I may need a new motherboard for my Vaio VGN-A790 notebook.\nI know for a fact that Sony is going to kick me mighty hard in the ass for the price.  I'm thinking taking it to CompUSA will be relatively cheaper though I'm not certain if they'll use a factory motherboard or a universal one if there is such a thing instead.    Any suggestions?
207113
If it is still under warranty take it to Sony.\n\nIf you got an extended warranty from the place you bought it then take it to them.\n\nCompUSA will most likely buy the part from Sony and charge you labor for it. That's what most computer repair places do.\n\nYou may want to take it in to a shop and have them back up your data and replace the motherboard, if you are in Houston I could do it, but I doubt you are. My shop would charge for the part plus $85 (not per hour just 85) for labor.\n\nUnless you want to order the part yourself and install it.\n\nThe sony parts site is: http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/\nThe number is: 1-800-488-SONY (7669)
7242
Check this faq: http://www.newegg.com/CustomerService/FAQDetail.asp?Module=4
623468
I don't really know what you are after here, but this is the only thing that I see coming close.\n\n\nhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815123021
256594
Very Good!! Asus socket 939 Mobo; AMD Dual core 4400+ processor; Zalman CPU Fan; 2GB Kingston ValueRAM; EVGA 256MB or 512MB AGP or PCI Card; Two-74GB Western Digital Raptor (10,000 RPM) SATA Hard Drives; a 600 Watt Power Source with fan controls; one 250GB Western Digital SATAII Hard Drive (with the 16MB Cashe) for backups; one 16x Plextor DVD-RW; one Lite-On DVD/CD Combo Drive; one Floppy Drive with Card Reader; Plenty of case fans to keep your cool. 19" monitor, keyboard, optical mouse, 5:1 amplifyed speakers. Joysticks and other interfaces. That'll probably shoot down that $2500 real fast! Try buying at Newegg.com or at Tiger Direct. That might save you some $$!
111702
if its a motherboard that is relativley decent and you know the brand of the motherboard itself, I would suggest visiting the manufacturer's website.  Most of the websites for manufacturers will have more information on the product including online manuals.  You may find more there.
397756
Go to www.stupidcheapcomputers.net.  I buy all of my stuff from them, and everything is Vista ready.  Vista is going to make all of these "bargain" computers that you can buy at Wal-Mart, Circuit City, etc. JUNK when it is released in January.\n\nI bought a complete, new system from them with a warranty for LESS than it would cost me to build it myself or order a custom one from the manufacturer.  You can use my frequent buyer code: ATX926.  That will get an additional 10% discount at checkout.\n\nI have NEVER had any problems with anything that they have sold me and their customer service is outstanding.  Those guys blow my mind.\n\nThey had a system that was designed from the ground up to be a high end graphics/gaming system (their XW9300 series) for less than $800.  You can't beat that.\n\nGood luck!
214014
Those sites have people that research motherboards and the amount of RAM and types of RAM they can handle, and they design a database and web interface for that database around that information.  It would be a whole lot of work on your part, but if you got a few contractors to help you out with the workload, it might work out for you.  There's really no "easy" way, since there are always new motherboards coming out.  You've certainly got your work cut out for you!
673025
It's an AGP card, & requires an AGP slot, not a PCI slot.\nIf your motherboard has no PCI slot then one of them will have to go.\n\nIf you investigate replacement of the motherboard, keep in mind that there exist different flavours of AGP - not all are compatible. (see link below).\n\nAlso, even if the new mobo will take your existing processor, you will probably need to remove the heatsink to remove the cpu.  Then you will need to clear the cpu * base of the heatsink with special solvent and reapply some arctic silver or similar to ensure an even and efficcient connecion between the two.\n\nThen it's likely that you would need to reload all your software from scratch.\n\nIf you were to buy a new new PC it might not have an AGP slot, as this is being superceded by the PCI-E slot.\n\nSorry.  The only possible ray of hope is that your PC actually has an AGP slot - you just weren't looking for it, and it already has a graphics card therein.  The R9000AIW would replace this card.\nThis might make you feel foolish briefly, but I hope that's the case, because it's all there is!
