MoBo Advise.

Wanting to change the motherboard in my spare computer, i'm not wanting to spend a lot on it as it's only a spare.
Current motherboard is this : http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pr...ilID=806&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=24&LanID=9

I was thinking of this one: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3024#

Just a slight improvement is what's desired but as I'm rather new to all this I wanted a more experienced opinion.
Should also mention its running a pentium D 930 processor.
Any and all hints/information I may need is welcome, thanx!

 

This is a decent board; I've used several for building point-of-sale terminals. Here's a version with 4 memory slots, $49.99, free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...449&cm_re=gigabyte_g41-_-13-128-449-_-Product

Be sure to update the video drivers either through Windows Update or the Gigabyte support site; the older Intel drivers were a bit quirky.

Remember that, when you switch boards, you'll have to do a fresh install of Windows and any software - be sure to back up your files and have your install discs/license codes handy.

What ver. of Windows are you using and how much memory? If XP, you should have a minimum of 1GB; Vista or Win 7 should be a min. of 2GB.

Hope this helps.

 

I have 2gbs of ram and its running xp so it's sound there ^^
Unfortunately newegg don't deliver to the Uk but I shall browse and look for that motherboard you suggested ^^

Thank you for your help.

 

And if the license for the old version of Windows is an OEM version, it is tied to the old motherboard and you cannot legally transfer it to the new motherboard. You must buy a new license, or move to one the free Linux alternatives.

 

So, I assume you're going to install a quad in there? Not much point in reinstalling the 930 or 'something a bit better'. Don't waste your money on a 'bit better' as you won't notice much.

 

As mentioned I'm not looking to spend a lot so spending a £100+ on a processor isn't on my to do list atm.
With out trying to sound unpleasant if you had read my op you would know that this new motherboard is actually a few leaps better than my current and if I were ever to upgrade my processor (which in time I may) I would have to upgrade my mobo to do so.
'Slightly better' was meant as a lucrative term and in reality I've needed to update it in order to be able to update my pc further for a while.
The lack of sata slots and other things have been an occasional hindrance for me.
I feel you may have been trying to help but by 'assuming' I feel you came across a little rude.

Thank you for your feedback though, I shall/have taken it into future considerations.

 

My apologies. It sure wasn't my intent. Best of the New Year to you and yours.

 

I think you being too sensitive and taking sound, expert and experienced advice, which you asked for, too personal.

The facts are the Gigabyte board is NOT a "few leaps better" than the ECS offering. It has only a slightly faster bus speed (1333 vs 1066) and only a slight faster RAM speed support (800 vs 667), similar graphics, the same audio, the same speed networking support. The Gigabyte does not even support current technologies (iCore CPUs, DDR3, USB3.0, SATA6). But beyond that, by using the same CPU (and RAM?) you negate any performance gains anyway.

YOUR FAILURE to mention your need for SATA, or your future plans and reasons for this upgrade in your opening post forces the volunteer helpers on this site who donate their own valuable time to help people, people like you seeking free advice, to guess and assume your intentions and needs. I feel by saying "may have been trying to help" and "came across a little rude" was, frankly, more than a little rude!

If this is a spare machine that still works, and I "assume" it does, then I agree 100% with augiedoggie. Don't waste your money on "a bit better". As I noted before, unless that spare machine has a "retail license" tied to it, you MUST buy a new Windows license when you upgrade the motherboard - to be legal anyway. It makes more sense to me to simply, and very economically, add SATA support to this spare system - perhaps by adding a PCIe SATA card to add internal support for two SATA drives, or for just a little bit more, you can have support for 4 SATA devices. Other cards also provide eSATA support. Then, when ready to really upgrade, buy a new motherboard that will support the current technologies, as well as carry you further into the future. That makes much more economical sense than buying a new (but old technology) motherboard that will yield little, if any, performance gains.