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[Varche]

One of my desktop ATX form PC's has developed a fault. It used to beep a lot, crash occasionally. Then it got to the stage where it only goes to start windowsXP in safe, normal etc. None launch XP.

I concluded rightly or wrongly it was a motherboard fault (probably dust) .

Obvious fix would be a like for like Moboard. P4V800D. Looked on Ebay and no S/H but some "new" from China.

Then started thinking might as well upgrade the system. faster processor current spec 2.5 upgrade to say 3.0Ghz. Ram is 1.5M so OK. keep my MSI AGP video card. Hard drives IDE.

The choice is so bewildering I don't really know what to do.e.g.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350468926006&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Would I notice an improvement with a faster processor? If not can anyone recommend a suitable Mo board that will take my existing components please?

[blackviper90210]

Buying faster machines is only useful if your going to use the extra power. If you DTP, video editing and such like then yes get a faster machine, but if you use it for general use then I don't see the point TBH.

I used my P2 300mhz machine until 2003, then upgraded to a 1.4gig single processor which has been used since. It does all I need it to, although I use my laptop more than the desktop now.

At the end of the day, work out what you need it for then buy a machine that will do it. Why waste money on the latest gadget machine if you don't need too?

HTH, just MHO 

[Varche]

BV fair point. I don't do video editing etc. The machine does connect to the Internet and another Pc accesses Internet through it. Running AVG probably makes it a lot slower than the slave PC of similar spec.

What I do need then though is some advice then on a different motherboard to take my components.

[blackviper90210]

I'm not a computer geek I'm afraid, so know little about Motherboards.
When I rebuilt my last machine (2003), RAID boards were all the rage and very highly regarded.
If you've got computer shops nearby, pop in and tell them what you have and what you need your new machine to do and see what they advise. I say try different places as you can guage whether or not your being ripped off or not.

If your not needing the latest tech, I would make sure you have 4x USB 2.0 sockets to cover adding additional drives though. Are you using IDE drives or SATA?
My dad uses SATA, but mine work fine on IDE, but thats for me!   

[Varche]

I'm not a computer geek I'm afraid, so know little about Motherboards.
When I rebuilt my last machine (2003), RAID boards were all the rage and very highly regarded.
If you've got computer shops nearby, pop in and tell them what you have and what you need your new machine to do and see what they advise. I say try different places as you can guage whether or not your being ripped off or not.

If your not needing the latest tech, I would make sure you have 4x USB 2.0 sockets to cover adding additional drives though. Are you using IDE drives or SATA?
My dad uses SATA, but mine work fine on IDE, but thats for me!   

No computer shops nearby, prices plus labour are high here and they would just want to sell me a new machine that I can't afford. So Ebay.co.uk it is!

IDE drives.

[blackviper90210]

Bugger not having shops nearby. You could build it yourself, so labour wouldn't be a problem.
I looked at mine, unpugged the cables and the motherboard was screwed to the tower. New m/board screwed back in, plug HDD, DVD drive back in etc, bingo!
I bought a new m/board with processor & heat sink already fitted, as I'm not that clever with pc's. 

[TheBoy]

Given the age - you mention AGP, which went out with the P4 - I wouldn't break around.

I've recently bought 4 Dell Vostro 460s for £329 each (no screens), plus the topcashback discounts that are coming .

Unless you have very specific needs, self build isn't really worthwhile now, and upgrading old machines is only worthwhile in specific circumstances.

[cem_devecioglu]

if I was you,  I would go for a second hand route..

there are some places that sell second hand mobos with all required parts..

I would buy gigabyte boards if I could find ..

only psu and ssd disk (new) I would buy..

[STMO123]

I would go to PC World and buy one of their fine desktops

 

[blackviper90210]

I would go to PC World and buy one of their fine desktops

 

Now your taking the p*ss 

[TheBoy]

if I was you,  I would go for a second hand route..

there are some places that sell second hand mobos with all required parts..

I would buy gigabyte boards if I could find ..

only psu and ssd disk (new) I would buy..

I find Gigabyte have gone downhill in the last 5-10yrs.  I now, personally, tend to stick to Intel mobos. Tend to be ultra stable, well supported, and easily brandable.

[cem_devecioglu]

if I was you,  I would go for a second hand route..

there are some places that sell second hand mobos with all required parts..

I would buy gigabyte boards if I could find ..

only psu and ssd disk (new) I would buy..

I find Gigabyte have gone downhill in the last 5-10yrs.  I now, personally, tend to stick to Intel mobos. Tend to be ultra stable and slow , well supported, and easily brandable.

corrected 

[Varche]

Thanks. Intel board off Ebay it is.

[Kevin Wood]

I find Gigabyte have gone downhill in the last 5-10yrs.  I now, personally, tend to stick to Intel mobos. Tend to be ultra stable, well supported, and easily brandable.

The last Intel MB that I bought was a total liability until I realised that it had shipped with BIOS defaults that ran the FSB faster than the chipset could support.

[cem_devecioglu]

Thanks. Intel board off Ebay it is.

honestly , asus, gigabyte , intel can be candidates..

but all brands have some models that you must stay away

so before buying a model read some reviews and check  http://www.tomshardware.com/

or similiar sites..