640202
tell me what brand of com0puter u have and send it to isaias.amaya@sbcglobal.net and i'll try to help u
238393
NewEgg list two PCI FX5500s, at $54 and $78.\nI recommend that you opt for the 128-bit $78 3DFuzion model - although it is currently out of stock...\n\nA motherboard from before AGP times!  The processor might not be upto playing COD - you should give serious thought to a total upgrade.  For $112 you could source a Foxconn SoA motherboard, Sempron 2400+ CPU and 256Mb DDR400 RAM.\nThen $78 could buy you a 9600XT - but if you had the money - there would be much more choice!\n\n(AGP) comparisons of older cards:\nhttp://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2003/12/29/vga_charts_iii/page16.html
548658
it says right there\n\nat that website link :)\n\nsupports up to 3.8GHz\n\nthat is all the highest cpu can up atm any more can burn up the chip wires\n:)\n\nthe best way to know is look for the cpu compatiby specs, it's usally around it and tells you what your current mobo will support. because they already tested it\n\nif you are replacing it, i suggest u move up to 64bit i would recommend it and buy a new mobo.\nor dual cores it's better\n\n than buying a LGA775 cpu. you save more money and i think it's a wise choose. because the rate of  a 3.4 is almost the same as a 64bit or  core duo.\n\nonce vista comes out fully supports it, OMG it willl be teh best of teh best.
190426
Definitely make sure you get one with a TON of RAM and a killer video card.  You'll also want to make sure that you have a super fast processor.  Maybe even one of those dual core ones they have out now.  We sometimes play WoW on the laptop via an external HD, but only because the laptop happens to be an older model, and installing it directly seems to slow the refresh rate down a bit.  Right now we've got a pretty slick setup involving RAID on SATA drives which optimizes game and PC performance.  Email me for more information.  At any rate, the external - that might be an option for you to consider as well, if money is an issue.
310129
if you're certain you'll always have a separate card, then absolutely get the one without an integrated vpu/gpu. i'm sure you're well aware of windows' wacky handling of hardware... it's not worth all the possible headaches of hardware conflicts and so on.
183872
The ATI Rage Pro was a good video card... back in the day. The reason a seller might put this in the specs is because it is an older computer, and there is not more to say about the computer. \nNothing worse than onboard video.
90370
"it used to be a 1.8ghz, 256memory, 40gig HD, 64megvideo, onboard memory 17in standard monitor..what's todays average computer sale equal?"\n\nfor HOME use I would say that the above specs were adequate for using XP, but with only 256MB RAM you will need to monitor what you let run on startup or you will quickly find yourself short on RAM, and performance will suffer.\n\nfor reg BUSINESS a 2.4GHz P4 or higher; 512MB RAM; same Video, or on board video. built-in ethernet, extra bays and slots for expansion. 2 hard drives.\n\nfor Light gaming, same as above, but need a 128MB video card.\n\nfor heavy Gaming and Design-based businesses.\nAMD 64 FX 57 with 1.5 to 2GB of RAM.\na mother board with SLi capability for PCI-e x 16\n2 PCI-e Gforce 6800 ULTRA 256mb DDR3 \n2 250GB SATA IN RAID-0 (GAMER ONLY)\n2 250GB SATA IN RAID-1 (BUSINESS ONLY)\n\nAverage sale....still around $1,000\nI think it's been there for about 10 years now...give or take a few.....they seem to work it that way !   lol
390207
Hmm... I myself have been having a dilemma in choosing a company who can make a power house for gamers like myself who enjoy playing WC3, BF 2, and the likes. One company I have been meticulously considering is AlienWare. I have been told they make some of the worlds most powerful computer, although those people may be wrong. Either way I'm still looking into AlienWare. Their computer with just about everything (i.e. additional drives with hardware at their optimum) costs 7K+; very expensive. Just check them out and see if they offer what you need.
489911
got any hands on experience with this kind of thing?\nI have a Biostar iDEQ 200N, a similar rig but without the cool handle.\n\nIs it reliable with a lot of hot parts packed into a small form factor?\nHeat can be an issue, but they're engineered with special heat sinks and cooling to address it. Running a hot video card can be the biggest problem -- you want a card with good cooling.\n\nIs it loud?\nGenerally these things are designed for use as home media PCs, so most of them are quiet. I can't hear my Biostar over anything else in the room. :-)\n\nIs there any accelerated way to hook it into and out of home and work situation (i.e. a docking station). I'm thinking about this as a daily use machine.\nSure. Just get all USB peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc.) and put them on a hub. Then you just have to connect the USB cable, monitor, and speaker cord when swap it around. (You could even go USB audio, but yuck.)\n\nWe use them almost exclusively for our LAN parties these days. Most have cooling solutions designed for small spaces, whether it be heat pipes (Shuttle) or heavily ventilated cases. We've successfully run them for extended periods with Radeon 9800 Pros and Audigy2's, + 3.0GHz P4's, with no heat issues.\n\nIn fact, I have an Athlon 64 cube here, and it does run a bit warmer, but the fan chugs along and keeps it cool. Plus, all of these have aluminum cases that bleed heat a bit more efficiently