Need Advice on Motherboard/Possible Proccessor Combo

[bierce85]

Hey guys, I just recently got pro tools audio software and the time has come to beef up my computer. I have a dell dimension 4600 from about 3 years ago and I know the first advise everyone will give me is to just buy an all new computer. Keep in mind I've taken that in to consideration and I have my reasons for not wanting to:

1. The computer is actually working fine with pro tools even with high track counts and lots of plugins
2. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a new computer because I have a lot of other non-computer related things such as signal processors and mics to buy.

Anyway, what I DO need is a new computer case and motherboard that will hold more hard drives/PCI cards. What I need to know is if there's a motherboard out there that will work with my 4600 guts without compatibility issues.


Here's the specs under system properties:

- Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 1
- for "computer" it just says -- Intel(R)
- Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz
- 1.50 GB of RAM (I believe its DDR266)

Disk Drives:

- main HD is a Maxtor IDE 80GB
- the second HD is a new 300GB Maxtor SATA with a Belkin adapter PCI card so it will work with my current motherboard which has no SATA port.

- My graphics card is an nvidia geforce fx 5200
- Sound card is a Creative Soundblaster Live SB0200


Anyway if someone who knows a lot about this stuff could take 5 minutes to let me know if there's a compatible motherboard I could pop in to a new case and hook up to all my existing hardware I would greatly appreciate it. Also, I am open to a barebone kit from NewEgg... I'm just not too crazy about the cases that come with a lot of them, so if there's a motherboard/processor combo that would work with my stuff I'd love to see it.


Thanks,
Bill

 

[Howard]

Budget? I assume you're using DDR266 memory?

 

[bierce85]

Yes.. DDR266 memory, although the RAM I have is capable of running at 333 and 400 speeds. What I really need is a motherboard that will just work with all the rest of the guts and go in to a new case. As for budget, I'd like to keep it around or under $100, but I also need a good 6-7 PCI slots. I don't know if this makes for a more expensive motherboard.