Alright, I'm trying to build a MicroATX machine on a budget to try to justify having a fourth computer to my parents. I need a dedicated box for database backups and some projects that would benefit from a linux box. I'm good about picking a processor, RAM, hard drives out, etc, but the part that is throwing me for a loop is the motherboard. I'm trying to figure out what the difference is between these two boards to warrant a $70 difference, or more precisely, if it will matter for me.
I don't plan on doing any gaming on this machine, I'm basically just concerned with making the best out of the processor and RAM. I'm not concerned with video and/or audio.
Alright, I'm trying to build a MicroATX machine on a budget to try to justify having a fourth computer to my parents. I need a dedicated box for database backups and some projects that would benefit from a linux box. I'm good about picking a processor, RAM, hard drives out, etc, but the part that is throwing me for a loop is the motherboard. I'm trying to figure out what the difference is between these two boards to warrant a $70 difference, or more precisely, if it will matter for me.
I don't plan on doing any gaming on this machine, I'm basically just concerned with making the best out of the processor and RAM. I'm not concerned with video and/or audio.
The more expensive board is based on the P35 chipset (although with onboard graphics hench G35) so it has native support for penryns, better memory controller.
The cheaper board is based on nVidia's budget chipset 610i, so it needs overclocking to run penryns or high speed ram.
If I plan on doing some overclocking with a e8400 is getting 2x2gb of DDR1066 worth the cost increase over DDR800? I realize the extra headroom gained with faster ram is certainly beneficial for overclocking but I'm having a hard time justifying another $75-100.
You'll be fine with DDR2 800 if you want to overclock to 3.6Ghz. If you want to go over 4Ghz, I would probably go with the DDR2 1066.
Digging this back up because I still haven't ordered my parts since I'm waiting on another paycheck. If I'm planning on trying to go for 3.8-4Ghz could I get by with DDR800 or am I better off getting the 1066 (or even DDR1000).
Edit x2: I'm going to answer my own question and go with some G.Skill DDR1000 which seems to be a sweet spot in both price and performance.
Ok, So I've been sucked into building a system for some family friends. They do pretty much sweet fuck all on it, here's something i threw together:
Monitor: Asus VW222U 22"
CPU: E2100 1.6 Ghz
MoBo: Asus P5N-MX
RAM: 2gb DDR2-800 (generic)
GFX: On-board (Geforce 7050)
HDD: WD 160GB SATA
Optical: Something SATA
Case: CoolerMaster Centurion 5
PSU: 460W included
OS: XP Home
Speakers: Logitech X-240
Kb/Mouse: Microsoft Black Value Pack
The components listed come to just under $900 Aussie fun bucks. I'll round it up to $1k flat for my time and ensure that the realise that there's no way in hell that I'll be their tech support bitch if something goes wrong.
What do you guys look at to qualify a mobo these days? Outside of model-specific reviews and the specs you want, are there any manufacturer or chipset considerations?
For the build up above, I don't really think they need a dedicated GFX card unless there doing any sort of gameing...there only using XP and he can increase the shared texture memory as he's got 2 gigs to work with. I mean there's no real need for that. The deal on 8800gt is great though...I might get one as I've already got one...
In replay to Morskittar:
It really depends on what you want to do with it. You want a motherboard that will allow you to changes voltages so you can OC the CPU, SLI is a nice feature and you want 45nm support (Penryn). I wouldn't go ddr 3 unless your getting something really high end like pc16000 or something. You can get DDR2 for much cheaper and you can get oc'd memory that will run faster then entry level DDR 3.
I don't know it's kidna hard to say what to look for on a mobo, what are you going to be doing with it exactly? gaming?
I'm eyeing a pretty standard budget/performance machine in the 1k range (e8400, 8800gt, etc, etc...) but I'm bouncing around between quite a few motherboards. I feel I've been lucky on previous builds, as I've never really researched them much... and the last machine I built was about three years ago.
I've settled on DDR2 for the most part, iffy on SLI capability, and hadn't thought to look for 45nm support on the board. OCing is a possiblity, but I don't plan on taxing the machine too much.
Is a mobo with 45nm just for cooling and power usuage, or necessary to properly utilize a 45nm cpu?
