Motherboard Quagmire

[bookem dano]

My somewhat ancient a8n-sli deluxe motherboard seems to have a partial fry of the northbridge where it cannot handle any graphic acceleration and one of the sata drives isn't always detected. So it seems that I need to build a new pc....it's been awhile.

I know I want an AMD and a motherboard that will allow me to grow the machine. I'm having trouble figuring out what chipset I need to get. This computer has served me well since I bought a normal priced cpu then years later upgraded when dual cores were in a normal range.

Any suggestions? I've looked at the motherboards section here, but it seems to be mainly intel.

 

[DaveSimmons]

AMD is a bad choice right now (much slower, uses more power) except at the lowest budget level, and even then the intel i3-2100 and H61 motherboard is probably a better choice.

If you really want AMD, you should wait for the new "Bulldozer" CPUs, rumored to be out next month.

 

[bookem dano]

I'm not sure I want to limp around with a partially fried bridge for that long. I'm using this machine as my DVR so I can't watch what I have unless I transfer it to my laptop.

I've liked AMD for having upgrade CPU capability. If the bulldozers are coming out soon, I'd want a motherboard that could handle it.

I do have a usb3.0 hard drive so I'm looking into the ASUS M4A88TD-V as we speak. But i'm just starting to scratch the surface.

 

[bookem dano]

I also need a firewire port.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Before you settle on a current AMD CPU, you might compare price/performance and power draw. Intel really is way ahead at the moment:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1179-page4.html

That article lists intel motherboard prices as $148, but I think you can get H67 chipset motherboards with USB 3.0 for under $100 now.

 

[Bartman39]

Before you settle on a current AMD CPU, you might compare price/performance and power draw. Intel really is way ahead at the moment:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1179-page4.html

That article lists intel motherboard prices as $148, but I think you can get H67 chipset motherboards with USB 3.0 for under $100 now.

Ditto...:thumbsup: Go with Sandy Bridge and say Giggity...Giggity...Giggity...!:biggrin:

 

[bookem dano]

Well....the computer is still limping along, thanks to putting new thermal paste on the north bridge heatsink and putting a fan blowing into the case. Obviously it needs replacing...sooner than later. It's already made it this far along...but my DVR watching capabilities is limited to streaming to another PC and that's getting choppy now.

Having said that, I'm actually looking at the ASRock 890FX Deluxe motherboard since it appears to be a full AM3+ motherboard. I've always been an abit/asus motherboard fan. How does the asrock compare from a manufacturer reliability standpoint?

I looked at the gigabyte GA-880GMA-USB3 but I don't think it had enough expansion slots and had only 2 usb 3.0s.

Here's the system I am thinking about getting....
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 3.3GHz, 3.7GHz Turbo Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDE00ZFBGRBOX

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VX-2L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe Support

ASRock 890FX DELUXE5 AM3+ AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2

 

[mb103051]

not bad for a current amd system..but intel SB is a much better choise..they are blazing fast and low power..your buying technology that is on the way out next month and SB is the latest tech out...even if bulldozer is faster it wont be by much...you need to consider looking at SB benches and reviews and also the SB 2600k has hyperthreading also and overclocks like a beast very easily..all this coming from a long time amd guy..im on my first intel rig since 1996 and this thing is a powerhouse compared to my 955 rig...just something to consider...there is no way going SB you can go wrong..there actually faster than my 1366 rig and run cooler too and less power consumption....

 

[bookem dano]

what kinda of price point are you talking about with the intel?

Out of principle, I don't like spending more than 200 for a CPU. So my initial thought was get a mobo that can handle the next technology and get the CPU in the range that I want. Then later I can upgrade again for a little if I want, or buy another computer. Thats one thing I like about AMD is that you can typically do something like that.

I'm upgrading from a AMD 64 dual core 3800+ so anything will be a speed increase. The am3+ has new cpu support so when they are reasonable I should be able to put in an 8 core. I have seen some things that talk about maybe waiting for the 900 series though.

 

[ncalipari]

go with phenom ii x4 840, it can be found for 80$ and in most benchmark is faster than 2100.

Phenom + Gigabyte AM3+ board = 160 $


i3 2100 + board = 240 $

And the phenom is faster.

 

[aphelion02]

go with phenom ii x4 840, it can be found for 80$ and in most benchmark is faster than 2100.

Phenom + Gigabyte AM3+ board = 160 $


i3 2100 + board = 240 $

And the phenom is faster.

This is wrong on both fronts. Do research before you give advice.

 

[aphelion02]

i3-2100 + Asus H67 Mobo $194

If you go for an H61 motherboard it will cost $185. Benchmarks show that the i3 is faster in most tasks that are not heavily multithreaded, such as video encoding. Even then it does decently against the Phenom.

Also, for $240, you can get an i5 with an H61 motherboard that will destroy anything AMD has to offer across the board.

