Solved Need help choosing new motherboard

[oneskrewluse]

HP Pavilion p6600 Desktop PC series*-* HP Pavilion p6653w Desktop PC Product Specifications - c02479700 - HP Business Support Center


this is my pc. The motherboard has gone out and after a lot of googling i have had a lot of trouble finding a replacement/upgrade


i need a uATX that supports an AM3 processor
would love to have a radeon 4200 in it already or at least have a slot i can put my old one in
needs to support 16gb ddr3 ram
WOULD LOVE a firewire port also
would like to be in the $125 or less price range

please help

 

[AddRAM]

Have you looked at newegg.com or tigerdirect.com

Each site has a filter system on the left side of the page to keep narrowing down the choices.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Couple of suggestions but I don't really know much about the AMD stuff
M5A97 R2.0 - Motherboards - ASUS

M5A78L-M LX - Motherboards - ASUS

or

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket AM3+ - GA-970A-D3P (rev. 1.0)

1st and 3rd options are around th same price here the 2nd a bit cheaper - doe sit have to be a mini ATX??

 

[DocBrown]

Most important thing is what footprint of a MB will fit in the HP case. Measure the old MB & note the location of the screws & holes that secure it into the HP case.

 

[paulpicks21]

I am far from an expert on activation, but could there be an issue with Windows?
Usually after changing something major like a Motherboard it requires a reactivation of Windows, I just wandered what with it being an HP PC whether this is something the OP needs to think about when he changes the board?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I am far from an expert on activation, but could there be an issue with Windows?
Usually after changing something major like a Motherboard it requires a reactivation of Windows, I just wandered what with it being an HP PC whether this is something the OP needs to think about when he changes the board?

Hmm thats a point Paul suppose an OEM would be the way to go as then there is no bloatware.

 

[oneskrewluse]

i made an amendment on my OP i need a uATX form factor motherboard


thanks for all the suggestions so far

i have a oem home premium disc so the reactivation should be no problem

 

[Layback Bear]

If your OEM Windows 7 disk has a unused COA I don't believe their should be a problem. A OEM Windows 7 COA is tied to the first motherboard it was installed on.

 

[paulpicks21]

Sorry I kind of swerved it off topic, but I guess it was worth mentioning.

I am not very good with AMD so I can't help with your original Motherboard question.

Paul.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Actually Bear I read that as it has been used as the OP says "reactivation" I take that as it has been used once already but I stand to be corrected

However having said that I have had a few calls to Microsoft with dead boards and they have always been helpful letting me reuse the OEM whether it is for myself or just recently my brother.

As for the board that's something I have never had to deal with or seen many ads for at my supplier.

 

[Layback Bear]

Yes with a phone call Microsoft can do anything if they so desire.
In my little experience with calls to Microsoft on such matters the motherboard had to be a matching board. Not a upgrade. Like I stated; Microsoft will make that decision.

 

[Britton30]

Just a pointer, uATX is the same as mATX, miniATX. The μ symbol means "Micro" in this case. They are, in general, 9.6" x 8", sometimes less than 8.

 

[oneskrewluse]

finally found me one its coming from china as a referb but w/e thanks every one for the input

New HP P6640F HPE 410Y Alvorix RS880 uATX 620887 001 618937 001 Motherboard | eBay

 

[Britton30]

That's about $122 with shipping, you could have got a new board cheaper from a US source with a workable warranty.

 

[oneskrewluse]

this was the closest MB to match both size screw pattern and my current hardware.
i would like to thank every one for their input on this, and im marking this as problem solved


thanks again

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm hope it goes ok for you Screwy I am VERY wary of Ebay stuff mate too but if that is the only way you have of getting one then I suppose you have not much choice.

What about a new build stuff is really quite cheap at the moment or so it seems in the US

 

[Britton30]

All uATX/mATX boards have the same screw pattern. That was my point in a previous post.

 

[Layback Bear]

oneskrewluse let us know how things go after you install your motherboard.

 

[oneskrewluse]

i will, its still some where in china land right now lol been watching the tracking number it looks like circles

 

[oneskrewluse]

Ok, the new MB is in and installed. I'm currently installing Windows yet again, and I will update yet again when its done and drivers are up to date


WISH ME LUCK