Hardware Upgrade advise sought - even bad advice....

I am looking at replacing MB, chip and power unit for my wife's box.

I have 4 sticks of Crucial Ballistix in my box that I do not need, as I use Linux and it is way overkill. I am looking at a low end Asus AMD board (this is at a tight time of the year) and wonder if the Crucial sticks will work. I am thinking yes, but am open to advise. (good or bad ):major

2nd Option. Take the box I have (Intel dual core about 3 yrs old) and install Win 7 to run with it and build the above to run my base. :confused

My wife does not game, but uses fancy vision assistance software (ZoomText) that seems to stress the box. Funny Ubuntu 10.10 is a temp work around with Zoom in Compiz, that is another thread. rolleyes

 

If you are looking for an inexpensive board, no frills, just to get it up and running, this will do the trick.

TigerDirect usually has better mobo/CPU combos, and this is what I would suggest for a "one shot deal":

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6620799&CatId=2417

You get a triple-core CPU, and it's DDR2 compatible. It's Micro ATX, which means smallest form factor (small board). At under $150 for both parts, it may be more than Ubuntu needs, but it will serve you for quite a few years. In addition, it will help with resource intensive programs, and you would get to use all four sticks of memory. The integrated ATI 4200 series graphics are a nice plus, as well.

You can't go wrong with an Asus, with CPU, for the price. Just my humble opinion.

As far as a PSU, $30 would snag you this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4844034&CatId=4324

In case this is too much, what are you willing to spend? Sometimes a little more up front, pays better dividends in the long run...

 

You could also do this, for $20 less:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130307

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103677

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822001

 

For $120, you could use the board you had your eye on, with a nice dual core, which would take advantage of the Core unlocker features. However, you would only get to use two sticks of DDR2.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157204

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103677

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822001

I don't recommend "skating" on a cheap power supply, and Diablotek is rather reliable for the price.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I had the same board in the OP. I had selected a Corsair 500W power supply. I have an Antec 480 (430?) in this box as the original Sunbeam 400 fried. Also 1 TB drive.

Here is the wishlist.

 

Unfortunately, I must login as you, to see that wishlist...