need help choosing correct motherboard

[frank the tank]

hello everyone

i dont know very much about computers but i know many of you do, pleeeease help!!

im trying to figure out how to choose a replacement motherboard.

*** my current computers motherboard consists of a "G43 express Chipset." and supports DDR3 memory.. if i find another motherboard that supports these two things, will that be a sufficient motherboard?***

appreciate all help
thank you

this is my current computer and its specs
Gateway DX4820-01 - Specs & Reviews

[RicheemxX]

The "G43 Express Chipset" really makes little difference. The important factor is that the CPU sockets match and the RAM slots match. In this case you'll need a motherboard that supports Socket 775 Intel Chips and of course DDR3 RAM.

Now saying that, what is the reason for the replacement? Is this any upgrade or an actual replacement for a dead board?

[JLK03F150]

You probably need to check the 'Form Factor' of a replacement board and make sure it is mATX, or microATX. A full sized ATX board will most likely not fit in your case.

[frank the tank]

The "G43 Express Chipset" really makes little difference. The important factor is that the CPU sockets match and the RAM slots match. In this case you'll need a motherboard that supports Socket 775 Intel Chips and of course DDR3 RAM.

Now saying that, what is the reason for the replacement? Is this any upgrade or an actual replacement for a dead board?

***thanx for the heads up. my computer shuts off as soon as i put some work into (internet, youtube, photoshop). the images on the monitor freeze and long horzontal lines appear or the computer simply shuts down.

i took it to a "tech guy" and he checked the power supply and the cooling system and said it was fine. he left the computer idle for a little over a day and it never shut off on him. he suggested it could be the mother board but the ASS didnt help me determine what kind of mother board i needed. he simply told me to come back when i found it. i will no longer be going back to this "tech guy."

so im hoping he was correct about it possibly being the motherboard. what im trying to do buy a replacement motherboard, swap everything out and see if everything works out. ill do this within the 15 day return policy at my local frys electronics store.

i appreciate your help. this has been annoying me for sometime now. any further advice would be great.

[frank the tank]

You probably need to check the 'Form Factor' of a replacement board and make sure it is mATX, or microATX. A full sized ATX board will most likely not fit in your case.

yes!! i was about to buy a motherboard but then quickly realized they come in different sizes. the "tech guy" i took my computer to didnt bother to tell me this. wont be going back for his "services."

thank you for your input. much appreciated

[RicheemxX]

It sounds like your "tech" didn't do a whole lot of troubleshooting. The symptoms you mention can be caused by any number of things. Memory issues, graphics card issues, over heating, insufficient power, failing hard drive ect ect ect.

Given what you've said it sounds more like the GPU is over heating or not workinng properly. Are you using the stock setup as it came from Gateway, with on-board video or do you have an add-on card?

[frank the tank]

It sounds like your "tech" didn't do a whole lot of troubleshooting. The symptoms you mention can be caused by any number of things. Memory issues, graphics card issues, over heating, insufficient power, failing hard drive ect ect ect.

Given what you've said it sounds more like the GPU is over heating or not workinng properly. Are you using the stock setup as it came from Gateway, with on-board video or do you have an add-on card?

everything is stock on this computer. one thing i just notcied, the wall outlet my compter is connected to is not grounded. the wall outlet only has to prong inserts. i have to use a adapter to plug it in. could this be a problem as well?

i think what im going to have to do is just take the computer to hopefully a better tech or busniess. this may start to be a little to complicated for myself.

but please, any more advice would be great. i wanna walk in knowing at least something about what could be wrong.

thanx

[JLK03F150]

Do you own a digital multi-meter so that you can check the power supply yourself? I'm guessing no since you took it to a shop. How about a friend who might have one? Gateway power supplies are kinda notorious even if the shop said it was OK.

Other testing you can try yourself would be Memtest (need to create a bootable CD). Free download.
Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic

Also Prime95 torture test while running CoreTemp to see if the CPU heats to shut-down temperature.
Free Software - GIMPS
Core Temp

[wju425]

everything is stock on this computer. one thing i just notcied, the wall outlet my compter is connected to is not grounded. the wall outlet only has to prong inserts. i have to use a adapter to plug it in. could this be a problem as well?

thanx

If the adapter have a metal tang that you put the outlet cover screw through then it becomes grounded.