Updating system

Bald Eagle · 06-23-2009, 04:34 AM

Hi: I am updating my system and would like some advice on a mobo/cpu/gpu combination. As I am currently using an AMD setup, I would like to continue with AMD. I am planning to use a phenomII x4 940 black edition cpu. My gpu is a BFG 8800oc which I am planning to re use. As I am on satellite, I can't game on line but do some gaming, ( MOH WaW) etc and some photo editing and restoration with Photoshop 7. I am obviously looking to get the best overall performance for the least $'s Wondering if an Asus M4N78 pro board with hybrid sli is a good choice for performance or if a board with an AMD chip would work better. Thanks in advance for the advice.

**wrench97** · 06-23-2009, 01:01 PM

That's one of the better Nvidia boards, I'm not sold one hybrid SLI as a solution to much however.

What Ram and PSU are you running?

Bald Eagle · 06-23-2009, 06:14 PM

Not sure what psu, I bought it 3 yrs ago but do remember that it was a name brand, fairly high end unit.(at the time!) I believe that it is at least 500 watt, possibly more as I was planning upgrading at a later date. I will need to get 2 sticks of ddr2 ram for 4gigs total. Any suggestions?
I read that there has been some issues with the onboard lan with the Asus board, wonder if that has been solved?

**wrench97** · 06-23-2009, 06:52 PM

Nvidia chipsets have issues with lan not just on the Asus boards, 5 will work fine then you get one that doesn't the AMD CPU boards seem to less problems with it then the Intal CPU Nvidia boards.
For the ram I would use these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2KIT25664AA80A

Pull the side cover off and have a look at the label on the PSU 500w is getting small for a Quad and a 8800GTS.

Bald Eagle · 06-23-2009, 07:36 PM

Glad you mentioned that! PSU is an enermax noisetaker 420W. Checked my wifes, it has a 500w no name psu. Guess I will have to upgrade that as well. Depending on the BOSS (wife!) I may just stay with what I have for now till the $ situation is better If ever!

Originally I got an asrock 939 sata board and planned to upgrade to an FX or similar, but now 939 socket obsolete. Did the same with a socket A - 754 board, all went to 939! Can't seem to keep up with the upgrades, the companies are two steps ahead of me!
BTW, checked the QVL for ram at asus, and checked your suggestion, plus several others on Tigerdirect.ca, nothing seems to match. I guess it is buy and try!

**Tyree** · 06-23-2009, 08:01 PM

Corasir, G Skill, Mushkin and OCZ RAM work with all of the Intel chipped Asus boards that I've used. I've seen some problems with the Ballistix RAM but I've never used an AMD CPU so it might be fine for them.
ASRock boards are Asus' econo line and are made by ECS.

Bald Eagle · 06-23-2009, 08:09 PM

Thanks for the info. I will have to rethink my options!

06-23-2009, 04:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bald Eagle Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ontario Can. Posts: 37 OS: winXP sp2	Updating system Hi: I am updating my system and would like some advice on a mobo/cpu/gpu combination. As I am currently using an AMD setup, I would like to continue with AMD. I am planning to use a phenomII x4 940 black edition cpu. My gpu is a BFG 8800oc which I am planning to re use. As I am on satellite, I can't game on line but do some gaming, ( MOH WaW) etc and some photo editing and restoration with Photoshop 7. I am obviously looking to get the best overall performance for the least $'s Wondering if an Asus M4N78 pro board with hybrid sli is a good choice for performance or if a board with an AMD chip would work better. Thanks in advance for the advice.

06-23-2009, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,897 OS: XPSP3	Re: Updating system That's one of the better Nvidia boards, I'm not sold one hybrid SLI as a solution to much however. What Ram and PSU are you running? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-23-2009, 06:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bald Eagle Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ontario Can. Posts: 37 OS: winXP sp2	Re: Updating system Not sure what psu, I bought it 3 yrs ago but do remember that it was a name brand, fairly high end unit.(at the time!) I believe that it is at least 500 watt, possibly more as I was planning upgrading at a later date. I will need to get 2 sticks of ddr2 ram for 4gigs total. Any suggestions? I read that there has been some issues with the onboard lan with the Asus board, wonder if that has been solved?

06-23-2009, 06:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,897 OS: XPSP3	Re: Updating system Nvidia chipsets have issues with lan not just on the Asus boards, 5 will work fine then you get one that doesn't the AMD CPU boards seem to less problems with it then the Intal CPU Nvidia boards. For the ram I would use these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2KIT25664AA80A Pull the side cover off and have a look at the label on the PSU 500w is getting small for a Quad and a 8800GTS. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-23-2009, 07:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bald Eagle Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ontario Can. Posts: 37 OS: winXP sp2	Re: Updating system Glad you mentioned that! PSU is an enermax noisetaker 420W. Checked my wifes, it has a 500w no name psu. Guess I will have to upgrade that as well. Depending on the BOSS (wife!) I may just stay with what I have for now till the $ situation is better If ever! Originally I got an asrock 939 sata board and planned to upgrade to an FX or similar, but now 939 socket obsolete. Did the same with a socket A - 754 board, all went to 939! Can't seem to keep up with the upgrades, the companies are two steps ahead of me! BTW, checked the QVL for ram at asus, and checked your suggestion, plus several others on Tigerdirect.ca, nothing seems to match. I guess it is buy and try!

06-23-2009, 08:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,769 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Updating system Corasir, G Skill, Mushkin and OCZ RAM work with all of the Intel chipped Asus boards that I've used. I've seen some problems with the Ballistix RAM but I've never used an AMD CPU so it might be fine for them. ASRock boards are Asus' econo line and are made by ECS. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-23-2009, 08:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bald Eagle Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ontario Can. Posts: 37 OS: winXP sp2	Re: Updating system Thanks for the info. I will have to rethink my options!