Motherboard Question

[Keyser Soze]

Can someone suggest a good motherboard for this spec...

800 Mhz FSB Intel P4 3.4 GHz 512K Cache Hyper Threading
PC-4000-KIT:1024 MB = 512MB X 2 DDR / 500Mhz, Corsair ProSeriesMemory with Activity LED
IDE:Samsung 120GB, 7200 RPM, ATA100
128MB ATI Radeon 9800SE, 8x w/DVI & TV out
32-Bit 3D/Surround Sound
100/10 BaseT Ethernet Port
Artec/NZXT Guardian Gaming Case
Approved 300 Watts XP / P4 ATX Power Supply

Thanks!

[Kid Afrika]

Could you be any more lazy?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.soyo.com.tw/products/proddesc.php?id=287">http://www.soyo.com.tw/products/proddesc.php?id=287</a><!-- m -->

Soyo Dragon 2.

I'd guess that any motherboard with the specs you list is going to have gigabit ethernet, but it's backward compatible, so no worry.

You should look for a better power supply though, if you're going to build a hot rod no need to starve it for fuel.

[Keyser Soze]

How many watts you think i'll need?

[Black Lazerus]

1.21 gigawatts

[Gooch]

i'd go with Asus's top of the line instead
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/mbindex.htm">http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/mbindex.htm</a><!-- m -->

look up their latest motherboards. I find the Asus motherboards to be better and more economical than Soyo

[QuickStop]

PC-4000-KIT:1024 MB = 512MB X 2 DDR / 500Mhz, Corsair ProSeriesMemory with Activity LED

dont waste money on the LED ram. get the same thing but without the leds

128MB ATI Radeon 9800SE, 8x w/DVI & TV out

get the Pro its only $212

Approved 300 Watts XP / P4 ATX Power Supply

get at least 400 W PS.

[Hummercash]

i personally buy all Enermax PSUs... they have a thermometer in the unit and the fans automatically adjust themselves based on how hot it is... so if there is minimal work load and its pretty cool, fans run almost silent. i suggest this one:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.newegg.com/app....&depa=1">http://www.newegg.com/app....&depa=1</a><!-- m -->

as for the hard drive, does it have 8mb cache? if not, i suggest looking through this thread and finding one that does... i picked up a 250gb 8mb cache drive a month ago for $119 after rebates...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.anandtech.com/message....BTABLE=">http://forums.anandtech.com/message....BTABLE=</a><!-- m -->

you could also consider going with the new SATA hard drives, since pretty much all newer mobos have SATA support these days.

and as for the video card, don't get SE... its crap. you'd be better off getting the 9600Pro or XT. or even the 9800Pro like mentioned above... can be had @ buy.com for $204.49 with free shipping...
for the card:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.buy.com/retail....01&sp=1">http://www.buy.com/retail....01&sp=1</a><!-- m -->
for the $15 off $200 coupon check the April 3 post:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ecoupons.com/coupon-code/Buy.com">http://www.ecoupons.com/coupon-code/Buy.com</a><!-- m -->

and as for sound, if gaming is important to you, pick up an audigy2 (can be had @ bestbuy for like $55ish)... if music is your thing, i suggest the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz... can be had on newegg for $45 OEM version, or sometimes you can pick up the retail version of the card for a similar price @ compusa/circuit city.

oh, and fuck the LED ram, useless.


.//chris

[Hummercash]

oh, and check out the latest video card roundup here:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www20.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html">http://www20.tomshardware.com/graphic/2 ... index.html</a><!-- m -->

the 9800Pro seems to come in top 3 in most of the benchmarks, even beats out the 9800Pro 256MB version in some instances. the only thing better right now would be the 9800XT which will set you back $350-400 i think (haven't checked prices in a while so i could be wrong).


.//chris

[Keyser Soze]

thanks again guys. good suggestions.

[The Jays]

Keyser secretly longs for the day that Jack will die so that he can take over the Uber-Geek forum.

[Keyser Soze]

im a leech in this forum, i'd say QS or Kid A are the real heir apparent.

[QuickStop]

i think we just post the most. there are more knowledgable folks in this forum, but they arent as active

[Kid Afrika]

I'd say any person is only as knowledgeable as their resources. It's not hard to look something up.

[QuickStop]

you'd only say that cause you don't know shit. THE TRUTH IS OUT!

[Kid Afrika]

I know how to build a computer that doesn't blow up two days later.

[The Jays]

im a leech in this forum, i'd say QS or Kid A are the real heir apparent.

You are such a dork.

[Keyser Soze]

yes, yes i am.

[Weird NJ]

I know how to build a computer that doesn't blow up two days later.

It's funny cause it's not me.

[QuickStop]

my defective ram is on its way back to newegg as we speak, bitches.

[Kid Afrika]

I knew you wouldn't be able to just admit that I got you on that one.

That was a serious burn, if I do say so myself.