I need a new motherboard for my computer?

Question

I was told I need a new motherboard for my computer a Gateway GT5228 Media Center Computer now I look all over the internet and they run between $220 and $280 and they say my computer case is
tricky to fit just any motherboard so if I wanted to buy a cheaper motherboard how do I know what motherboard to buy or should I just buy another computer case and just build one and if so how do you match the motherboard and cpu to the case

Answer 1

This Gateway GT5228 Media Center desktop computer?

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1009153/1009153nv.shtml

(Gateway.com/Support/Documents/ page)

Specifications page,

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1009153/1009153sp2.shtml



You have an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ processor.

This means it's a motherboard that supports AMD processors, and the Athlon dual core model.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_Athlon_64_X2_microprocessors#Athlon_64_X2



Yes, I'll bet it's 'Tricky'! Information I can find, indicates it's a BTX form factor motherboard.

The usual form factor for computers is an ATX form factor, or Micro-ATX form factor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard_form_factor



The BTX design, (Form Factor) places everything in a different spot, than the usual ATX, or Micro-ATX design. The I/O shield is in a different place, as well as (Usually, NOT always!) ,the power supply placement.

(I/O shield is the thin piece of metal in the back of the computer. It surrounds the I/O ports. I/O stands for Input/Output. Examples of I/O ports, are the keyboard, and mouse port)



I would buy a cheap computer case, and a decent motherboard that your Athlon 64 X2 4200+ processor will fit on. (And work!) Plus another power supply. You can reuse your ram. But if I were you, I wouldn't want to! Read on! (Yeah, I know! Almost another computer! You can reuse your optical drives! Sheesh! lol!)



Lucky you! AMD parts are cheaper than Intel parts!



Here is a couple of suggestions for a computer case, motherboard, and ram, plus power supply.



1.Case:

A.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=1847 Any of the cases from $50 to $80 bucks will do. Choice is yours. DO NOT trust the power supply's!!

Cases are okay, power supply's are NOT!



2.Motherboard:

B.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3581158&CatId=2320

The above is pretty close to your old motherboard, except it's not a BTX design. It's a piece of junk too! (No slam to you!)

C.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3939759&CatId=2320

Something like this, is a Whole lot better!



3.Ram:

D.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&sku=C13-2022

Recommend the above (2GB's of DDR2 at 800MHz), or this, (4GB's of DDR2 at 800MHz)

E.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3228139&sku=C13-6082



4.Power Supply:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276573&sku=ULT-LSP650

Answer 2

According to tiger direct that has a referbished GT5228 for sale, it has a ubtx motherboard. Yes, if that is your motherboard then it is going to be an accomplishment to find one... The thing is I built a complete system for a friend of my wife's and they gave me the old Gateway case and guts in the deal. It looks very similar from the back as the case I see on tiger direct, and they are listing 25 photos. I put an ASUS 690G board in that case, which is a micro ATX. I didn't look to see what the origional form factor the origional board was, I just bought it and threw it in.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186151 $50 shipped. This motherboard should fit in that case no problems. It is good to use an anti static strap, but two measures you can use. 1. Always have your hand or arm on the case while moving the motherboard. 2. Always move or handle the motherboard grasping the heatsinks, or the plastic sockets or slots to grasp onto. Never touch the board itself or its capacitors... I never use an anti static strap and always have my feet on carpet, but I use those two principals. Also keep the board in the anti static bag until your case is clear and ready to transfer the motherboard to it... I find it easier to remove the PSU before putting the motherboad in, so that cables and wires are out of my way while mounting. A good magnetic phillips head screw driver is also very handy in this process...

Get you some artic silver 5 for remounting your heatsink. Be sure to wipe off all the old thermal paste using alcohol, cotton swabs and qtips. I would clean off the die of the cpu while it is in the old motherboard, after removing the heatsink. You want to remove the heatsink with a slight twist motion to break the thermal paste loose. Do not pull right off. From my experience if you pull it strait off, it will pull the CPU right out of the socket, which isn't good and might pull or damage the pins. So unlock the heatsink from the motherboard mount and then twist it clockwise or counter clockwise, feel it break loose then ease one side up off the CPU... Just leave the CPU in the old motherboard until you have the new motherboard mounted where you want it in the case. Then take the CPU out of the old motherboard and strait to the new socket where it is going to live the next eternity... You want to just put a drop at a time of Artic Silver 5 and smooth it out, with a good thin layer using a credit card or utility knife blade, just spread it like butter. You might have to put another dab or so to get a good coating...

If you are happy with your computer the way it is, then just go with the motherboard routine, if you would like more performance buy another processor after you get this board in... As you know there are better performance motherboards out there, but you will have to get a case that will accept a ATX board, you can get one for as little as $40 on newegg. Email me if you have any questions...

Answer 3

check out tiger direct they may have what you are looking for there and at a price you can afford