Upgrading to a newer motherboard

[ThinkPad560X]

I last left off probably in 2006 on PCs witch Im still using in my PCs and the desktop used everyday, IBM ThinkCentre A50p Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz HT 4GB RAM max. Im Looking for a Motherboard that supports Intel Core i7 witch is the latest CPU from what I see and I remember Intel Core 2 Duo being the highest back then witch is probably my best CPU I have out of my PCs, ThinkPad T60. Looking online I see a Intel Core 2 Duo 2.XXGHz, Intel Dual Core and Intel Quad Core dont know whats the diffrence between these 3 are. Im only looking to spend $100 for a motherboard and found these processors in them. Im playing Skyrim on my Pentium 4 and it still runs good for being old But want to play the latest games for 2014-2016 and probably my last since I dont play much anymore, havnt touched the 360 or PS3 for over a year and half now and havnt decided about getting a PS4/XBone. And If I still play games I just get graphic update mods for my older games witch my Pentium 4 is sluging on now and I want to atleast play the game in max settings. So what is good to play games on and under $100 Intel Core 2 Duo, Dual Core, Quad Core or i5/i7 "read i3 not for games" Or should I wait for the next processor after i5/i7, but that will take time to come down in price.

[Temetka]

You want a gaming capable motherboard and CPU for $100?

Good luck.

Out of the Core systems you listed, I would go for an i5, 8GB of RAM.

The problem will be the GPU as they will be PCIe based and not AGP like your P4 probably is. So you have to factor in another $125 for a decent video card. You also might need a beefier PSU, of course DDR3 RAM. I think honestly $300 would do you for everything just fine. Now I totally understand if money is tight.

If you do look at the Core2Duo or Core2Quad CPU's and motherboards, get the Core2Quad. It's a 4 core CPU as opposed to dual core. Those motherboards will more than likely support DDR2 and NOT DDR3. Sourcing 4 2GB DDR2 sticks can be done for decent price on e-bay or Newegg.

Hope this info helped.

[emeraldgirl08]

The latest series of Core i-processors alone will cost more than $100. I know because I am building an mATX desktop and went with a Core i3 4130 which cost me $119. If you are patient and can gauge a good deal on fleabay you might be able to get a decent graphics card for a good price. Persistence (a little haggling on my part) and patience is how I was able to secure an R9 270 graphics card for $90. The total of my mATX build is about ~$485.

I already had a monitor and a spare 2.5 laptop hard drive (which I am temporarily using until I get an SSD for the OS boot) which reduces total costs. Being a bit of a tech pack rat does have its advantages sometimes

Also Temetka gives some good advice on the C2Q. If you go this route just make sure you back up that C2Q with a capable PSU and a quality aftermarket CPU cooler for more effective dissipation from the heat those games will be generating! Also if you can swing an SSD for the boot OS + a platter drive for storage that might be a good option as the SSD will boot and access OS data quickly while the platter storage can be cheaper and help offset wear-and-tear of the SSD NAND-cells.

My 2 cents is that you may want to start researching desktop components and moving money around in order to build a decent budget gaming desktop. Also I am not sure how you feel about 4k resolution but I feel it is coming around and will replace 1080p. A refresh of your whole desktop setup might be in good order for that reason as well.

Good luck

[Temetka]

Either route you go, your looking at spending more than $100.

You could also try craigslist or local swap meets and hope to score a deal.

Emeraldgirl brought up a few good points as well, especially regarding 4k. Although unless you are going to build an uber-powered gaming box I don't see 4K happening for the average gamer anytime in the next 2-3 years.

[dr_st]

You want a gaming capable motherboard and CPU for $100?

Good luck.

Yep.

If you do look at the Core2Duo or Core2Quad CPU's and motherboards, get the Core2Quad. It's a 4 core CPU as opposed to dual core. Those motherboards will more than likely support DDR2 and NOT DDR3. Sourcing 4 2GB DDR2 sticks can be done for decent price on e-bay or Newegg.

Actually, plenty of last-gen C2D/C2Q motherboards (G41/P43/P45/X48 chipsets) support DDR3. Or both (but not at the same time).

[ZaZ]

Another thing to consider is you're likely on the hook for a new copy of Windows should you swap the CPU and motherboard. It used to less expensive to build it yourself, but those days are over. The best deals are usually found on refurbed/used in the Outlets. I picked up a refurbed Optiplex with i7-3770 on eBay earlier this year sub $300. Windows is so expensive, it's hard to overcome.

[pianowizard]

It used to less expensive to build it yourself, but those days are over.

Agreed 100%. Those days have been over for at least a decade.

The best deals are usually found on refurbed/used in the Outlets.

I am not familiar with Lenovo's or HP's outlets but I do check Dell's frequently. The regular prices are just okay, so be sure to wait for a good coupon. ThinkPad560X, I recommend you to check https://twitter.com/DellOutlet often. I have had success finding cheap desktops on eBay as well, e.g. I bought two Dell GX280's there for about $50 each (including shipping!) back in 2009, when this model was only about 5 years old. Get a Core i desktop from one of these sources, and then sell your Pentium 4 dinosaur on Craigslist for $20. Yep, that's what it's worth now, even with the 4GB RAM. Don't spend any more money upgrading it.

UPDATE: Does this interest you? Dell Financial Services take s45% off one item of $350 or more via coupon code "NEALNEWS45", though shipping isn't free: http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/?utm_camp ... m=11840135

[ThinkPad560X]

I got this motherboard "NEW" $60.00 IBM Lenovo ThinkCentre M81 replacment tower board. Where would it have the Model number other then bios, like my A50p 8194-A4U? I read reviews that the M81 supports Intel Core i3/i5/i7/Pentium G processors. And says Windows 7 64-bit and I have a Windows 7 32-bit / 64-bit discs. DDR3 RAM. Sticker on motherboard: FRU 03T8181 I just wated to stay with Lenovo since it is sort of IBM hardware and all my hardware is all IBM stuff and I have all the drivers/software for it.

