Better motherboard replacement for Pegatron M2N78-LA?

[justabluejay]

My desktop computer, a M2N78-LA Pegatron motherboard has died because I have done tests, such as switching the RAM cards in different slots and taking them all off and turned on the computer for a beeping sound, but none occurred so I'm mostly sure the motherboard is dead. Especially after I found out that this type of motherboard has been having problems for many customers and said it's life-span is 12-18 months.
I wonder, what would be a better replacement motherboard for this that at or under $130, about the price of the pegatron motherboard.
Also, would I have to reinstall Windows 7 OS that was originally on it?
Also, i've been reccomended a
A785GM-LE/128M motherboard, would that work since it's pretty cheap for only $35 or so. Thanks in advance.
Also to note, the desktop originally had an AMD Anthalon II X4 processor (quad core) and 6gb of RAM with windows 7 OS ans 1tb of HDD.

 

[Mellon Head]

If you mean this board:

ASRock A785GM-LE AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G + SB710 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

It might work for you. There certainly aren't a lot of AM2 socket boards out there anymore, much less in mini-ITX format. Short of buying a larger case and motherboard (and a power supply), I think the A785GM-LE is the way to go in your circumstances.

And the best thing to do would be to reinstall Windows when you install the new mobo. Less problems that way. No wrong drivers or other complications. But if that is not a retail version of Windows, it's tied to the motherboard and MS won't allow you to reinstall it on another one.

Sometimes a phone call to Microsoft will change that, but you might be looking at having to buy a new copy of Windows 7.

 

[justabluejay]

If you mean this board:

ASRock A785GM-LE AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G + SB710 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

It might work for you. There certainly aren't a lot of AM2 socket boards out there anymore, much less in mini-ITX format. Short of buying a larger case and motherboard (and a power supply), I think the A785GM-LE is the way to go in your circumstances.

And the best thing to do would be to reinstall Windows when you install the new mobo. Less problems that way. No wrong drivers or other complications. But if that is not a retail version of Windows, it's tied to the motherboard and MS won't allow you to reinstall it on another one.

Sometimes a phone call to Microsoft will change that, but you might be looking at having to buy a new copy of Windows 7.

Dang. Well, actually, do you this this would work somehow: ASRock 960GC-GS FX AM3+/AM3/AM2+ AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

It supports AM2+, so I suppose it might or no?

 

[Mellon Head]

If you can get that motherboard into your case, then it would probably work. The A785GM-LE mobo was the same size as your existing one (I believe), which is probably why it was recommended to you.

You're likely limited by the size of your case, and how the motherboard fits into it.

 

[justabluejay]

If you can get that motherboard into your case, then it would probably work. The A785GM-LE mobo was the same size as your existing one (I believe), which is probably why it was recommended to you.

You're likely limited by the size of your case, and how the motherboard fits into it.

Hm perhaps, I was only bummed out that the A785GM only have 2RAM slots that only support DDR2, I have DDR3 RAM in the PEgatron one, 3 2gb cards and I was hoping to reuse them all. If not, i'd probably have to push them aside because that one only supports DDR2, ugh.
But because I have quad-core ANtholan II x4, I think I can upgrade to AMD3+, right?

 

[Mellon Head]

But because I have quad-core ANtholan II x4, I think I can upgrade to AMD3+, right?

Here's a good page to look up your processor, you'll need the specific model name (like 630 for example) to find your particular CPU, but none of the ones on the page are AM3+ compatible.

AMD Athlon II X4 microprocessor family

The closest that you can get is an AM3 CPU, that according to this:

Will an AM3 CPU work in an AM3+ Socket Motherboard? [Solved] - Motherboards - Motherboards

will fit on an AM3+ board, as long as the BIOS and mobo's power system supports it.

So, yes, theoretically you could upgrade to an AM3+ board, but you would be well advised to check the CPU support list on the motherboard before you buy, and make sure that your CPU is on it. You'll need to know the exact model of your CPU to check.

 

[justabluejay]

But because I have quad-core ANtholan II x4, I think I can upgrade to AMD3+, right?

Here's a good page to look up your processor, you'll need the specific model name (like 630 for example) to find your particular CPU, but none of the ones on the page are AM3+ compatible.

AMD Athlon II X4 microprocessor family

The closest that you can get is an AM3 CPU, that according to this:

Will an AM3 CPU work in an AM3+ Socket Motherboard? [Solved] - Motherboards - Motherboards

will fit on an AM3+ board, as long as the BIOS and mobo's power system supports it.

So, yes, theoretically you could upgrade to an AM3+ board, but you would be well advised to check the CPU support list on the motherboard before you buy, and make sure that your CPU is on it. You'll need to know the exact model of your CPU to check.

Ooh okay, well I actually found one motherboard recently that has AM3+ and AM3, an Acer one cheap on newegg. I ordered and should be content, it has 4 memory slots too like I wanted that supports DDR3.

ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 AM3+ AMD 760G + SB710 HDMI USB 3.0 uATX AMD Motherboard - Newegg.com

So yeah, I think I'm good for now, thanks for the help though!

 

[Mellon Head]

Glad you got it sorted.