What do you think of this mobo?

bert8for3 · 03-14-08, 05:08 AM

I was looking at this motherboard and processor combo... http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...908&CatId=1599 . What do you think? I don't know a whole lot about mobos, so I could use some advice. I'm thinking of upgrading specifically to run SH3 (and maybe eventually SH4) better. Right now, I'm maxed out on 1G RAM. Sure would be nice to have more, but only way is to replace the mobo. Of course, having started thinking that way, I'd also have to get a new vidcard, 'cause mine is AGP, and it looks like mobos only come with PCIe slots now. I could probably swallow that on the basis that I could just plug everything else (hard drive etc) into the new mobo. I'd have overkill on the RAM capacity with this mobo, as I'd want to keep running on XP, which I gather is limited to recognizing 4G RAM (or 3-point something for some obscure reason). Anyway, what do you think of this combo?

GlobalExplorer · 03-14-08, 05:12 AM

Can't say much about this one but I am keeping an eye on the Abit IP35 Pro and a Wolfdale 3 GHz.

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3142

TarJak · 03-14-08, 05:15 AM

You'll get plenty of life out of this one. SH3 though is single threaded and doesn't take multiprocessor capability into consideration so it will only ever use 1/4 of the processing power you get this this rig. The price looks OK as well.

You might want to think about the HDD though. If you've got an older board chances are it will be IDE only which may mean changing up to a SATA HDD instead. What GFX card are you looking at?

Also what PSU do you have? You might want to look at upgrading that while you're at it cos you might find that your old one isn't up to driving all the new kit either.

bert8for3 · 03-14-08, 05:29 AM

@GlobalExplorer. Tks, I'll look at that to compare.
@TarJak. Tks also. Assume you mean the one I mentioned? Yup I can imagine it's a bit of overkill processing power wise, but at the same time I'm thinking if I upgrade I may as well look forward a ways and be ready for running Vista at some point in time or even heavier games (altho sh3 will have me going for a long time yet).
Yes, my HDD is IDE, but AFAIK it would plug in, although not be as fast on the interface. But that way I could eventually upgrade the HDD.
I think I'm good on the psu, 'cause I got a new one (450 W I think) a while ago to power a new vidcard.
I haven't thought about the vidcard yet ... beyond thinking ATI, which is just because I have one now.

bert8for3 · 03-14-08, 07:31 AM

BTW just for a follow-up query, I've been assuming that once everything's plugged in to the new mobo and I boot up, apart from maybe having to do some bios config, my existing Windows install on the hard drive will happily start up and aside from recognizing and installing the new vidcard like any other new hardware, all else will be warm and fuzzy. Am I right about that, or am I delusional that it should be that simple?

XLjedi · 03-14-08, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bert8for3

BTW just for a follow-up query, I've been assuming that once everything's plugged in to the new mobo and I boot up, apart from maybe having to do some bios config, my existing Windows install on the hard drive will happily start up and aside from recognizing and installing the new vidcard like any other new hardware, all else will be warm and fuzzy. Am I right about that, or am I delusional that it should be that simple?

Theorhetically... warm and fuzzy.
In actual practice... probably delusional.

We like to hope for the best though right?

I would start with making sure you have the mobo chipset drivers working before trying to update anything else (like the GPU).

Two months after my HD crash, I'm still trying to strike that perfect balance between BIOS, Vista64, and nVidia Drivers, such that my GPU might be recognized.

I think I may have it narrowed down to the nVidia Vista64 driver doesn't like the DVI cable (as opposed to VGA) for some reason... haven't tested that yet though.

GlobalExplorer · 03-14-08, 11:55 AM

You will have to reinstall the OS. Once you have done it one or two times it's not hard.

Stealth Hunter · 04-23-08, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

You'll get plenty of life out of this one. SH3 though is single threaded and doesn't take multiprocessor capability into consideration so it will only ever use 1/4 of the processing power you get this this rig. The price looks OK as well.

You might want to think about the HDD though. If you've got an older board chances are it will be IDE only which may mean changing up to a SATA HDD instead. What GFX card are you looking at?

Also what PSU do you have? You might want to look at upgrading that while you're at it cos you might find that your old one isn't up to driving all the new kit either.

Indeed, and this, children, is one of the reasons that I do not like SH3. It's fun, but the dual core processor on my PC just isn't used to the fullest of its potential, and to add to that, SH3 takes FOREVER to load, despite the fact I'm well above the recommended requirements (loading a mission, that is; takes about 4 minutes!!!!). That's why it gets so repetitive. I can pretty much play one mission and then I'm done. Otherwise, it just wears my patience out.

bert8for3 · 04-25-08, 07:52 AM

This is what I love about buying computer stuff :rotfl: ... 2G RAM for $19.99 ... http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...0&Sku=C19-4332 ... wow! great deal. Then you look at the reviews and some guy (who may well be correct ... or not) says it's single-sided high density and prone to high failure rates.

