Motherboard for E5200

[nonoitall]

I'm planning on getting a Pentium Dual-Core E5200 (stock speed 2.5 GHz, 800 MHz FSB). After analyzing my budget, I can spend about a maximum of $95 (though less would be nice) on the motherboard. Anything that can get the CPU up to ~3.8GHz is adequate, and I'd settle for less for the sake of reliability/longevity. SLI and Crossfire aren't particularly important to me, as I'm not a big gamer. So far my contenders are:

• GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L
  BIOSTAR TForce TP35D2-A7
  ASRock P43Twins1600
  BIOSTAR TForce TG31-A7

So, what would you guys pick? Something on my list? Something completely different? Thanks in advance!

 

[Gillbot]

Low budget and high OC goals are a common recipe for disappointment. If you do plan on heavy OCing, research your mobo and see if it has reviews that show good OC success, otherwise adjust your budget for a more OC friendly motherboard.

 

[nonoitall]

My understanding was that the motherboard itself probably would never have to go beyond its rated capabilities. (Those boards were all rated at 1333 MHz, at which speed the CPU would be running at 4.16 GHz - far beyond my expectations, and probably the ability of the CPU itself.)

 

[nonoitall]

So none of those motherboards would be able to overclock the CPU even a little?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

If I had to choose I'd grab the BIOSTAR TForce TP35D2-A7.

Biostar T mobo's have done very well since their introduction often performing the same as boards costing 25 - 50% more. Asrock is not known for thier OverClocking, more thier inginuity and features for the price. Gigabyte is rapidly getting thier name back after their name back for stability after the Socket A disasters they released and they seem to be doing very well with overclocking often beating out Biostar's T series as of late.

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Low budget and high OC goals are a common recipe for disappointment. If you do plan on heavy OCing, research your mobo and see if it has reviews that show good OC success, otherwise adjust your budget for a more OC friendly motherboard.

With all due respect you need to get arround more Gil, my TA780G ( $90 ) and 4850e ( $66 but launched at $90 ) is currently giving me 3.2ghz on the CPU with 0 issues at the drop of a hat. Odds are I'll see 3.3 - 3.4 outta this chip on this mobo as my CPU Clock only has to reach 264 or 272mhz in my case with my 12.5 multi.

What I have here would be considered a budget machine as both only cost me $150. I coulda gone one better and got the TF720 and the 4050e for $136 and gotten at least 3.2ghz though due to MB limitations on average been stuck arround 3.2ghz max.

People have spent less than what nano will have considering he went with a $90 CPU making his combo $180 - $190 and gotten stellar OC results with the same ammount or less money.

My 2 cents worth

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: nonoitall
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L

That board will OC an E5200, I have a friend with that board. The problem with his board is that it will not do 1:1 for the DRAM, so it OCs the memory a bit. He has it at 301 FSB (3.76Ghz), and DRAM is around 803Mhz or something like that. That's at something around 1.4v actual.

For a little bit more, though, you can get a Gigabyte EP45-DS3L board for $80 AR right now at NewEgg. Check the thread in the Hot Deals forum for more info.

 

[shortstuff]

+1 for the EP45-DS3L. It may be at the upper end of your budget, but would be worth it. I personally would stick with the new P45/P43 chipset. I don't see the point of using an already outdated 31/35 chipset in a new build. The EP43-DS3L is even cheaper, but will probably not overclock quite as well.

 

[demiurge3141]

the cheapest one would do

 

[nyker96]

Originally posted by: demiurge3141
the cheapest one would do

for this 12.5x multiplier chip? yes, just get the cheapest board that has your feature set will be plenty. BTW, if you can do more than 310FSB+ on this baby you already are lucky enough. But one thing you must check, make sure the board allows up tp 1.4v of vcore because this chip cannot OC w/o high vcore.

 

[Tempered81]

if it's 95 for the mobo & cpu, goto fry's

if 95 for just the mobo, a nice p35 is attainable.