What to look for in a motherboard...

[OlympusMons]

So I'm building my first PC. I've got the case and PSU picked out. I guess the next logical piece to select is the motherboard and CPU. Right??

If so....what should I look for? All I know at this point is I want a ATX style and a powerful processor. I see that AMD is popular on here and I'm surprised that Intel isn't the favorite.

While shopping on TigerDirect, I see a plethora of different styles or types and I have no idea what they are. Socket A. Socket 370. Socket 775. HUH?!!

I do know that I want a 64bit CPU to be prepared for the next gen OS's. Would you gurus recommend this approach? And what should I look for in a MB?

Thanks in advance.

 

[imported_Kensai]

S939.

 

[Valkerie]

If you want cheap priced computer, but fairly fast one, get:

Athlon 64 @ 1.8 GHz

mobo:
nForce 2
AGP8x
PCI
SATA

chassis: any w/+400w

Radeon 9600 XT (sapphire)

512mb DDR 400 RAM

80gb SATA

Audigy 2 - full retail


this should be like $550, you get a full package for a decent price

but if you're gaming, don't get this rig, it's for mainstream only, though games wouldn't be bad on it

 

[justly]

Originally posted by: OlympusMons
So I'm building my first PC. I've got the case and PSU picked out. I guess the next logical piece to select is the motherboard and CPU. Right??

If so....what should I look for? All I know at this point is I want a ATX style and a powerful processor. I see that AMD is popular on here and I'm surprised that Intel isn't the favorite.

While shopping on TigerDirect, I see a plethora of different styles or types and I have no idea what they are. Socket A. Socket 370. Socket 775. HUH?!!

I do know that I want a 64bit CPU to be prepared for the next gen OS's. Would you gurus recommend this approach? And what should I look for in a MB?

Thanks in advance.

Let me try and get your thread started in the right direction.

You might actually want to choose a power supply after you decide what is going to be in your computer (to make sure it will be sufficent), but for now lets move on.

If you look at some reviews you might understand why AMD is currently the perfered choice, thats not to say Intel is bad. It really boils down to what your priorities are, either read some reviews, or describe how you use your computer for more help with this choice.

As for sockets there are basically three choices (if you wan't something that has 64 bit support and is still in production), these would be Intels socket 775 (actually this is not a socket but a LGA = land grid array) and AMDs socket 754 or 939. The socket 939 uses a duel channel memory configuration while the socket 754 is only single channel making it more of a budget AMD platform.

I would say there is nothing wrong with going 64 bit to be prepared, then again its very possible that you may never need it. Again, this will depend on how you use your computer and how long before you move to a 64 bit OS.

"what should I look for in a MB?" thats a loaded question . Price, performance, overclocking options, AGP or PCI-E support, features, firmware support and build quality could all come into play in making a motherboard decission, you need to specify what is most important before anyone can truly help you with this question.

 

[OlympusMons]

Originally posted by: justly

Originally posted by: OlympusMons
So I'm building my first PC. I've got the case and PSU picked out. I guess the next logical piece to select is the motherboard and CPU. Right??

If so....what should I look for? All I know at this point is I want a ATX style and a powerful processor. I see that AMD is popular on here and I'm surprised that Intel isn't the favorite.

While shopping on TigerDirect, I see a plethora of different styles or types and I have no idea what they are. Socket A. Socket 370. Socket 775. HUH?!!

I do know that I want a 64bit CPU to be prepared for the next gen OS's. Would you gurus recommend this approach? And what should I look for in a MB?

Thanks in advance.

Let me try and get your thread started in the right direction.

You might actually want to choose a power supply after you decide what is going to be in your computer (to make sure it will be sufficent), but for now lets move on.

If you look at some reviews you might understand why AMD is currently the perfered choice, thats not to say Intel is bad. It really boils down to what your priorities are, either read some reviews, or describe how you use your computer for more help with this choice.

As for sockets there are basically three choices (if you wan't something that has 64 bit support and is still in production), these would be Intels socket 775 (actually this is not a socket but a LGA = land grid array) and AMDs socket 754 or 939. The socket 939 uses a duel channel memory configuration while the socket 754 is only single channel making it more of a budget AMD platform.

