Which motherboard pls?

D

Dead Cell

New member
Hello All

I'm new here just joined so hello to you all. :wavey:

I am looking to re-build a pc, I have ordered the Lian Li P60 case and I've got a Q9550 Quad Core, Galaxy 9600GT Low Profile card, the memory and HDD etc...

But now I need the motherboard and I'm not sure which one to get! I had the Asus P5Q-EM which yesterday started to mess about! It kept restarting over and over and sometimes it would go to Vista installation but it would hang. Anyway I think I must have damaged it somehow when I transfered it from one case to another. Will get in touch with Asus to see if they can fix it for me.

I would like an Asus mobo, one which has some good future upgrade potential like adding a better graphics card etc.

The PC will be used for gaming and running applications like photoshop and 3D Studio Max etc. Games such as COD4 and the Sims lol for the sis.

I know the low profile 9600GT aint gona be a massive performer but it was bought for my Antec Micro Fusion 350 HTPC case, which I am now geting rid of as I have a new Asus P4-P5N9300 barebone for my HTPC and browsing needs.

I'm confused with all these chipsets, and don't know which one to get. Which chipset should I go for? Nvidia SLI ones and if so which one? Or the Intel chipsets, again if so which one? What are they for and which is better?

Please do help me out I'll really appreciate so thanks to anyone who can help in advance.

BTW: what do you guys think of the Lian Li P60? I've read a lot of good about it and it's the only case which I really like the look of.

Regards.
 
Ok... first of all try resettin the cmos on your p5q-em, this can sometimes solve the problem....

Secondly, if you are to be playing cod4 and using photoshop etc, the 9600 aint gonna cut it in my opinion.... What you need to get is something like the GTX260 or ati 4870.... these have dropped in price massively; you can pick one up for just over 100 quid....if you are on a tighter budget then the hd4850 will do, these are around 75 which is an absolute bargain.....

In terms of motherboards, if you want to SLI you graphics card in the future ( 2 of the same cards hooked together ) then you will need to get and nvidia chipset motherboard....780i or 790i really, the 790i takes ddr3 though....

Otherwise you should go for an intel chipset, ideally p45, x38 or x48....

Your case is fine btw and should keep the components cool enough....

Let me know what way you are thinking of going with the motherboard, then i can give you specific models....
 
Actually the 9600GT can use photoshop CS4 and CoD4 smoothly @ 1440x900 with 4xAA and everything set to high. :p

Back on topic, a budget would be cool. :)
 
Rapidman

Thanks a lot man for getting back to me, really appreciate it. I'm glad you think the case is ok, my friend thinks its a bit too much but for a Lian Li I think its cool and looks awesome IMO. I wass getting fed up of the Antec.

Ok I'm a little more clearer on the chipsets and the question is now, do I need SLI? Is it a big thing? Or will having just one good graphics card be enough? Other than allowing 2 cards to be used at the same time, are the Nvidia chipsets better or would you recommend the Intel chipsets? You mentioned the P45 first and I heard good things about it in reviews.

I think this whole chipset thing is the problem for me as I don't know anything about which is good or more suited for my needs.

I don't want to spend that much right now since I've splashed out on the Asus P4 barebone the Antec case, the lian li all in the last 6 months! The way I see it, I got a decent case now, going to get a decent graphics card and just for the next few months get a cheap mobo which supports the Q9550 for the mean time and then a few months later go all wallets blazing on something really decent.

If you were in my position Rapidman and needed a mobo for COD4 type of games, Photoshop and 3D Studio Max etc, and of course a little future proof, then which would you go for?

As for the graphics card, I am sending the 9600GT low profile card back and getting a refund. Should arrive tomorrow. I was thinking I'll keep it for now since I ordered it for the HTPC and my sis could play her Sims but now that I'm getting the Lian Li case, I might as well get something decent. The cards you recommended I will look into right now and decide which one I should get.

What about the 9800GT? Or is that a bit outdated/underpowered?

As for the P5Q-EM I tried everything mate, Cmos was cleared by taking out battery and setting the jumpers, no luck. I spent about 7 hours last night trying to get it to work but no luck. Even transfered to another case thinking it might be the PSU, tried 2 different DVD writers, 2 HDD's, 1 stick RAM, 2 stick lol the whole lot. I think I damaged it when I moved it out of another case and into the Antec. The mobo space on the Antec is so small, I have to first tilt the I/O ports into the case and then push it in really hard on the other side so it doesn't catch the side of the case! Damn nightmare!

Hope to hear from you again mate. Thanks again for helping out.
 
Zak thanks for the replying. I was just saying earlier that a cheap quad core mobo for now to allow for playing the sims, cod4 and photshop etc.

And a few months later I'm going to get something as decent as possible for about £150-£200 with DDR3 Ram support. Friend tells me DDR3 is much better type of Ram.

I would've waited for a few months before buying but my sis is doing my head in for her Sims and I feel bad. I on the other hand have COD4 on the PS3 so I'm not too fussed!

To be honest it was that Lian Li case which started this whole madness else I wanted to stick the P5Q-EM, Q9550, 9600GT all into that Antec case and be done with it.

Also hopefuly Asus will repair or give me a new mobo and if they do then I can sell it on ebay and get some money back for that. I bought that for about £100 for use as a HTPC as it has an HDMI.

It will be nice to have something a little powerful. :)

So please recommend 2 mobos. 1 cheap that will do the job for now but won't break records or bank balance and one decent for about £150-200. I can push it to £250 if its going to be worth it.

Thanks guys.
 
