Mobo Sugestions?

ok i want a new mobo,but I'm finding it difficult finding out which are compatible,I've currently got a Pentuim D 3.00GHz and the mobo is a Intel i945P/G.

I want one thats going to take more than 8GB Ram and has at least 2x PCI Express 2.0 slots(as i have 2 9800GT OC but can only use one at the moment),Sli would be nice but isnt essential.I have a brand new 600W PSU unopened still in box.

I'm also wanting to upgrade the cpu to either a Core 2 Duo or better.

Please give me some suggestions,will pay upto £230 for mobo and £160 for CPU

Hi Jaffa1978 ....

here's where i'd put that cash, based on the info provided.....

ASUS S2 FORMULA.... great board, only has a max of 8GB DDR2, but its a 780i & will support full x16 SLI. (& you save a few quid)

for the CPU i like this chip, the all singing, all dancing .....Q9550

but i think this one is also a super chip... Q6600

performance is pretty comparable between the two & its 30 quid cheaper, but seeing as the board above has not reached the budget, i'd go with the 45nm quad....

both of these chips will be ''night & day'' difference over your aging ''Netburst'' P.D.

lol......& the board will also be a major upgrade over the 945 chipset you have now.....





SK

Very Nice,do you know if i would have any problems upgrading to that board?and if not what about this boardhttp://www.scan.co.uk/Products/EVGA-132-CK-NF79-A1-NF790i-Ultra-SLI-3-way-SLI-S-775-PCI-E-20-(x16)-DDR3-1066-1333-2000-ATX

could i upgrade to that,and if so which board would you say was best for gaming?Thanks

you just wanna spend oodles of cash, dont ya....??

nah, that EVGA board is very nice, but very expensive, add to that the fact its DDR3 & your looking to eventually chuck 8GB in there its gonna cost you a bomb for a marginal performance increase...

DDR2 @ 1000mhz CL5 is still very fast....& fully capable of catering to all high end gaming needs.

gaming wise the board i listed & the board you listed will game the same, they're essentially the same chipset, & both have matching specs, bar EVGA's 3x PCIE (which you dont need) & DDR3 (which you dont really need)

trust me, save yourself a few quid.......



SK

Ok I'm going to go with the Asus Striker II & the Q9550 I Sold my ps3 so i can upgrade my pc,one other thing was i really want a case,the cases i like are; http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Sharkoon-Rebel-9-Value-Black-Edition-ATX-Inc-250mm-Mega-Side-Panel-Fan-(No-PSU)

Antec 900-2 Nine Hundred Two, Plastic/ Steel, ATX Case, Window, without PSU - Scan.co.uk is it worthwhile spending the extra on a large case like this? Thanks for the advice

Jaffa1978 said:

Antec 900-2 Nine Hundred Two, Plastic/ Steel, ATX Case, Window, without PSU - Scan.co.uk is it worthwhile spending the extra on a large case like this? Thanks for the advice

Click to expand...

If you're going to game, overclock etc, then yes it is

For dedicated gaming machines, airflow is important for keeping the insides nice and cool.

get a coolermaster haf case though......