Now I have to spend time researching and becoming an expert on the pros and cons of single-sided high density RAM?

... don't think so.

Beyond a certain point, you just have to accept that basically any computer component can go kablooie at any time. D**n the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

bert8for3 · 05-04-08, 05:45 AM

Well, to wind this up, I thought I'd mention what I finally went for:

Mobo Abit IP35 Pro
Intel Core Duo Wolfdale 3 GHz
4G Crucial ram
Zerotherm Butterfly cpu cooler
ATI Radeon 3870 512M
+ other bits and pieces

Put it all together Friday and yesterday and booted up ... wow!

I reinstalled SH3 up to GWX2.0 (haven't yet added mods in) and started it up to see how it is. The comp doesn't even break into mild condensation, never mind a sweat.

My thanks again to everyone for all the comments and advice.

03-14-08, 05:08 AM	#1
bert8for3 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,124 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	What do you think of this mobo? I was looking at this motherboard and processor combo... http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...908&CatId=1599 . What do you think? I don't know a whole lot about mobos, so I could use some advice. I'm thinking of upgrading specifically to run SH3 (and maybe eventually SH4) better. Right now, I'm maxed out on 1G RAM. Sure would be nice to have more, but only way is to replace the mobo. Of course, having started thinking that way, I'd also have to get a new vidcard, 'cause mine is AGP, and it looks like mobos only come with PCIe slots now. I could probably swallow that on the basis that I could just plug everything else (hard drive etc) into the new mobo. I'd have overkill on the RAM capacity with this mobo, as I'd want to keep running on XP, which I gather is limited to recognizing 4G RAM (or 3-point something for some obscure reason). Anyway, what do you think of this combo?

03-14-08, 05:12 AM	#2
GlobalExplorer Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 2,015 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Can't say much about this one but I am keeping an eye on the Abit IP35 Pro and a Wolfdale 3 GHz. http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3142 __________________

03-14-08, 11:55 AM	#7
GlobalExplorer Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 2,015 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	You will have to reinstall the OS. Once you have done it one or two times it's not hard. __________________

04-25-08, 07:52 AM	#9
bert8for3 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,124 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	This is what I love about buying computer stuff :rotfl: ... 2G RAM for $19.99 ... http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...0&Sku=C19-4332 ... wow! great deal. Then you look at the reviews and some guy (who may well be correct ... or not) says it's single-sided high density and prone to high failure rates. Now I have to spend time researching and becoming an expert on the pros and cons of single-sided high density RAM? ... don't think so. Beyond a certain point, you just have to accept that basically any computer component can go kablooie at any time. D**n the torpedoes, full speed ahead! __________________

05-04-08, 05:45 AM	#10
bert8for3 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,124 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	Well, to wind this up, I thought I'd mention what I finally went for: Mobo Abit IP35 Pro Intel Core Duo Wolfdale 3 GHz 4G Crucial ram Zerotherm Butterfly cpu cooler ATI Radeon 3870 512M + other bits and pieces Put it all together Friday and yesterday and booted up ... wow! I reinstalled SH3 up to GWX2.0 (haven't yet added mods in) and started it up to see how it is. The comp doesn't even break into mild condensation, never mind a sweat. My thanks again to everyone for all the comments and advice. __________________

03-14-08, 05:15 AM	#3
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	You'll get plenty of life out of this one. SH3 though is single threaded and doesn't take multiprocessor capability into consideration so it will only ever use 1/4 of the processing power you get this this rig. The price looks OK as well. You might want to think about the HDD though. If you've got an older board chances are it will be IDE only which may mean changing up to a SATA HDD instead. What GFX card are you looking at? Also what PSU do you have? You might want to look at upgrading that while you're at it cos you might find that your old one isn't up to driving all the new kit either.

03-14-08, 05:29 AM	#4
bert8for3 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,124 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	@GlobalExplorer. Tks, I'll look at that to compare. @TarJak. Tks also. Assume you mean the one I mentioned? Yup I can imagine it's a bit of overkill processing power wise, but at the same time I'm thinking if I upgrade I may as well look forward a ways and be ready for running Vista at some point in time or even heavier games (altho sh3 will have me going for a long time yet). Yes, my HDD is IDE, but AFAIK it would plug in, although not be as fast on the interface. But that way I could eventually upgrade the HDD. I think I'm good on the psu, 'cause I got a new one (450 W I think) a while ago to power a new vidcard. I haven't thought about the vidcard yet ... beyond thinking ATI, which is just because I have one now.

03-14-08, 07:31 AM	#5
bert8for3 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,124 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	BTW just for a follow-up query, I've been assuming that once everything's plugged in to the new mobo and I boot up, apart from maybe having to do some bios config, my existing Windows install on the hard drive will happily start up and aside from recognizing and installing the new vidcard like any other new hardware, all else will be warm and fuzzy. Am I right about that, or am I delusional that it should be that simple?