Member Avatar for alijayadv

sense my old motherboard fryed im headed to frys today to get a new one. I dont know much about motherboards and was planning on getting something like the 750i.
I would much apperciate suggestions

duo core 2.13
gtx 260
4gb ram

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Quick clarification for : the MSI 880GMA link that posted is an AMD (AM3) board — is correct that it will not accept an Intel Core 2 Duo. The immediate goals when replacing a fried motherboard are: match the CPU socket and memory type, make sure the board provides a proper PCIe x16 slot for the GTX 260, and confirm BIOS support for your exact CPU.

Things to check before buying (at Fry's or used):

  • Confirm the CPU socket (older Core 2 Duo systems use LGA775). See LGA 775 (Wikipedia).
  • Match RAM type (DDR2 vs DDR3) — the wrong board won’t accept your sticks.
  • PCIe layout: at least one full PCIe x16 slot for the GTX 260; choose a board with SLI support only if you plan a second card.
  • BIOS CPU support: if buying used, verify the board’s CPU support list or that the vendor will update BIOS for you.
  • Power and connectors: 24-pin + 4/8-pin CPU power, and enough SATA ports for drives.
  • Board quality: look for solid VRMs and good capacitors on older boards (avoids instability).

Quick troubleshooting steps in case the new board also has problems:

  • Test PSU first (a failed PSU commonly takes a board with it). A PSU guide can help diagnose this:
  • Try a minimal boot (CPU + 1 stick RAM + GPU) to isolate faults.
  • Inspect for blown/bulging capacitors or burn marks on the old board.
  • If possible, bring the CPU and GPU when buying so you can confirm POST briefly in the store.

Short model guidance: for stability on LGA775, reliable picks historically were P45/P35-based boards (ASUS P5Q / Gigabyte EP45 lines) or NVIDIA nForce boards if SLI is required. If planning a meaningful upgrade later, consider saving for a modern platform (new socket and CPU) rather than investing in aging LGA775 hardware.

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Member Avatar for crunchie

Thats really good benmar :icon_rolleyes:

The motherboard you linked to is an AMD model. The OP wants a board for his Intel processor.

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