My comp sucks, i need a new motherboard

[OddBall87x]

Whats up. I have been wanting to get a new comp for a long time, but i dont have enough money, so i thought maybe I could instead just get a new motherboard and put it in my old comp. First, i'd like to know if that would work. Next i'd like to know how to do it. Also, as I said before, i dont have a lot of money, but i want to get PENTIUM 4 motherboard, preferably under $150 that would be fast and reliable. I also want to buy a graphics card, but i dont know which one to buy. I want to use these new components basically on games like Wolfenstein and other 3D ones like that and ones that are coming out soon, so I need a computer that can handle those kinds of games. I apreciate all of your help, thanks.

[Direct1]

What CPU oo you have now?

[Yoshi]

Well for $150 you can pick up pretty much any P4 board not counting the VERY pricey 875P Flagships like the Abit !C7-Max3 or the ASUDS P4C800 Deluxe. Asuuming you want to get a C P4 (800MHZ Front-Side-Bus) then the ASUS P4P800 or the Abit IS7s are good boards from good brands, also a cheaper board then the two would be the MSI 865 Neo 2s, they go from $80-$100 and are great boards. But thats if you want the C P4. As far as graphics for $100 the ATI 9600 Non Pro is great, for $150 the ATi 9600XT or Nvidia 5700 Ultra will do you fine, and my Fav is for $200 you can pick a ATi 9800 Pro which is the best card out next to the WAY WAY overpriced 9800XT and the 9800 Pro is only 2-4 FPS slower.

[Sun]

Originally posted by Direct1
What CPU oo you have now?

Thats the first step if i am not mistaken....

you don't want to end up with an incompatible motherboard.

[Rob R.]

Give us ALL of your computer specs. A new motherboard may not necessarily be money well spent.

[BipolarBill]

You can get a nice i865 P4 motherboard for $80.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-450&depa=0

Here's a sweet P4:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&depa=0

The problem now is that your old RAM is most likely inadequate. You now will need PC3200/DDR400 RAM. That will bump the cost up to $350.

You can save a bit more by switching to an Athlon 2400+ setup.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-421&depa=0

[OddBall87x]

my motherboard cpu stuff, i think, is this:

CPU Properties
CPU Type Intel Pentium II, 350 MHz (3.5 x 100)
CPU Alias Deschutes, A80523
CPU Stepping dB0
L1 Code Cache 16 KB
L1 Data Cache 16 KB
L2 Cache 512 KB (Built-In, Half-Speed)

CPU Physical Info
Package Type 242 Contact SEC Cartridge
Package Size 12.82 cm x 6.28 cm x 1.64 cm
Transistors 7.5 million
Process Technology 5M, 0.25 um, CMOS
Die Size 131 / 118 mm2
Core Voltage 2.0 V
I/O Voltage 3.3 V
Typical Power 11 - 24 W (depending on clock speed)
Maximum Power 16.8 - 36.4 W (depending on clock speed)

CPU Manufacturer
Company Name Intel Corporation
Product Information http://www.intel.com/products/browse/processor.htm

CPU Utilization
CPU #1 12 %

[BipolarBill]

You're going to need a motherboard, CPU, RAM and most likely a new, stronger power supply.

[Direct1]

You're going to need a motherboard, CPU, RAM and most likely a new, stronger power supply.
Exactly. You'll also need a new video card most likely to play the newer games you may want to play. Save your money until you have around $500. That will be a good start to building yourself a nice PC.

Good luck! :D

[OddBall87x]

seriously? i dont really wanna spend that much, i just wanted to make my computer work for some games, maybe these facts of my comp will help.

Computer
Operating System Microsoft Windows 98 SE
OS Service Pack None
Internet Explorer (IE 6.0 SP1)
Computer Name ANDREWCOMP (NEC)
User Name Andrew

Motherboard
CPU Type Intel Pentium II, 350 MHz (3.5 x 100)
Motherboard Name Unknown
Motherboard Chipset Intel 82440BX/ZX
System Memory 320 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (02/05/99)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display
Video Adapter RAGE IIC AGP (English)
3D Accelerator ATI 3D-Rage IIC
Monitor Philips 150B (TY 70716396)

Multimedia
Audio Adapter Yamaha DS-XG Audio CODEC

Storage
Disk Drive GENERIC IDE DISK TYPE01
Disk Drive MAT****A LS-120 VER5 00
Optical Drive ATAPI CD-RW 40X12 (40x/12x CD-RW)
Optical Drive GoldStar CD-ROM CRD-8322B (32x CD-ROM)

Partitions
C: (FAT32) 8040 MB (6552 MB free)

Input
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
Game Controller Microsoft PC-joystick driver

Network
Primary IP Address
Primary MAC Address
Network Adapter PPP Adapter.
Network Adapter Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC

Peripherals
Printer Canon BJC-2100 Series
Printer EPSON Stylus C84 Series
USB Device USB Human Interface Device

[BipolarBill]

Sorry - that thing is to old to do incremental upgrades. It's impossible to get new parts. It won't even be able to support new video cards. The minimum you would have to spend is about $300 including video card. That's not an Intel setup. Intel will cost you $100 more.

[OddBall87x]

okay, thanks for all ur help