Lazy phone rep, or does Fry's really not have this in stock?

[Ichinisan]

I need to purchase a socket 478 mobo with Intel chipset. This is necessary because the system I'm working on is notoriously unreliable and the motherboard is the only thing left to troubleshoot. The existing mobo is Intel, so I need an Intel chipset to possibly avoid reinstalling Windows. The local computer store charges $120 for an Asus board. Because Fry's Outpost.com has one for $40, I called the closest Fry's (Duluth, GA) and inquired about the lowest-priced Intel-chipset socket 478 motherboard.

"Uh...we don't have any."

Is this guy for real? I can't drive all the way out there because I *think* he's bullsh!**ing me. It takes about 2 hours for me to drive there and another hour or so to get back (Atlanta traffic).

 

[DaveSimmons]

Consider the time and gas money, then overnight one from newegg.com

 

[elecrzy]

he's right. most stores don't stock them except for Outpost.com. That mobo has been updated to the the socket 775 variant called the ECS 848P-A7. So yea, just get it from Outpost and save yourself the drive.

 

[Slugbait]

There were several different Intel chipsets for the 478. Regardless if you get the same chipset or not, your best bet would be to uninstall the current chipset drivers before opening the box, then swap the mobo out and install the new chipset drivers. However, this method has a history of failing anyway, you might not have any option than to do a clean install of the OS (not re-install).

 

[elecrzy]

in that case, pick your poison.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...t=ENE&Subcategory=280&Manufactory=1414

 

[Ichinisan]

Intel chipsets are more reliable than Via or SiS, so I'll be going with an Intel chipset board regardless or whether-or-not I need to reinstall. Stability is top priority with the system that I'm servicing. Can't find a deal on Newegg like the one on Outpost.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: elecrzy
in that case, pick your poison.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...t=ENE&Subcategory=280&Manufactory=1414

I'll take the cyanide for $50... No no not that one, the one in the blue bottle, wait wait, no you passed it, yes that one, yes!

 

[RebateMonger]

When I went to the Tempe, Arizona, Fry's about six months ago, looking for a 478-chipset board, there were VERY few options. It's probably even tougher, now.

 

[elecrzy]

Yep. I used to work there(just quit recently) so I know the inventory pretty well.

 

[InlineFour]

i have a gigabyte 8ipe1000g with an intel chipset for sale if you're interested.