy sauce on that fried mobo!