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Which Motherboard, CPU is best for me?

N

Navid

Diamond Member
I need to read up on PCI express motherboards and decide which one to upgrade to. The same with CPUs.

I currently have a P4C 2.6GHz on a P4P800 deluxe motherboard and a 6800OC. I have been happy with this setup. I would like to upgrade to a popular setup like my current setup was a few years ago. One of the reasons I want to upgrade is to be able to use a PCI express card since I understand same cards are cheaper in PCI express or some (7800?) do not even exist in AGP.

I am leaning towards an AMD setup.

I do gaming and simple email and web browsing.

Please advise or if you can, provide links for me to read.

I don't think I will ever use SLI. My thinking is that if I ever need more power from my graphics card, I just buy a faster card instead of plugging it two cards and having to live with the noise of two GPU fans!
So, I don't care if the motherboard does not support SLI. But, if this is a mistake, please tell me.

Thanks,

Navid

Edit:
I currently have 2X512MB DDR400 Kingston
 
Originally posted by: InlineFour
we can't recomend any parts without a budget.
Click to expand...

Good point!
I am thinking of spending about $200 on the CPU and about $150 on the motherboard. I usually wait for deals to come up on what I want to get. I usually spend about $200 on a graphics card.
I sell my old components on ebay after I upgrade. So, it helps if the components are popular.
 
Originally posted by: Navid
Originally posted by: InlineFour
we can't recomend any parts without a budget.
Click to expand...

Good point!
I am thinking of spending about $200 on the CPU and about $150 on the motherboard. I usually wait for deals to come up on what I want to get. I usually spend about $200 on a graphics card.
I sell my old components on ebay after I upgrade. So, it helps if the components are popular.
Click to expand...

in that case, i'd recomend an athlon 64 3200+ and an asus a8n-e. both parts are well below the intened budget. for the graphics card, i'd choose a nvidia 6800gs, which is about $200.
 
Hmmm, an AMD 3500 - 3700 is right on your cpu price range.

Motherboards? I've heard problems with the Asus A8N's but some love them. I'm eyeing the Abit KN8 SLI or maybe the Abit AN8 SLI. Both are in your range (the AN8 being more expensive at $150 or so than the KN8 at around $110).

If you're willing to spend around $300 on a graphics card, the 7800GT seems to be a sweet spot right now. Otherwise, the 6800gt for around $250 or the 6800 around $200.
 
I already have a 6800OC. I am not going to upgrade to 6800GT. I don't think the improvement is worth the hassle.
 
Originally posted by: Navid
I already have a 6800OC. I am not going to upgrade to 6800GT. I don't think the improvement is worth the hassle.
Click to expand...

i forgot you already have a 6800gs, therefore, a 6800gs won't be much of an improvement. you're better off saving an extra $100 for a 7800gt.
 
depending on your video card manufacturer you can do a trade up where you send your current video card with some more money and get something better.
 
The Epox 9npa ultra is the best nforce 4 ultra based motherboard according to Anandtech, and I agree with them. Also, if you're into hardcore overclock, consider an Opteron. Otherwise, do what I did and purchase an AMD 3700.
 
Guys,
Thanks for all the input. Please keep it coming.

Let me tell you something. My current Intel CPU system is the first system that I put together myself. It was straight forward when I wanted to choose the CPU. The only variable at the time was the frequency. So, it was easy for me to get the highest frequency that I was willing to pay for.

But, the AMD world seems to be very confusing to me. All these names and numbers: Opteron, AMD 3700 .....
Where can I find a description and comparison of all these?
 
Originally posted by: Navid
Guys,
Thanks for all the input. Please keep it coming.

Let me tell you something. My current Intel CPU system is the first system that I put together myself. It was straight forward when I wanted to choose the CPU. The only variable at the time was the frequency. So, it was easy for me to get the highest frequency that I was willing to pay for.

But, the AMD world seems to be very confusing to me. All these names and numbers: Opteron, AMD 3700 .....
Where can I find a description and comparison of all these?
Click to expand...

The AMD 3700 is 939 pin processor. It is equivalent to a Intel 3.7, but its real clock speed is 2.2 ghz. Opterons were originally for professional users but now they are becoming mainstream amongst hardcore enthusiasts. They are ideal if you are serious about overclocking.

What you want is a processor that is 939 pin.
 
Quick run down on some AMD terms (I'm still learning these myself):
dual core (x2) - means the processor actually has two seperate processors on the same die, which equals twice the power for data intensive tasks such as video/photo editing, multi tasking, etc. At the moment this makes no difference in gaming, but in the future as games are made for dual core (maybe a year or two) it will be beneficial.

Opterons - as mentioned, these are handpicked AMD chips, meant for professional or server applications, and thus meant to work very well under higher heat loads and as a result they OC much better. Many people report remarkable OC results with little to no hassle at all. all Opterons below the 165 are single core. all Optys 165 and over (170, 175) are dual core.

939 - means the chip is meant for Socket 939 motherboards. almost all the modern AMD and Opteron's we talk about here are 939s.

hope that helps, and anyone add or correct me if im wrong.
 
I currently run my 2.6GHz P4 at 3.2GHz. So, I do overclock if I can in order to increase the useful lifespan of the CPU for myself.
 
Is there a comparison chart that shows the performance of each processor so that one can see exactly how they line up?
 
Originally posted by: raildogg
The Epox 9npa ultra is the best nforce 4 ultra based motherboard according to Anandtech, and I agree with them. Also, if you're into hardcore overclock, consider an Opteron. Otherwise, do what I did and purchase an AMD 3700.
Click to expand...

Ummm not true dude, read the article on the boards they tested again. The Epox 9npa Ultra is the best budget board out there, I think for this guy it is the best choice though.

I suggest going with this
Epox 9npa+ Ultra
Opteron 146
x800gto2
1gb of corsair value select
Antec Sonata II with PSU
 
I'm sorry for bumping this again!

If cost was not an issue, which motherboard would be the best?

I need SATA.
I don't need RAID.
I don't need SLI.
I don't need on-board sound.
I prefer on-board network card for high-speed internet.
I am thinking of getting an Opteron.
I want PCI express. It should allow a dual-slot card in case I get one.
I don't need AGP.
I need at least 2 free PCI slots, one for my sound card and one for a modem (occasional sending fax).
I would like flexibility for overclocking.
I install Zalman coolers on the CPU or the graphics card to quiet them down. So, it should have room for slightly larger than usual coolers.
 
Originally posted by: raildogg
The Epox 9npa ultra is the best nforce 4 ultra based motherboard according to Anandtech, and I agree with them.
Click to expand...

Could you please point me to this article?
 
How about this motherboard that supports both AGP and PCI express?
ASROCK 939DUAL-SATA2

If I get this, I will not have to look for a graphics card right away since I have an AGP 6800OC. I can use the AGP card I have now until I find a good card.

Are there any problems with this board?
 
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