Some mobos support 45nm out of the box - some do, but require firmware updates (which can be a pain). Some don't but most you're going to be looking at will support them I'm pretty sure. Best bet is to read reviews on websites like tomshardware.com, hardocp.com, anandtech.com and newegg.com.
Please please please only get the EVGA 8800 GT is you are sure the Mobo has room for it. I had to cut my EVGA 8800 GTS to get it to fit my old machine, and I can't do anything to make it fit the machine I just bought (which I will be returning today).
Speaking of which... Here's the set-up I'm ordering today...
Vista 32 (I'll upgrade to 64 when I hear it's a bit more stable.)
And I already have a DVD-R, 500W PSU, and an EVGA 8800 GTS 512. Oh, and Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS which suits my needs just fine. RAM will be Crucial brand, with diff specs depending on the Mobo I end up getting.
Anything I should change?
Also, a few questions. I know ASUS Mobos are quality, but the EVGA board supports DDR2 1066, where the comparable ASUS board supports DDR2 800. Will this difference even be noticeable? Also, the ASUS board is $40.00 cheaper.
I don't feel there's any reason to avoid 64-bit, as long as you're running Vista. Unless there is a specific piece of hardware or software you *know* won't work.
In my experience (tending to five separate Vista boxes; four 64-bit) if it has Vista 32 drivers, it will have 64. Or run well enough in a compatibility mode.
I'm about half-way through my first-ever build. I just had to pack it up for the night because I was getting tired. I have a question about the I/O cover plate: On the inside of each port, there are little metal slivers that are pressing against the mobo and creating a "puffy" effect around each port. None of my instructions said to do anything with those slivers, so is this normal, or should I have bent/removed them? If so, is it worth pulling the mobo back out to adjust the panel (GPU is in, front panel connected, etc.).
Huh, seems like I've heard only bad things about 64, so far...
Wouldn't surprise me that our anecdotes don't match up.
If you make sure you have a disk for both and don't mind reinstalling, you won't find it too painless to switch from one to the other. Just make sure your OEM can supply both disks or you get a retail version.
I'm on the fence with 64-bit. On one hand you can utilize more RAM, but on the other each 64-bit native app has a larger foot print. It seems to me that, at the moment, if you're running 4 GB RAM with a 512 GPU 32-bit is the better choice.
Huh, seems like I've heard only bad things about 64, so far...
Wouldn't surprise me that our anecdotes don't match up.
If you make sure you have a disk for both and don't mind reinstalling, you won't find it too painless to switch from one to the other. Just make sure your OEM can supply both disks or you get a retail version.
Wait, does the retail version of Vista have both versions?
Huh, seems like I've heard only bad things about 64, so far...
Wouldn't surprise me that our anecdotes don't match up.
If you make sure you have a disk for both and don't mind reinstalling, you won't find it too painless to switch from one to the other. Just make sure your OEM can supply both disks or you get a retail version.
Wait, does the retail version of Vista have both versions?
OEM gives license right, but it's up to you to scrounge up a disk.
On a hardware note, where do you guys research parts reviews and the like? I feel my sources (Anandtecj, Tom's, Newegg, Ars, CNet) are dated and subpar. Any tips for quality reviews or testing?
Oh, Ultimate. I see. Well, I bit the bullet and went ahead with 64-bit Vista Home Premium, and it's on the way from Newegg with my Q6600, my SLi MoBo, and my 4GB RAM. I'm feeling pretty happy. In my pants.
Huh, seems like I've heard only bad things about 64, so far...
Wouldn't surprise me that our anecdotes don't match up.
If you make sure you have a disk for both and don't mind reinstalling, you won't find it too painless to switch from one to the other. Just make sure your OEM can supply both disks or you get a retail version.
Wait, does the retail version of Vista have both versions?
OEM gives license right, but it's up to you to scrounge up a disk.
On a hardware note, where do you guys research parts reviews and the like? I feel my sources (Anandtecj, Tom's, Newegg, Ars, CNet) are dated and subpar. Any tips for quality reviews or testing?
Anandtech, HardOCP, firingsquad, bit-tech. You can usually figure out how good the reviews are by what they discuss and don't.
