Mobo Questions, And Other Assorted Things

Kinetix7 · 07-03-2009, 09:03 PM

Right, so I need a new microATX motherboard mostly so I can upgrade to a Quad Core processor. I found this on Newegg... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128363

Its perfect, except for the onboard graphics card. I already have an external 8800 GT that I was planning on putting in; would the onboard 9400 cause any problems? If not, could I SLI it with my 8800 GT?

And is the onboard 9400 better than my external 8800 GT, anyways?

**Tyree** · 07-04-2009, 07:34 AM

First, find a Mobo that fulfills your needs that uses Intel chipsets for your Intel CPU.
I don't use GB Mobo's so I can't comment on the quality of the Onboard graphics but I would think the 8800GT would render superior graphics compared to the Onboard.
No, You can't use both at once.

Kinetix7 · 07-04-2009, 03:28 PM

Alright. Are there any similar motherboards (microATX, supports Quad Core, better RAM support than that mobo I linked to and without an onboard video card and PCI-E slot as well)?

**Tyree** · 07-04-2009, 05:25 PM

Most all mATX boards have Onboard graphics.
For a QuadCore CPU I would suggest a 45 chipset board.
If you have to use a mATX;
ASUS P5Q-EM $135 G45 chipset
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131336

Or this G43 shipset; ASUS P5QL-EM $100 G43 chipset
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131332

If you can use a ATX Mobo;
ASUS P5Q $119
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131295

Kinetix7 · 07-04-2009, 06:37 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128363

I've decided to get that mobo (the Gigabyte one) anyways. I'm thinking of getting a Q9550 processor to go with it, as its only $20 more than the Q6600. Any recommended RAM I should get as well? (the Gigabyte mobo only supports DDR2 800 RAM).

**Tyree** · 07-04-2009, 08:15 PM

Your link doesn't work for me. If it's the GB Mobo in your first post,with the Nvidia chipset, good luck.
It will support DDR2 800/667 RAM. 2X2 GB DDR2 800 (matched pair) would be a good choice.
Corsair XMS-G.Skill-OZC-Muskin are good RAM brands.

07-03-2009, 09:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kinetix7 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 46 OS: Windows 7	Mobo Questions, And Other Assorted Things Right, so I need a new microATX motherboard mostly so I can upgrade to a Quad Core processor. I found this on Newegg... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128363 Its perfect, except for the onboard graphics card. I already have an external 8800 GT that I was planning on putting in; would the onboard 9400 cause any problems? If not, could I SLI it with my 8800 GT? And is the onboard 9400 better than my external 8800 GT, anyways?

07-04-2009, 07:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,640 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Mobo Questions, And Other Assorted Things First, find a Mobo that fulfills your needs that uses Intel chipsets for your Intel CPU. I don't use GB Mobo's so I can't comment on the quality of the Onboard graphics but I would think the 8800GT would render superior graphics compared to the Onboard. No, You can't use both at once. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-04-2009, 03:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kinetix7 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 46 OS: Windows 7	Re: Mobo Questions, And Other Assorted Things Alright. Are there any similar motherboards (microATX, supports Quad Core, better RAM support than that mobo I linked to and without an onboard video card and PCI-E slot as well)? Last edited by Kinetix7; 07-04-2009 at 03:32 PM.

07-04-2009, 05:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,640 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Mobo Questions, And Other Assorted Things Most all mATX boards have Onboard graphics. For a QuadCore CPU I would suggest a 45 chipset board. If you have to use a mATX; ASUS P5Q-EM $135 G45 chipset http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131336 Or this G43 shipset; ASUS P5QL-EM $100 G43 chipset http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131332 If you can use a ATX Mobo; ASUS P5Q $119 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131295 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-04-2009, 06:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kinetix7 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 46 OS: Windows 7	Re: Mobo Questions, And Other Assorted Things http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128363 I've decided to get that mobo (the Gigabyte one) anyways. I'm thinking of getting a Q9550 processor to go with it, as its only $20 more than the Q6600. Any recommended RAM I should get as well? (the Gigabyte mobo only supports DDR2 800 RAM).

07-04-2009, 08:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,640 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Mobo Questions, And Other Assorted Things Your link doesn't work for me. If it's the GB Mobo in your first post,with the Nvidia chipset, good luck. It will support DDR2 800/667 RAM. 2X2 GB DDR2 800 (matched pair) would be a good choice. Corsair XMS-G.Skill-OZC-Muskin are good RAM brands. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.