Can I Just buy this board to replace my fried one?

[digitalduck]

Ok, I friend my current Gigabyte GA-P35... can I replace it wiht the GA-G31M? I need a budget board that i might OC much later...but not much..

Thanks

 

[PhishShticks]

most likely yes as long at the cpu socket type, ram standards and video bus types are the same. but seeing on how motherboard resources vary from mobo to mobo, i'd recommend a non-destructive repair of your windows installation to flush out your current drivers, giving you the ability to install ones specific to the new mobo model.

good luck! - PHiSH

 

[digitalduck]

i was looking at the pci slots and its only has two so i will divide it up between my sound (dont want to use the onlboard sound if i have a niccard) and the ethernet maybe...it depends on how the onboard is....

About the drivers...is it..."OK" if I do that immedialtey after it loads to windows for the fist time? I dont have anotehr way to access it right now,...unless i boot to safe mode..hmm

DDR2 1066 vs 800..does it support slower memory?

 

[PhishShticks]

you will risk blue screening because of probable driver differences.

i know from experience, i had an old hp desktop who mobo got replaced with the same model, but a newer revision type and i had to repair my windows installation.

edit: to answer your memory question... downstepping memory is always available to newer motherboards like yours, upstepping to a faster standard is not...

in other words, 800 in a 1066 machine will operate at 800
1066 in a 800 machine will downstep to 800 for compatibilty reasons as long as your mobo supports it

 

[digitalduck]

You're right, i worded it wrong... i meant it it is running at a slower mem speed...and my current gigabyte is faster...too bad..

Yeah i might have to boot to safe mode and pray..

Ok, then maybe ill throw this in the mix

GIGABYTE GA-P35-S3G


Will a micro ATX still fit in an atx case?