Hi,

PCTV is dead. I have done all of the usual testing and determined that the problem is either the CPU or Motherboard.

The Motherboard is an Asus MN2-MX and the CPU is an AMD Sempron.

I am looking for a replacement board and processor. Obviously the cheaper the better, but it must be powerful enough to play Blu-Ray discs.

I've already got the graphics card, an ATI 7640, (I think) so HDMI output is not a problem, and I have the Audigy sound card, which has 5.1 surround, and I have a decent looking case, but I am getting a headache from looking through the MicroDirect/Aria/Scan websites and trying to figure out what the best combo is as far as "bang for my buck" is concerned.

Any pointers please?

Thanks

Thinking about it, I'll probably need some memory to put in the new board as well. 1GB of DDR2 RAM is probably not going to be a lot of use...

I forgot to mention that I am also alright for hard drives and optical drives, so it is just a CPU, motherboard and some memory that I'm after.

OK, so I've found the following items at Aria, and unless anyone has any better ideas will probably go and get them later on today:

Intel Pentium E5700 3.0GHz (Socket 775) Processor - Retail - £44.40

MSI G41M-P28 Intel G41 (Socket 775) DDR3 PCI-Express Micro-ATX Motherboard - £31.30

8GB Corsair XMS3 (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz 1.5v Dual Channel Kit - CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 - £35.75

All prices inclde VAT.

Whatcha think guys?

That should do it.


If you've got £50 extra to spend you could go for an i3 & related board which would be a lot faster.

For £15 more you could go with a newer CPU architecture and faster RAM (from Overclockers including VAT)

Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £47.99

MSI H61M-E33 Intel H61 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard **B3 REVISION** £46.99

Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £31.19

DOH!

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Only problem is that since Mrs. V. had told me to buy them today online stores were out of the question, (I think she's expecting me to build it tonight).

Having said that... once she sees how good this PCTV is I'm sure she'll ask me to build one for the bedroom, so I can use your suggestions then.

Thanks again

My £50 extra plan was from Aria

Hmmm... I did have a look, but everything else seemed a lot more expensive.

I've got a feeling that once people start seeing my PCTV in action that I'm going to start getting a few requests to build them one, (that's how it works around here - get something and everyone else wants the same) so I may well get the chance to try some different combinations.

Maybe wiping my drives and keeping the newer model for myself