Folks!

I have decided to buy myself a Q9450 Intel CPU.

I have searched the net for reviews and guides to a motherboard.

Anyone in hear have a good recommedation on a motherboard that will support the CPU without additional BIOS flash/chip mods

I have been looking at the Abit IP35 pro, but im not sure it supports the CPU!

Should I go for the X38 boards?

I'm not a big overclocker. I'm planning on using some Corsair CM2X1024-5400C4, 675Mhz memory, because i have 4Gb lying around. It's the CPU thats the most important!

Thx in advance
Henrik

With all the variables with regard to a motherboard selection, it really comes down to what you want on the MB and how much you are willing to pay for it.
This:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813127030
Or maybe this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136038

The Abit board will work just fine if it has the current bios, it has external esata that I like and cool shiny copper heat sinks for cooling.

The DFI is less costly, and if it too has the current bios it will work just fine.

I would not bother with an X series board, really no need for one over the P series.
I would go with the DFI myself, but I use an after market HSF Arctic cooling freezer 7 pro. which will not provide the needed air flow over the nice shiny copper heat sinks of the Abit board. It's made for the reference Intel HSF.

The big problem is making sure you are getting the needed bios with the MB to support the CPU you wish to use, this is where buying from a local shop comes in handy.

I on the other hand keep a spare cheap skt 775 celeron for use as a boot into bios cpu. I have used it 2 times so for me it's saved time and money.

I would be interested to see how, with what ever configuration you come up with, the Q9450 does.

I would probably just go with the DFI and a Q6600 if I were going to use memory like that which you have on hand, save a few dollars and still get a good system out of it.

Good luck and always use a high quality power supply.

EDIT : Good advice above about the Q6600 and P35 combination (it's a better fit for that memory of yours).

X38/X48 would be the best choice (but it's expensive).

Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 should support Q9450 out of the box. The newest F3 BIOS is 3 months old. ($200 on newegg.com)
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support [...] uctID=2754

Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 supports Q9450 out of the box as it only has an F1 BIOS released ($235 on newegg.com).
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support [...] uctID=2810

You could also wait for P45 boards to be sure if you need a cheaper board.

Overclocking with that RAM will likely not be possible at all. Q9450 has a FSB of 333MHz so that puts your lowest RAM speed at 667MHz. Your RAM just clears that threshold for stock speed.

I will upgrade the memory in 2 months. I won it in a competition. Figured i could use it now and spend the exstra buck on other parts.

I'll look into the Gigabyte boards. I picked Abit because of their IP35 pro.

Thx for the advice

Henrik