This was double post sorry, stupid phone. Anyway I meant to say in the last post that the cheap mobo doesn't have to do cod4 or anything like that, as long as it does the sims for now I'll be spared by my sis lol.

Thanks.
 
Woah that's cheap lol and looks pretty good too from what I can tell. What you said about making reservations makes sense and would be better to wait till I actually buy the mobo. The question is are people like you going to be around to help people like me out lol? :p

I sure hope so! Seriously Zak thanks so much for helping out, I'm gona make an order right now. At that price I don't think I can go much wrong.

Also out of the 2 cards that rapidman recommended which one mate? Or any better? I spent about £77 on the 9600GT which should be here tomorrow and I'm going to send it back for a refund. I can add another £50 to that, so I'll have about £130 for the graphics card. Trying to read reviews here on the bus lol but its kinda hard specially on the crappy tmobile network!

Cheers mate.
 
Oh I will be around.

Hopefully... :p

And if i'm not around there are loads more people on OC3D that are willing to help.

It's all part of the legally binding contract you take upon when signing up.:cool:

That was a joke...

Read some reviews on the website before you choose a graphics card.

Edit:

http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=29148 this is a good card being sold on OC3D.
 
Zak been reading reviews of both and they both are good but not sure which one. I don't understand most of it but I know that the ATI is a 55nm and GTX260 is 65 which I assume means that the ATI should run cooler and more energy efficient. Erm basically which one would you go for lol? Ta and yes hope you do stick around.
 
name='Dead Cell' said:
Zak been reading reviews of both and they both are good but not sure which one. I don't understand most of it but I know that the ATI is a 55nm and GTX260 is 65 which I assume means that the ATI should run cooler and more energy efficient. Erm basically which one would you go for lol? Ta and yes hope you do stick around.
Click to expand...

THe core 216 GTX260's are also 55nm so shouldnt be much difference:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-131-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=927

If you want an ATI card this should be fine:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-091-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=939

both have similar performance, although COD4 favours the ATI cards....

This mobo is known to be a good clocker and is a decent price:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-280-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1155

is tht over your budget?
 
Hey Rapid

Thanks for getting back to me. I read the reviews for the Asus P5KPL, the one Zak was kind enough to recommend and it seems like it will do the job for now. I will use this for a few months and then I'll transfer this to the living room PC and I'll seek a better board. Btw that board you are recommending looks pretty good. Just did a quick google review and looks promising and the price is very good also.

You think the Asus P5Q Pro is a good board to keep? It will be ok to add parts in it later? If you think so then I might as well just fork out the extra and go for the Asus P5Q Pro. That way I won't have to mess about buying another one later.

Now the main problem is the graphics card. I seriously don't know which one to get. I have read a few reviews and they are all mixed! One says the GTX260 is better and the others say the 4870 is better! :(

The GTX260 is slightly more expensive too and also a bit NOISY from what the reviews say. Is there anything else that is maybe better than both of them for a little bit more money?

I am still reading reviews right now. Please do get back to me Rapid.

Thanks a bunch mate. :wavey:
 
The board zak mentioned will most def do the job, but you will def get better performance with the p5q pro... however if you are looking to upgrade again soon then it will most probably be to a new chipset eg the i7/i5. If that is the case then that board will be OK at best...

in all fairness the 4870 and gtx260 offer pretty much the same performance.... 4870's are cheaper right now so it might be a good choice to go with that....

I dont know how much you want to spend on a gxf card but for under 200 there are lots of options:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-126-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1403

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-190-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=912

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-116-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1410

Dont know if these are over your budget, although the 4890 is a real good card
 
I was just reading on Toms Hardware that most users also preffered the ATI and you are right, since it is a little cheaper, that is the best option. BUT... I am now thinking of the other slightly more expensive cards which you have linked me to.

I am researching on those cards right now. I need to make an order for everything today so that I can receive everything asap. I need to get this little project out the way so that I can move on with dear life lol!

You The Rapid. :worship:

Be right back lol.
 
LOL np..... that 4890 is a real good price if you can stretch to that far....

name='Dead Cell' said:
I was just reading on Toms Hardware that most users also preffered the ATI and you are right, since it is a little cheaper, that is the best option. BUT... I am now thinking of the other slightly more expensive cards which you have linked me to.

I am researching on those cards right now. I need to make an order for everything today so that I can receive everything asap. I need to get this little project out the way so that I can move on with dear life lol!

You The Rapid. :worship:

Be right back lol.
Click to expand...
 
Right after an entire days of reading everything I could find regarding all the hardware mentioned here I finally managed to come to a decision and ordered the parts :D

This is what I got:

1. Asus P5Q Pro (Read good reviews and although I was looking to spend £150-200 for a decent mobo, I was glad to buy this and save some money)

2. Nvidia GTX260 216 Cores (Decided to go for this over the 4870 purely because it's more energy efficient and runs a lot cooler)

3. And of course, the star of the show IMO the Lian Li lol.

Rapidman and Zak thank you very much for being so kind and helping me out here, not only do I feel that I have made good decisions but I have also learnt a bit about graphic cards. I am truly grateful guys. :beerchug:

See you around no doubt :D
 
That's weird, tinytomlogan just posted a message here saying this:

--------------------

260 = 55nm

4890 = 40nm

--------------------

I got an email telling me so as I am subscribed to this thread but when I came here to look at the full message, it is now gone! :|

Perhaps he deleted it but I can't see any DELETE button on any of my posts. Maybe I am restricted as I am new?

Anyway I did a little research on the 4890 and all the reviews say it is also a 55nm and not 40nm like tinytomlogan wrote. Still looking.
 
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