BleepingComputer.com: New motherboard for HP Pavilion a1410n

So after a long period of confirming that I need to badly upgrade my computer, I'm trying to find a new motherboard for it.
Originally, all I was trying to find was a new processor, however my motherboard being an Asus A8N-LA, the port for a processor is LONG outdated, so I'd need a new motherboard itself in order to get something more high end.
The computer model itself is an HP Pavilion a11410n, Windows XP Media Center edition. Been trying to find a new motherboard that would work, as I've said, but I need some help figuring out what I should get. Can anyone lend a hand?

Well...how much money do you want to spend (max)? And indication of this will dictate what some will suggest.

Do you have any bias for/against Intel/AMD processors?

Do you intend to get a new power supply?

You will probably have to purchase new RAM/memory...but the cost of such is relatively cheap these days.

Also...there are combination motherboard/CPU/RAM combinations available.

There are also combinations that provide a new case and PSU...making your hard drive and optical drive the only items which will need to move from what you have...to what is possible.

Current system specs: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documen...cname=c00607954

Louis

As far as money goes, I'd prefer anything around $200, but honestly a few suggestions around that range, and around what would be a good choice that would last longer, as far as needing to upgrade.

I'd prefer AMD processors, since that's the one currently in my computer at the moment, and it would probably be better to leave it as a procssor made by the same company.

If need be I will get a new power supply, unless my current one will suffice.

Memory as well, if I need it, unless the current memory I have can be used again.

As far as combinations go with the motherboard/CPU/RAM, I'd rather just find a new mother board with a better processor, even a dual core would be an improvement since mine is only a single core processor. Really I'd like to go a way that would only require me getting the motherboard, and if need be a new power supply, memory, and most likely more fans. I'd like to be able to keep the hard drive, video and sound card, and such. Otherwise I'd just buy a new computer.

Worth a look, IMO:

http://www.pcdirectsource.com/Item.cfm?ID=1964

http://www.pcdirectsource.com/Item.cfm?ID=2463

You don't need to generally worry about NIC, sound, video, USB...those are often onboard functions (if not always), provided by the motherboard.

Louis

True, though I'd like to be able to keep my old card, since it works pretty well already, though I should have mentioned it needs a PCI express slot. Though both have that, I think the second one looks best, as far as memory and such. This is a media center rig, so obviously not the best for gaming, and I'm trying to upgrade it so that it can run the games coming out for PC (Like World at War, which doesn't run at all, Fallout 3, which has lots of crashing, etc). Second one you linked to I'm liking, since it meets most minimum requirements, but any motherboard suggestions good for gaming computers would be nice as well, any price.
Also the two you linked to are dual cores, correct?

Yes, the X2 signifies dual-core.

There are a few basic links for getting ideas about components, IMO:

www.pricewatch.com

www.newegg.com (not much for older parts)

www.tigerdirect.com

www.bizrate.com

And the place I linked to doesn't seem bad.

Louis

Ah, thanks for the links.
Yeah I think I've got a good motherboard, though any other suggestions with quad-core processors would be helpful, I've found some but, iffy about it.
Only other problem is the power supply. I don't know if the motherboard I'm leaning to would work with my power supply, and I can't seem to figure out what my power supply is, or what it's compatible with.

I'm not sure what you think $200 buys when one is talking about newer computer parts...but you can do price checks on such at the sites I mentioned.

Louis

Have been, ended up deciding with this motherboard, the one you linked to before:

http://www.pcdirectsource.com/Item.cfm?ID=2463

I've decided as for a processor, such as a tri- or quad-core, I'll get at another date, a dual core processor is fine for now, still an improvement. Since my current is only a single core, a dual would be better. Obviously no memory with it, but I'm getting two 2 GB cards since my current memory isn't compatible. No operating system either, but I have disks for Windows XP. Though since I'm reusing the hard drive I don't think I'll need them, but never know. Everything is settled, the only problem now is trying to figure out if I need a new power supply or not, since I'm using this: http://www.cputopia.com/hp-480w-hp-pavilion-a1410n.html but can't figure out if the card I want to get will work with it. Other than that, I think I'm set.

Sounds like a good decision .

I have two AMD older X2 systems (Athlon 64 X2 4400 and Athlon 64 X2 5000) and I've been trying to think of a reason why I need to buy a newer motherboard/CPU combo...I've not thought of a good reason yet , these work just fine for the things I do (surf, email, video-editing, graphics-editing, burning CDs, etc.), all mundane tasks which are easily executed by the systems.

I don't game, so I don't spend time trying to buy this and that...to be able to play this and that.

RAM is cheap, I would maximize the RAM to whatever the board supports, be it 2 or 4GB. I have 4GB with XP Home 32-bit in each of my systems.

Re the power supply...that PSU is dated and limited in terms of connections...I'd spring for something like http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...3&CatId=106

I've had several Ultra PSUs (including the one depicted) and I have confidence in them. The lifetime warranty is a good feature, just in case.

Good luck !

Louis

Lifetime warranty would be good, indeed, was planning on going for it.
I'll go with the power supply you linked too, looks compatible with the board. With all that solved, I can now get what I need. Thanks for the help with this

We...all the members/visitors here who try to provide such...like to help, happy computing .

Louis