Help me pick out a mobo

[SmoochyTX]

It's looking more and more like I'm going to need a new motherboard as the one in my Dell is seemingly screwed up. I'm a total motherboard noob and have basically no idea as to what the good ones are out there and whatnot. BTW, I did read the sticky at the top but was still confused after I went looking on some sites as to what brands were good or bad and if the price was right etc.

It's not going to be a gaming computer or anything. Basically just an everyday multi-tasking computer.

It must have onboard video as I don't have any extra money for a video card at the moment. It doesn't have to have PCI express capabilities - AGP is fine. It needs onboard audio and I need at least 3 PCI slots. If it has integrated ethernet that's good too.

I want to use the hard drives I have now (2 120GB - Western Digital & Seagate). I'm going to use the DVD burner I already have (Sony dual layer). I want to use the P4 2.4 (socket 478) processor that's in my Dell right now if I can. I'll use the PSU I already have (Antec 350W). I have two sticks of 512 PC2100 (266-MHz) DDR SDRAM that I want to use if possible also.

So basically I just need a case and motherboard. I would like to only spend between $50-75 on it. Can anybody help me out? I can't seem to find anything that combines all of this.

 

[o1die]

You can find some cheap cases and boards in pricewatch. Supergoodeal has a basic case with 350w ps for $27 shipped. 3dtech has an msi 6791FV board with sis 661fx chipset (with onboard video for 400 and 533 fsb p4's) for about $29. Be sure your Dell version of windows will work with a non dell motherboard.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Try this one

 

[o1die]

PcDirect has an msi 845dv board with Intel chipset and built in video for $42 shipped. If you have a newer "c" series 800 fsb p4, I would go with the via chipset. With the Intel chipset, you may be able to avoid a reinstallation of windows.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: BrokenArrow
Try this one

Will it support PC2100 memory? I read the users comments and how it will support PC2700 but I wonder if it will support the memory I already have.

Is there anything else I need to check about my CPU to make sure it will run with a certain board or not?

 

[o1die]

Cpu-z is a free download that will identify your cpu and mobo chipset. If you have pc2100, I would go with the msi 845dv board. You probably have the 2.4a northwood, and cpuz will confirm it.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX

Originally posted by: BrokenArrow
Try this one

Will it support PC2100 memory? I read the users comments and how it will support PC2700 but I wonder if it will support the memory I already have.

Is there anything else I need to check about my CPU to make sure it will run with a certain board or not?

Oops, sorry missed the pc2100 memory. According to MSIs website it only supports 2700/3200. 🙁

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: o1die
Cpu-z is a free download that will identify your cpu and mobo chipset. If you have pc2100, I would go with the msi 845dv board. You probably have the 2.4a northwood, and cpuz will confirm it.

This is the link to the spec sheet on my currently messed up computer with the P4 2.4 with an Intel 845GL chipset from March or May 2003.

Dimension 2350 spec sheet

Dell's mobos are proprietary. I could buy an exact replacement of mine online but prices range from anywhere from around $150 to almost $300. Northwood sounds familiar. Prescott is the one that came after right? If so, Northwood is the one that I have. And if I could download that program and run it that might help but right now I'm having computer problems.

See my computer probs here

Oh, and I couldn't find that msi 845dv board you were talking about on PC Direct.

 

[o1die]

If you can't find the msi board, I found a Dell 2400 that you might be able to work with in your old Dell case. I found it in pricewatch. Click on motherboards, then to the right are brands listed, including Dell. It's the first listing at a dealer called Ascendtech.us and has the Intel 845pe chipset with video. But I don't know if the backplate will work with your case, or how it will mount. On the newer Dell cases, the boards just snap into place.