[OnlyJosh]

OnlyJosh's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1

Unhappy Help finding a new motherboard
Hey everyone,

I just want to say i am not computer illiterate, lol I do know my stuff about computers but not swapping motherboards for that matter. My computer is really old and i have tried to maintain it the best i could until someday i can afford a nice gaming pc. I am wondering if there's amotherboard anywhere that can be used in my tower that has PCI slots but yet still uses the ram i am using, Since i do not have enough money to buy ram.

I am looking for a 'Pent 4' or a 'AMD', Whatever one will work for me.

Here are the specs for my system.

Intel Pentium 3 Processor <Yes thats old & why i want to update
Windows Xp Home Edition w/Service Pack 2
800 Mhz
512 RAM = I think its Sync Pc133
Vid Card= VisionTek RADEON 9200 Series
1st hard drive "Main One" = 18.6GB
2nd hard drive = 74.5GB
SONY DVD RW DRU-830A
HP DVD WRITER 640c
----------------------------------------
Now from looking at my motherboard, Heres what i can tell you.

Has 3 PCI slots
Aux Audio
Cd Rom Audio = Being used & has a 4 prong
AGP/AIMM slot
CPU Fan plug In = Being used & has a 3 prong
CPU FAN= DC 12v
Chassis Fan= 3 Prong
Power Supply= Combined Max Power is 120w & 200W MAX Model = PS-6201-6c3
The biggest square in the middle of my motherboard that is black says=
INTEL
FW82815
L8370343
SL4DF

That is all the info i can find my self to best describe what i have for you. If there's anything else you would like to know plz just feel free to ask. The most i am able to spend for a new motherboard would be around $50-70 dollars. Is that enough to get me a better motherboard???? Plz remember im trying to KEEP my ram as well for the next new motherboard i am able to get. "If thats possible" Also i mostly use my pc for gaming and internet use. Having the 8meg cable works really well.

Thank you 2 whoever has read all this, lol

[JohnWill]

You are dreaming the impossible dream. A P3 MB will not have memory modules compatible with any of the current generation of motherboards.

Your minimum upgrade will probably be a motherboard, processor, power supply, and memory. In truth, you'll probably want to replace the video card too, since the AGP slot has fallen out of favor now, and all the new stuff is PCI-Express.

You'll need to keep saving pennies, because you'll need at least $250-300 for a minimal upgrade, and that will be cutting corners that you may regret in the future. A more realistic plan would be at least $400 for a real upgrade.

[OnlyJosh]

Alright, well thanks .....

I'll just have to save up while i use this computer.. When i get the money i'll be back to ask whats the best pc i can get for my money..

Thanks

[JohnWill]

That's the smart course of action. A half-baked upgrade will leave you wanting more, and you'll have wasted half your upgrade money.

[OnlyJosh]

Im wanting to upgrade my graphics card right now. Whats a better ATI card then i already have???

I have currently a 9250

[kiwiguy]

Your bottleneck in the system will be the 800 MHz P3 CPU, upgrading to a new video card will in all probability do absolutely nothing to give any improvement.

Also as noted, any new video card will probably be unuseable when you do upgrade as it will have to be AGP now, but new motherboards tend not to have AGP, as PCI-E is now the common (and faster) slot.

[Tyrion]

I had to make the same decision about buying a new video card or building a new system. I made the mistake to buy the card and had to wate 6 months before buliding my system. I would have spent the 130 On my new system if I coould take back my choice now.

[etaylor34]

Originally Posted by Tyrion

I had to make the same decision about buying a new video card or building a new system. I made the mistake to buy the card and had to wate 6 months before buliding my system. I would have spent the 130 On my new system if I coould take back my choice now.

i just made the same mistake