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View Full Version : Motherboard advise for new system?


livnhumanwrinkle
05-31-2002, 03:44 AM
I'm building a system and sure could use some more of that expert advise I've already received. My needs are not heavy gaming, but I do intend to use my system for more advanced gaming without overclocking. I will be editing digital video, and using 3d graphics. For these reasons, even though some of your advise has steered me away from rambus, I have decided, for the most part, on the following:

Intel P4 2.2gig Northwood core 400MHZ FSB 512K L2 cache
512MB Rdram Micron, or Kingston (if they make it)
ATI All-in wonder Radeon 8500DV (which only has 64MB DDR ram),
or, the ATI Radeon 8500128MB DDR ram Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum, or Platinum EX
Maxtor, or Western digital hard drive 100GB+ ATA 100 or ATA 133

If I go with these choices, I'll need a mobo that supports the Northwood core chip. I would also like a board that supports USB 2.0. The intel 850E chipset supports both, I think, but I am not sure if the integrated sound will interfere, or detract from the sound card I've chosen. The Radeon 8500DV has a firewire, but I would go with the 8500 128MB DDR ram if I could find a mobo with firewire. Or, is there no difference in video capture speed between having the firewire off the graphics card, the mobo, or a separate expansion card off a PCI slot?
Another question: I've heard one must be careful that their graphics card and sound card choices are compatible with the motherboard. Do the AGP port and voltage needs vary among graphics cards? And are there variances in the mobo needs for various sound cards?
I've heard all good about ASUS and ABIT boards. I'm leaning towards them.
Any suggestions on motherboards?
Thank you.
Please excuse any ignorant terminology or misdirected statements I've made, as I am just a seedling in this arena.

rond36
05-31-2002, 06:28 PM
I suggest the Asus P4T533-C
CPU Socket 478 for Intel® Pentium® 4 On-die 512/256KB L2 Cache with full speed

Chipset
Intel® 82850E MCH Intel® 82801 BA ICH2
FSB
533 / 400 MHz
Memory
4 x 184-pin RIMM Sockets support max. 2GB PC800 / PC1066 ECC* / non-ECC 16 bit RDRAM memory
Expansion Slots
1 x AGP 4X (1.5V only)
5 x PCI
IDE Ports
2 x UltraDMA 100 / 66 / 33
Audio (optional)
Realtek® ALC650 6-channel CODEC
LAN (optional)
Intel® 82562ET PHY
USB 2.0
NEC USB2.0 Controller
4 USB 2.0 Ports

Special Features
Power Loss Restart
ASUS® JumperFree
Vcore adjustable
Support ASUS® iPanel
Support S/PDIF out interface (on audio model only)
ASUS® POST Reporter
ASUS® EZ Plug™
ASUS® EZ Flash
AGP warning LED

Back Panel I/O
1 x Parallel
2 x Serial
1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
1 x Audio I/O (optional)
1 x RJ45 (optional)
2 x USB 2.0 / 1.1
2 x USB 1.1

Internal I/O Connectors
1 x USB 2.0 / 1.1 connector support additional 2 USB 2.0 / 1.1 ports
1 x USB 1.1 connector support additional 2 USB 1.1 ports
CPU / Power / Chassis FAN connectors
20 pin ATX Power connector
4 pin ATX 12V Power connector
IDE LED connector, power LED connetor
Chassis Intrusion, SM Bus, SIR
S/PDIF out connector (optional)
ASUS® iPanel connector
GAME/MIDI connector (optional)
CD / AUX / Modem audio in (optional)
Front Audio Panel connector (optional)

BIOS
2Mb Flash ROM, Award® BIOS, TCAV, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3,ASUS® EZ Flash

Industrial Standard
PCI 2.2, USB 1.1, USB 2.0

Form Factor ATX 12.0" x 9.6" (30.5cm x 24.5cm)

Note: * Use only the tested and qualified 16-bit 1066MHz RIMM listed below. Samsung 1066-35 128MB MR16R0828BN1-CM9
Other RIMM manufactured by other vendors may not be suitable for this motherboard.

This board also supports the new 133MHz system clock 533MHz FSB 2.26B, 2.4B, and 2.53B P4s

"I would go with the 8500 128MB DDR ram if I could find a mobo with firewire." Go for it.
Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum, and Platinum EX both have Firewire ports so you don't need one on the video card or motherboard.

The onboard sound can be disabled in BIOS settup and should not conflict with your installed sound card.


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How to Use Fdisk and Format to Partition or Repartition a Hard Disk (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q255867)
How to multi-boot Windows XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gettingstarted/multiboot.asp)
Microsoft Expert Zone Multi-booting made easy (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/russel/september10.asp)
MSKB How to multi-boot Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q306559)

[This message has been edited by rond36 (edited 05-31-2002).]

livnhumanwrinkle
06-03-2002, 03:46 AM
Thanks alot, rond36, for your info and advise! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

BigBlue66
06-03-2002, 12:10 PM
You can't go wrong with an Asus board for a P4.

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This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.