Intel upgrade/replacement options

[fuzzymath10]

So I'm 99% sure I blew my 775 motherboard one way or another. I have an orphaned Q8200 + 2GB DDR2 (this is a mATX htpc). I am considering the following options:

1) Get a new 775 board and reuse the cpu and memory
2) Get a new 1156 board + CPU + memory and sell old cpu + memory

The Q8200 was fine in terms of performance so I'm not looking for a super fast 1156 cpu. Can anybody suggest what the best route might be, and any suggestions for parts? I'm thinking an i3 530/540 which with HT seem to match the Q8200 but then I question if there's any strong argument for replacing everything (mostly power consumption I guess?) I'm trying to keep the cost down and using Canada Computers as a reference since that's where I'll probably go shopping.

I am somewhat restricted by having just a 4-pin 12v plug (not the 8-pin), and more memory slots is better, although 2 is enough.

Thanks!

 

[crazylegs]

I'd re-use the Q8200 and your RAM, unless you can find a nice easy sale for it - would be a shame to waste them.

For a HTPC i really like AMD's offerings atm - just built myself a system based around an mATX 785G MB, got a PII x550 because i wanted to try unlocking (managed to get x3 stable @ stock volts but my 4th core would POST but not boot into Win7 x64)

 

[superccs]

I recently sold my whole E8400 setup including cpu 4gb ram and mainboard for $260 on ebay. Spent $350 on upgrade to AMD x6 1055t + 890GX mainboard and 4Gb DDR3 ram.

Not bad for $100 out the door.

Crazylegs, how did you get to 4ghz? I had same cpu and MB and never got the FSB past 410 :/

 

[fuzzymath10]

thanks for the suggestions. any suggestions for a decent matx 775 board? i will also have a look myself.

 

[crazylegs]

Sorry for being so slow - I think I was pretty lucky is the answer.

Having a good PSU and low ambient and case temps probably helped though

My FSB maxed out around 460 regardless of volts (not just a 'hole') would not go higher and yet @ 450 i am totally stable, no crashes etc. Prime for ~24hrs / IBT numerous runs etc.

Back on topic... I'm a fan of Gigabyte s775 boards - used lots of those at work:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152225

will do you very well as a buget board, see you through this generation, making the most of the components you already have. Then when need arises you can go down the new system route

ps. I'm assuming you have a dedicated gpx card as the onboard for this board (or any intel s775) would probably not be good enough for use as a HTPC.