My prebuild motherboard has failed I suspect. My next step is to take the salvageable components and build a PC

[Naer]

Guess I start with getting a case and new motherboard

This will be my first PC build


This shouldn't be hard right?

 

[IronWing]

Here's a tip:

System Builder

pcpartpicker.com

 

[Naer]

Should I not skimp on a cheap motherboard?(should I try to get the best one) Wondering how important is this part

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Should I not skimp on a cheap motherboard?(should I try to get the best one)

Computer builds are pretty easy nowadays, but yes I'd say don't skimp on most components, motherboard especially so. PSU is another place that usually gets disregarded but shouldn't.

You don't need the top of the line for either but you should get a good quality for each. Most of pc building is 'you get what you pay for'.

 

[Naer]

The options with less reviews are usually newer models, yes?(or is newer better?)

 

[lxskllr]

What do you do with your pc? My last two were Dell refurbs; about $250 each. They do everything I need them to do, don't cost much, and keep stuff out of the junkyard a little longer.

I always swore I've never buy a prebuilt, but I don't care much about computers anymore, and my needs are slim. $250 is almost disposable money. If you want to do higher end gaming or something, it might make sense to build it yourself.

 

[Naer]

I'd like to build my first PC I think. Saving a buck or 2 is good for me as well

 

[Naer]

I do e-sports and music

I'm posting from my steam deck btw

Can't play my game of choice well on my deck. It's horrible


Just gonna take out many of the components from my prebuild and put it in the new build.

 

[sdifox]

https://www.newegg.com/tools/combo-builder/4188?isShowSummary=true&cm_sp=homepage-pers-home%20dynamiccombo_amd

Why are you replacing the case, unless it's one of those non standard cases?

 

[lxskllr]

Just gonna take out many of the components from my prebuild and put it in the new build.

That was why I mentioned a refurb. Unless you're unlucky, and your pc died a quick death, there probably won't be much that useful inside unless you build another old pc. I don't see much point in that unless you're scavenging parts for (nearly)free. The drives are probably all that'll be useful.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

The options with less reviews are usually newer models, yes?(or is newer better?)

Not always, some are obscure models or just not commonly used.

What you can generally do, is look at any given generation of CPU, check the year it was released, and correlate that with a given production and development of a given series of motherboards. Some CPUs share sockets but generally the mfgs make new boards to go hand-in-hand with new CPU releases.

Once you've nailed down the specific mobo generation you can look at what the releases are within that generation, and select one based on the features and tier of quality. Most mfgs will have an extreme budget version, and extreme cost/feature version, and a bunch in the middle you'll probably want to target. Many of the upper cost ones might have features that are attractive (extra pci-e slots, extra SATA channels, extra m.2 slots, etc) but for most people the middle-range cost ones will be great, probably in the $100 range.

Do yourself a favor though and make sure the dimensions fit inside the case you're using/getting, that's a good way to end up with a bad headache.

 

[Naer]

You mean the ram, cpu and gpu aren't good anymore?

 

[Naer]

https://www.newegg.com/tools/combo-builder/4188?isShowSummary=true&cm_sp=homepage-pers-home%20dynamiccombo_amd

Why are you replacing the case, unless it's one of those non standard cases?

I'd like a cooler looking case. My old pre-built case is very bland and basic

 

[Naer]

GONNA purchase from Amazon and see what other people are buying. There's a "see what other items people purchased" along with specific items

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

You mean the ram, cpu and gpu aren't good anymore?

I do not know, gpu will be fine as they've used the same connector for over a decade, but the CPU needs to be determined to know which motherboard will support it. RAM will depend on how old the computer is, but it will probably be supported.

Depending on the socket and board layout, you may also need a cooler. Most prebuilts have a pre-configured cooler and heat sink that don't easily transfer to other boards. Worth looking at though.

 

[lxskllr]

I wouldn't buy from amazon. They have a bad reputation for counterfeit electronics.

 

[Naer]

You're right about the cpu compatibility

 

[Naer]

It's a safer buy for me cause I can return it easily on Amazon tbh. And prime shipping

 

[VirtualLarry]

Before making any decisions about this rig, what era / specs are we talking about? Haswell, might be breaking even, anything older, wouldn't be worth it.
Skylake i7 is still gaming-worthy, barely.

Edit: Also, be aware, that pc pre-builts that were not enthusiast gaming-grade, were often VERY proprietary. Meaning, that they won't fit an upgrade, other than RAM/CPU.

 

[Naer]

Not too sure if I could keep my psu. It's fairly new. It didn't come with the pre-built. I added it

 

[VirtualLarry]

Not too sure if I could keep my psu. It's fairly new. It didn't come with the pre-built. I added it

That bodes well, most PSUs are ATX, if the rest of your PC is ATX, then it's not proprietary.

 

[Naer]

The cpu didn't come with the prebuild. I added the cpu. Made a thread about it here. It might be still good

(prob not, not counting on it)

 

[daveybrat]

I've read this whole thread and nowhere in it are the parts listed for what you currently have. Listing them will help us immensely.

 

[Naer]

Dang, not too sure which intel i5.(it's not that old) Can't access the prebuild cause it won't turn on so I can't see. I'd have to look at my purchase history on my amazon account, if I can find it.

Maybe I can look at the actual cpu in the old case.

 

[Naer]

Kinda leaning towards this case