Tech Help Need some Computer help

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NMsniper

Louise de La Valli?re
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
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Please note, I'm basically an idiot when it comes to computer parts so I would like some help knowing the basics of getting a new motherboard

My main problem is trying to find a motherboard that will fit an AM3+ processor and ddr3 that is also a micro ATX Case size and a PCI Express that will fit my 670 GTX Card

I'm not very computer savvy and thats currently all I know about what I need
What else should I look for when getting a new motherboard.

I found [ame="http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Micro-Motherboard-M5A78L-M-USB3/dp/B00DQO9L1Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1432351749&sr=1-1&keywords=micro+atx+motherboard+am3%2B"]Amazon.com: ASUS Micro ATX DDR3 2000 AMD AM3+ Motherboard M5A78L-M/USB3: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51788BBbpeL.@@AMEPARAM@@51788BBbpeL[/ame] and from what I can tell it will work, but is there anything im missing?

What additional details should I know about getting a new motherboard is my main question, and would that one work with what im needing.
 
Hey NMsniper, first off, welcome to a new learning experience. I always find that building your own system is such a fulfilling experience. With that said, lets get down to business.

One thing you need to understand is that AMD by default runs the Radeon video chipsets in their motherboards. There is a few motherboards that actually have nVidia chipsets built into them, but its not common for them to be put into a MicroATX format.

All you really have to do is install the GTX 670 video card and make sure you have a decent compatible power supply unit (most of us techies refer to this as simply psu for short). I have the exact same video card, so I know it takes 1-6 pin connector to help power it.

However, you didnt provide us with any more details. How many newer hardware products do you need to buy? Do you need to buy a compatible AM3+ cpu? Do you need DDR3 memory? Hard drive space as well?

Here is a motherboard that might work for your need as well: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128565

The following is a list that I ALWAYS put together to make sure that everyone needs to know in order to make sure that they have everything set to build a new system:
CPU
Memory
Motherboard (you already yours picked out, but I decided to give an additional choice)
Hard drive (solid state drive as an additional option if you can afford it)
Power supply
Case
Sound card (if you want to use 1 for better gaming experience)
Operating System
Keyboard & mouse
Monitor
 
Hey pillar, thanks so much for the help

I was simply planning to just swap out the motherboard that's in my current computer with this new one instead of fully building a computer from the ground up.

Going down your list, I have everything but the Motherboard. The cpu I got was this [ame="http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FD8320FRHKBOX-FX-8320-8-Core-Black/dp/B009O7YU56/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1431750271&sr=1-3&keywords=amd+fx+6300"]Amazon.com: AMD FD8320FRHKBOX FX-8320 FX-Series 8-Core Black Edition: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NIWpUdRzL.@@AMEPARAM@@51NIWpUdRzL[/ame]
The motherboard you sent me looks fine, but is there anything I need to check inside my computer to make sure that motherboard will work/connect to everything?
 
Well in that case, are you able to tell me what your current specs are? If you dunno, then feel free to download a software program called CPU-Z. Its a free program & all it does is tell you what your current cpu, mobo & memory is. Also tell me what your current hard drive space is & the power supply you currently have.

Also I would highly recommend wiping out any dust you may have in the case. How old is your current setup by chance?
 
pillar said:
Well in that case, are you able to tell me what your current specs are? If you dunno, then feel free to download a software program called CPU-Z. Its a free program & all it does is tell you what your current cpu, mobo & memory is. Also tell me what your current hard drive space is & the power supply you currently have.

Also I would highly recommend wiping out any dust you may have in the case. How old is your current setup by chance?
Click to expand...

My current cpu is an AMD A6-3650, mainboard is Pegatron Corp. 2acf and memory DDR3 8GB.

Current hard drive is 920 GB with 195 left, but i have a 2TB External with about a TB left.
The power supply I believe is 600 watts.

I bought the computer maybe 4 years ago, maybe more but have cleaned it once a year. I recently cleaned it about 2 days ago as well.
 
Just fyi, rule of thumb for a sleek moving desktop (especially gaming) is 1 core per 2gb of ram. My desktop is a quad core cpu w/ 8gb of memory. Seeing as how your choosing to go after an 8 core cpu, I would recommend going & doubling up on your memory. 8 core cpu w/ 8gb of memory is really gonna run sluggish. I know; i have a laptop that is a quad core w/ 4gb ram (it came standard that way) & my moms system is a dual core w/ 2gb of ram (i messed up on the ram & plan on fixing it soon).

Also use CPU-Z to find out what the bus speed is on your current memory. Im not sure if the old rule of thumb is still true, but the way it went was if you have 1 set of memory at ddr 400 & you buy a pair thats ddr 600 or higher, it will push the newer ram bus speed down to 400. Therefore, its always safe to check what the bus speed is & get the matching memory. So current popular set is ddr3 1600, but im thinking you may have ddr3 1333 (if its a factory made desktop).

Hope this helps.
 
I apologize but I'm a little confused about that part.

Lets say I go through with buying The motherboard you recomended. Should it be better to just buy two 8GBs of ram and plug them in there for the 16 GB?

Also the second paragraph I dont quite understand. the computer is a factory made desktop, but how can I tell the difference between a ddr3 1600 and ddr3 1333.

Currently the DRAM Frequency is at 798.5 if that's what you mean by bus speed.
 
Easiest way that I know of is to go through the BIOS and see what speed your RAM is set to. Otherwise, you could try removing the sticks directly and looking up the manufacturing number on them to find out what model/speed they are. CPU-Z will be great for you as it will also report your RAM speed as well.

What he's explaining in the 2nd paragraph is the importance of making sure you're RAM sticks are uniform. If they are not, a faster stick of RAM will downclock (slow) itself down to be consistent with the slower speed. So if you got a DDR3 1333 stick and a DDR3 1600 stick installed, the performance of the 1600 will be reduced to match the 1333 stick (which means 1333 MHz). At a minimum, it's recommended you use DDR3 1600 MHz sticks, which are also classified as PC3 12800.

As for your question: Yes, if you know you're going to use only up to 16GB of RAM, your best performance will be using dual 8GB of RAM. Buy them as a paired set for maximum efficiency and speed. I personally favor G.Skill at the moment, though Corsair XMS, Geil, Patriot, HyperX, and Crucial are a number of great RAM manufacturer's. If you're ever in doubt, figure out what kind of RAM you want (DDR3 1600MHz, 2x8GB) and you can sort the results by reviews or price.
 
I believe this will be my last question

on this motherboard you notice where it has the memory slots, it says 1333+. does this mean im only able to put in 1333 memory or am i able to also put in 1600?

Edit: 1600 works in a 1333+ but the motherboard only supports up to 1333 so it will only run at 1333.
 
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What it means by 1333+ is that it will support 1600 speeds but with an overclock. That\s something you will probably not do.

The difference between the two speeds is next to nothing in terms of performance.
 
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