Older gaming desktop, motherboard broken. Any options?

B

Bax

New Member
Hi all.

I bought a custom built desktop that was done in 2010. I had problems with it crashing/not starting for as long as I can remember, but now it's gotten to the point where it's practically unusable.

I've got very little knowledge with these things but I'm pretty sure it's related to the motherboard: It beeps repeatedly on power up and takes a long time to begin booting if it boots at all. I vaguely remember them saying something something about it when I got it looked at as well; There was nothing they could do to fix it other than reinstalling windows and recovering my data. Also it crashes often.

So what's my best course of action here if I want a computer that can run a reasonable number of 3D games on the mid to lower graphics settings?

For an idea of what I'm after, I've played games like arma 3 on my old computer; These were its minimum specs:

Processor: Intel Dual-Core 2.4 GHz or AMD Dual-Core Athlon 2.5 GHz
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT or AMD Radeon HD 3830 or Intel HD Graphics 4000 with 512 MB VRAM

I've heard that since it's so old, there probably isn't any motherboard that's compatible with the system. So what's my best coarse of action from here? Should I just throw out the whole thing along with all the other functional components and buy a new system? Are any of the individual components from 2010 worth trying to sell? Or is there some way I would be able to replace the motherboard?

I really don't know much about hardware. In the tower there's some kind of driver that says Radeon HD 5770 and the motherboard manual says GA-MA790FXT-UD5P on the cover.

If anyone can give advise it would be greatly appreciated.
 
e: I wrote some other questions originally but I think I've figured it out.

Thanks for the help.
 
Well, you already have ddr3 ram but you'll need more and its better to get matching sticks then mix brands of ram. Depending on original tower, you may be able to reuse it. Also any existing hard drive or dvd drives could be reused. That list is all the parts you need. Unless you want an aftermarket cpu cooler.

The 5770 video is decent and if it performs ok for you then it may be ok. The 750ti if a little bit better then the 5770.
 
Open the case, remove the heatsink, it should say what the CPU is.
I guess your existing CPU is a AMD Phenom II?
To keep the bill down, you can try getting the gigabyte motherboard Johnb35 recommended and re-use everything else if you are sure motherboard causing the problem.

GPU - if you already got 5770, I suggest you look at something like GTX 960. I am not sure if it really worth upgrade from 5770 to GTX 750ti.

BTW, what is your existing PSU?
 
You'll have to forgive my lack of experience but I've just found out that ESD is a thing. I'm wondering if that's what messed it up in the first place. I don't really want to mess with the heatsink until I can find the time to take proper precautions and read the instructions on how to remove it.

If I've read what the PSU is correctly it says: "litepower 600, model LP-600AL2NH"

Having gone to all this effort I'm reconsidering whether I need a gaming computer anymore. I bought the original at a time where I was less careful with money. I might have a practical use for 3D programs like blender though.

I think what I might do is take the time to read up on this topic as much as possible so I can be sure of what I'm doing and maybe look into another system in the future if I need it.

I appreciate the time people have put into helping me. It's made my options a lot clearer.
 
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