Replacing 775 MB, need advice

T

Teitoku

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 5, 2003
Messages
346
Hi,

I want to replace my troublesome Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L due to ongoing northbridge issues. The rest of the hardware linked to it is a Q6600, a half-length 650Ti, and 2 x 2GB DDR 1066. HSF is a big honking Xigmatek SD1283. Bought all this stuff off from a seller that no longer carries 775 supplies.

My only needs are stability & the ability to fit my existing hardware on the board. I'm somewhat interested in keeping full compatibility with my existing Windows install, so I assume I need another P45 board to prevent needing to re-install the OS... is that even correct? If necessary, I can re-install everything (as I'll likely be getting a new HDD too).

So... what should I be looking for at this late date, and where? I see a TON of sellers on ebay with ASUS P5Q boards, but 90% of them are identical Chinese listings. Are these sellers trustworthy? Are these refurbs, factory-direct, or just cheap knock-offs?
 
Unless you replace it with the same exact model, I would run sysprep in
C:\windows\System32\sysprep
and choose the "Generalize" option. This is in Windows 7.

Not sure if 8/8.1 is in the same location as I have not used it for 8/8.1.

For XP it is a separate download I believe and is not as simple.

That way, it will redetect all hardware the next time you boot, so do it right before you replace the motherboard.
 
I have one of these. (Comes with free CPU to).

Only issue you MIGHT run into is RAM compatibility.. Intel boards a bit weird about it.

It also has AHCI (I guess some boards of that era dont?).. so it'll work with an SSD fine (I used my Intel 335 on it for a while).
 
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Private_Ops said:
I have one of these. (Comes with free CPU to).

Only issue you MIGHT run into is RAM compatibility.. Intel boards a bit weird about it.

It also has AHCI (I guess some boards of that era dont?).. so it'll work with an SSD fine (I used my Intel 335 on it for a while).
Click to expand...

Nice find!
 
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Awesome, two pieces of great advice so far.
I will certainly attempt sysprep (Win7/64), and that mobo/cpu combo is very tempting. If I go for that, I might pick up two & replace my barton-core Athlon at the same time.
 
I am not saying you shouldn't, but I have switched boards out with similar hardware without doing any prep work. I personally did not have any issues, but that doesn't mean it will work for everybody.
 
If you're moving from any intel 775 chipset to another intel 775 chipset, make sure you're in the same drive mode (AHCI, IDE, RAID) and it will just work 99% of the time.
 
The last time I looked, jane-motherboard on eBay had New listings for the Asus P5Q.

I have one (the regular Asus P5Q) and it worked well the first time I turned it on. (I don't recall who the seller was on eBay.)
 
I have a EP45-UD3R that has been rock solid for over 5 years.
They come up for sale on ebay here and there.
It certainly does not have any northbridge issues.
 
coolpurplefan said:
I have one (the regular Asus P5Q) and it worked well the first time I turned it on. (I don't recall who the seller was on eBay.)
Click to expand...

I'm concerned about ASUS and their RAM compatibility lists. My current RAM isn't on their list. However, a similar part is on the list (I have F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK, they list F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK). Could I expect this to work? Or should I just grab that $40 intel board and forget OCing this setup?
 
Teitoku said:
I'm concerned about ASUS and their RAM compatibility lists. My current RAM isn't on their list. However, a similar part is on the list (I have F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK, they list F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK). Could I expect this to work? Or should I just grab that $40 intel board and forget OCing this setup?
Click to expand...

I find ram lists are more like guidelines. Try it, it'll probably work fine.
 
Teitoku said:
I'm concerned about ASUS and their RAM compatibility lists. My current RAM isn't on their list. However, a similar part is on the list (I have F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK, they list F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK). Could I expect this to work? Or should I just grab that $40 intel board and forget OCing this setup?
Click to expand...

I looked at Newegg reviews and saw messages that G.Skill worked. (I'll try to look for the model number.)
 
