Help me choose a motherboard

dethofseth · 10-26-10 at 07:42 PM

Hi all,

It's been a while I wanted to upgrade my pc and after hours of searching and comparing I got to my final build (almost).

Now all I need is help to choose a motherboard. I'm going to be running under windows xp 32 or 64 bit (not sure yet).

Here's the specs:

HDD: 7200 RPM 32/64 MB cache [250-750 GB]

RAM: 4GB DDR3

Case: Tower w/ good airflow

PSU: 80+ certified 650W (May change)

GPU: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 5770

CPU: AMD Athlon II Quad-core

Motherboard: ???? +/- 100$

Now can anyone recommend me good motherboards that cost more or less 100$ (specify if it's for 32 or 64 bit).

Thanks

jimm · 10-26-10 at 11:14 PM

with a motherboard it does matter about 32 or 64 bit (thats OS's)

have a look at some asus or gigabyte ones as they are very good.

also depending on what case you get that determes the motherboard type there are 5 diffrent types of motherboards (not all are amd)

they are:

mini-itx (really small)
mirco atx (bigger again)
atx (standard size for most and will fit it most cases)
E-ATX (bigger then ATX,used in workstations and some motherboards)
XL-ATX (bigger then E-ATX and is the form factor of the EVGA 4 way SLI Classified and the Gigabyte X58A- UD9)

and lastly the biggest of them all:

HPTX (High performace form factor) used in the EVGA SR2 server motherboard)

hope this helps

jimm

**PhenomIIX4** · 10-26-10 at 11:35 PM

Quote:

Now all I need is help to choose a motherboard. I'm going to be running under windows xp 32 or 64 bit (not sure yet).

Here's the specs:
HDD: 7200 RPM 32/64 MB cache [250-750 GB]
RAM: 4GB DDR3
Case: Tower w/ good airflow
PSU: 80+ certified 650W (May change)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 5770
CPU: AMD Athlon II Quad-core
Motherboard: ???? +/- 100$

Now can anyone recommend me good motherboards that cost more or less 100$ (specify if it's for 32 or 64 bit).

If you plan to use an ATI Radeon HD 5770, I would not bother using Windows XP at all. Windows XP is old. Windows XP 64-bit has a lot of unfixable issues with gaming.

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Case: You should pick your own case because it's easier on us.

Total Budget: ??? US Dollars? Euros? Yens? Canadian dollars?

Motherboard: This will depend on the case you pick.

dethofseth · 10-27-10 at 02:23 PM

Thanks both for answering.

My budget is about 700$ Canadian including taxes.

It looks like this

Code: Select All

HDD: 7200 RPM 32/64 MB cache [250-750 GB] 75$

RAM: 4GB DDR3 RAM 100$

Case: Any tower/(anything that can fit all parts with good airflow) 60$

PSU: 80+ certified more "w" than needed 100$

GPU: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 5770 150$

CPU: AMD Athlon II Quad-core/anything similar 100$

Motherboard: Anything compatible or better for build 100$

=685$

I guess I'll be going for XP 32 bit (I'm not going for Vista and W7 because I don't like the way they're built [I'll get far more problems with them than with XP].

For the motherboard I'm looking for an average 100$ that will fit tower case and run on Windows XP 32 bit .

**Gandolph13** · 10-27-10 at 03:20 PM

I have a gigabyte 790XTA-UD4 and it's a good MB, running a Phenom 955 quad AMD.
I like the MB, may be an older model now, but it comes with USB3 and SATA3 provisions.

As for the OS, I never went past XP till recently, never liked Vista, but now run win7 ultimate, and have never had a problem with 7, and would happily recommend it to anyone.
XP support won't be around for much longer, and 7 is more stable than most people think.

I guess it's the same as the old argument XP VS Vista, most the people who complained about how bad Vista was, never actually tried it, they relied on comments from other people who hate Bill Gates and his products, most Vista users on here seemed quite happy with the OS, which again, I only had XP, so I can't offer any genuine opinions on Vista.

