Motherboard Crapped the Bed - Upgrade Time!

[Bovinicus]

So, I'm pretty sure my motherboard died. I'm in the market for some new equipment, and I don't really keep up with current hardware like I used to. I was hoping I could get some advice on the following parts:

Motherboard (Currently Gigabyte with P35 chipset)
CPU (Currently Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz)
Memory (Currently 3x1GB Mushkin 800MHz DDR)
Power Supply (Currently Antec 430W, I think)

I'm pretty happy with the rest of my components, but I feel the ones listed could use a bit of upgrading. Ideally, I keep the cost under $400. I might consider spending as much as $500 if it's a really big difference in performance and future upgradability.

I am a gamer, so gaming performance is important. My video card is an ATi Radeon 5770 1GB. The games I play most right now are Diablo 3 and League of Legends, so nothing incredibly intense. However, I do pick up new games, so those aren't the only considerations.

I live in the United States, and I love Newegg, but I may goto this store in my area and pay a little extra money so I don't have to wait for the parts to be shipped. Sucks not having a computer. There is a Microcenter that I can reasonably get to, and will go there unless it's a really large price difference. Feel free to base your suggestions off Newegg prices though.

I would like some level of upgradability. If I can just replace the CPU and add more memory in a couple years to keep myself afloat, that would be preferable to having to replace everything. A power supply that could handle a video card upgrade would be ideal as well.

I have only a mild brand preference. I like whatever works. The only thing I've consistently stuck with is Antec cases and PSUs, but I'm not married to the idea. They just seem to be a nice balance of quiet and reliable.

If I overclock, it wouldn't be hardcore overclocking. I do have a massive heatsink and fan combo (I forget which one, but it weights about a pound and has a 120mm fan), but just plan to keep it an stick to air cooling. For example, I had my 2.4GHz processor sitting at 3GHz most of the time, but the memory wasn't overclocked at all, and I didn't upregulate the voltages at all. I only picked that number because I could adjust the multiplier to keep the exact default memory speed. Haven't done much video card overclocking either.

I hope it's not too much of a text wall, but I figure that more info is good. Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

My general rule with unplanned "emergency upgrades" is to reuse as much as possible. In this case, I'm assuming just your motherboard is damaged, so you have working HDDs, Opticals, case, etc.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388579

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387627

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101

$300. Done. Massive performance increase. You don't need a PSU upgrade, and your GPU is fine for now, imho.

You can spend the last $100 on an SSD if haven't gone that route already, or bank it and buy a new GPU when funds permit. ($200 is about the sweet spot, seems like.)

 

[Ken g6]

My general rule with unplanned "emergency upgrades" is to reuse as much as possible. In this case, I'm assuming just your motherboard is damaged, so you have working HDDs, Opticals, case, etc.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388579

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387627

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382101

$300. Done. Massive performance increase. You don't need a PSU upgrade, and your GPU is fine for now, imho.

You can spend the last $100 on an SSD if haven't gone that route already, or bank it and buy a new GPU when funds permit. ($200 is about the sweet spot, seems like.)

Very close to perfect. But if you get a 3570K instead of the 3450, you get:

• The ability to overclock.
• A faster stock clock.
• $50 off the CPU/mobo combo, which results in a net savings of $10!

P.S. Here's the SSD you want at Newegg. $10 cheaper than MC, and you don't need it immediately.

 

[Bovinicus]

Very close to perfect. But if you get a 3570K instead of the 3450, you get:

• The ability to overclock.
• A faster stock clock.
• $50 off the CPU/mobo combo, which results in a net savings of $10!

P.S. Here's the SSD you want at Newegg. $10 cheaper than MC, and you don't need it immediately.

Sounds great, but I don't see the deal on the site for the CPU/mobo combination that is discounted. Still compelling, as it's well within my budget. Is the initially recommended motherboard still decent for overclocking? I'm not hardcore into it, but the ability to eek a little extra juice out of the CPU is always nice. Thanks for your help so far!

 

[Bovinicus]

Also, I should add, if anyone has suggestions for a heatsink/fan combo for the CPU that would be great. I rarely use the included retail option, unless this one happens to be really great. I would prefer something that uses a 120mm fan, as I love the balance of quiet and powerful it provides. The cooler in my current rig is a Scythe SCNJ-1100P if that gives you an idea.

Considering this one:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315397

 

[Ken g6]

Sounds great, but I don't see the deal on the site for the CPU/mobo combination that is discounted.

You have to go to Hot Ad Deals -> Shop Our Online Catalog, click the July Specials Flash thing, and go to page 27. Hard to find, but worthwhile.

Hyper 212+ is a good basic cooler. :thumbsup:

 

[Bovinicus]

Looks like I've got it down. You guys are great, and made my life way easier. Kudos to you folks.

 

[mfenn]

Looks like I've got it down. You guys are great, and made my life way easier. Kudos to you folks.

The Z77 Pro3 is actually has LGA 775 mounting holes in addition to the LGA 1155/1156 ones, so you can reuse your existing cooler.