Replacing a motherboard

[Plinky]

Hi guys
A couple months ago my old desktop PC broke down, the fault belonged to the motherboard which has burned out. I know it may sound dumb to say I don't know the motherboard model but I've looked all over the motherboard itself and found no intelligible model numbers. Anyway I was hoping that you guys could help me out picking out a replacement as I'm having some difficulty doing so. I don't want to build it from scratch but rather use the components that are still in good condition.

PC specs
Model - Aspire M7300
OS - Windows Vista 64-bit
6gb RAM
750gb storage
VGA - ATI Radeon 4850 HD 1024mb

Motherboard specs
AMD Phenom ii x3 710 triple core processor
Other unknown

suggested motherboard? http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/motherboardbundles/mbb-5502a.html

Many thanks

 

[LukeDJ]

The item you have linked is not just a motherboard, it is a motherboard, CPU and memory (RAM) bundle.

Since you already have a CPU and memory (both of which are more powerful than the bundled ones) you definitely don't want to be going with that.

The motherboard you will need is an AMD socket AM3 or AM3+

These are the AM3+ boards on the website you linked.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/motherboards/amdam3plus760gchipset/

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/motherboards/amdam3plus970chipset/

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/motherboards/amdam3plus990fxchipset/

However, before I make a recommendation, I need to know what the computer will be used for (gaming, everyday web browsing ect).

Also, changing a motherboard is quite a task, and may be especially hard on an ACER box like you have. You will end up having to get some new thermal paste for your CPU heatsink (or a new heatsink), and possibly a new copy of windows. It doen't seem like you know a whole lot about PC's, so your going to have to do some research before attempting this.

 

[Plinky]

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it, the computer will be used for gaming nothing too high end as well as everyday stuff. I've come to understand that certain motherboards only function with specific ram chips could you confirm this?

 

[St1ckM4n]

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it, the computer will be used for gaming nothing too high end as well as everyday stuff. I've come to understand that certain motherboards only function with specific ram chips could you confirm this?

Pretty much the only difference is DDR2 vs DDR3 (and DDR..). You'd be hard pressed to find a modern mobo without DDR3.

 

[LukeDJ]

This motherboard should be fine for your needs:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/motherboards/amdam3plus970chipset/ga-970a-ds3.html

Again, make sure you know what you are doing before changing the Motherboard. Because you will be pulling out the CPU, you'll need new thermal paste or a new heat sink (CPU cooler).

This is a very good little cooler

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cooling/cpucoolers/rr-212e-16pk-r1.html

Good luck!