Computer Help: Rebuild/buying new

My desktop crapped out on my last week, but I'm not sure why. I can't get past the boot screen, even with a different (blank) HDD installed and the WinXP CD in the drive. In fact, I can't even pool up the BIOS setup screen. I built this about 3 years ago and am painfully out of touch with current computer tech.

I believe that I have a good PS, case, DVD drives, graphics card, monitor, and presumably HDD. What I need is a replacement mobo, ram, and CPU. That said, I'd like to keep it no more than $500.


What mobo/ram/cpu combo is recommended? I need to run photoshop, and then the typical range of office software. I've enjoyed BF3 so much, I've toyed with buying a rig that will play the PC version (this is a "would be nice" but won't drive the design). I'd consider it buying a pre-built box, but given the price range, I'm thinking that it will limit me to a mid-grade computer.

what graghic card, power supply and hard drive do you currently have? O do you want AMD or INTEL or does it not matter to you? AMD is cheaper bang for the buck

I did some looking and if you want hands down the best in photoshop and really anything else intel core i7 would be the way to go. But being that your on a budget of about 500 I would say a cheaper...... Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K motherboard and chip combo from newegg $370 allowing give or take $130 for ram. Or you could go AMD with AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8120FRGUBOX mortheboard and chip combo for $300 allowing give or take $200 for ram (at least 4gig min) cheaper stuff can be found thats just examples and both of those would play BF3 if you have the required video card. You would need to make sure your power supply is big enough and correct for the setup as well. If you have any questions or need any help feel free to send me a message. Others may have different opinions as what to get and ultimately it is up to you my friend. lol good luck and happy hunting

SoulReaver0102 wrote:

what graghic card, power supply and hard drive do you currently have? O do you want AMD or INTEL or does it not matter to you? AMD is cheaper bang for the buck

PS is s 750w Cooler Master, HDD are 1TB Seagate SATAs. IIRC, the graphics card is a ASUS SLI 7600GS.

I'm not brand loyal, just want is the best performance per dollar at this point.

That is all decent gear Mr.A, I don't think you need to replace everything. I'm no expert but it sounds like your mobo has crapped out. Everything else should be good to go still.

audiopile wrote:

That is all decent gear Mr.A, I don't think you need to replace everything. I'm no expert but it sounds like your mobo has crapped out. Everything else should be good to go still.

Agreed, I'm thinking a mobo, cpu, and new ram should get me moving again. Just looking for advice since I've not built a computer in some time. Dagnabbit, this fancy smanshy computer who-haa is changing too der fast!

yes those parts will do fine. down the road you can update the video card and should have a really nice system that will last a while to come. Good luck with the new build

I had a laptop that crapped out last year and wouldn't even boot up. It was stuck in a cycle to the boot menu.

I fixed it by installing a free copy of Ubuntu. Since then I switched all my laptops and desktops to ubuntu (Linux). It is free and it solved my problems. But I only use my computers for web surfing, word processing.......stuff like that. I really like Linux as an OS compared to Windows and its constant issues.

Just thought I'd toss that in there......it could be the OS and have nothing to do with the hardware.

Sounds like it's the mobo that is the problem since you can't even get into the bios.

Try booting with only 1 stick of memory and see if you can get the computer to boot or go into the bios. If it still locks up, try another memory slot. Try another stick by itself and do the same.

I don't think you need to replace the cpu, memory or any other components. Just get the same mobo or another mobo with the same specs as what you have now (one that supports your current cpu, memory and video card).

so I decided to pull everything apart and reseat it all, despite the computer sitting nicely on the desk working well for the past year, untouched. As in my MO, I took it down to component and hosed it down with liberal applications of unfiltered compressed air in my garage. I also rubbed down all connections with a pencil eraser as an old IT guy once taught me.

Long story short, I'm now posting from my once dead machine. Woot!

cool i am glad it works, now you can save your money or spend it on new games lol

Sweet! Now treat yourself to something $500 nice since you just saved yourself that! lol