Best motherboard bundle to go for? Totally confused!

Hi
Just established in a previous thread that I've got a hardware issue in my PC. Checked everything I can and pretty much narrowed it down to the mobo/processor.

So - I'm looking for a new one. Need to get it asap (preferably want to buy today) as the wife is breathing down my neck but totally overwhelmed & confused by motherboard/chip language!

Firstly - should I buy a whole new motherboard bundle or just a new processor? My fear is if I just buy a new processor and then find the motherboard has gone then I have to go through more hassle so might just be simpler to buy a bundle.

I currently have a Foxconn G41MX running an Intel Core 2 Quad.

I was hoping to stay with Intel, was looking at Asus/Gigabyte brands. My budget is preferably around the £100 mark.

Generally it's used as my wife's work machine but I do use it for a bit of Photoshop design work when working from home and also gaming (MW2 & ACR) so needs to able to support those easily.

I'll be keeping my GPU (ATI Radeon 5770).

Can anyone suggest any suitable boards I could look at?

Thanks :)

If you replace the motherboard, there is a pretty good chance you will have to replace RAM also.

And maybe even the operating system.

You both seem to be saying that a complete bundle is the way to go. I've read similar things about 775 chips.

Currently running win 7 - had a look at the tutorials that say with sysprep can replace mobo without doing a clean install.

Budget can be stretched, and from what you are saying it sounds like it needs to be! I'm in the UK - have been looking at Dabs & Novatech. Would either of these be suitable for my needs?

Asus Intel Value Bundle (Includes P7H55-M SI Motherboard & Core i3-530 2.93GHz Processor) (ASUSINTEL-BUN02) - dabs.com

Novatech Motherboard Bundle - Intel Core i3 2120 - 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz - Intel H61 Chipset Motherboard | MBB-21204G

The first one uses socket 1156, which I'd rather see you avoid. Nothing wrong with it, but socket 1156 has been largely replaced by socket 1155.

The second one is socket 1155. That's a good basic package.

I have no idea who "Novatech" is or the quality of their motherboards.

The motherboard is micro ATX form factor and you would have to confirm it will fit in your case. If you have an industry standard ATX or micro ATX case, it should---but you should investigate that.

Hadn't realised the Novatech one was an own-brand board. My current one is a Novatech own-brand (though actually Foxconn...)

Budget could probably stretch to £150 as realise my first stab was unrealistic!

Just had another look around the Dabs site & found this - it's cheaper than the Novatech one & ASUS brand. Would it suit my needs?

Asus Intel Premium Bundle (Inc P8H61-M LE/USB3 Motherboard, Intel Core i3-2100 & 4GB DDR3 Memory) (ASUSINTEL-BUN15) - dabs.com

NickFrancis said:

Just had another look around the Dabs site & found this - it's cheaper than the Novatech one & ASUS brand. Would it suit my needs?

Asus Intel Premium Bundle (Inc P8H61-M LE/USB3 Motherboard, Intel Core i3-2100 & 4GB DDR3 Memory) (ASUSINTEL-BUN15) - dabs.com

I'd think it would.

Subject to you needing another operating system license.

And confirmation that your case is compatible.

O/S was not OEM so that shouldn't be a problem. Current mobo is a micro-ATX & so is this one so can't see why there would be a fit issue.

Looks like we have a winner (as long as the wife agrees!).

Thanks for all the really quick & helpful replies