All my parts (apart from the case, monitor and gfx card, damn multiple suppliers) are sat in the corner of my room - can't wait to put them together when the case arrives tomorrow.
Most proud of the Logitech G9 mouse, put the 4g weights in and feels silky as fuck. Will post pics tomorrow when it's working - ended up getting Thermaltake Armor Jr case w/ window - so much for having a discreet, non-pimped case..
machineisbored on
There is hope in honest error, none in the icy perfections of the mere stylist.
So I'm getting ready to build my first computer. I've already got a case with a 420w PSU - that's enough for most rigs, right? Not planning on overclocking anything.
Pretty clueless when it comes to motherboards. Really don't know how important memory speeds are. Is the difference between 800 and 1066 memory noticeable or important for gaming?
I need some motherboard reccomendations to go with the following:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale (will probably do some slight overclockin)
240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
the goal is to put in a geforce gtx 260 or 280 when they drop in a few weeks
right now i'm looking at this board, but would like some other options, mostly because of the lack of SLI support (which I don't know if I'll even need, but would be nice for some moderate future proofing.
I need some motherboard reccomendations to go with the following:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale (will probably do some slight overclockin)
240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
the goal is to put in a geforce gtx 260 or 280 when they drop in a few weeks
right now i'm looking at this board, but would like some other options, mostly because of the lack of SLI support (which I don't know if I'll even need, but would be nice for some moderate future proofing.
I went with the P5N-D which is cheaper, and does support SLi.
Posts
Now, I can't play assassin's creed anymore. Fuck...
I uninstalled the omega drivers and reverted to the new catalyst 8.2 drivers from 7.4. I still can't play it. Ideas?
edit:
Wasn't implying you should buy that. There is no deals thread so I decided to post it here.
(Slightly) cheaper RAM with better timings
64-bit if you want to take advantage of 4gb of RAM, I wouldn't bother with Ultimate.
$129.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131237
$59.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131230
I don't plan on doing any gaming on this machine, I'm basically just concerned with making the best out of the processor and RAM. I'm not concerned with video and/or audio.
The more expensive board is based on the P35 chipset (although with onboard graphics hench G35) so it has native support for penryns, better memory controller.
The cheaper board is based on nVidia's budget chipset 610i, so it needs overclocking to run penryns or high speed ram.
Digging this back up because I still haven't ordered my parts since I'm waiting on another paycheck. If I'm planning on trying to go for 3.8-4Ghz could I get by with DDR800 or am I better off getting the 1066 (or even DDR1000).
Edit x2: I'm going to answer my own question and go with some G.Skill DDR1000 which seems to be a sweet spot in both price and performance.
Monitor: Asus VW222U 22"
CPU: E2100 1.6 Ghz
MoBo: Asus P5N-MX
RAM: 2gb DDR2-800 (generic)
GFX: On-board (Geforce 7050)
HDD: WD 160GB SATA
Optical: Something SATA
Case: CoolerMaster Centurion 5
PSU: 460W included
OS: XP Home
Speakers: Logitech X-240
Kb/Mouse: Microsoft Black Value Pack
The components listed come to just under $900 Aussie fun bucks. I'll round it up to $1k flat for my time and ensure that the realise that there's no way in hell that I'll be their tech support bitch if something goes wrong.
Anything worth changing?
$50 after rebate ATI HD2600XT 512 MB, PCI-E
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=375075&t=822318&highlight=ATI
Also, very good deal on an eVGA card:
$130 after rebate eVGA 8800GT (dual slot cooling too, I think)
http://www.frys.com/product/5592230
In replay to Morskittar:
It really depends on what you want to do with it. You want a motherboard that will allow you to changes voltages so you can OC the CPU, SLI is a nice feature and you want 45nm support (Penryn). I wouldn't go ddr 3 unless your getting something really high end like pc16000 or something. You can get DDR2 for much cheaper and you can get oc'd memory that will run faster then entry level DDR 3.
I don't know it's kidna hard to say what to look for on a mobo, what are you going to be doing with it exactly? gaming?
