Help me find a new motherboard?

[Dustin2128]

I've got about 150$ that's burning a hole in my picket, and I'm trying to find a decent replacement motherboard for my new computer (PCI-e 1.0 is just too slow for me). I'm also wanting to get a new processor, so the motherboard will have to be around 70-80$ tops. Socket AM3 and two unobstructed PCI-e x16 2.0 slots, each with enough surrounding space to accommodate a dual slot graphics card, and 2-4 normal PCI slots as well. Support for 16GB RAM would be nice, but I'll settle for 8 if it's a significant price reduction. Also, anyone know, can you use a phenom II or athlon II with DDR2 RAM?

[Spr0k3t]

These are the best I could find:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647

At least, that's the cheapest route new I could find. I've seen boards that do AM3 and DDR2, but it never made sense to do so as you limit the async throughput effectively slowing the processor way down. I'm sure there are other boards you could look at, but that's a good start for you.

[Dustin2128]

These are the best I could find:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647

At least, that's the cheapest route new I could find. I've seen boards that do AM3 and DDR2, but it never made sense to do so as you limit the async throughput effectively slowing the processor way down. I'm sure there are other boards you could look at, but that's a good start for you.
I've got 2GB DDR2, I'm planning on buying some DDR3 once my wallet recovers from the purchase of the motherboard and processor. Also, I don't really care about buying good quality used or refurb stuff.

[3Miro]

I would recommend that you get Athlon II (AM3) with some Gigabyte AMD7xx motherboard. I have 4 Gigabyte motherboards and I am rather happy with all of them. Look at newegg, tigerdirect and pricewatch for bargains that fit your budget.

I don't know if you can get DDR2 and DDR3 motherboard, I think it is one or the other. Currently DD3 is actually cheaper.

[eddier]

+1 for Gigabyte.

Dont waste money on a Mobo with integrated graphics

If you want to carry over your Hard drive/Optical drive then check for Sata/Pata connectors.Most new boards are Sata with only one Pata connector.

If you want to use your current case/power supply make sure the Power supply has enough juice,Sata connectors and a power connector for the Graphics card.

Add a Phenom x4 CPU and an Nvidia GTS450 G/Card.
You can save a couple of notes by going for a Phenom x3.



eddie

[Dustin2128]

+1 for Gigabyte.

Dont waste money on a Mobo with integrated graphics

If you want to carry over your Hard drive/Optical drive then check for Sata/Pata connectors.Most new boards are Sata with only one Pata connector.

If you want to use your current case/power supply make sure the Power supply has enough juice,Sata connectors and a power connector for the Graphics card.

Add a Phenom x4 CPU and an Nvidia GTS450 G/Card.
You can save a couple of notes by going for a Phenom x3.



eddie
How's openGL performance on a GTS450? I wouldn't mind making that my secondary graphics card behind my 9800.

[eddier]

How's openGL performance on a GTS450? I wouldn't mind making that my secondary graphics card behind my 9800.

GTX9800 GTS450

Core speed 500 Mhz 800Mhz
Shader speed 1600Mhz 1600Mhz
Memory GDDR2 GDDR5
Processors 112 192

Keep the 9800 as a spare/backup!

eddie

[eddier]

Sorry about the crappy formatting!
EDDIE