Mach_86

I'm not sure if this falls in the Bios/Mobo/CPU forum or this one, so I just took a shot putting it here, if any mod feels it should go there go ahead.

Anyways, so my current Mobo seems to have shorted out (you can check out that story here, )so I want to get a new one.

Here are the specs of my current computer (it's prebuilt btw, hence my confusion for appropriate forum). I'll write out a few more important specs for convience

Intel Core 2 Duo @1.8ghz (e4300)
250gb Sata hard drive
2G DDR2 Ram (667mhz)
nVidia 8600 GTS graphics card (PCIe express x16)

As you can tell, I'm not looking for anything cutting edge, just the cheapest thing, with maybe a little room for a bit of upgrading in the future (most likely via the processor, additional RAM or a new video card).

I would like to know what are the major differences between motherboards (besides size)? So for example, the major differences to me seem to be the type of socket and processor speed it supports, how much room is there for more ram, and what type of video cards slots are there (PCIe, AGP, etc). One thing that I am slightly confused about is FSB for the motherboard. Is that in respect to the CPU? They only seem to list mHZ, but my processor is a quad pumped 200mhZ, making 800 MT/s. Is that essentially equivalent for 800mhZ? How should I read that?

Also, how can I determine if my PSU can power my motherboard? Mine is either 250 or 300W (can't really tell), can that power most motherboards? Finally, are there any brands that any of you trust or are comfortable with?

wrench97

The E4300 is a 800Mhz FSB chip in socket 775 the fastest are 1333Mhz.
Almost all of the 775 boards on the market now will support your CPU.
A board that says FSB 1333 will also support 1066 and 800, but always check the cpu support list on the board manufactures web site first.
Powering the motherboard is not very hard a 250w or 300w will but it is the other components that use most of the power, CPU, VIdeo card, Drives, USB devices.
I personally don't even build integrated graphic systems with less then 450w today mainly because of the USB devices that end up plugged into them.
Have a look at a G43, G41 or the older G33 boards, they will run your CPU and RAM.
Or if you are planning to add a video card now a P43 would be a nice upgrade.
G41
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128367
P43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128380

Mach_86

Thanks for your response Wrench

I was looking out on the FSB support part to see if it supports 800, I figured it had something to do with the processor.

About the PSU, the one I have with my computer is working fine, I was just wondering if a new motherboard would require any additional power. However, since the motherboard doesn't actually do a whole lot in itself, I probably don't have to worry about the PSU, do I?

Also, I was looking at the memory standards listed for the motherboards you listed. If it says the standard is DDR2 800, will it support DDR2 667? Or is it *only* 800, or whatever it states there?

I forgot to ask, after getting a new motherboard, will I have to reinstall Vista?

Doby

When your on newegg scroll down to the left and click on the manufacture info tab then the manufacture product page this will list the specs of the board, under memory you will see the board will run 677 ram. There you will also be able to check cpu support and other things, you can even download the manual for a read before purchase, just thought I would show you how to get specs for future referance and general knowledge of the board you choose.

If it were me I would get a new psu for sure (read the psu sticky atop the forum) and consider a new case even if it were a cheap case because it can be hard (not impossible) to install motherboards in brand computer cases. This is because brand computers use what we call propriety parts and you could have problems making a standard atx psu fit in the case because space limitations. You could also have problems with the case switch and led lights.

I know nothing about acer but in general these are some of the problems to look out for

wrench97

Yes but the problem arises because you most likely have a OEM version of Vista and that is tied to the original motherboard, it can be replace with the same board but any other would require a new copy of windows.

Mach_86

Hi guy, I'm sorry for bumping this up considering this is old but I figure it'd be better than starting a new thread. I wanted to mention that when the computer was bought, it was backed up on a CD. I was wondering if I would be able to use it to reinstall Windows if I were to get a new Mobo?

wrench97

If the board is the same brand and model you can do it with an OEM copy, if not then no you need a new license.

Mach_86

Argh, guess I'll have to get a new license. Thanks for the heads up tho, wouldn't have known that otherwise. Last couple questions - I was looking at the prices for Vista, and some of them say "OEM". If I get that, could I still use that same license/copy of Vista if I wanted to change the mobo later on?

My other question is, assuming the CPU and motherboard are both socket LGA775, if the processor is 65nm and the motherboard supports 45nm, will the motherboard also support the processor? The processor I currently have is the Core 2 Duo E4300 (which is 65 nm), and the motherboard I want to get is the Asus P5KPL-CM which supports 45 nm.

wrench97

The OEM license is tied to the original motherboard it is installed on, the full retail can be moved to another if it is removed from the last as many times as you want as long as it is only on a single PC at a time That's why it costs more.
1 thing to think about Windows 7 is around the corner the cheapest way out may be with a OEM version as next time you'll probably want to go with Win 7.

wrench97

Forgot to give you the CPU support list

http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/c...L-CM&product=1

The E4300 is supported by the 0305 Bios which looks to be the earliest so your good.

Mach_86

Thanks for the info about OEM Vista and the heads up about Windows 7, I never knew it was coming out so soon. Btw, how exactly do you read that chart on the Asus support page you linked? How do you know what a motherboard's BIOS version number is, and the BIOS version of your CPU? How does the whole 65nm processor/45nm mobo fit into all of that, or is that part (the nm thing) irrelevant?

wrench97

nm is the size of the die the chip is made on, not really relevant.
The only way to tell which Bios is on the board is from the boot screen or a program in the OS like Everest. Some boards have a sticker listing the original Bios version most do not.

Core 2 Duo E4300 (1.8GHz,800FSB,L2:2MB,65W,rev.L2) ALL 0305

First column is the CPU name (Speed,Front Side Speed,L2 Cache size, Design Wattage, Revision level)

Second Column PCB is the motherboard Printed Circuit Board revision number(Or Letter)

Last Column is the Bios Revision number to run the cpu the Bios must be at least that number or higher, in this case Bios revision 0305 or higher is needed.

Mach_86

Ah alright, thanks for clearing that up, now I know how to read it for myself, and thanks for all your help.