Motherboard questions for Sempron 140

[TheMouse]

So it's been years since I've build a desktop. I've been living off of laptops for the most part. (To put it into perspective, my last build was an FX51)

Anyways, decided on Sempron 140 for price and lower wattage. I don't need much more and I plan on attempting to unlock the second core. I have everything except motherboard and RAM at this point. (Well I have some spare DDR2, but let's pretend I don't for the purpose of this post).

So my questions:

1) Regardless of price (which is obvious), what are the pros and cons of going with a DDR3 vs DDR2 setup for a lowend cpu like this? In terms of speed and chipset features.

2) Anyone have recommendations on a good motherboard w/ good ACC capability? The only requirements I have is onboard video (to save on power) and a DVI or HDMI port and more than 2 SATA connections.

Thanks!

 

[Sp12]

Speed isn't a major factor, although the DDR3 will definitely be faster if you're just browsing it won't matter. However, DDR2 is quite a bit higher voltage, and therefore will cost more over time and will create more heat.

Additionally, DDR2 locks you into an Am2 socket, which has a no future and lacks current-gen chipsets. DDR3 would give you AM3, which is going to be the AMD socket for a bit longer.

DDR2 is also non-transferable to a new build, whereas DDR3 is the standard till 2012.

I would create a thread in the 'general hardware' section of the forums, that's the place for the best advice on full system builds.

I'll look up mobos ina bit.

 

[Sp12]

Motherboards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625%20600007943%20600008296%20600008419%20600008816%20600036416%20600009017&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&CompareItemList=22|13-128-445^13-128-445-TS%2C13-131-654^13-131-654-TS%2C13-128-444^13-128-444-TS%2C13-130-276R^13-130-276-Z01%2C13-131-654R^13-131-654-Z01

Good budget DDR3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

I would also advise you against the sempron, if only because it represents a false value. Singlecores just aren't really able to provide an enjoyable desktop experience as rich internet apps and multithreaded software becomes more commonplace. I would look at spending double on the CPU to get a tri-core, which would add a LOT more longevity to this computer build. From a value standpoint that's a 50% better deal.

 

[Iron Woode]

an Asus M4A785-M is a good choice.

 

[TheMouse]

Thanks SP12 and Iron Woode! I'll look into the motherboards you recommend.

I went with the Sempron because it'll be a secondary machine. I have an asus gaming laptop as well, but needed a second machine to run some software on for a startup I'm working on. It doesn't need to be fast really.... but I just want to make well informed decisions.

I like the idea of going AM3/DDR3 primarily for the reason that I can reuse or sell the ram more easily going forward.

Thanks again.

 

[Iron Woode]

Thanks SP12 and Iron Woode! I'll look into the motherboards you recommend.

I went with the Sempron because it'll be a secondary machine. I have an asus gaming laptop as well, but needed a second machine to run some software on for a startup I'm working on. It doesn't need to be fast really.... but I just want to make well informed decisions.

I like the idea of going AM3/DDR3 primarily for the reason that I can reuse or sell the ram more easily going forward.

Thanks again.

Oops.

the board I listed is an AM2+ board with DDR2.

the Asus M4A785TD-M EVO is the AM3/DDR3 version.

 

[TheMouse]

Oops.

the board I listed is an AM2+ board with DDR2.

the Asus M4A785TD-M EVO is the AM3/DDR3 version.

Hey thanks. I was shopping around a bit. Is there any reason why I shouldn't get the "V" version of this board? It's part of a combo discount at Newegg with something else I need. It seems like it's almost identical to the "M" but standard ATX and the stuff that comes along with that (extra slots, etc).

 

[Iron Woode]

Hey thanks. I was shopping around a bit. Is there any reason why I shouldn't get the "V" version of this board? It's part of a combo discount at Newegg with something else I need. It seems like it's almost identical to the "M" but standard ATX and the stuff that comes along with that (extra slots, etc).

Seems the V is having problems with DOA and failure on Newegg.

Personally I would use the Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H.

good luck!