Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe Dead - Cheap Replacement? Upgrade?

[guyjim]

Hi guys,

In a quandry and could do with some advice please.

My Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard recently died on me (primary PCI-E graphics socket not working, PCI slot not working, SATA channel not working) suddenly.

So I am in the market for a cheap replacement motherboard. Currently considering Asrock N68C-S

Is this motherboard OK? I know it will not quite be as fancy as the Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe but I'm on a budget.

I have not kept up to date with recent years of PC hardware.. my current system has an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+, 2GB (2 x 1GB) of Corsair XMS2-6400 DDR2 RAM, Soundblaster X-Fi, Palit Geforce GF9500GT 1GB Graphics Card etc..

May upgrade CPU and RAM, any suggestions? Could do with some more RAM.. and a better CPU would be great.. I have read about CPUs that now come with multiple cores, some disabled and this Asrock board can enable the disabled cores?

It is all a bit confusing

Thank you in advance,
G_J.

[guyjim]

Re: Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe Dead - Cheap Replacement? Upgrade?

I'm also looking at Gigabyte GA-M68M-S2P.. which is a very similar price to the Asrock but possibly more reliable?

I'm no longer a hardcore PC gamer.. btw..

Cheers,
GJ

[yyonline]

Re: Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe Dead - Cheap Replacement? Upgrade?

I've had success unlocking the disabled cores on AMD cpus. Keep in mind the disabled cores may have failed testing, hence why they're disabled. Be sure to run extensive stability tests if you do unlock them.

Also shameless plug - I have a used, fully working Asrock AliveNF7G-FullHD board for sale in the buying and selling forum. Recapped already with good capacitors. I've been trying to get rid of it for months - PM me if interested.

Edit: If you're going new - the Gigabyte will likely have more reliable capacitors than the new AsRock. Otherwise the two boards should peform similarly as they're the same chipset.

[guyjim]

Re: Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe Dead - Cheap Replacement? Upgrade?

Hi yyonline,

Thank you for your most helpful advice and I would love to buy your Asrock motherboard but unfortunately I am located within Europe, so shipping would be at a prohibitive cost.

I'll get the Gigabyte, and perhaps another piece of hardware or two, undecided as yet

Thanks again!
GJ