Which New Processor Should I Get:

Ok I have the power supply and case information:

Power Supply: 600w ATX Power Supply
Case: Aspire M3202 - Model Number: ULT-L56000P


So will my case and power supply work for:

High End:
Motherboard: midrange socket 1155 from Asus, Intel, Gigabyte, or Asrock
Processor: Intel i7-3770k

Med End:
Motherboard: midrange socket 1155 from Asus, Intel, Gigabyte, or Asrock
Processor: Intel i5-2500

Low End:
Motherboard: BIOSTAR A880GZ AM3+ AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Processor: AMD FX-4170 Zambezi 4.2GHz (4.3GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4170FRGUBOX

Will work for any of these options?

Here is the Acer spec sheet on that PC:

Acer Support: Aspire M3202 Desktop Series Specifications

It says the case dimensions are 7.1" (180mm) W x 17.4" (441mm) D x 14.2" (360mm) H

That sounds like a standard micro ATX case, BUT it says nothing about any peculiarities your case may have, particularly regarding front panel connections. I have no idea. My wild guess would be it's OK, but it's purely a guess.

You need to find someone with that case who has used it successfully for an upgrade--changing motherboards etc. Or get a decent ATX standard basic case, such as an Antec 300.

Your PSU may be fine and may be shaky. All we know is the wattage, which is plenty--BUT we know nothing at all about its quality. If you paid no more than 30 or 40 dollars for it, it's like average quality or worse. And it may or may not have the proper connectors for your motherboard/graphics card combination.

As others have noted, you will likely need a new Windows license since you plan to change motherboards and now probably have only an OEM license---which won't validate on a new motherboard.

The power supply was more than 40 dollars so it is fine. Because of how complicated the process is to install a motherboard I'm going to be handing my computer into the store where I'm buying my parts from. They will install the motherboard as well as getting a new license for it. I guess they will also be able to see if the case will work.

Don't leave that shop without a new Product Key of 25 characters and a Windows disk.

If you buy another OEM license from that shop, it will be good ONLY on that new motherboard.

If you later want another motherboard, you will have to buy yet another Windows license.

The way around the problem is to buy a new RETAIL license, not OEM. You can buy that yourself online, at Best Buy, or wherever.

Who knows what the shop may try to sell you. It's up to you to control and identify the components.

And when I got home, I would call Microsoft and have them tell me if that new Product Key is valid for a home user such as yourself. If it isn't, you have a problem with the shop.

I went to the store and what is going to be happening is that they are going to building a new custom computer for me using some parts from my old computer and adding in some new parts like the intel i7-3770k and a special motherboard which will allow for future upgrading. This is the reason for them making a custom one so I can upgrade in the future without having to get a new computer again. The final price for all this is a bit over $1000.00 so I sure hope this is worth it. I won't be having a computer for at least 3 days.

Anyways, thank you all for helping me in getting a good processor.

I never used amd. The onetime I did it failed. Now I use intel and they serve me well.

Danielzxzx said:

...... they are going to building a new custom computer for me using some parts from my old computer and adding in some new parts like the intel i7-3770k and a special motherboard which will allow for future upgrading. The final price for all this is a bit over $1000.00.

Post a list of these new parts if possible, including brand names and model numbers.

Will this include a RETAIL version of Windows?