Gateway DX4720-03 Motherboard with bad caps:

[Crow550]

Trying to help my oldest Niece.... She got the old Desktop. Specs: http://www.cnet.com/products/gateway-dx-4720-03/specs/

It needed personal files backed up and formatted as it was full of infections. Anyways as I was dusting it I noticed the caps:

There is more that I didn't capture.

So.... What to do? Currently the PC seems to run fine.... For now. Upgraded it to Windows 10 (before I opened and cleaned it. D'oh!)

I know you can resolder in new caps. I have never soldered anything in my life....

Maybe replace the Mobo?

I suggested for now to use it for Web, Media, older games and such and save up for a better rig. Keep important files backed up since the Mobo can die anytime....

Is this even worth messing with?

She wanted something for Web, Media and games like Left4Dead 2 and League of Legends and so forth until she has funds to build a better rig.

The built in Nvidia card sure as hell cannot run those. It has 4 Gigs of Ram which surprisingly Windows 10 seems to handle well.

So is it worth a new Mobo, GPU and more Ram (my rough Ebay estimate was $75-$80ish not counting an SSD) or just leave it and invest in something better? The CPU is not up to snuff so the GPU would have to be meh and really it just seems for gaming not worth the effort but that's why I am asking here....

For options.... I will share this with her too.

 

[denis280]

Don't waste money on this.one caps start to go then it will be more trouble soon.look here-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157499

 

[Burpo]

That's a pretty good replacement, but no HDMI.
There is one OEM board for it on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateway-DX4...033640?hash=item48852e0f68:g:-RsAAOSwA4dWLSYL

You're probably better off getting her a used sandybridge i3 on the cheap (dell, HP) & add video card.

 

[Crow550]

Thanks for the advice. I'll be be sure to pass it on.

I don't know what her plan is. Will discuss looking into those options.

Currently it seems to work fine for media and web and non-demanding games but for how long is the real issue.... I don't know how much Money she wants to invest into this current setup or save and build the "killer rig". Thanks again. The ball is in her court.

 

[xgsound]

If you feel up to trying to solder, here is a forum thread that shows bad caps and new in a Mobo. http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14659 They also can supply caps or fix a Mobo last I checked at: http://www.badcaps.net/index.php . I fixed an HP Mobo for $20 worth of caps. I'm xgsound there too. You may have to register to view some attached pics and files.