The motherboard you choose has no relevance to what OS you want to run!

dethofseth · 10-27-10 at 07:01 PM

Okay, I'll check that mobo but I won't switch from XP that soon just don't like it (I've tried it)

Thanks

**huy30** · 10-27-10 at 08:25 PM

If you stick with XP 32 bit, you dont need 4GB of RAM....so go with 2GB or 3GB to save some money.

jimm · 10-28-10 at 01:25 AM

go with win 7!

BarneyMiller · 10-28-10 at 08:36 AM

Ain't all the motherboard that supports AM2 and AM3 sockets 64 bit compatible?

**huy30** · 10-28-10 at 09:00 AM

It's depend on the CPU that support 64-bit or not...then the OS.

**jackinthebox6386** · 10-28-10 at 09:20 AM

Yes, all or most mobo's that are AM2 or AM3 sockets can run 64-bit wise. Its actually better to run a 64-bit OS. It allows for more expansion of memory over time. Most or all chips that are produced in the future will be designed to run on the 64-bit architecture due to the fact that more and more programs and OS's take advantage of cheaper RAM prices and higher memory channels. Also, GO WITH 7. 7 was designed with graphics in mind and takes full advantage of the DX11+ architectures. Not only does it utilize newer hardware (like the one box you want to build), but its runs faster and more stable than XP ever will. You owe it to yourself to get on the bandwagon.

dethofseth · 10-28-10 at 03:42 PM

Well maybe I'll go with W7 x64 but I need to think a bit more.

Thanks for everyone that helped

jimm · 10-28-10 at 06:30 PM

thats cool,hope your build goes well!

**jackinthebox6386** · 10-29-10 at 05:17 AM

I'm glad you'll take it into consideration. I think you'll find that you'll be a lot happier off, in the long run. Good luck. PM me if you need any help with the OS or the build of your desktop.

P.S.: I personally recommend the MSI 890FXA-GD70 motherboard. Works great and is ready for the future. Its a little over your price range, but it's quite literally the metaphorical canvas on which you build the rest of your system. Its one of the best AMD boards out there and it will allow you to upgrade a lot of different things in the future as well. Also, the Asus M4A89GTD isnt bad either.

10-27-10 at 02:23 PM	#4
dethofseth Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 498	Thanks both for answering. My budget is about 700$ Canadian including taxes. It looks like this Code: Select All HDD: 7200 RPM 32/64 MB cache [250-750 GB] 75$ RAM: 4GB DDR3 RAM 100$ Case: Any tower/(anything that can fit all parts with good airflow) 60$ PSU: 80+ certified more "w" than needed 100$ GPU: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 5770 150$ CPU: AMD Athlon II Quad-core/anything similar 100$ Motherboard: Anything compatible or better for build 100$ =685$ I guess I'll be going for XP 32 bit (I'm not going for Vista and W7 because I don't like the way they're built [I'll get far more problems with them than with XP]. For the motherboard I'm looking for an average 100$ that will fit tower case and run on Windows XP 32 bit .

10-26-10 at 11:14 PM	#2
jimm Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 267	with a motherboard it does matter about 32 or 64 bit (thats OS's) have a look at some asus or gigabyte ones as they are very good. also depending on what case you get that determes the motherboard type there are 5 diffrent types of motherboards (not all are amd) they are: mini-itx (really small) mirco atx (bigger again) atx (standard size for most and will fit it most cases) E-ATX (bigger then ATX,used in workstations and some motherboards) XL-ATX (bigger then E-ATX and is the form factor of the EVGA 4 way SLI Classified and the Gigabyte X58A- UD9) and lastly the biggest of them all: HPTX (High performace form factor) used in the EVGA SR2 server motherboard) hope this helps jimm

