Maximum PC

My older gaming PC won't turn on and I need to replace the motherboard and CPU (already tested the PSU). The motherboard was a P5N-E SLI and I have a Core 2 Duo E6600. Could I get a comparable motherboard and CPU for just around $100?

You're going to have to add more money for memory, as you can't recycle it. Could you get just the CPU and motherboard for $100? Probably. Can you use it? Nope.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't even understand the question lol.

You've determined that the mobo and CPU in your existing build are not working, so you ask if it's possible to find replacements (mobo and CPU) for about $100?

If the rest of your build is working, then why not? My guess is you might need to look for used parts and won't be able to find that exact mobo though. Am I missing something?

The only problem is that to test the CPU or motherboard, you need a spare of one or the other.

Well I mean.. what would be a good cheap mobo and CPU to get on Newegg? 4-5 years old but still comparable/good?

The only processor Newegg has that would fit your socket is over your budget. There's no way around this. You're going to have to save up at least $150. Well, I'd go with $200.

Well, OK, I could spend that much then... and I'm replacing both the motherboard and CPU so socket doesn't matter.

Pretty much anything will be better than your old parts in terms of performance.(No offence, but even the lowest end Sandy Bridge chips would probably woop it)

Oic, LatiosXT is referring to a (pretty much) new build - mobo, CPU and RAM at minimum because of the difficulty in determining what is working and what is not. Yeah, unless you have working spares that you can test against, troubleshooting is a nightmare. Actually troubleshooting with working parts is a PITA in any case.

Chziime, give us the rest of your build so we can make sure to suggest appropriate parts that will work best with what you got.

I have 2GB of DDR800 RAM, a 600W Thermaltake PSU (that works), GeForce 8800GTS... no offense taken, my computer is old-ish and I have little interest in upgrading since I'm no longer really a PC gamer. Any link to a cheap motherboard and CPU would be great... doesn't even need to be a combo.

Thinking:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813157236
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819116399

You need RAM.

I was also reminded of the project management trifecta: fast, cheap, good. Pick two.

if you can get $130 and live near a MicroCenter they have some good prices

Pentium G630 $50
GA-H61M-DS2 $55 w/ $15 mail-in rebate
Generic 4GB (2x2Gb) DDR3-1333 (PC3-10666) CL9 $18 ($14 open box)

$123 + tax ($129 in my state)

So, if you get the open-box memory it's under $120 and really close to $100 lol

an extra $31 can get you a decent / modern vented case, the Thermaltake Dokker $31

* disclamer - I don't work for MicroCenter lol

cheers