OK, the model number that worked with my Asus P5Q is F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK. HOWEVER, I saw new Asus P5Q SE and Asus P5Q Turbo on eBay, not the P5Q. You could always try finding Newegg reviews for RAM or maybe try searching for the regular Asus P5Q. (That RAM might be a little difficult to find right now.)
 
IIRC the biggest obstacle is ensuring memory is 1.8 volt.JEDP for boot up. After boot you are able to make some adjustments.
 
If OCing is not something you have to do,you could go with a g41 cheapy from ebay..usually around $35-$40 ..maybe even make the move to ddr3 while you're at it..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Foxconn-G41...280912757?pt=Motherboards&hash=item23390b8975

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motherboards-/1244/i.html?_from=R40&_sop=15&_nkw=g41+motherboard

But bang for buck would be this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIOSTAR-TP4...294841599?pt=Motherboards&hash=item417e7aa6ff

Tpowah!

Biostar uses better VRMs and inductors than most other companies...and I do mean most..on most boards.
 
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schmuckley said:
If OCing is not something you have to do,you could go with a g41 cheapy from ebay..usually around $35-$40 ..maybe even make the move to ddr3 while you're at it...

But bang for buck would be this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIOSTAR-TP4...294841599?pt=Motherboards&hash=item417e7aa6ff
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips! I'm sorry that I'm still dragging this out, but I haven't decided what I'm going to buy, and it's been delayed by car repairs. Not that giving attention to which parts you buy appears to make any difference, in my experience... :(

Actually, I would like to be able to OC if it's an option. I used to be able to OC with my Gigabyte board, but gave it up when the NB started acting up.

Biostar board looks and sounds decent. Haven't owned a Biostar since 2001. Do you have any experience with this particular board, and any idea if that's a trustworthy seller?
edit: nevermind on that Biostar board, CPU mounts too high up on the board to fit in my case. CPU mounts need to be about 1" south of the highest MB mount hole... but I'll worry about that myself when looking at suggestions.
 
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Well, I won an auction for a used ASUS P5Q Pro (and CPU that I'll probably sell). I hope it works out... I really hate swapping motherboards. Now to dig up the install/remove instructions for my giant HSF.
 
Teitoku said:
Hi,

I want to replace my troublesome Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L due to ongoing northbridge issues. The rest of the hardware linked to it is a Q6600, a half-length 650Ti, and 2 x 2GB DDR 1066. HSF is a big honking Xigmatek SD1283. Bought all this stuff off from a seller that no longer carries 775 supplies.

My only needs are stability & the ability to fit my existing hardware on the board. I'm somewhat interested in keeping full compatibility with my existing Windows install, so I assume I need another P45 board to prevent needing to re-install the OS... is that even correct? If necessary, I can re-install everything (as I'll likely be getting a new HDD too).

So... what should I be looking for at this late date, and where? I see a TON of sellers on ebay with ASUS P5Q boards, but 90% of them are identical Chinese listings. Are these sellers trustworthy? Are these refurbs, factory-direct, or just cheap knock-offs?
Click to expand...

I took a hard drive that was in a completely other rig with a p5q deluxe mobo... and put it in a maximus iv extreme i7 machine and it booted up didnt have to install windows nothing it automatically downloaded all the drivers.

i was bemused that worked. i was going to install windows before everything went better than expected and it actually booted to hte desktop
 
cyberjihad said:
I took a hard drive that was in a completely other rig with a p5q deluxe mobo... and put it in a maximus iv extreme i7 machine and it booted up didnt have to install windows nothing it automatically downloaded all the drivers.
Click to expand...

Crossing my fingers that my past HDD troubles were due to this faulty board, and not the hard drives themselves. My P5Q Pro was supposed to be delivered today, but the ******* local post office made no effort to deliver it; just left a slip saying to come pick it up at the post office tomorrow.
 
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