Build advice. This motherboard OK?

[QUOTH]

Hello. I did a foolish thing, I upgraded the ram hdd and graphics card on my dell E521. Obviously the motherboard is the weak link. Very unstable in xp, un usable in Vista. So I want your opinion on a motherboard to go with my currnet hardware.

And yes, I know the Dell E521 has a modified mbtx mobo and case, I've just bought a new matx one for a new motherboard.

PC will be used for some games [not high end] and hd video playback. Dual monitors, one portraight dell 19" [will be upgrading to 24"] and one landscape 40" 1080p sony tv. Not planning to do any overclocking.

My main need is stability. I'm sick of my PC crashing or freezing. I'm in the UK so newegg links, although thoughtful, are useless but maybe someone else can use them.

nVidia GeForce 8600GTS EVGA
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual 5000+ 2.61GHz
4.00GB RAM Kingston DDR2 800MHz/pc2-6400 Hyperx Memory Nvidia SLI- Ready Unbuffered Cl4(4-4-4-12) Non-ECC 2.0v
PHILIPS DVD-ROM DROM6316
TSSTcorp DVD+-RW ts-H553A
Samsung SpinPoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB Hard Drive SATAII *32MB Cache*
COOLER MASTER Real Power M620
Cheap matx case

I won't be using raid or SLI.

I'm hoping to run 64bit vista. I can live with xp if needbe.

I'm thinking this gigabyte GA-MA69VM-S2 .

Both the gigabyte site and the kingston site says the ram is compatable.


Let me know what you think.

Q

 

[DATANK1436]

why not get a 780g mobo?

 

[QUOTH]

It's twice the price? Any reason to get the 780g instead as I'm not overclocking and I'm not playiing the latest games on full specs?

If theres a valid reason I can afford it. I'll just have to wait another couple of weeks.

To be clear I'm not a gigabyte fanboy, I've just picked up the impression that they are pretty good.

 

[BassBomb]

Dell normally uses its own set of holes and pins for motherboard and PSU. I don't think it will mount properly if you are using the old case and PSU.

 

[QUOTH]

Originally posted by: QUOTH
And yes, I know the Dell E521 has a modified mbtx mobo and case, I've just bought a new matx one for a new motherboard.

For anyone with a E521 who is curious, a 3rd party powersupply will fit. A 3rd party cpu cooler will NOT.

I have a new case and powersupply, no worries there. Just need a motherboard that will work well with my components which dosen't cost the Earth. £40's would be nice, I don't really think I need to spend £100+ as teh rest of my componets arn't top of the line and I'm not overclocking. Tell me if you disagree.

NOTE: ALL BUDGET PRICES LISTED IN GREAT BRITISH POUNDS. NOT AMERICAN DOLLARS.

 

[robmurphy]

I have just upgraded an S939 based HP computer. I used the Gigabyte 780G motherboard. The reasons for this rather than the 690G motherbard were that it has much better graphics, its AM2+ not AM2, and it had a later south bridge (SB700 not SB600).

The integrated graphics on the 780G will do full 1080P HD video playback. The HD video decode is done by the IGP graphics on the north bridge. The 690G IGP does not do this.

You may be better of with an ATI card rather than the Nvidia. The 780G under Vista will run in hybrid crossfire using the onboard IGP if you use a low to mid range ATI graphics card in the 2 series or later.

Even without the crossfire it will enable a display on the IGP and the graphics card. This means the IGP could be used for HD video playback, and the graphics card for games ect.

If and when the TDP of the phenoms comes down then they will work in the 690G motherboard, but run with HT1 not HT3 and max memory speed of DDR2 800. This will impact on performance.

With the 780G the phenoms will run with HT3 and can use DDR2 1066 memory.

I would not use any AM2/AM2+ CPU with a TDP of over 100W on these motherboards unless you have made sure the VRM section has plenty of cooling.

The 780G motherboard goes for about £60. Ebuyer sell it at that price with free delivery.

Rob

 

[QUOTH]

Originally posted by: robmurphyThe integrated graphics on the 780G will do full 1080P HD video playback. The HD video decode is done by the IGP graphics on the north bridge. The 690G IGP does not do this.

You may be better of with an ATI card rather than the Nvidia. The 780G under Vista will run in hybrid crossfire using the onboard IGP if you use a low to mid range ATI graphics card in the 2 series or later.

Even without the crossfire it will enable a display on the IGP and the graphics card. This means the IGP could be used for HD video playback, and the graphics card for games ect.

If and when the TDP of the phenoms comes down then they will work in the 690G motherboard, but run with HT1 not HT3 and max memory speed of DDR2 800. This will impact on performance.

With the 780G the phenoms will run with HT3 and can use DDR2 1066 memory.

I would not use any AM2/AM2+ CPU with a TDP of over 100W on these motherboards unless you have made sure the VRM section has plenty of cooling.

Rob

Is there generally any problems using a ati mobo and a nvidia card? I understand they can't crossfire [ati's version of "sli" right? Out of curiosity can you SLI with a onboard and pcie nvidia card?]". I'm happy with my nvidia 8600gts for now so does any of this matter?

So this mobo will support quad core ht3 45nm Deneb phenom processors if the TDP is lower? I'm not all that fussed about upgrading. I may just wait until Nehalem is out, stable and reasonable in price [ a couple of years].

Erm, I believe my current processor processor uses 89W. If I wanted a mobo in the same price range that could handle processors with a higher wattage, what should I be looking at?


Thanks for the detailed response. if anyone wants to comment or recommend a mobo [does not have to be gigabyte] feel free.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

No, there shouldn't be a problem. Yes, you can SLi an 8500GT or 8400GS with Nvidia 8200 motherboard, but the difference is negligible. I would still recommend the 780g.

 

[QUOTH]

Neat. I'll go for the 780g.

Now I just need a rotary tool [dremmel] and a guide for drilling fan filer holes

So are gigabyte good? Quality components at a good value? I picked one of their boards fairly randomly. I'm curious why noone has said "look at this board instead."

Q

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: QUOTH
Neat. I'll go for the 780g.

Now I just need a rotary tool [dremmel] and a guide for drilling fan filer holes

So are gigabyte good? Quality components at a good value? I picked one of their boards fairly randomly. I'm curious why noone has said "look at this board instead."

Q

In your case the GA-MA74GM-S2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G mATX may work best and save you a few bucks ...

future 95w Phenominals would work but the board 'only' has 1000MHz Hyper Transport (should not be a big deal)

Gigabyte is top tier ...

 

[QUOTH]

So the main difference is

780g = am2+
740g = am2

Therefore the 780g is better for me if I ever upgrade to a good am2+.


Hmmm, choices choices.