WTB older system or AM3 mobo and CPU or similar

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Forums › Offers and Wanted › WTB older system or AM3 mobo and CPU or similar

Jasonp

27 posts

Geek

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#293333 14-Jan-2022 09:36

Hi,

My sons old PC looks like it has come to EOL, constant shut downs. Does anyone have an old system they are not using or a mobo and cpu (at least quad core)? He had been using an old FX 8320 but I think he has cooked it playing fortnight. He is on a budget circa $100 or less, is that achievable? He has a decent graphics card and PSU.

I am Auckland based, so would prefer pick from here.

Thanks

tangerz

625 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2854842 22-Jan-2022 13:11

I could possibly offer you a 4th Gen i5 (4C/4T) and matching H81 MB for $120 plus shipping. Stock HSF included and MB has a Windows licence activated on it, (so just do a fresh Win 10 install, connect to internet and it will activate)

I'm assuming you have DDR3 ram from your current system that could be reused.

Performance in gaming should be equal or better than the FX 8320.

K8Toledo

1014 posts

Uber Geek

#2854870 22-Jan-2022 15:21

Jasonp:

Hi,

My sons old PC looks like it has come to EOL, constant shut downs. Does anyone have an old system they are not using or a mobo and cpu (at least quad core)? He had been using an old FX 8320 but I think he has cooked it playing fortnight. He is on a budget circa $100 or less, is that achievable? He has a decent graphics card and PSU.

I am Auckland based, so would prefer pick from here.

Thanks

Unlikely to be the CPU, more likely the PSU or motherboard.

What are the rest of specs? Does the motherboard have 8 phase VRM's?

Jasonp

27 posts

Geek

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#2855332 24-Jan-2022 09:38

Hi,

Thanks for your response.

The specs are:

NAXN 500w PSU

Asus M5A78L-M LX V2

GTX 960

8gb ram

The machine would be working pretty hard when gaming, it would then shut off. When restarted all the fans (including GPU) would run at full speed making quite a racket. Nothing on screen.

Replacing GPU would not fix fan speeds, replacing CPU with an old dual core did bring it back to life, however not so great for gaming.

Cheers

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13769 posts

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#2855338 24-Jan-2022 10:08

Heatsink need cleaning/replacing and fresh paste applied ?

Does just sound like overheating.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2855342 24-Jan-2022 10:21

I went down this track when I wanted to replace my failing AM3 motherboard last year
AM3 is so old , and parts so overpriced , its not worth it .

$100 budget will buy your a VERY old system . Honestly not worth it if gaming . You may be buying someones elses problem .
Dont spend good money on 8 year old used parts

I bit the bullet & bought a used Ryzen5, MB & RAM . I had to spend more than $100 , but better in the long term.

was he overclocking the CPU & that cooked it ?

Jasonp

27 posts

Geek

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#2855374 24-Jan-2022 11:12

Hi,

Totally understand the need for him to save up and buy something decent, just looking for a short term fix.

His birthday is still some months away.

Cheers

tangerz

625 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2855380 24-Jan-2022 11:17

Offer still stands. $120 for i5-4570 + H81 Motherboard. i5 will easily run the GTX 960 to potential. PM if interested.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2855615 24-Jan-2022 13:16

on trademe (its not my auction)
AMD FX-8120 , its got a $1 bid on it

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/components/cpus/amd/listing/3442382395

Jasonp

27 posts

Geek

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#2855669 24-Jan-2022 13:30

Thanks,

I'll keep an eye on this listing.

Cheers

K8Toledo

1014 posts

Uber Geek

#2855772 24-Jan-2022 15:36

Jasonp:

Hi,

Thanks for your response.

The specs are:

NAXN 500w PSU

Asus M5A78L-M LX V2

GTX 960

8gb ram

The machine would be working pretty hard when gaming, it would then shut off. When restarted all the fans (including GPU) would run at full speed making quite a racket. Nothing on screen.

Replacing GPU would not fix fan speeds, replacing CPU with an old dual core did bring it back to life, however not so great for gaming.

Cheers

M5A78 is a very old AM3 board with 4 phase uncooled VRM's made for Quad Core CPU's. It's not suited to Vishera (FX83xx series) Octacore.

For that you really need an AM3+ board with 6-8 phase VRM's such as the Sabertooth or M5A97 Evo.

The offer above for the H81 board and CPU is a pretty good deal too.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#2855789 24-Jan-2022 16:09

I just upgraded recently from an H81 and i5, was ticking along damn nicely :) So I'd look at that if I was you.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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SomeoneSomewhere

1804 posts

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#2855861 24-Jan-2022 20:10

Enermax are rather iffy when it comes to PSUs in the first place, and that doesn't look like their best, and is rather marginally sized as it is. I would be suspecting PSU failure.

What temperature are the motherboard VRMs and CPU running at? Hot to the touch?

Generally you will get some kind of blue screen, throttlling, or BIOS error if it's something on the motherboard or CPU that's faulty. A PSU will often just cut the power.

Have you tried undervolting/underclocking the CPU?

Jasonp

27 posts

Geek

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#2855928 25-Jan-2022 08:11

Thank you everyone for your responses.

A friendly Geekzoner has kindly provided me with a solution.

Cheers

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2855968 25-Jan-2022 10:08

SomeoneSomewhere:

Enermax are rather iffy when it comes to PSUs in the first place,

based on what ?
And what model Enermax are you talking about ?

Ive sold & installed Enermax for many years . Very reliable on average.
They did start selling a budget model in NZ , so its always get what you pay for .

edit,
yep thats their budget model. Ive installed maybee 20+ of those, no real issues .
For a gaming PC PSU , its not really what I would choose :-)

K8Toledo

1014 posts

Uber Geek

#2856317 25-Jan-2022 21:03

1101:

SomeoneSomewhere:

Enermax are rather iffy when it comes to PSUs in the first place,

based on what ?
And what model Enermax are you talking about ?

Ive sold & installed Enermax for many years . Very reliable on average.
They did start selling a budget model in NZ , so its always get what you pay for .

edit,
yep thats their budget model. Ive installed maybee 20+ of those, no real issues .
For a gaming PC PSU , its not really what I would choose :-)

Agreed - Enermax are top tier. My server rig is powered a 12yr old Enermax FMA II that is still going strong.