help choose MB for micro-atx

[SeanFL]

I'm building a system that will be used for video & audio editing. It'll be in a micro-atx case.

Processor: Q6600.

last year when I built a similar system, some folks suggested the Asus P5B-VM and it worked awesome. I don't have a need for a high end motherboard; just a stable one.

what's the equivalent this year? I'd like to stay with Asus, seemes very stable. It won't be overclocked; I would like it to have firewire and e-sata. I don't need onboard video; it just came with it last time.

Thanks much. Sean

 

[NXIL]

Hi Sean,

all micro ATX, quad core capable, with firewire and eSATA:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...0120%2CN82E16813128071

Tepid reviews:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130120

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128071

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128063

Another G965 chipset board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...+ATX+Intel+Motherboard

HTH

NXIL

 

[Synomenon]

The new "Asus P5E-VM HDMI" is going to be available in the US this month. It's available in the EU already.

 

[SeanFL]

thank you guys, thanks for all the links NXIL. If I did want to stay with asus (and didn't want to wait for the hdmi version)
do the choices seem to be P5B-MX (wifi?) or P5b-plus or P5b-vm se?

And since I'm going with the Q6600, does that lock me into the G965 chipset? (I don't know if I care either way, just wondering if I need to narrow my search to a certain chipset).

thanks again. Sean

 

[NXIL]

Dear Sean,

Q66000 does *not* lock you into G965 chipset--in fact, said chipset is on the soon to be discontinued list--I think it is the microatx requirement that is a bit limiting.

As for choosing motherboard: Newegg's search function is pretty awesome.

Go to this page, and click off your requirements:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ategory=280&GASearch=3

Quad core.....microatx....firewire, etc, and the search funtion will sort them out for you; then compare by price, and, with a grain of salt, user reviews.

HTH

NXIL

 

[SeanFL]

Thanks NXIL, I hadn't figured out how to get to their powersearch...thanks for pointing me that way. The P5B-VM wasn't listed correctly as being able to support a quad core (it does). With G965 heading toward being discontinued, what's the replacement? Is that the G33? Does it look superior?

thanks again. Sean

 

[NXIL]

Hi Sean,

Intel has several: G35, which I believe is the P35 chipset with integrated graphics:

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/G35/index.htm

Q35: business class from what I recall:

http://www.intel.com/products/...sets/Q35_Q33/index.htm

G33 and G31:

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/G33/index.htm

Here they are compared:

http://compare.intel.com/pcc/s...ilyID=10&culture=en-US

HTH

NXIL