I need a new motherboard, which one?

[dwarren95]

Hello, I was wandering if anyone here knew a good motherboard to get in a 9.6 x 9.6 micro atx case. I need one because, well, its 2011, and we built that computer back in 2006? 2007? I cant remember. Anyway, I need one because I do a lot of gaming and I can still run my games on ultra or max or whatever is the highest, but the thing is, im starting to get a lower and lower fps with these new games. The reason I need a new motherboard is because I already have the best processor I can fit in my motherboard. (Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 @ 3.00GHZ) I need a motherboard that can fit in that case, but also can at least fit that processor until i get the money to get a new one. Are their motherboards that support 2 different sizes of processors? It also needs to support at least 6gb of ram and at least 4 SATA ports.

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6850 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
6144MB RAM
x2 Seagate Momentus XTs in RAID 0
NVIDIA GeForce GT 240
i-Inc 25" iH252 1920 x 1080 AND 15" Gateway vx730 (dual monitor)
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

 

[jaquith]

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

IMO the ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131759
Specs -> http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/Maximus_IV_GENEZ/#specifications
Size:
uATX Form Factor
9.6 inch x 9.6 inch ( 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm )

PCIe:
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (dual x8)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x4

Intel® Z68 chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), gray
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Support Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family
JMicron® JMB362 controller : *1
2 x eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), red
*1: These SATA ports are for data hard drivers only. ATAPI devices are not supported.

LAN:
Intel®, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)

Phase
- 8 -phase CPU power design + 4 -phase iGPU power design
- 2 -phase Memory power design

 

[dwarren95]

Well their were some problems with that one. First, I am using socket 775 and second, I am using ddr2 RAM. And the price is a little high, I am looking to spend no more than 120$$ on a motherboard. Thanks for the reply anyway.

 

[jaquith]

Duh me I saw "its 2011", bad me and I assumed NEW went along with a NEW CPU.

I would spend as little as possible on a 2+ generation old gear. Further, IF the RAID 0 is being 'moved' then you'll need the same RAID chipset to migrate the HDD's. Otherwise backup ALL data before the moving.

Intel BOXDG43GT http://ark.intel.com/products/41036/Intel-Desktop-Board-DG43GT
E6850 CPU Support http://processormatch.intel.com/CompDB/SearchResult.aspx?BoardName=DG43GT
$65 Intel BOXDG43GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121389
$20 SYBA SY-PEX50039 PCIe x1 RAID Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124047


HDD SATA 2 -> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/laptops/laptop-hdd/#tTabContentSpecifications

 

[dwarren95]

Best answer selected by dwarren95.