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Need suggestions for a mobo!

Forum Motherboards & Memory : General Motherboard - Need suggestions for a mobo!

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rbk88   04-18-2009 at 08:55:07 PM

Hey everyone,
So I'm building my first ever desktop and I'm looking for a motherboard but am utterly confused at all the terminology and such. I'm on a budget so cheaper is better (hopefully under $100). Please give me your suggestions on the best available motherboard for my specs. I'm looking at the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R but I'm hoping there is a cheaper model. I'm not a HUGE gamer and I'm not going to do anything crazy like dual graphics cards or connect 10 drives either. I just want one that will take advantage of the CPU to the max (maybe easily overclocked) and is reliable/cheap. Thanks a lot!

CPU: Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz.

Graphics : HD Radeon 4830

Connecting one DVD Drive, one internal hard drive.

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peaks   04-18-2009 at 09:39:14 PM
- 0 +

maybe something like the Gigabyte EP45-DS3????

------------------------------ Q6600 @ 3.0GHz | Zalman CNPS9700-NT Titanium Cooler | GA-EP45-UD3P | Sapphire HD4870 1GB | 4GB (2 x 2GB) OCZ PC2-8500C5 1066MHz DDR2 |OCZ GameXstream 600W |
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sub mesa   04-18-2009 at 11:07:28 PM
- 0 +

ECS GF7100PVT-M3 (V1.0) is a cheap choice. Reasonable chipset, low power too. Just not great GPU like GF9300 and only two DIMMs etc. Still a nice lil board :)

http://ecsusa.com/ECSWebSite/Produ [...] 44&LanID=9

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rbk88   04-18-2009 at 11:39:14 PM
- 0 +

sub mesa wrote :

ECS GF7100PVT-M3 (V1.0) is a cheap choice. Reasonable chipset, low power too. Just not great GPU like GF9300 and only two DIMMs etc. Still a nice lil board :)

http://ecsusa.com/ECSWebSite/Produ [...] 44&LanID=9



Thanks for the suggestions. I just saw on newegg that the ECS mobo received a "great value" award and that's the kind of mobo I'm looking for. However, it seems that in the comments people are saying its nearly impossible to overclock, and that is one important factor for me. Are there any other ideas? Also, since I'm going to buy a 4830 graphics card, it won't matter that the mobo has a good GPU correct? Thanks

Reply to rbk88
sub mesa   04-18-2009 at 11:42:10 PM
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That is true, the ECS board doesnt do overclocking. Maybe you can find other boards like GeForce 9300 chipset which is quite good, boards which do support overclocking. I'm not into overclocking really, i prefer under-clocking more than over-clocking. ;-)

Reply to sub mesa
rbk88   04-18-2009 at 11:56:47 PM
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When you are looking for a mobo, what kinds of things should I be looking for? What is the most important aspects for a reliable and fast mobo? Is it the FSB? The DDR2?

Reply to rbk88
sub mesa   04-19-2009 at 12:00:47 AM
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The chipset is the most important. Other important things are:
- power consumption (influenced by many things; but the motherboard having Solid Capacitors is also a good sign)
- additional features (firewire, howmany USB/SATA ports, howmany PCI/PCIe ports)
- BIOS options/functionality

Generally, you first choose a processor, then choose a chipset, then choose a motherboard. On Intel most chipsets use alot of power, but newer nVidia chipsets are quite efficient and do not require things like heat pipes or active cooling to operate.

Reply to sub mesa
rbk88   04-19-2009 at 12:28:30 AM
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oh wow I never realized the "chipset" until now. So you would definitely recommend an nVidia chipset? Also, I'm assuming you are talking about the north bridge? Since I already have bought the processor (E8400), now I need to choose a chipset. so this chipset won't affect compatability of anything else right such as the graphics card I'm going to buy? Also, which nvidia chipset would you recommend (the nForce 700)?


Message edited by rbk88 on 04-19-2009 at 12:33:23 AM
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Outlander_04   04-19-2009 at 12:31:00 AM
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Have a look at p43 boards . Chipset performance is near identical , but you dont have support for the things you are not interested in .

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] rade,2264.

$85

Reply to Outlander_04
sub mesa   04-19-2009 at 12:37:06 AM
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Chipsets usually consist of both north bridge and south bridge -- but nvidia chipsets often consist of only one chip serving both as north bridge and south bridge. Simply said the north bridge connects your CPU, memory and Graphics card, while the south bridge connects all the Serial ATA/Ethernet/USB/PCI communication -- the less fast stuff.

The nVidia GeForce 9300/9400 chipset is also known as MCP7A or nForce 730i MCP -- three names for the same product nvidia might not even sure about themselves ;)

------------------------------ ...man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but usually manages to pick himself up, walk over or around it, and carry on.
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rbk88   04-19-2009 at 02:19:52 AM
- 0 +

Thanks for all the info guys. The thing I want to know now is what exactly am I LOSING by getting the cheaper mobo in this case?

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX which costs about $115

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128359

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX which costs $55

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128357


Can someone explain to me what exactly makes up the price difference? Will I not be able to fully utilize my CPU by getting the cheaper one? What about the difference in "standard RAM" how will that affect anything? Thanks


Message edited by rbk88 on 04-19-2009 at 02:22:09 AM
Reply to rbk88
Crashman   04-19-2009 at 06:59:23 AM
- 0 +

rbk88 wrote :

Hey everyone,
So I'm building my first ever desktop and I'm looking for a motherboard but am utterly confused at all the terminology and such. I'm on a budget so cheaper is better (hopefully under $100). Please give me your suggestions on the best available motherboard for my specs. I'm looking at the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R but I'm hoping there is a cheaper model. I'm not a HUGE gamer and I'm not going to do anything crazy like dual graphics cards or connect 10 drives either. I just want one that will take advantage of the CPU to the max (maybe easily overclocked) and is reliable/cheap. Thanks a lot!

CPU: Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz.

Graphics : HD Radeon 4830

Connecting one DVD Drive, one internal hard drive.




More features and great overclocking for less money: ASRock P45XE

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157143

Message quoted 1 times
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Crashman   04-19-2009 at 07:00:57 AM
- 0 +

mamw93 wrote :

Anything ASUS is great.



Don't lie for your favorite brand.

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2110.html


Message edited by Crashman on 04-19-2009 at 07:01:51 AM
Reply to Crashman
rbk88   04-20-2009 at 08:08:52 AM
- 0 +

Crashman wrote :

More features and great overclocking for less money: ASRock P45XE

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157143




Thanks for the suggestions I will definitely consider that product. However, do you know of any other mobo's that are cheaper (maybe around $60-80)? I just want a mobo that is reliable with quality performace/speed. It doesn't need to support Sli, raid, dual graphics, blah blah blah.

Reply to rbk88
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