Hello,
Have you tried to flash your bios to the newest version? From the number of MSI boards I have dealt with they allways gave me trouble until updated the bios.
Since you swapped the ram for a known good set I really doubt the ram is the issue. The CPU could be bad but I think it is...
A "channel" is a another name for a speaker. A six channel system = six speakers. Dolby Digital 5.1 is a 6 channel system (Center speaker, L front, R front, L rear, R rear, subwoofer).Typically on board sound does not perform as well as a sound card but most people would be happy. As long as you...
Here is an article how to install a new MB without reeinstalling the OS. I have never installed a motherboard without reeinstalling the OS but I may try next time I upgrade my MB.
http://scottiestech.info/2010/03/17/upgrade-your-motherboard-without-reinstalling-your-os/
It is all about choice. If you do not want to pay out $2,000 just get something affordable. There is nothing wrong spending more if the product is worthy of the investment.
If the DRM is too difficult to bear, just don't buy it. There is plenty of software and games out there to buy or download that has acceptable protections.
Shadowssong wrote
The answer is I would not get too much of a change in performance. I am tempted to go to the 955/965 C3 stepping because of its lower power use, ram spec increase to ddr1333 (I have ddr1600 installed) and greater overclocking potential.