Need computer help (motherboard)

cletus

cletus

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Ok after a bit of searching I think I've figured out the problem. It's not the graphics card but my motherboard.

I have a MSI K8N Neo4-F motherboard. It's recently started freezing up constantly. I unplugged the graphics card and it worked fine for a few hours but now it is much worse. It works for a few minutes then freezes up although it will still play music on winamp.

There is a tiny fan cooling the nforce4 chip which might be causing this problem. Some users have said it stops working as well after a year or so and the nforce4 chip overheats and melts. Has anyone ever had a problem like this? I just replaced this motherboard about 7 months ago because it was causing display problems (replaced the graphics card first, didn't work). I was under warranty at the time but I'm not anymore.

I'll like to buy another motherboard to replace this one. I'm kinda clueless when it comes to motherboards though. I'll need something that's compatible with all the other parts I have now. Can anyone recommend something or at least tell me what specs I should be looking at? I guess I should look for socket 939, AMD, ATX, and nVidia but anything else?
 
[quote name='cletus']Something's wrong with my graphics card where it causes my computer to constantly freeze up. I unplugged the power cord and it seems to work fine right now. Of course I haven't tried anything more intensive then using a browser. I've disabled the card under Device Manager just in case. I'm afraid it might damage the rest of the computer. I need some help in getting a new card.

1. How do I find out what type of hardware I have? I have a older computer but all I know is it has a AMD 64 Athlon processor.

2. How do I find out what graphics cards will be compatible with my current hardware?

3. Can I still use my graphics card without the power cord plugged in? The fan on the the card itself is running but I didn't want to take any chances. I've had a computer burst into flames once before.

4. Any possibility it is the power cable that's messed up?[/quote]


Google your model number on your desktop. Look for the specifications.

Im thinking your power supply doesnt have enough watts though.

Yes you can use your graphics card without it having power, but that is usually needed for better performance. You are supposed to have it plugged in though, if it didnt need it they wouldnt give you the ability to do so.
 
Damn this is a lot more complicated then I thought it would be. I've been looking at different motherboards for the last hour. I think I'll go to bed and try again tomorrow.
 
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