I was going to replace my graphics card (built in Intel Extreme Graphics 3D) but I found out my motherboard doesn't have a PCI Express slot; only standard PCI. I understand that the new cards are for the Express only and not compatible for standard.

I never changed out a motherboard before and was wondering what kind of board and processor would be best. I'm looking for a typical average one. my computer isn't extreme on one end or the other. I'll only have, say, 1 or 2 modern games. Currently, I have a 2.60GHz Celeron Processor. What's a good motherboard and processor?

I hope you're very adept at computer hardware. Replacing a motherboard is fiendishly risky, and it's easy to mess up enough that neither motherboard will work anymore.

Honestly, I would advise you to not try this, but if you're confident and willing to risk losing your PC, then by all means, go ahead but don't say I didn't warn you.

Just build a new computer, it will simpler and not much more expensive since the bulk of the cost is the motherboard and processor.... and I'm guessing you bought this one you currently have at Best Buy or something.... which means even if you wanted to you couldn't switch the motherboards since you'll find places it's saudered in....

As for brands go with AMD Athlon for your processor, ASUS or MSI for your motherboard and ATI for graphics. While shopping for your motherboard think ahead and how you may want to upgrade.... make sure you have PCI-Express slots as most things are going that way now... at least 2 slots for ram and a decent power source, for a harddrive you can either go the way of Maxtor or Western Digital (raptor harddrives are best for games as they spin at 10,000 RPM where most others are 72,000 RPM). DVD is becoming the norm for drives of that nature as well. The last thing to look at is a case..you should be able to find one for between $40 - $80....but more if you include the powersource and cooling solutions with it (which I'd suggest).

Who solders in mobos? I put in on average about 5 a week and have never seen this. Maybe back in the day but nowadays if a major brand did this there would be an uproar!

I put in alot of MSI but as far as what is "best" I wouldn't have much advice for ya. I live in a small town with alot of "po folk" who just want a cheap fix so they can do their surfing; so I don't get to play with the good stuff as much as I'd like

My first one was an HP...and the motherboard and everything connected to it was saudered (sp?) somehow...except the ram.... but that was about 6 years ago.... since then I've always built my own... so your right..probably doesn't happen much anymore...

I put in a DFI Lanparty earlier this year. Nice board with good reviews and lots of features. They also specifically advertised all Japanese capacitors for the board as well.

Wow! I would be ..... RAWR!! Six years ago most of what I was doing real repairs on were macs. Where I worked only needed light repairs and tutoring on PC and then most the time it was <gags> Packard Bell. I get alot of old hp/compaqs in so maybe I'll see one yet. Those are a bugger to work in, too. Tight spaces, small cases... I think I'd pull out a soldering gun and pry that &%$# off for spite

Come to think of it it was also refurbished.... so it may have been Future Shop that did the saudering...