My PC died last night and it seems the motherboards just had it. Its quite an old Asus Socket A so I dont really want to keep the CPU. However I intend to keep everything else, including the memory which is 1.5gb of DDR400 3200.

Do I go AMD or Intel and if so what motherboard suggestions do you have?

The other thing is as my HD is absolutely fine, effectively can I still use it without formatting or will there be consquences?

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Motherboards/Socket+775+%28Intel%29/Asrock+4CoreDual-SATA2+Socket+775+Motherboard+?productId=28535

- I dont know if you can still get them though.

edit: yeah

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-011-AK

+ CPU. The C2Ds 2xxx look great for the money, Id go for around 2ghz and clock it up a little.

That motherboard will take all your old kit and will take new stuff too (only prob I know of is the 8800GT apparently has issues with it).

Quote from: FuMaNThe other thing is as my HD is absolutely fine, effectively can I still use it without formatting or will there be consquences?

Sometimes. It might be worth trying a repair over the existing install but tbh a fresh install is way simpler.

Ive never heard of Asrock, what are they like? Currently I have a Asus A7N8X which has lasted a good few years. Im only looking to replace the motherboard and cpu.

Ooooh I cant decide between a Pentium 4, Dual Core or Core Duo 2.

Asrock is like budget Asus. Built 2 pcs based on Asrock boards and theyre fine is you can stand a bit of brand snobbery from time to time.

C2D is where its at really. I got my E4xxx 2ghz running at 2.85ghz (havent tried any higher yet). Nice and fast. If I was buying again on a budget Id get a E21xx.

Whats your budget?

Memory is so well priced atm it would be silly not to take advantage of it

Depending on what you want to spend really.

Ive just repaired a pc I made years ago, with 3 Asrock boards Its a P4 cpu and the 1st 2 Intel chipset boards both failed within a very short time (no vga). On my third attempt with a Via one.....get an Asus again if you can

Well my budget is probably £150 ish for board, cpu and memory. I definitely want to get 2GB considering the prices.

Any Asus board recommendations then?

If you want features and good value for money i would also consider Abit and MSI.

Heres a bundle for you

A64 X2 4800+ 2.5Ghz Dual Core - AM2
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134571
spend a few £s more and hike that processor speed up

ABIT KN9S Motherboard
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/110803

Corsair 2GB Ram (2x1gb) PC6400
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98710

I actually use this setup atm, it rings in at £150.03 (choose supersaver delivery and its free)

Benefits, dual core, ddr 2, sata and ata support, quality products.

You dont need to spend £150, just go for a big name mobo, you can save £s for selecting a different chipset, i used nvidia in this bundle. Processors you have a varied choice i would say AMD they are well priced for a dual core, you could drop down Sempron and save more money, i cant comment on them never used them, you can also go for generic memory but its worth paying a few £s extra for quality.

The Semprons are gutless. ^Sounds like a winner to me.


How cheap is memory nowadays!? I remember spending that on 2x8mb EDO :shock:

Memory is cheap as chips at the mo, Id grab it within the next few days, or wait till after Xmas for the sales.

If you order closer to Xmas you risk it not being in stock, or a price hike.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=527001
its cheap, but its fine, ive been using it as put-me-by for a few months, its as quick as the basic Corsair, and youll get twice as much for half the price.

Motherboard Asus M2A-VM.  Again, i have one of these, awesome piece of kit, and the graphics are "good enough" if you dont have a PCI-e card yet.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=564802


http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=535754
AMD 5600+ X2.  

Total cost including postage and VAT is £153.29

basically recommending what ive used, and what i tend to buy at the moment.  The "cheap" memory isnt actually that bad, the stuff i have has Hynix chips on a generic board, and it works fine with my 6000+

so for that you get ::
2Gb DDR2 800
5600+ Dual Core CPU
mATX motherbaord with PCI-e, HD Audio, 4xSATA ports, 1xPCI-e, up to 8GB RAM supported in 4 slots.  To be fair im not a huge fan of mATX boards, but i do actually rate this after I got mine.

So much choice I dont know what to go for!

I see another 8 pager coming . . .