Looking for a new mobo - Any recommendations?

[rampage42]

I'm looking for a motherboard that will be part of the new PC im building, but im so confused and have no idea what to look for.

It needs to be compatible with SLI, support a 64 bit CPU, and have enough space to fit a decent cooler on too.

If it helps, im going for gaming/performance in this setup.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

For starters you are going to want to look for a board with a Nvidia motherboard chipset. unless you go with a X58 i7 system

 

[rampage42]

Why will i need the nVidia chipset?

 

[yh125d]

Sli requires one of the nvidia sli compatible chipsets, or the Intel X58. Give us more information, such as other components and budget, and we'll be able to recommend one for you.


Oh, and I don't know why you think you "need" sli compatibility, it's not too often the best route.

 

[rampage42]

Well, to be honest, im halfway through choosing parts. I dug up an old list of stuff i wanted, but its all changing.

Case - Cooler Master HAF 922

PSU -

Mobo -

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0Ghz

CPU COOL - Zalman CNPS9500-AT

GPU - NVIDIA 9800GT

HDD - SAMSUNG 750GB 32mb SATA

RAM - 4GB DDR2 or 3 ???

Optical - LG GH-22NP20


Budget is set at about £550.

Please feel free to make suggestions. As i said, this isnt set in stone. Its all changing, except the case.

 

[yh125d]

Switch the CPU to an AMD Phenom II X3 720 which performs similarly at stock, and can likely be unlocked to a quad core for $120, get 4GB ddr2 even if you're on a 32 bit OS, the 1TB samsung spinpoint instead, a 4850 instead of the 9800GT for better performance at the same or lower price, a Xigmatek S1283 instead of the overpriced underperforming Zalman, and an Antec EA430 to power it all

 

[rampage42]

Wow, thanks man, that certainly was an informative post. Ill be looking into these products, how much will that setup cost me?
And what about that motherboard?

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: rampage42
Wow, thanks man, that certainly was an informative post. Ill be looking into these products, how much will that setup cost me?
And what about that motherboard?

Pretty much do what yh125d said- it'll work out cheaper or the same price for more performance. As for motherboard, if you stick with DDR2, get something like this and for DDR3 something like this. The difference between DDR2/3 is negligible but if you can find them at the same price (DDR3 has dropped in price alot recently) just get some cheap DDR3 and you're set.