Upgrading Computer Questions..

[Dorr404]

I just recently upgraded to Windows 7 and now I would like to upgrade my computer.

I have a technical question about hardware:

Mobo that i want to buy is a Biostar T5XE CFX-SLI, I currently have a Asus A8n Sli-Deluxe. Would the new mobo fit in the same case that the Asus fits in? I do not know how to check and any information would be appreciated.

Also, any recommendations on a nice gaming mobo+cpu in the $200-250 range? I have a nice video card (Nvidia 8800GTX) and I would like a mobo with 2 pci express slots because I am also looking to get another video card. Such as any enticing christmas deals?

Thank you all for your time, and any input is appreciated.

 

[nate42nd]

These two come to $350. You would need new DDR3 memory too, but it would be a good start for a gaming rig.

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

As far as size goes, you will need to find the form factor your current case will accept. This is a "micro ATX" board.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Biostar T5XE CFX-SLI and Asus A8n Sli-Deluxe are both ATX boards of the same size. Any case that works with one will work with the other.

 

[bobkn]

I just recently upgraded to Windows 7 and now I would like to upgrade my computer.

I have a technical question about hardware:

Mobo that i want to buy is a Biostar T5XE CFX-SLI, I currently have a Asus A8n Sli-Deluxe. Would the new mobo fit in the same case that the Asus fits in? I do not know how to check and any information would be appreciated.

Also, any recommendations on a nice gaming mobo+cpu in the $200-250 range? I have a nice video card (Nvidia 8800GTX) and I would like a mobo with 2 pci express slots because I am also looking to get another video card. Such as any enticing christmas deals?

Thank you all for your time, and any input is appreciated.

Your AMD board and the Biostar one are both full-sized ATX boards. The Biostar will fit where the Asus board did. (You'll need to switch the I/O shield, as usual.) They use the same power connectors (24 pin ATX, 4 pin +12V.)

The least expensive Socket 1156 CPU that I see at www.newegg.com is the I5 750, at $200US. You'll also need to switch to DDR3 RAM. If you stay with 2GB (2 X 1GB). it'll cost something over $50.

The P55 chipset doesn't include a PATA (also known as IDE) controller. The Biostar board that you list has a single PATA port given with a third-party controller, supporting two drives maximum. You may need to do something to accomodate that, such as going with SATA drives.

Another thing: not all P55 boards support SLI (for two or more nVidia graphic cards). It's not hardware related; the motherboard maker has to pay a license fee to nVidia. (It may be possible to hack a non-SLI board by force-flashing a BIOS from an otherwise identical SLI-enabled board. I've never done it.)

If you're a serious gamer, you're probably due for an upgrade, but you probably should budget more than $250. If all you need is motherboard, CPU, and RAM, you're starting close to $400US.