[Temetka]

Ok, so now you need a CPU and GPU and RAM.

I'd recommend an i5, 8GB DDR3 and Nvidia whatever for $125. Why $125? I've found the $100 cards to be crap, but stepping up one notch and you start to get decent performance.

[ThinkPad560X]

This is going slow, but I ordered the original CPU fan for this motherboard M81. Im looking at getting 1 stick of 4GB DDR3 to start with. Im trying to find out what the MT is so I can look up more info of what processor I can get of a Core i5/i7. Heres what I could find. http://www.primelec.com/ibm-lenovo-thin ... F26bDTF_zk And the manual with lots of MTs http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... a74545.pdf.

I know it would tell you in the bios but I dont think it would boot without processor to the bios to check. Or would it not matter what Machine Type it is since its a M81 for all of them and can just look online for compatible CPUs for ThinkCentre M81?

[ThinkPad560X]

What processor will fit into this motherboard. Intel Q65 Express LGA1155 Socket. I want to get a Intel Core i7 for it.

[dr_st]

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_%28 ... press.html

[ThinkPad560X]

Im at the deciding point of either getting a brand new Lenovo ThinkCentre or finish my IBM ThinkCentre A50p upgrade. I have the new motherboard/OEM CPU Fan & poweron cable. Was still looking at CPUs and RAM. I checked out the Nvidia GeForce 690 and it should fit into the A50p but the double PCI would take over the Mini PCI slot and leave my 2 basic PCI slots open. What my IBM ThinkCentre A50p Tower looks like: http://www.pasocomclub.co.jp/img/1100000141914-1.jpg "I have all these keyboard and monitor too"

Heres one I saw someone upgraded. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mondo7736 ... otostream/

I have this, and wanted to upgrade it since it is the size of a game console. ThinkCentre S50 UltraSmall, but it wouldnt be able to be upgraded with a big graphics card. http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2004/0826/ibm01.jpg

[ThinkPad560X]

I got a 4GB DDR3 stick of RAM and a basic Intel Pentium G Processor, Later to get a i5 or i7. I unpluged everything on my A50p and pluged the 20pin 230W PSU into the M81 board. pressed the power button and the green light comes on but then shuts off in 1sec. The CPU fan doesn't spin eaither. The Power Pin slot is 24 and the A50p PSU 230W is only 20pin. Is this what maybe causing it not to power on? I was thinking of getting a 350W or a 500W PSU. The stock 350W PSU out of a M81 looks too long and not box shape to fit in my tower.

[dr_st]

Yes. Get a new PSU.

[ThinkPad560X]

I pluged in the CPU 4Pin and the CPU fan started up and the keyboard all three lights stayed solid. I then unpluged the 4GB RAM stick and finally got signs of life with beep codes. I came close to this error on the chart. http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Error_Cod ... Beep_Codes Memory problem: bad DIMM or bad DIMM slot. I ordered this stick of RAM: http://www.ebay.com/itm/400553805607?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

I tryed all 4 slots and the fans turn on and the keyboard has all 3 solid green lights with no display or beeps.

[ThinkPad560X]

I need the backing plate that will cover the ports but cant find the right plate. All the ones I find have the top PS/2 ports on it and this motherboard dont have any PS/2 ports. http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/con ... M81-9L.jpg

[ThinkPad560X]

.

[pianowizard]

How much have you spent on this dinosaur so far? You could have saved so much money and time by buying a 1st-gen Core i desktop off eBay, as ZaZ and I recommended five months ago. Plus, you would have a new toy to play with.

[ThinkPad560X]

Does HiPro make a 600W PSU of this shape? I have a 650W PSU for a different case build but it will not screw right into the M50 desktop. Back: http://timefrost.com/fistok/images/m50.jpg Front: http://timefrost.com/fistok/images/m50a.jpg. Heres what the 230W PSU looks like in the M50, The brand is OEM IBM HIPRO. http://www.ebay.com/itm/74P4300-POWER-S ... 6664&rt=nc

Right now Its running a Intel Core i7 3rd Gen processor and its onboard graphics. Total spent is $189.00 to bring this IBM desktop to modern day specs that should last me for over 10+ years for my PC usage, My ThinkCentre A50p is a Pentium 4 and I still use it daily. My specs may not meet everyone else's high end 2015/2016 processors and GPUs but mine fits me for my use. I'm on this forum because I like IBM PCs and I want to keep using IBM and I want to upgrade this PC.

[axur-delmeria]

I have a 650W PSU for a different case build but it will not screw right into the M50 desktop.

I'm a bit confused.

Which one is true?
1. The locations of the screw holes are different;
2. The M50's PSU screws don't fit the 650w PSU;
3. The 650w PSU is physically bigger than the M50's PSU.

[ThinkPad560X]

1

[ThinkPad560X]

I just drilled holes into the 650W PSU where the desktop holes are and it fits in fine now. The new PSUs fit into the case fine but the screw holes just didn't lineup.

[axur-delmeria]

Wait, you drilled holes in the PSU?

You should have drilled holes in the casing instead.
Granted, you'd probably be able to drill only two holes (top left and right corners). As for the screws at the bottom, you can put a washer (maybe around half an inch in diameter) on each of them.

[ThinkPad560X]

Its already in place and fitted into the cases holes. Only had to drill 2 holes, the rest lined up.