So I have an Alienware Aurora R4, and earlier this spring my house was hit by lightning and it created multiple problems in the motherboard. It fried almost all of the USB ports and all the headphone/mic jacks. Bottom line, I need a new motherboard; here are the parts/software in the computer:
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-3820 @ 3.6GHz
RAM: Dell 4x4GB DDR3 UDIMM 1600MHz NON-EEC
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB
Motherboard: Dell Alienware Aurora R4 Series LGA2011
Power Supply: Dell Alienware 875 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
My main goal is replace the motherboard and case. So I guess my noobie question is: what compatibility issues (if any) might I have if I were to move all the parts out of this computer and install them in a new case with a different motherboard? I am quite knowledgeable in computers, but I must say that motherboards are my weakest concept so I am stumped by this possibility. The current motherboard can only be described as insane in appearance, as there are two separate boards, in which are not universal to other cases by any means (the main board is literally built in to the case). I am assuming the other motherboard is for lights only, but I am not sure. I have tried contacting Dell but they will not recommend a fix that wont make them money (i.e. they tell me to extend warranty or replace it with another product). Even if you all don't know much about Alienware software or products, I would still like to know if switching motherboards in any computer brings compatibility issues, so that I can take that lead and figure something else out. Thanks!
Side note: throughout all my years with Alienware, I cannot say I recommend these computers as they are often faulty and require hardware replacements almost yearly. So if you are reading this and are shopping for a computer, I recommend that you not get an Alienware. Also, Dell support sucks (at least through my experience).
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-3820 @ 3.6GHz
RAM: Dell 4x4GB DDR3 UDIMM 1600MHz NON-EEC
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB
Motherboard: Dell Alienware Aurora R4 Series LGA2011
Power Supply: Dell Alienware 875 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
My main goal is replace the motherboard and case. So I guess my noobie question is: what compatibility issues (if any) might I have if I were to move all the parts out of this computer and install them in a new case with a different motherboard? I am quite knowledgeable in computers, but I must say that motherboards are my weakest concept so I am stumped by this possibility. The current motherboard can only be described as insane in appearance, as there are two separate boards, in which are not universal to other cases by any means (the main board is literally built in to the case). I am assuming the other motherboard is for lights only, but I am not sure. I have tried contacting Dell but they will not recommend a fix that wont make them money (i.e. they tell me to extend warranty or replace it with another product). Even if you all don't know much about Alienware software or products, I would still like to know if switching motherboards in any computer brings compatibility issues, so that I can take that lead and figure something else out. Thanks!
Side note: throughout all my years with Alienware, I cannot say I recommend these computers as they are often faulty and require hardware replacements almost yearly. So if you are reading this and are shopping for a computer, I recommend that you not get an Alienware. Also, Dell support sucks (at least through my experience).