Good Intel-based MicroATX motherboard?

[Ennergi]

Looking to build a micro ATX system and I was hoping to get a few recommendations for a good Intel-based micro ATX mainboard from the users here. I was thinking of something in the X48 flavor. Also, something that will fit a 8800GT video card would be ideal.

I looked around for recent comparison articles too but haven't really found anything.

Thanks!

 

[o1die]

If performance is your goal, I would avoid micro atx. Removing heat is essential for stability, and micro atx cases don't have mounts for 120mm fans. My new compaq pc has a lowly 80mm fan in back, and it just doesn't have the ability to move enough air without sounding like a wind tunnel. Fortunately, I have a 140mm fan on my power supply to help compensate.

 

[Ennergi]

You're right. At the moment though, it's more for convenience and space saving.

 

[o1die]

If you really want an x48 board, I'd look at the athenatech black media center for $59.99 plus shipping at newegg. And be sure to place it in a well vented area.

 

[rozar]

If performance is your goal, I would avoid micro atx. Removing heat is essential for stability, and micro atx cases don't have mounts for 120mm fans. My new compaq pc has a lowly 80mm fan in back, and it just doesn't have the ability to move enough air without sounding like a wind tunnel. Fortunately, I have a 140mm fan on my power supply to help compensate.

http://www.nspiregear.com/M120.asp

Click on the pictures of the case on that page

This case not only holds 2 - 120mm fans but also holds 4 hard drives, 2 - 3.5" drives and 3 - 5.25" drives. (throw away the PS it comes with)

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=542&l4=0&model=1690&modelmenu=1

This motherboard is not a bad overclocker, it come with most of the bios functions you would need to overclock and the extra X4 PCIe is a nice option. I have used this motherboard with a RAID controller for the 4 hard drives. I put a boot drive in the bottom 5.25" bay. I also used 2 optical drives, a floppy drive and a card reader. I had an E8400 running at 4GHz in this setup. The air flow in this case is very good.

 

[o1die]

That still won't help him with an x48 board. The premium chipset boards are all atx, unless someones knows differently. The athenatech 450's will sit flat, have a stronger power supply, and take an atx board.

 

[rozar]

If not having x48 is a deal breaker then you may need to chnage to ATX. If you want to stay with mATX then go with a different board.

 

[y2kgtp]

Well..I'm going to try to assemble the following.....should be here next week:

Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

Rosewill says my video card will not likely fit, but I think I can get it to work.....might need to modify the drive bracket. I also
purchased a couple 120mm fans to replace the stock one in the back, and add one to the front.

 

[BUFF]

DFI have a P45 mATX with Crossfire (dual x8 PCI-E 2.0 so same as dual x16 PCI-E 1.x) coming soon

 

[SonDa5]

DFI have a P45 mATX with Crossfire (dual x8 PCI-E 2.0 so same as dual x16 PCI-E 1.x) coming soon

Should be out very soon. This will be a very good MB despite that in Xfire the P45 chipset will only support 8x speeds in each pci 2.0 slot.

An X48 mATX would be the bomb. Hopefully that will be out soon.

Good read on X48 vs. X45 in crossfire.

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1472/1/page_1_introduction/index.html

 

[SonDa5]

DFI have a P45 mATX with Crossfire (dual x8 PCI-E 2.0 so same as dual x16 PCI-E 1.x) coming soon

Should be out very soon. This will be a very good MB despite that in Xfire the P45 chipset will only support 8x speeds in each pci 2.0 slot.

An X48 mATX would be the bomb. Hopefully that will be out soon.

Good read on X48 vs. X45 in crossfire.

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1472/1/page_1_introduction/index.html