Motherboard upgrade help

[PCilliterate]

So I recently managed to nab an Intel i5 2400 quad core processor for free. Seeing as the socket type in my current mobo is LGA 1156, I can't use it since it wants a 1155.

 

My current mobo is the one that came with my prebuilt Acer Aspire M3910 desktop, a H57H AM2 board.

Basically I'm wondering what it is I need to be looking out for when choosing a new motherboard since this will be a major upgrade and i haven't changed anything in the PC besides the GPU atm.

 

Also would the stock cooler for a 1156 chip suffice for the new one?

Thanks in advance.

 

The service manual for my PC if anyone wants more info: http://www.audentia-gestion.fr/ACER/SG_Aspire_M3910_Book_03272010.pdf

 

[Jurrunio]

The first thing is whether your current mobo uses standard regulations screw holes, i.e. mATX, mITX, ATX etc. Since it is a prebuilt, this can be a problem to fit other mobos into the case.

The cooler for all LGA 115x CPUs are compatible.

[PCilliterate]

4 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

The first thing is whether your current mobo uses standard regulations screw holes, i.e. mATX, mITX, ATX etc. Since it is a prebuilt, this can be a problem to fit other mobos into the case.

 

The one I have now is an mATX board so will any mATX board not fit even if the PC is a prebuilt?

 

6 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

.The cooler for all LGA 115x CPUs are compatible.

Ah, thank you.

[Jurrunio]

3 minutes ago, PCilliterate said:

The one I have now is an mATX board so will any mATX board not fit even if the PC is a prebuilt?

Depends, again on whether the screw holes position match the regulation. Some prebuilts are annoying in this, but some aren't. You can find the specification for the screw holes from the internet and check whether your current mobo match it. If yes, then you can get a used mobo for your CPU. Otherwise, you might need to drill holes on the case yourself.