Really Really Confused

[pcspecialist]

I currently have an HP Pavilion A620N with an Enermax 485 watt PSU, Evga 6600GT, 512MB Ram, and everything else you see at the bottom (signature). I wanted to know, should i buy a NEW motherboard and a new case (mid-tower) or should i just buy a micro-atx case. I want to get a new case. I know that a Micro-atx motherboard will fit, but I tried it before and I tried the motherboard, but HP sent me a new one. I don't want that to happen again. So, can someone please help me and tell me what to do? Also, If I take off my heatsink to take off the processor to put it in a new motherboard, would I have to apply thermal paste again?


Thanks.

 

[Trotter]

Go with a new mobo and case.

Check out the MSI K7N2 Delta2-FSR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130512

You can pair that with any ATX case you want.

If you take the cooler loose, then you have to clean the CPU and reapply the paste.

If you replace the mobo you'll have to reinstall Windows and all your other programs, so be sure to back your data beforehand.

 

[NosBoost300]

wait if i change my mobo i'd have to reinstall windows??? could i just use my computers boot up disc for that?? or do i gotta actually buy windows??

 

[RockyZ]

Well if your boot up disk comes with the wrong drivers, then u'd prolly need new windows.

Plus its always better to start off with a fresh window. You can get home edition for like 50 dollars retail from many places, and u can urgh get any windows free also in many places....

 

[PZEROFGH]

cant you just repair windows, which deletes all the window files and stuff and reinstalls them? and keeps your files

 

[pcspecialist]

That looks like a good board, but my only *fear* is that i might fry the board when I put it in. Also, the jumper cables are a problem. I tried putting the jumper cables from a new case to a Micro-ATX motherboard, and it was a little hard for me, then the board started to smoke, and it died on me. So, yeah. Is there a board a little cheaper than that because I don't want to spend over 90 dollars total (I want to get a nice case because my hardware in my computer deserves it =D!!!). So, yeah, I was thinking about getting this mobo, but I guess it sucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186061

I don't know if that's a good board or not. I don't know much about them. Can you guys find me a board that's a little cheaper than 60, somewhere around 40 maybe..nothing over 50, I have a 100 dollar budget.

 

[Trotter]

Nothing wrong with that one. One guy had a bad experience, but that doesn't sink it.

 

[pcspecialist]

But im just scared of frying my board, that's all. Also, I need to get some thermal paste. I won't be overclocking at all, so what should I get? Also, how do I put the board into the case and not touch the case? that's what happened with my old case... it touched the metal and it sparked/smoked, then it fried.

 

[C0RR0SIVE]

There are little brass or plastic standoffs you put into certain holes in the case to raise the motherboard off of it some.... Make sure they go into the right holes.... Or one could touch the motherboard in the wrong place and short it out.

 

[pcspecialist]

Hrm. I was looking at a pretty cool case today. Newegg's shipping is 16 dollars for a case. . I was thinking about going out somewhere and buying one, but it would probably be more money (even with shipping included on newegg) so I'm just going to order from there. They just have so many cases, I don't know which one to get, LoL. I'm really picky though so let's see if I can pick something cheap..that I like. =D