Replace-(Upgrading?) my Computer

EINREB

Member
I have a home brew Computer using a MSI 760-P25 (FX) MoBo, with an AMD FX 4-Core 4100 , 3.6GHz processor chip that I like to replace. There is something funny going on with this MoBo, it has given me problems over the years and I like to replace it without having to buy new parts. (Problems: Refusing to boot, not detecting SATA components and USB sticks, refusing to run programs that always ran OK. I have sent it back twice over the years I had it, but it never ran right.) I use it mainly for the Internet with Windows 7 or 10, assembling PICAXE and Arduino programs, and editing an occasional Movie Using Pinnacle 9. No games of any kind, no streaming TV. (although I might want it for the future). The board can be older, because I like to have an genuine RS232 port, even an LPT port if I can get it. (No USB equivalents, those always give me hartaches. ) Also, I like plenty of USB ports, with 2 in the front, preferbly can use my FX processor, and a board that includes a manual and a drivers CD to ease the setup. And all that for less than $100 (?). Any comments, recommendations anyone?
 
So you want a new motherboard basically?

Does your existing board have an RS232 port? I think you might have fun finding a board that works with your CPU and has one!
 
What kind of issues have you been having with USB adapters? PuTTY usually dies hard for me but TeraTerm is solid when using the same USB adapter.

If you live near a micro center you can bundle a 8320E and a board for $125-130, which would be a significant upgrade over the 4100.
 
If you live near a micro center you can bundle a 8320E and a board for $125-130, which would be a significant upgrade over the 4100.
I am interested. What do you mean with this remark? Can I order it on-line?

@spirit - Yes, I want a new MoBo, and yes, the present one has an RS232 port. (I need the RS232 feature in one form or another to be able to program the PICAXE, BASIC and Arduino chips.). OK, the new board does not have to have one, but it simplifies things.
Incidentally, I don't get it. The RS232 port was declared obsolete many years ago, and yet, many programs still use it extensively. And then they advice you to use an USB compatible device, which requires separate drivers (which sometimes do not work for the hardware you have) to operate. Why not just bring the RS232 back and get away from all the USB hassle and keep something that has proven to work well and still is being used? Just for the sake of updating?
 
OK what motherboard do you have now then? Just get another one of those.

It looks like the ASUS M5A78L-M LX V2 has an RS232 port and is an AM3+ board which should work with your CPU. That particular board is no longer in production so you might need to look on eBay and find one second hand or something. There's a few on eBay now.
 
If you used an adapter you could get a better motherboard than that ASUS, for example you could get a Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128627

Is your case ATX or mATX?

It is an ATX

I am on a tight budget, and would like to replace just the MoBo and re-use the components, have 4GB DDR3 memory, 1TB SATA drive and FX 4100, which is fast enough for my needs. The above Gigabyte board fits the bill if it accepts the FX 4100

I looked at the 8320E, but that is more than I need and want to spend.

You can buy serial rs232 ports and use them. In fact I had to get one for a client that needed one and it works for their application.

Needs to have a pci slot though.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/417092/UGT-PC10SR_1-Port_Serial_(RS-232)_PCI_Host_Card

Also make pci express ones as well.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/417096/UGT-PCE10SR_1-Port_Serial_(RS-232)_PCIe_Host_Card

Thanks johnb35 - I got a Quatech 2-Port PCI board just for that purpose but did not use it on this board since it came with a RS port.
 
I have a home brew Computer using a MSI 760-P25 (FX)

Not finding anything on this model of board, did you post the correct model number?

Looks like newegg has a few boards that you could get.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625 600008414 4814&IsNodeId=1

With this MSI board the only one having Sata 3 ports.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130722

This asrock board has the serial port included.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157366
 
Not finding anything on this model of board, did you post the correct model number?

This particular board is a 760GM-P23(FX) out of a family of 760GM-P(21-23-25) series of boards, using the Mainboard MS-7041.
(That is from the User Guide, that came with the board.)

With the troubles I had with the MSI board, I like to stay away from them.
Do you know of any boards that take DDR3 memory and a FX 4100 processor? It does not have to be new, as long as it comes with the drivers CD and a manual to find the location of the connectors.
 
Do you know of any boards that take DDR3 memory and a FX 4100 processor?
Pretty much anything AM3+. I'd get at least a board that has the 970 chipset. Not sure WTF happened to AMD boards lately but it looks like you'd be swinging around $70 for a replacement. Usually you can nab an open box or similar from micro center around the 25-30 range :P

I am interested. What do you mean with this remark? Can I order it on-line?
http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/amd_bundles.aspx
 
I currently have an Asus m5A97 R2.0 that has an AM3+ socket (for fx processors up to the fx 8370) and I'm quite happy with it.
 
UPDATE--------@spirit ---Ordered the Gigabyte GA-970-DS3P R Board and received it. Turned out that I did not read the specs correctly, and I had to return it. It did not come with a build-in VGA or DMI display adaptor, and I need a separate display card to use it. (Which I do not have). Did not know that it even was possible, thought that every MoBo nowadays came with one. (Looks like the old days, where everything was on separate cards.)
Have to look now at the specs more carefully, I need a MoBo that has a build in VGA display and can use my AMD3 Atheon II processor. (Not a FX one, if possible. I have this one laying around.)
 
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