abit IP35 Pro replacement (and weird problem)

[imported_mystik]

I'm looking for a replacement for my old abit IP35 Pro motherboard. This morning I was playing TF2 and my screen filled with artifacts and my computer froze. I restarted, played for about another 20 minutes, it did the same thing. I swapped the graphics card out thinking it was a graphics card problem, but when my computer booted up my network adapter and my PCI slots (x-fi sound card, tried in multiple PCI slots) weren't working. I swapped video cards back again yet it still wasn't working. After messing with drivers for a bit I still couldn't get it going so I formatted and reinstalled Windows but still had the same problem.

I was also concerned that my graphics card (a 9800GTX) might be bad because I got artifacts the first time I tried to install Windows and had to switch to an older card (a 6800GS). I also get artifacts and lock ups on the Windows desktop after a fresh install, but only with the 9800GTX. Should I RMA the card (they won't accept it if it isn't really defective) or wait, get a new motherboard and see if I still have the problem? I also can't try my 9800GTX in my older system because it is too long to fit inside the case.

Anyways I was looking at these two motherboards for possible replacements:
Asus P5Q Pro Turbo P45 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131377
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L P45 - http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Core-...7488517&sr=8-2
Should I get one of these or possibly something else?

One more thing, I just replaced my 520w power supply (which I had to RMA) with a 450w which is the minimum required for a 9800GTX. My computer ran fine with it for three and a half weeks. I finally got my replacement, a 700w PSU. Should I swap them out and see if the broken network adapter, broken pci slots, and artifacts stop? I don't think insufficient power could cause those problems or am I wrong?

 

[mvbighead]

With a PS problem, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if it caused all of that. Especially given that you are having problems with pretty much everything. More than likely the board, but certainly worth trying a different PSU if you have one handy.

 

[imported_mystik]

I put the 700w PSU in and booted up, artifacts all over the screen as soon as it comes on then it goes to a blank screen. Tried power cycling a few times and the screen stayed blank, can't even get anything other than a black screen now. Still left wondering if a new motherboard will fix this all or if I'll need to RMA my graphics card too.

 

[AlucardX]

"I also can't try my 9800GTX in my older system because it is too long to fit inside the case."

can you take the motherboard out and run it on a cardboard box or something for testing so it'll fit? you've already done all this work, may as well try that to ensure it's not the card or not.

 

[imported_mystik]

I was able to just barely get it to squeeze in, it ran for almost 10 minutes before artifacting and freezing. I was in the process of downloading 3DMark05 so I wasn't even doing anything graphics intensive. Looks like I'll have to RMA the video card and buy a new motherboard. I tested my X-Fi in my older machine and it was detected and working fine. On my main rig the drivers won't even install because it can't detect a compatible product.

I'm starting to wonder if it would be better for me to build a whole new system. It seems that either of my two good PSUs (450w or 700w), CPU, RAM, HDD, optical drive, and sound card are fine but my motherboard and video card are toast. My system is almost two and a half years old now, but I can still play most games at moderate settings on a 2560x1600 resolution. A new system would be nice, but it's not really something I need right now. I can RMA my video card and pick up a new mobo for about $110. I'll have to grab my good video card and test my CPU & RAM just to be sure they weren't affected.

Edit: Can anyone suggest a decent replacement to the aBit IP35 Pro?