10-26-10 at 11:35 PM	#3
PhenomIIX4 Banned Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socket AM2+ Posts: 3,553	Quote: Now all I need is help to choose a motherboard. I'm going to be running under windows xp 32 or 64 bit (not sure yet). Here's the specs: HDD: 7200 RPM 32/64 MB cache [250-750 GB] RAM: 4GB DDR3 Case: Tower w/ good airflow PSU: 80+ certified 650W (May change) GPU: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 5770 CPU: AMD Athlon II Quad-core Motherboard: ???? +/- 100$ Now can anyone recommend me good motherboards that cost more or less 100$ (specify if it's for 32 or 64 bit). If you plan to use an ATI Radeon HD 5770, I would not bother using Windows XP at all. Windows XP is old. Windows XP 64-bit has a lot of unfixable issues with gaming. Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Case: You should pick your own case because it's easier on us. Total Budget: ??? US Dollars? Euros? Yens? Canadian dollars? Motherboard: This will depend on the case you pick.

10-27-10 at 03:20 PM	#5
Gandolph13 Legendary Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Australia (GMT+10) Posts: 12,315	I have a gigabyte 790XTA-UD4 and it's a good MB, running a Phenom 955 quad AMD. I like the MB, may be an older model now, but it comes with USB3 and SATA3 provisions. As for the OS, I never went past XP till recently, never liked Vista, but now run win7 ultimate, and have never had a problem with 7, and would happily recommend it to anyone. XP support won't be around for much longer, and 7 is more stable than most people think. I guess it's the same as the old argument XP VS Vista, most the people who complained about how bad Vista was, never actually tried it, they relied on comments from other people who hate Bill Gates and his products, most Vista users on here seemed quite happy with the OS, which again, I only had XP, so I can't offer any genuine opinions on Vista. The motherboard you choose has no relevance to what OS you want to run!

10-27-10 at 07:01 PM	#6
dethofseth Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 498	Okay, I'll check that mobo but I won't switch from XP that soon just don't like it (I've tried it) Thanks

10-27-10 at 08:25 PM	#7
huy30 Expert Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 839	If you stick with XP 32 bit, you dont need 4GB of RAM....so go with 2GB or 3GB to save some money.

10-28-10 at 01:25 AM	#8
jimm Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 267	go with win 7!

10-28-10 at 08:36 AM	#9
BarneyMiller Newcomer Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 73	Ain't all the motherboard that supports AM2 and AM3 sockets 64 bit compatible?

10-28-10 at 09:00 AM	#10
huy30 Expert Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 839	It's depend on the CPU that support 64-bit or not...then the OS.

10-28-10 at 09:20 AM	#11
jackinthebox6386 Newcomer Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 93	Yes, all or most mobo's that are AM2 or AM3 sockets can run 64-bit wise. Its actually better to run a 64-bit OS. It allows for more expansion of memory over time. Most or all chips that are produced in the future will be designed to run on the 64-bit architecture due to the fact that more and more programs and OS's take advantage of cheaper RAM prices and higher memory channels. Also, GO WITH 7. 7 was designed with graphics in mind and takes full advantage of the DX11+ architectures. Not only does it utilize newer hardware (like the one box you want to build), but its runs faster and more stable than XP ever will. You owe it to yourself to get on the bandwagon.

10-28-10 at 03:42 PM	#12
dethofseth Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 498	Well maybe I'll go with W7 x64 but I need to think a bit more. Thanks for everyone that helped

10-28-10 at 06:30 PM	#13
jimm Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 267	thats cool,hope your build goes well!

10-29-10 at 05:17 AM	#14
jackinthebox6386 Newcomer Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 93	I'm glad you'll take it into consideration. I think you'll find that you'll be a lot happier off, in the long run. Good luck. PM me if you need any help with the OS or the build of your desktop. P.S.: I personally recommend the MSI 890FXA-GD70 motherboard. Works great and is ready for the future. Its a little over your price range, but it's quite literally the metaphorical canvas on which you build the rest of your system. Its one of the best AMD boards out there and it will allow you to upgrade a lot of different things in the future as well. Also, the Asus M4A89GTD isnt bad either.