I would say there is nothing wrong with going 64 bit to be prepared, then again its very possible that you may never need it. Again, this will depend on how you use your computer and how long before you move to a 64 bit OS.

"what should I look for in a MB?" thats a loaded question . Price, performance, overclocking options, AGP or PCI-E support, features, firmware support and build quality could all come into play in making a motherboard decission, you need to specify what is most important before anyone can truly help you with this question.

Thanks. When finished, this PC will be used for web development, programming and video editing so it'll need to be pretty powerful and robust.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: OlympusMons

Originally posted by: justly

Originally posted by: OlympusMons
So I'm building my first PC. I've got the case and PSU picked out. I guess the next logical piece to select is the motherboard and CPU. Right??

If so....what should I look for? All I know at this point is I want a ATX style and a powerful processor. I see that AMD is popular on here and I'm surprised that Intel isn't the favorite.

While shopping on TigerDirect, I see a plethora of different styles or types and I have no idea what they are. Socket A. Socket 370. Socket 775. HUH?!!

I do know that I want a 64bit CPU to be prepared for the next gen OS's. Would you gurus recommend this approach? And what should I look for in a MB?

Thanks in advance.

Let me try and get your thread started in the right direction.

You might actually want to choose a power supply after you decide what is going to be in your computer (to make sure it will be sufficent), but for now lets move on.

If you look at some reviews you might understand why AMD is currently the perfered choice, thats not to say Intel is bad. It really boils down to what your priorities are, either read some reviews, or describe how you use your computer for more help with this choice.

As for sockets there are basically three choices (if you wan't something that has 64 bit support and is still in production), these would be Intels socket 775 (actually this is not a socket but a LGA = land grid array) and AMDs socket 754 or 939. The socket 939 uses a duel channel memory configuration while the socket 754 is only single channel making it more of a budget AMD platform.

I would say there is nothing wrong with going 64 bit to be prepared, then again its very possible that you may never need it. Again, this will depend on how you use your computer and how long before you move to a 64 bit OS.

"what should I look for in a MB?" thats a loaded question . Price, performance, overclocking options, AGP or PCI-E support, features, firmware support and build quality could all come into play in making a motherboard decission, you need to specify what is most important before anyone can truly help you with this question.

Thanks. When finished, this PC will be used for web development, programming and video editing so it'll need to be pretty powerful and robust.

In that case, it comes down to your budget now. There is no doubt in my mind that a dual-core computer would be the right one for you. Intel's dual core chips, the Pentium D line, are relatively inexpensive, but aren't as powerful. AMD's dual core line, the A64 X2 series, are better performance at a higher premium. If you have the money, buy an A64 X2 4400+. If you would prefer to save money, buy a Pentium D 820 or 830.

 

[Icepick]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
If you want cheap priced computer, but fairly fast one, get:

Athlon 64 @ 1.8 GHz

mobo:
nForce 2
AGP8x
PCI
SATA

chassis: any w/+400w

Radeon 9600 XT (sapphire)

512mb DDR 400 RAM

80gb SATA

Audigy 2 - full retail


this should be like $550, you get a full package for a decent price

but if you're gaming, don't get this rig, it's for mainstream only, though games wouldn't be bad on it

One of the Op's requirements is 64bit. Nforce2 is compatible with Athlon XP procs, which to not support 64 bit computing.

OP, if you're willing to spend the cash on a good dual core processor then AMD will perform better than any Intel at the apps you listed. The caveat is that you'll pay more for a dual core AMD proc (>$500 ). I'm not up on the features of the current Intel mobos.

If you decide to go with an AMD motherboard then make sure it's socket 939. Currently motherboards based on the Nvidia Nforce 4 chipset is the best for AMD. As for features, you'll have to decide on what peripherals you'll need to support and what's important to you. You'll get plenty of USB ports, onboard Gigabit Ethernet, SATA support, onboard sound with any socket 939 nforce4 motherboard you choose.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Seeing your requirements make me think of this:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
AMD X2 4400+ or 4800+
2GB OCZ EL Platinum PC3200
Thermalright XP-90 retail package
BFG 7800GTX OC PCI-E
Hard drive(s) from Seagate's 7200.8 line