Need P4 mobo recommendation

[Chang10is]

I'm getting tired of running off of 256 MB RDRAM, and instead of investing in more expensive Rambus RAM, I'm thinking about buying a new mobo and rebuilding myself a computer using DDR RAM that I already have laying around. I don't know much about P4 motherboards--can you all offer some recommendations please? I'm not even sure what core my P4 is... I got a Dimension 8250 2 years ago when Dell was running that crazy deal with 5 rebates. I'm guessing that this should be a Northwood, but I'm not completely sure. I'm going to be using an ATI GeForce 440 MX and 512 MB of Mushkin DDR3200 with this. Buying another stick of RAM and going dual-channel is something I'd consider.

Oh, and if anybody has extensive experience working with Dell computers, should I expect any challenges as I try to rebuild this system (i.e. hardware incompatibilities, traps like that plastic piece sitting over the heatsink, etc.)? Is it hard to get that plastic piece off so that I can get to the heatsink and CPU? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[o1die]

Unless you want to search ebay for a used dell mobo, I would change cases and go with an 865pe board. Computer geeks has a gigabyte 8isxt-fs board for under $50 that should work well. Newegg has a Just Pc case with 350w ps for $24.95 plus shipping that I use for my backup system. Just be sure your cpu is socket 478. Using non dell motherboards is iffy at best, and may require a different power supply. It's easier to change cases.

 

[aepheton]

Just as a complement, I would advice to buy any mobo from Asus, ABit or Gigabyte with Intel chipset. if you are going to use it with a Pentium processor. Just check for compability.

 

[Chang10is]

Originally posted by: o1die
Unless you want to search ebay for a used dell mobo, I would change cases and go with an 865pe board. Computer geeks has a gigabyte 8isxt-fs board for under $50 that should work well. Newegg has a Just Pc case with 350w ps for $24.95 plus shipping that I use for my backup system. Just be sure your cpu is socket 478. Using non dell motherboards is iffy at best, and may require a different power supply. It's easier to change cases.

Thanks for the cost-effective suggestions. I guess I'll be getting a new case and PSU. Any other suggestions on a relatively cheap mobo (like maybe a Newegg refurb)? Here are a bunch of choices at Newegg. The Gigabyte board suggested by o1die looks pretty enticing... what do you all think is the best choice out there?

 

[o1die]

The abit is7-e2 is another possibility ($74 at newegg), but the gigabyte board should work fine. They both use the same Intel chipset.