I'm eyeing a pretty standard budget/performance machine in the 1k range (e8400, 8800gt, etc, etc...) but I'm bouncing around between quite a few motherboards. I feel I've been lucky on previous builds, as I've never really researched them much... and the last machine I built was about three years ago.
I've settled on DDR2 for the most part, iffy on SLI capability, and hadn't thought to look for 45nm support on the board. OCing is a possiblity, but I don't plan on taxing the machine too much.
Is a mobo with 45nm just for cooling and power usuage, or necessary to properly utilize a 45nm cpu?
I'll read up a bit more.
GeForce 8600 GT 512MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121231
For $60 after rebate?
2GB DDR2 PC8500 BALLISTIX KIT / CRUCIAL for $25 after rebate
Be very, very careful - check reviews:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148090
As far as the memory. If they are the double sided D9s the it's a good deal. If not I wouldn't bother getting them.
Whoops, my initial search turned up a different stick of Ballistix which had 4 stars. Good call on that.
Please please please only get the EVGA 8800 GT is you are sure the Mobo has room for it. I had to cut my EVGA 8800 GTS to get it to fit my old machine, and I can't do anything to make it fit the machine I just bought (which I will be returning today).
Speaking of which... Here's the set-up I'm ordering today...
EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard (Possibly ASUS Equivalent)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
APEVIA X-TELSTAR-JR G-Type X-TSJGT-RD Red SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower
Vista 32 (I'll upgrade to 64 when I hear it's a bit more stable.)
And I already have a DVD-R, 500W PSU, and an EVGA 8800 GTS 512. Oh, and Soundblaster Audigy 2ZS which suits my needs just fine. RAM will be Crucial brand, with diff specs depending on the Mobo I end up getting.
Anything I should change?
Also, a few questions. I know ASUS Mobos are quality, but the EVGA board supports DDR2 1066, where the comparable ASUS board supports DDR2 800. Will this difference even be noticeable? Also, the ASUS board is $40.00 cheaper.
Well... there is a reason they're cheap.
In my experience (tending to five separate Vista boxes; four 64-bit) if it has Vista 32 drivers, it will have 64. Or run well enough in a compatibility mode.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Wouldn't surprise me that our anecdotes don't match up.
If you make sure you have a disk for both and don't mind reinstalling, you won't find it too painless to switch from one to the other. Just make sure your OEM can supply both disks or you get a retail version.
Wait, does the retail version of Vista have both versions?
Ultimate is packaged with both, Premium and Biz can order a disk from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx.
OEM gives license right, but it's up to you to scrounge up a disk.
On a hardware note, where do you guys research parts reviews and the like? I feel my sources (Anandtecj, Tom's, Newegg, Ars, CNet) are dated and subpar. Any tips for quality reviews or testing?
Anandtech, HardOCP, firingsquad, bit-tech. You can usually figure out how good the reviews are by what they discuss and don't.
Eventually went with XFX 780i mobo, E8400 w/ Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, 4gb 1066mhz corsair XMS2 w/ Dominator fan, XFX 9800GTX XT, 500gb Samsung Spinpoint F1, Samsung Lightscribe DVD/RW, Samsung 24" Syncmaster TFT.
Most proud of the Logitech G9 mouse, put the 4g weights in and feels silky as fuck. Will post pics tomorrow when it's working - ended up getting Thermaltake Armor Jr case w/ window - so much for having a discreet, non-pimped case..
This will be my next purchase.
Pretty clueless when it comes to motherboards. Really don't know how important memory speeds are. Is the difference between 800 and 1066 memory noticeable or important for gaming?
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale (will probably do some slight overclockin)
240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
the goal is to put in a geforce gtx 260 or 280 when they drop in a few weeks
right now i'm looking at this board, but would like some other options, mostly because of the lack of SLI support (which I don't know if I'll even need, but would be nice for some moderate future proofing.
I went with the P5N-D which is cheaper, and does support SLi.
Haha... From Newegg.com Re: ASUS Lightscribe DVD-+R
Pros: fast
Cons: the drive bay isnt large enough that i can light scribe my hand
Other Thoughts: N/a
$50 mail in rebates all up ins (plus free shipping if you're a newsletter subscriber/can use google)