Upgrading my computer, need serious help on mobo decision...

[whtddusy516]

YEAA expect some prices to be dropping in the AMD category around next month, research (from me) shows about %20 drop (at least between the 3000+ from when it first came out, and every new release after it)

so the 3000+ might come out under 100 :hotbounce:




I recently just bought the DFI LanParty set, i have a lot of friends that all have the same model as i do (or one step down from it) and they said they havnt had any problems yet, and still havnt found a use for all the BIOS options lol

 

[cornellian]

Yes, unfortunately yesterday I also noticed that AM2 compatible motherboards only support DDR2, so yeah I'm still right where I started. I don't plan to wait for another month for the price drop; so counting AM2 out, I will probably go with a Venice 3200+ (135$) with a good Asus board, like A8N VM-CSM, though only half of the reviewers found rated it excellent. I thought spending the extra 50$ (between 3200+ and 3500+) for a better mobo and what I would like is a board that is comfortable with overclocking for I'll surely OC the 3200+. Actually, A8N doesn't seem to be good at this, so I'd appreciate your recommendations for a motherboard that wouldn't cost higher than the CPU itself, easy to set up and highly OCable.. I noticed a good looking DFI board at newegg, this DFI Infinity .. It seems to be stable for OC, though it only has 4x USB ports..


And that also brings a new question, A8N and many other better quality motherboards has 24 pin power pin, while my psu has 20+4 pin. I've read in couple sites that while 20+4 pin PSUs will run 24 pin mobos, it wasn't exactly a very stable solution; is this the case, and *sighs heavily* should I be getting another power supply? CoolerMaster product description says it will work with 24 pin motherboards, but it wouldn't be a nice surprise to find some stuff fried inside my computer.. Thanks a lot for your great help.
cornellian

 

[iss]

I have no personal experience with DFI boards. but a friend of mine who owns a computer shop says they are decent boards and he installs alot of them.

as far as the PSU issue goes if you goes I dont know how that would work out but I can tell you that unstable power supplies are the root of alot of computer problems. weird glitches, programs acting up and windows crashing can all be caused by power supplies.

 

[cornellian]

I have been recommended EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra in AMD forums, anyone has any experience with them? I've been told that they are very easy to set up and have easy BIOS OC; but would love to hear what you guys think about them. Thanks...
cornellian

 

[CrossFire851]

What type of cooling are you gonna be using to overclock? Stock??

 

[cornellian]

Yes I'll be using stock cooling, whatever I get with the case.. I am hoping that stock cooling will suffice for 25% increase OC, wouldn't it?

 

[CrossFire851]

That's asking way to0 much from a stock cooler and just to tell you the fan (or atleast the one I was referring to) comes with the cpu.


AT Most 10% increase.

 

[cornellian]

Oh I see crossfire, I thought the cooling of the case would help, but there should be a huge difference in temperature rise between 10% and what I aim for, 25%; but I don't know if my eyes decieve me or if I just don't get what you mean, because I can't seem to spot what 'the one you were referring to' was.. Did you recommend anything that I missed?
cornellian

 

[cornellian]

After a great deal of help I've got from you guys, I've come to a final decision, and here is what I have in mind:
Venice 3200+
EpoxEP9+Ultra
Western Digital WD2500KS
and a XClio case with a 250 mm side fan.

Is everything looking good, or would you have final recommendations? You've been really helpful, and I appricate that..
cornellian

 

[CrossFire851]

Im talking about the cpu. That will be the thing you're going to overclock and I'm talking about the heat sink fan.

Whenever overclocking the temps go up high.

So if you're gonna be overlclocking the cpu then you will need better cooling then the stock fan that comes with it. Because you don't want you're new cpu dead and manufacture won't replace it.

 

[cornellian]

Oh, cooling of the cpu, sorry couldn't get it in the first time.. You are definately right of course, and I shouldn't be taking chances with the CPU since 20 dollars is easier to come by than 120.. Many people recommend Zalman and Artic Cooling fans, so I guess one should also be in order with the rest of the parts I wrote in my last post.. Thanks for your warning...
cornellian