• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Motherboard for a not-so-serious Gamer

K

kpburd

Junior Member
I stepped up to the big leagues last week and purchased Crysis, COD4 and a EVGA GeForce 9600 GT to replace my outdated VGA GeForce FX6200. The EA website assured me, I met or exceeded minimum requirements otherwise. WRONG! I had no idea the journey I was about to embark.
I can barely get the games to load much less play so I decided to do what I should have done from the get-go. I checked out this forum and others and the further I got into gaming requirements, I found out how far out of touch I really am.
So at this point I have made Newegg happy and ordered a Intel C2D E7400 2.8G CPU to replace my enemic Pentium D and a Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W RT PSU to replace my twice overheated 400W PSU.
As I continued my research I discovered the new C2D CPU was not compatible with my existing ASUS P5RD1-VM-UAYZ Motherboard so now I get to the nut of this rant.
I need a Motherboard and not sure which one to purchase. The requirements that I am aware of are that; #1. it has to be a Micro ATX. #2. The 9600GT is designed for the PCI-E 2.0 x16 but there are not that many Micro Motherboards that supports 2.0 x16, so that narrows the field somewhat. #3. From what I?ve read some of these boards are sensitive to the type of memory installed. I know I have to upgrade to the DDR2 and based on a PC World article I read (http://www.pcworld.com/article...otherboard_mania.html) the fastest memory Intel boards will support is the DDR2-667 but most card requirements indicate -800. I?m not sure how that correlates with what PC World has to say. #4. I would like to stay below $130.
I have a pretty good handle on my requirements for the Southbridge so no issues there.
My OS is XP and I don't plan on upgrading to Vista.
I think I?ve covered it pretty well and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
 
Well, it's time for a complete halt before you go any further.

What parts do you have now (or ordered) and what size monitor do use for gaming (resolution)?

The first game you've got listed there, Crysis, is arguably one of the roughest games to play, even on high-end hardware. You're going to need a lot of muscle to make that one look good & run smooth.

At the least, you're going to need a stronger video card (I don't care what the EA website claims, the 9600GT is not a high end gaming card. Frankly, it's barely mid-range by today's standards. Especially for Crysis.

Before you decide on a motherboard, you're going to have to decide how much PC gaming is worth to you. Because both Crysis & COD4 are available for the XBOX360, which will only cost you $200 these days. And it's going to cost lots more than that to build a PC truly capable of pushing those games as well as they will run on the X360.
 
Denithor said:
What parts do you have now (or ordered) and what size monitor do use for gaming (resolution)?



All I've ordered at this point is the PSU. My monitor is a 24" LED 1920 x 1200
 
By the way, what case are you using?

For what it's worth, you don't need a PCI-e 2.0 slot. I have a PCI-e2.0 card running just peachy on an old PCI-e 1.0 x16 slot.
 
Well since u pulled the trigger on some parts:

1. I would have just gotten a $6x PC Power n Cooling 500 which would suffice for a single GPU config
2. I have come across Biostar TF7050-M7 mATX OCing a E7200 to 3.8 on some site so if you can find it that could be a possibility?
3. Another great Intel mATX OC board would be Gigabyte G33M-DS2R IMO
 
9600gt is definitely not mid range. 4850 is midrange, 9600gt is relic, will soon be antique.

I'd personally rather use a atx mobo and no case (or cardboard/makeshift case) than use a matx motherboard.
 
Originally posted by: kpburd
Denithor said:
What parts do you have now (or ordered) and what size monitor do use for gaming (resolution)?

All I've ordered at this point is the PSU. My monitor is a 24" LED 1920 x 1200
Click to expand...

So you have or have not ordered the e7400 (from your original post)?
And you have a 9600GT and Corsair 750TX PSU in hand, correct?

For Crysis @ 1920x1200 you need at least a GTX 260 or 1GB 4870 plus a really fast dual-core CPU. Understand me here - you are going to be spending at least $200 just on the video card to get a PC that can handle today's games at that resolution.

