I need a new motherboard.

[Cat Fuzz]

I've come to the conclusion that the motherboard in my desktop system is dead or, at least, the BIOS is fried. So, I need a new mobo. I would prefer going as cheap as possible but I don't want total crap either. So, I need a Socket A mobo that my CPU and RAM will work in so I don't have to replace that stuff. Anyone have a good used board for sale or know of a decent new board I can swap in?

 

[Rukee]

If you buy the exact same model you may get by without any driver hassels or reformatting issues. I would look on newegg for the same one or see if they have a refurbished one the same as what you have. If you change chipsets, you may repeatedly get the BSOD on boot up.

 

[Nachimir]

ASRock are the budget ASUS brand. They're very stable, but you can't overclock with them. I'm currently running a K7S41GX, and it's okay.

Only issues so far:
SiS chipsets and Geforce 6600s can corrupt graphics and cause lockups when working together; 67.03 drivers sort it out.
Board won't work with cheap RAM: Tried some generic RAM made by LQ that I had lying around and PC wouldn't boot, bought it a gig of Crucial RAM and it was fine.

 

[Rukee]

check pricewatch.com, you can pick up an a64 CPU (s754) and a motherboard(agp) combo for under 2 hundred, the DDR memory you have should work good. If your going to spend money, might as well make a move up the upgrade ladder at the same time. :tup:

 

[Cat Fuzz]

I was thinking under $100 and the same mobo I have now is still selling for $130 or so. There are a few used on Ebay, but I'm not so sure about that.

 

[Rukee]

Don`t buy an old motherboard off e-bay, there`s no way to return it if it`s junk when you get it. Check newegg for a refurbished, at least if it`s DOA you can either get your money back or get another replacment MB.

 

[Twrecks]

I agree with Rukee about pricewatch, the cheapest SocketA (462 pin) is under 30 bucks, if you want 333fsb they get more expensive.
Pricewatch Socket A mobos