recent tstorm toasted my mobo!! Need Help with New PC

[gstylez]

Recent thunderstorm that can came thru here seem to have fried my mobo to paperweight, It boots to BIOS and sometimes it doesnt and it even makes it to windows but hangs after a few mins.

After decoding the beeps to a mobo related error I am now in the market for a new desktop. I have been out of the PC loop for the last 3-4 years since my last build but here are the specs i had. :mad:


AMD 4000 x2
2 GB RAM
ATI 18OOXL
250GBHDD
ASUS A8N-E

I no longer game so I would love to salvage the video card from this build even though I know it is quite old. My budget is about 600-700 taxes included and dont really care where I buy it from as long as its a reputable seller etc. Will just be using it for casual gaming and watching movies etc.(CS source)

Looking for a desktop package preferably quadcore but would go x3 route depending on bang for buck as im always looking for longevity.

I would love to buy the parts knowing it will save me $$$ but really prefer to walk in to a store buy it and bring it home and not worry about putting the freaking together.

Also what is the best way to retrieve date on my old HDD? I was thinking of buying a hdd enclosure and retrieve that way? Or should I boot from that HDD when I get a new comp and do it that way?


Thanks for all the help in advance!

Oh and most importantly someone recommend me a surge protector! hahahaha:lol:

[silentio]

Start off the list with an APC ups. Would have saved u alot of money had you used one.

[gstylez]

^^^^^

yes good advice...too bad its after the fact....

[terrybear]

My guess is you could probly get away with a Phenom II X4 955 or if you waint till aug 965 black edition cpu on a AM3 DDR3 based AMD 790GX with 4 gigs of DDR3 ram, probly a 1 tb wd cavier black sata hard drive Or something simular used. :)

[rei]

Get a $349 Dell Vostro 220 and put in a Radeon HD4670 (~$80) would be my suggestion for least hassle. Buy the Windows 7 Upgrade for $65 today if you still can. Buy an APC UPS 350-500VA when it goes on sale for ~$40+.

[gstylez]

thanks tbear! i'll look into it on dell!

[silentio]

The thing with UPSes is that if you dont care about how long your computer stays on after the power goes out, then you can buy the cheapest UPS and use that just for electrical protection for your pc.

Mine only stays on for 2.5 mins, but I dont have anything pressing that needs to be done if Ontario Hydro cuts me off :cheesygri

[saltyvinegar]

Finish off that new computer purchase with a good surge protector or UPS.

[Oversized Rooster]

There is no need for a UPS. A good surge protector will do the job just fine. Come on guys, we aren't running mission critical data centers here - there is no "need" to continue operating a PC after the power goes out. Your internet is gonna go down anyway too so what are you going to do with your PC even if you do get it to stay on? :lol: Maybe a game of offline Solitaire? :cheesygri Or perhaps you just LOVE the log-off sound that Windows makes so much that you still want to hear it while your neighbor is in the dark? Hehehehehe