pez

Hello all,
I'm new here, but I've been on the site to search for solutions to small things (i.e. how to do partitions, and how to make vista faster, etc.). Now, I finally have to ask you guys, as you seem experienced, about what motherboard to get. My Biostar N4SLI-A9 motherboard's pci-e slots just failed as neither of my 3 video cards can put out signal to the monitor, but the fan on one of my cards work, so I know I need to replace the motherboard. Here's the catch. My processor is an AMD 3500+ 2.2 GHz 939 pin. Therefore, I will be needing a new processor, a new motherboard and new ram...(the mobo i have now has 184 pin ram). In ways I'm excited about this, because I'll get to truly build this computer, but I want to get the right components. I don't need a new video card, I'm quite content with my x800 XL, it works perfect (gets about 50-60 fps on cod4 on med settings), and I don't need a hard drive, but I'm worried about buying a mobo and processor. If you guys could, please, suggest me a motherboard that has sli, or crossfire capability, but I want it to run either nvidia or ati, as long as I can run A video card. An ATX form factor of course, 240 pin ram (4-8 max ram would be nice). Also, I don't know if I'm allowed to do this, but I would like suggestions for a processor to go along with it. I would like to go dual core, since I have vista, and at least 2.2 ghz or whatever is good. I would like to keep this as cheap as possible, but still have good things, I'm in high school and I don't have money to spend like that, so the cheaper the better.

Sorry this is so long, but thank you for all of those who can help me. (I prefer AMD and ATI, btw)....Thank you
Pez

Chozart

What I'd really recommend (but probably too expensive for you) is this Quad Core solution (all from Newegg):

• DFI LANPARTY DK 790FX-M2RS AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard $134.99
• AMD Phenom 9550 Agena 2.2GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HD9550WCGHBOX $195.00
• G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ $74.99

Total: $404.98

A more budget solution:

• MSI K9A2 CF-F V2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard $94.99
• AMD Phenom 8450 Toliman 2.1GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Triple-Core Processor Model HD8450WCGHBOX $148.99
• G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ $74.99

Subtotal: $318.97

the Dirt Cheap option:

• MSI K9A2 CF-F V2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard $94.99
• AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Brisbane 2.3GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO4400DOBOX $60.99
• SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC5 $39.99

Subtotal: $195.97

The 'mid-range' rig I suggested will be a fierce competitor to any dual core Intel rig... those tri-core CPU's are pretty darn nice. You could push that rig under $300 by getting only 2GB ram... up to you though, since you didn't give a real budget.

Oh, and since I forgot almost: WELCOME TO THE FORUM

pez

I had been looking at a dual core as I had nothing to really take advantage of quad core yet, but I had been looking at the 2.4 or 2.5 ghz one. If anything I want the most solid mobo. Sorry I didn't put budget, it's unknown, I would say $300 when it comes time but it helps that you did it according to price, thank you. And thank you for the welcome.

Chozart

For $300 and emphasis on the motherboard, I'd suggest a combination of the parts I listed before.

Thus, the following would be nice:

• DFI LANPARTY DK 790FX-M2RS AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard $134.99
• AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.4GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO4600DOBOX $66.00
• G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ $84.99

Total $285.98

Here is the list of supported CPUs for the DFI board:
http://us.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_cpu_...D=5836&SITE=US

Given that the 790FX chipset is AMD's high-end chipset, it'll support even some CPUs that aren't listed by DFI. They're probably still testing those CPUs. Also, the X2 is sometimes considered a 'sub-set' of the Athlon 64, thus if Athlon 64 is mentioned as supported, it could include the X2

__________________

pez

Yeah, well seems I won't be getting any help on the purchase, so here's what I got so far...and it's $200...I'm dirt poor, so I picked dirt cheap. I used suggested ram and mobo from the dirt cheap option, but I added in the processor you mentioned above, which came out to be $200.98. Pretty good IMO, so I can only start saving. Thanks for the mobo suggestion, I never would've knew that about the Athlon 64/am2 sockets hadn't you told me. I guess you learn something everyday.