 

[darkswordsman17]

If you can't wait, I'd say go Sandy Bridge. An i3 would be great for a DVR, and even if you change a lot later, you won't lose out on much money. Or you can upgrade the CPU to a quad core and be good for a long time.

A six core Phenom is just terrible value right now. If you absolutely have to go AMD for some reason, I'd say get an AM3+ board and a dirt cheap dual core or maybe quad until Bulldozer.

 

[infoiltrator]

Do you use the six cores? I mean would you?

Intel I5 2500K is an overclockable 4 core for $230 list.
Non overclockable are $200 A Z68 motherboard is about to be released.
The P67 motherboards overclock, the H67 do not (a little).
An I3 2100 (two core hyperthreading) is competitive with 9xx 10xx AMD chips except for core intensive programs. It is $125.
It is unfortunate but buying top line AMD is less cost effective.
Asrock has been building a good reputation.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

I do not understand why everyone is jumping on the SB bandwagon when it's clear from the OP that a S939-level system is sufficient for the OP's needs. OP isn't complaining about lack of performance - OP is worried about a soon to expire part! Anything from either AMD or Intel is going to be a huge step up from their current system.

OP, if you would rather spend less on your computer than spring for compute power you probably don't even need, I'd simply get a $60 AMD Athlon II X2 250 and a $60ish 880G chipset-based motherboard. If you find yourself needing more power in another year, used quad core AM3 CPUs will be $50. In another two years, used hex core AM3 CPUs will be $50.

It never ceases to amaze me how well-intentioned and otherwise well-informed folks always assume everyone needs the latest and greatest computer components. They're terrible investments.

 

[VirtualLarry]

OP, if you would rather spend less on your computer than spring for compute power you probably don't even need, I'd simply get a $60 AMD Athlon II X2 250 and a $60ish 880G chipset-based motherboard. If you find yourself needing more power in another year, used quad core AM3 CPUs will be $50. In another two years, used hex core AM3 CPUs will be $50.

This. SB (unless you spring big bucks for the 'K' models) is unoverclockable. It's also pricy.

A good, cheap, fast, AMD dual-core or triple-core, with a nice cheap mobo (preferably one that can unlock cores), would be a solid choice. Even better if you win the core lottery and manage to unlock to a quad on the cheap.

There's still a lot of value in AMD rigs at the budget end.

Does the OP have a Microcenter nearby? They have some good deals on AMD CPU+mobo combos, and they are running a special on SB i3-2100 + H61 mobo for $120, while supplies last.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I do not understand why everyone is jumping on the SB bandwagon when it's clear from the OP that a S939-level system is sufficient for the OP's needs. OP isn't complaining about lack of performance - OP is worried about a soon to expire part! Anything from either AMD or Intel is going to be a huge step up from their current system.

OP, if you would rather spend less on your computer than spring for compute power you probably don't even need, I'd simply get a $60 AMD Athlon II X2 250 and a $60ish 880G chipset-based motherboard. If you find yourself needing more power in another year, used quad core AM3 CPUs will be $50. In another two years, used hex core AM3 CPUs will be $50.

It never ceases to amaze me how well-intentioned and otherwise well-informed folks always assume everyone needs the latest and greatest computer components. They're terrible investments.

Sandy Bridge is quite cheap, its also offers substantially more performance. The OP is the one that mentioned looking at a 6 core Phenom II, which is one of the worst values out there right now.

Investments? Ignoring that, for most, a computer is not an investment at all, but if it is, then often extra performance is worthwhile to invest in. Buying likely EOL components (current AM3 boards) are also often terrible investments too.

If he wanted to get away with peanuts, just buy a dirt cheap replacement motherboard for what he's got, no need to even bother talking about upgrading. He however said he wants an upgrade, which makes no sense to recommend something that isn't the best value for his money.

He also specifically mentioned wanting a board to upgrade the CPU. Sandy Bridge is enough that he wouldn't even have to worry about that, but that's also why people said to wait until Bulldozer so he can then find out what performance for what price it offers. Its possible that it will offer similar performance to Sandy Bridge for close to the same price, in which case, buying a current AMD CPU would just be a waste of money.

This. SB (unless you spring big bucks for the 'K' models) is unoverclockable. It's also pricy.

A good, cheap, fast, AMD dual-core or triple-core, with a nice cheap mobo (preferably one that can unlock cores), would be a solid choice. Even better if you win the core lottery and manage to unlock to a quad on the cheap.

There's still a lot of value in AMD rigs at the budget end.

Does the OP have a Microcenter nearby? They have some good deals on AMD CPU+mobo combos, and they are running a special on SB i3-2100 + H61 mobo for $120, while supplies last.

While I would agree, but he's wanting system he'll upgrade, so if he wants to just cheap out now, he might as well just buy a cheap replacement board.

