oops, no computer

[mellowtigger]

I should not have badmouthed my old computer. It seems that the motherboard has failed. I feel so unprepared for the world without a desktop computer. I'm typing this post on my 5-inch phone screen, and it is frustrating.

I already drove to MicroCenter for a new motherboard, but they said they had none that would work with such an old cpu. Intel uses different sockets now. I wasn't prepared to buy all new hardware, so I just left.

Now, I have a choice to make.

1. Wait. I can order all new parts and finally build that new machine in the new small case.
2. Go back to MicroCenter and immediately buy everything for a whole new computer using my old large case.
3. Wait until I get back to a work computer, then search NewEgg for a motherboard compatible with my old hardware, then order it and wait for delivery.

I'm leaning toward options 1 or 3 since they are cheapest. That means going without a computer for at least a week, though, and I'm not looking forward to that withdrawal experience.

Comments

[mrdreamjeans]

I haven't had a desktop at work or at home for close to a decade now.

[mellowtigger]

Laptops have become the popular choice at work, too, but I actively dislike them. I need a standard keyboard and mouse in order to function efficiently after decades of touch typing. I actually wear down those little nubs that are intended to help with finger placement, so I have to get a replacement keyboard when they finally disappear on both sides (letters F and J).

Cramped keyboard, no. Trackpad, no. Touchscreen, no. I'm being picky, and I know it, but it really does make a big difference to my speed and accuracy.

[mrdreamjeans]

I understand. You want a machine that makes the most sense for you. I was just commenting that in my last two jobs, I didn't use a desktop and I've had only a MacBook at home for the past 10 years.

[mellowtigger]

I checked NewEgg at work today. They have only used motherboards as replacements for my old technology, and they almost cost as much as some new motherboards. So option #3 is out. :(

I was intending my for old big case to become a fileserver after I built my new small case for gaming. I guess I should start scoping out motherboard and cpu options that would be necessary to get it started as a FreeNAS server. I will have to buy new memory too. My old ones are DDR3, and the slots are different from newer DDR4.

I wasn't wanting to spend money for that purpose yet. I still have "the other half" of my window replacements to pay for. I should probably call them to ask about it, since it's been a while. They did warn that fall was their busy season.