Need MB and processor for PC.

[Ryushikaze]

So, sometime last year, I decided I wanted to build a PC for myself, and I got part of the way before circumstances prevented me from doing so. But now those circumstances don't apply and the seeming impending doom of my laptop has started me back on the path to making the thing. I've already got a servicable power supply, HD, peripherals, etc, so all I need is the vital components of MB and processor. And the RAM, but that's much easier to figure out than the wealth of options for motherboard/ processor combos.

Now, I'll be doing my own research too, but I wanted to see if SD.net had any good suggestions for good mid-range board and processor.

Preferably, I'm looking for something inexpensive, with enough ports for a few SATA HDs and at least one PATA drive, my DVD burner, another DVD drive, and an SD card reader slot. Preferably with integrated video card, since I really only plan on using the box for the basics, internet, some multimedia, and very light gaming. Similarly, the processor needs to be good and fast, but top of the line is not necessary.

Just narrowing down the playing field would definitely help, too.

[Jaevric]

The Intel Q6600 costs like...$200.00 US right now. That's a great processor for a really good price. I'd stay away from AMD at the moment; my first build was an AMD but the Phenoms don't seem to be standing up well compared to the Intels these days.

Motherboard wise, when I was building my box I was seriously debating between either Gigabyte or EVGA. Gigabyte has a great reputation, but their boards don't support SLI, which was an issue with me because I was building a gaming box. Also, I went with EVGA because I intended to use EVGA video cards & this way I can do "one stop shopping" for tech support.

However, you already said this is going to be a "light gaming" box, so SLI isn't an issue. Gigabyte boards would probably be perfect for what you're doing, and if you need to add a single card later (The 8800GT is a great card for a reasonable price right now!) you can do so and play most older/lower-requirement games.

Personally, I'd go for one of the Ultra-Durable/Energy-Savers from Gigabyte, but those are going to cost you about $140.00. You can get a perfectly serviceable mobo for considerably less than that, it just won't have as many buzzwords in the description.

[phongn]

If you're going integrated and still do some gaming, AMD pretty much has the best solutions right now. The Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H is a solid AMD 780G-based motherboard. It should pretty much run any AMD Socket AM2/AM2+ processor out there.

[Ryushikaze]

Yeah, something like the Gigabyte board is exactly what I was looking for, now all I need to decide is whether I want an Intel or an AMD processor.

[phongn]

Yeah, something like the Gigabyte board is exactly what I was looking for, now all I need to decide is whether I want an Intel or an AMD processor.

If you want an Intel processor, you'll get significantly inferior 3D performance from either of the two top-tier solutions (G35 or GF7000 chipsets).

[Ryushikaze]

Fair enough. I think I've got my system, then. Unless I find some better deals in the next couple of days.

[Ryushikaze]

Oh yes, one last question. Even though Gigabyte doesn't do SLI, they're still compatible with VGA cards to allow for multi monitor setups, right? Not that it's an immediate problem, but I'll probably be taking this box multi-monitor sooner or later. I figure they are, but no sense in not asking.

[phongn]

The 780G setup can do what AMD calls "Hybrid Crossfire", in which the onboard integrated graphics and PCIe GPU can work in concert with each other. There should also be the option to completely disable onboard video.

[Braedley]

Just so you know, it's going to be tough to find a new motherboard with 2 IDE connectors (which you'll need for 2 optical drives plus an IDE HDD) and SATA. You have a couple of options to go about this though: get a board with 2 IDE connectors and add a PCI SATA card (not recommended as it'll be tough to find a good mobo, and you won't get full use out of the SATA, unless it's a PCI express), get a SATA board and add a PCI IDE card (again, not recommended because you'll be killing the bandwidth to your device), or get the SATA board, buy a nice 500GB SATA HDD, and get an external enclosure for your current drive.

This last option has worked rather well for me (when I did my upgrade nearly 2 years ago), as I have a nice convenient place to do backups, and have a way of transferring files to (for) friends when the network is down (or just not cooperating).

[Ryushikaze]

Actually, my main drive IS a 500GB Sata drive, and the PATA's going to go external, so no worries there.