Sandy Bridge is not pricey. Its not dirt cheap, but the only reason AMD is, is because that's where its performance is and its a long in the tooth setup. An i3 is much more efficient and is similar in performance for the price.

 

[bookem dano]

awesome discussion guys....

When I bought the current motherboard, the Barton chip was all the rage! That worked great for awhile, then when it started getting 'slow' I upgraded the CPU and didn't have to reinstall windows(huge plus in my book....I'm lazy!)

I've thought about getting another cheap board, but then again I'm lazy. However, I did plan on using this PC as a server at some point, so a patchwork could be in order, but again, I'm lazy and I have another machine that could easily be my server.

I was planning on upgrading b/c this machine did seem like it was getting slow...I have all Raptor drives...a 74GB, 150GB, and 300GB and when I installed windows it took less than 15 min. Speed issues may be from the bad bridge though.

I want an upgrade, and am looking for the best bang for my current buck that will be upgradeable to a new CPU in 4-5 years. I wish more AM3+ boards were out b/c I'd probably be done with it, just not sure about ASRock.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Sandy Bridge is quite cheap, its also offers substantially more performance.

No, Sandy Bridge is not quite cheap. I'm sorry, but it's simply bizarre that anyone would make such a claim. Sure, in terms of absolute cost, $125 (i3 2100) is only $65 more than an Athlon II X2 250 at $60 - but in terms of relative cost, it's more than 100% more expensive. If you look at Anandtech's Bench, you'll see the i3 is not 100% faster at anything than the 250 except compute-intense math in Excel.

Investments? Ignoring that, for most, a computer is not an investment at all, but if it is, then often extra performance is worthwhile to invest in. Buying likely EOL components (current AM3 boards) are also often terrible investments too.

Again, I absolutely cannot fathom how spending multiple hundreds of dollars on an item like a computer that will hopefully last many years is not considered an investment. Regardless, that's personal philosophy, and mine works for me. I'm curious why you would dismiss AM3 as an EOL socket, but consider 1155 not an EOL socket? Do you honestly think that Intel will be releasing new CPUs for 1155 past Q1 2012? Especially if Llano and Bulldozer end up being competitive, 1155 is as dead as AM3. Is 1155 a superior socket? Sure, but it's not so superior as to justify its cost for the average user. Considering the OP is getting by with a six year old CPU right now... Your recommendation of an i3 is like recommending a full-size SVU to someone who will bring four bags of groceries home once per week.

I want an upgrade, and am looking for the best bang for my current buck that will be upgradeable to a new CPU in 4-5 years. I wish more AM3+ boards were out b/c I'd probably be done with it, just not sure about ASRock.

Well, no platform you buy now will will have new CPUs available for it in 4-5 years. Hence my suggestion for an AM3 board; I suspect by then Phenom II X6 CPUs will be $25, ha. Then again a 2600K will probably be $40...

I was planning on upgrading b/c this machine did seem like it was getting slow...I have all Raptor drives...a 74GB, 150GB, and 300GB and when I installed windows it took less than 15 min. Speed issues may be from the bad bridge though.

For what it's worth, I'd rather have a budget AMD CPU and an SSD (with mechanical HDDs for storage) than an i3 and any mechanical hard drive. Overall system snappiness will be much more noticeable with an SSD, and the price difference between an Athlon II X2 250 + 880G board versus an i3 and even budget board is enough to buy a smaller budget SSD.

 

[ensign_lee]

Gigantopithecus - Intel has already announced that Ivy Bridge will be on 1155 as well, so no. It's not at end of life.

Your other points are valid. Though since the OP had indicated he was going to get an AMD hexacore, I feel like he wasn't going super budget anyway, in which case all Sandy Bridge's will hit his sweet spot.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Judging by the 5770 I assume the OP wants to game.

Go 2500K, or step down to a PhII X4 955 or 840. The rest of the Phenom IIs and SB CPUs aren't as cost effective.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Gigantopithecus - Intel has already announced that Ivy Bridge will be on 1155 as well, so no. It's not at end of life.

Derp, I missed that. Thanks for the info.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Gigantopithecus - Intel has already announced that Ivy Bridge will be on 1155 as well, so no. It's not at end of life.

But will it run on existing mobos with a BIOS flash? That's the key question. I haven't seen any committed answers about that yet.

 

[bookem dano]

Well....after not doing a full build since 2003, I've finally bought a complete new rig.
Thanks for the info from this topic....it did help.

Here's some of the specs:
ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD6000HLHX 600GB 10000 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s
XFX HD-687A-ZNFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 3.3GHz, 3.7GHz Turbo Socket AM3 125W Six-Core
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0 and Black Interior
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)


I went with the sabertooth b/c of I saw a couple reviews showing it was faster transfer speeds from other 900 chipsets and thought it was worth the upgrade at that point. We'll see how it all turns out in the next couple of days!

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Nice! I think you will be very pleased with your new computer.