Advice on which motherboard to purchase

[RosanneX]

I'm looking to get a new motherboard for my BFs computer, it's an Acer Aspire M3400, I'm not very technologically minded and I cant work out if I need a particular type or is it one size fits all. I want the best I can get for €150 with good speed and performance but I wouldn't know where to start..?!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm looking to get a new motherboard for my BFs computer, it's an Acer Aspire M3400, I'm not very technologically minded and I cant work out if I need a particular type or is it one size fits all. I want the best I can get for €150 with good speed and performance but I wouldn't know where to start..?!

Well, think of other gift options in case you don't want to do as I suggest.

The Acer is an "OEM" computer. Lemme see . . . I just got an image of case interior with a web-search. . .

OK. I can say this much. It MUST be an mATX motherboard -- "micro-ATX."

You need to find out which processor he's using, and which chipset is being used with it.

That will narrow down your efforts and those of contributors to this thread.

Pretty soon, I think, you'll have some recommendations after that. So don't worry about the other gift-options option. This shouldn't be hard to sort out.

Ok. It's a Phenom II X4 or similar compatible processor.

All you AMD dudes!! Give this gal some help here!!

 

[jimpz]

I would look for another gift (or a bigger one!) if you replace the motherboard on an OEM system, you'll also need to buy a new copy of windows. OEM's (HP, Acer, dell, etc) tie the OS to the motherboard. Your system will not boot or activate the OS.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I would look for another gift (or a bigger one!) if you replace the motherboard on an OEM system, you'll also need to buy a new copy of windows. OEM's (HP, Acer, dell, etc) tie the OS to the motherboard. Your system will not boot or activate the OS.

Also true. Not familiar with AMD generations, but if her BF's motherboard went south and crapped out, it may be outside the warranty. So it's also possible that he doesn't have much choice.

I'm guessing maybe he gave RosanneX one of those "Christmas hints?" Or maybe she's wiping away his tears because his Acer expired? [ The Aspire EX-pired . . get it?? :biggrin: ]

 

[RosanneX]

See he's been rebuilding, tinkering with and fixing computers since he was about seven, his masters is in IT, he works in IT I've no doubt that although the the computer says Acer Aspire 3400 on the outside everything inside has been changed and upgraded so I guess my question is if I get any old motherboard could someone who's familiar with this stuff make it work?

 

[RosanneX]

Probably should have started with that sorry 😕

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Probably should have started with that sorry ��

No problem there, but it helps. As far as I can see, he needs an mATX board. It has to be compatible with that AMD processor. Find out about the RAM in it in case you need to consult a RAM manufacturer's "configurator" link regarding the motherboard.

Now, given what you say, it IS possible that he's got a Dell OEM case and PSU with parts we could only imagine. But if he were going to do that, I'd think he'd have a different case and a different power supply.

I take it from your response that you want to make it a surprise, so it will be difficult to obtain this other information.

The other possibility: choose a mid-range motherboard, processor and RAM as an entire package. It doesn't have to be AMD : it can be Intel.

You're gonna havta work this out, Ma'am. I think it's a great idea. Obviously your man loves his computers. I hope you get this resolved. 6 December -- the clock is tick-tick-ticking . . .

 

[RosanneX]

I really appreciate you helping me BonzaiDuck I'm hopeless with this stuff
Just sussed out there and he has a AMD phenom 1035T processor and the reason he's looking for a new motherboard is because his old one won't take anymore RAM

 

[RosanneX]

Was thinking of getting the ASrocks 990FX Killer or the ASrocks 990FX Extreme 3 would either be any good?

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Was thinking of getting the ASrocks 990FX Killer or the ASrocks 990FX Extreme 3 would either be any good?

You can certainly do a lot worse. I'd properly have slight reservations regarding with the Extreme3, because it only uses a 4+1 phase design. But since we're only talking about a 95W TDP chip it should be all-right. Its only an issue if the CPU is upgraded to a 125W one.

An alternative would be the 990FX Extreme6. That's properly the best AM3+ board currently on the market, from a price-to-features standpoint. It doesn't have the "flash", bells and whistles of the 990FX Killer, but who cares about that...

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/990FX Extreme6/

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Again, what I saw in the picture of the OEM machine was space for an mATX motherboard. But for a lot of board model-lines, you can usually find an mATX version.

 

[RosanneX]

You can certainly do a lot worse. I'd properly have slight reservations regarding with the Extreme3, because it only uses a 4+1 phase design. But since we're only talking about a 95W TDP chip it should be all-right. Its only an issue if the CPU is upgraded to a 125W one.

An alternative would be the 990FX Extreme6. That's properly the best AM3+ board currently on the market, from a price-to-features standpoint. It doesn't have the "flash", bells and whistles of the 990FX Killer, but who cares about that...

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/990FX Extreme6/

Buying it on amazon and the way the extreme 6 is working out with delivery it's only a tenner more for the extreme 9 would it be a good idea so to get the 9 instead of the six?

 

[RosanneX]

Again, what I saw in the picture of the OEM machine was space for an mATX motherboard. But for a lot of board model-lines, you can usually find an mATX version.

So is the 990fx extreme a broader motherboard and likely to not fit? Apologies if I'm picking this up wrong?

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Buying it on amazon and the way the extreme 6 is working out with delivery it's only a tenner more for the extreme 9 would it be a good idea so to get the 9 instead of the six?

Never mind. The Extreme6 is a full-size ATX. Of course both the others are as well. My bad...

Those would require a new case as well. Unfortunately there aren't many mATX sized AM3+ boards with 900-series chipsets around. You may even have to settle for something a little older, like the ASUS M5A88-M (EVO). But then I'd question how much of an upgrade that will be.