[Sking0]

From what i just read i would need to get an 'Equivalent' motherboard in order to use my existing windows.

However Motherboards often run out of supply stock well before warranties expire and faulty boards require replacing. This is from Microsoft.

"Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty."

So i would have to hope they are going to play ball nicely.

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I would contact Microsoft before making any purchase as they will most likely afford you the same good will gesture and wave the MB brand reference.

A site that you can tweak products and stick with ASRock if you wish http://www.powerc.co...n68-am-plus-bnd

[phillpower2]

I would contact Microsoft before making any purchase as they will most likely afford you the same good will gesture and wave the MB brand reference.

A site that you can tweak products and stick with ASRock if you wish http://www.powerc.co...n68-am-plus-bnd

[Sking0]

I am assuming my vid card is busted too, i wouldn't mind this one http://www.amazon.co...82271511&sr=1-3

Just wondering about the PSU. I saw someone say 550watts would be minimum. Seeing as i have 600w i guess i would be pushing the PSU? Really don't want to have to get a new PSU as well. But i do like a nice video card.

[Sking0]

Been trying to compare the AMD X2 270 3.4GHz Dual Core processor against my phenom, that link you gave me to the ASRock bundle seems a good price.

Less power consumption i think anyway.

This seems to be as good if not better than my old one... http://www.bit-tech....850-1gb-review/

Saw this too... http://www.ebay.co.u...l-/140988268975

Don't know whether 6 core is a bit ott and i would have to bung £30 on top for RAM. But price wise this and the bundle from Amazon i posted are pretty much the same.

Edited by Sking0, 20 October 2013 - 10:06 AM.

[phillpower2]

I am assuming my vid card is busted too, i wouldn't mind this one http://www.amazon.co...82271511&sr=1-3
Good card for the price just a pity that it is only 128-bit

Just wondering about the PSU. I saw someone say 550watts would be minimum. Seeing as i have 600w i guess i would be pushing the PSU? Really don't want to have to get a new PSU as well. But i do like a nice video card.

I get 400W, seeHere

Been trying to compare the AMD X2 270 3.4GHz Dual Core processor against my phenom, that link you gave me to the ASRock bundle seems a good price.

Less power consumption i think anyway.
That was only an example that I provided and going for a quad core would be my suggestion as you will be ready for the more demanding games of the future.

Tip
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[Sking0]

I just rang Microsoft and they told me i need to install the new motherboard then give them a ring, he said i won't have to buy a new license.
I would like to go with this http://www.ebay.co.u...l-/140988268975 if that is possible and this http://www.bit-tech....850-1gb-review/

I went to some site called partpicker just now and it told me they were compatible. I am going to have the PSU tested tomorrow.
Can you think of any reason that this would not be a good choice?

Edited by Sking0, 21 October 2013 - 01:50 PM.

[phillpower2]

The bundle is a good buy but one thing that I note is that the MB is the mATX size which can sometimes be a bit tight for space, please see my canned text below;

Please note that before purchasing an add on video card that the following must be considered;
Is the present PSU (power supply unit) powerful enough or will it also need upgrading. Your PSU is fine
What type of case do you have, full tower, mid tower or SFF (small form factor) this is important as you must make sure that there is enough room inside the case for the upgrade/s, upgrading a SFF type system can be difficult as they often use propriety components such as smaller and differing shape PSUs and they only have enough room inside the case for a low profile type add on card.

Will your case accommodate a mATX sized MB - are there stand off mounting threads available for a smaller MB as the present ASRock MB is the larger ATX size and so will have additional stand offs present, some may need to be removed to avoid shorting out the new MB.

GPU

[Sking0]

My tower size is 430mm(h) x 180mm(w) x 470mm(d).
I am presuming that form factor is board size here? ATX Form Factor: 12.0-in x 8.4-in, 30.5 cm x 21.3 cm. This is my old MB.
The new one is Form Factor Width 24.4 cm Length 24.4 cm.

Edited by Sking0, 22 October 2013 - 09:40 AM.

[phillpower2]

Where the MB and case are concerned it is not about the size of your case but the location of the stand offs that the MB fixes to.

Check out the attachment below which shows where the screw holes are in the proposed new MB, compare them with the stand offs in your case.

Good news on the OS BTW, as I said Microsoft are in my opinion very fair with genuine people.

[Sking0]

Looks pretty much the same.

[phillpower2]

All good then

[Sking0]

There was one thing. I am not sure if the vid card is busted. I tried it in my daughters pc and she got the 'No video Signal' message, so i am assuming it is busted. When i get this set up would it be a bad idea to put it in the new MB and see if it is definitely gone or could that do some damage in some way?
I am ordering a new card anyway and if i could get a few £'s for the old one that would kind of cushion the blow.
Apart from that, Thanks for the advice. Learned a lot in the past few days. Probably be back with some tech issue or other on the 'replacements'

[phillpower2]

I would not risk trying the card in the new MB, possible causes of the cards failure may include it shorting or being shorted out and if that is the case it could ruin the new MB + the CPU and Ram etc

You are welcome BTW and please feel free to ask as many questions as you feel that you need to

[Sking0]

Do you know if there is any way to test/check that Video card? It is a good card and i would hate to bin it never knowing if it was faulty or not. I am pretty sure it is but there is a small element of doubt lurking.

[phillpower2]

Sorry but other than trying the card in another computer which you have done I know of no other way, see if a local tech store will test it for you, some will do this for free, some will charge a fee and some will not test it in case it damages their computer.