Now, if you can handle that, here's a list of what I would buy, taking into account you need a mATX motherboard.

E8400 (3GHz, 6MB cache) + XFX GF9300 mATX combo $265
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1066 $45
WD6401AALS Caviar Black $80
MSI 4870 1GB $205AR -or- XFX GTX 260/216 Black Edition $250AR

Total: 4870 - $595AR or GTX 260 - $640AR

This build will handle Crysis @ 1920x1200 but probably still not at full eye candy. If you want everything on high you'd need a 4870X2 or GTX 295 ($400 and $500, respectively). And a Q9400/Q9550 wouldn't hurt either instead of the E8400.

EDIT: So RMA that 9600GT and cancel the order for the e7400 (if you can) and get this stuff instead. Or just buy an XBOX 360 for $200 and be happy.
 
E7400 (N.B. released at the same time as the new stepping) is a sweet overclocker, if that's OP's plan. Won't make up for the extra cache on Denithor's E8400, but can easily hit high clock speeds without pushing the FSB too far.
 
Denithor, thanks for your input. I got that "oh yeah" look on my face when I saw your recommendations, however, that price range does not fit my wife's budget if you know what I mean.

I called EVGA tech support about my 9600gt and found out that at best, I may be able to play at low to medium settings with games like Crysis. He also told me a mobo that supports PCI-E 2.0 would be nice for future upgrades but the 9600 wouldn't come close to that capability so that was good info and I will spring for the 2.0.

In answer to your question, I have the 9600GT in hand, the Corsair 750 and e7400 are on the way.

In regards to the XBOX, I have a PS2 hooked up to a 42" Plasma but rarely turn it on. Computer gaming feels much more up close and personal, but that's just me.

If you have the time to recommend a Micro MoBo I would be greatly appreciative.

Thanks again for your input.
 
DSF, I have an aftermarket case. It's 14" L x 11" W x 9" H. It has a clear plastic cover so I can see the pretty lights and as far as gaming goes, well uh, the lights are really pretty.

The mobo I have in there now is an ASUS P5RD1-VM-UAYZ and it met my requirements back in the day.

After I read your post, I called EVGA tech support irt PCI-e2 and found out that my vid card won't even come close to running those speeds but I will probably get a 2.0 mobo just for future upgrade.

I appreciate your input.
 
Betasub, your talking way above my paygrade right now, but good to know for when I get the nerve to experiment although I'm thinking my vidcard will be a bottleneck regardless of how much I tweak the system.

Thanks for the info, as Denithor has been bringing a bazooka to a fist fight and I'm feeling like I should use the Crysis dvd for a coaster.
 
Researched MoBo's today and came up with the following wish list. The only problem is I can't find one that meets my needs/desire in every aspect. That makes me think I don't need what I think I need. Some input would be very valuable here.

My Motherboard Minimum Requirements:

ATX Micro
LGA 775
North Bridge P45
South Bridge ICH10R
DDR2 4GB
1 PCIe 2.0
PATA
SATA 3GB/s
SATA RAID (0/1)
4 USB 2.0

This will be paired with a C2D E7400
 
BTW BlueAcolyte, I loved your post on Frequently asked questions about memory. It was concise, broke down so even I could understand it, and by the numbers. I learned a lot, Thanks.

I found this article that really helped to understand mobo's and the different architectures that add the different features. I thought I wanted a P45 chipset and ICH19R. Now I realize I have many other choices that will suit my needs just fine. http://www.tomshardware.com/re...-p45-chipset,1961.html
The learning curve is pretty steep but it's also fun. Thanks for your input.
 
That is an excellent choice except for the price. That makes me believe I'm not going to get what I want for $100.
Thanks for the response.
 
I am going to close this thread. Thanks for all your input and will look for all of you on my next adventure.
 
I am going to close this thread. Thanks for all your input and will look for all of you on my next adventure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top