Need a new motherboard

[Big Brother]

I have a pretty low knowledge for computer specs. I absolutely need a new motherboard because mine died on me a few weeks ago.

My current specs for my computer are as follows:

CPU - Intel Pentium 4 3.0G 800MHZ
Ram - 2x1gig DDR (not dual channel)
HDD - 1x 160G SATA and 1x40G IDE
DVD Drive x1
CD Drive x1
Soundcard - Integrated on Motherboard
Videocard - Geforce 7950GT KO

I'm looking for any motherboard that I can plug this stuff in that costs less than $120. My old motherboard is ASUS p5gd1-vm-uay0z. If there is any motherboard with another SATA slot, that is even better because I might get another harddrive. I'm also thinking of upgrading my Pentium 4 into a dual/quad core, but that won't be for another few months.

If anyone can suggest to me a motherboard that would work well for me, I will greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[Amourek]

DVD Drive x1
CD Drive x1


Both IDE I assume... most motherboards only have 1 IDE port now (2 devices).

If you can ditch one of your drives (i.e. upgrade your 40GB to SATA), I suggest the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L. It has 4 SATA ports.

[Big Brother]

I'm willing to ditch the 40GB IDE harddrive. I have a question about the RAM though. Mine is DDR1 (Not dual channel)
Would my DDR ram fit into the DDR2 slots? I was told that DDR2 works only if there are the 2 rams plugged in together; 1 ram alone would not function.

[rchong]

I'm willing to ditch the 40GB IDE harddrive. I have a question about the RAM though. Mine is DDR1 (Not dual channel)
Would my DDR ram fit into the DDR2 slots? I was told that DDR2 works only if there are the 2 rams plugged in together; 1 ram alone would not function.


DDR1 and DDR2 are different and are not interchangeable.

I was told that DDR2 works only if there are the 2 rams plugged in together; 1 ram alone would not function.
Running in "dual channel" requires 2 of the same sticks of ram, eg. 2x pc 3200 (DDR 400.)

[Big Brother]

Oh, thanks

So I guess I can't get the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L motherboard. My ram is DDR1 and Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L uses DDR2

[rchong]

$61.92
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25103&vpn=4COREDX90-VSTA&manufacture=ASRock

[Big Brother]

Interesting.
Does this ram:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18495&vpn=OCZ2G8002GK&;manufacture=OCZ%20Technology

work on the ASRock motherboard:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25103&vpn=4COREDX90-VSTA&manufacture=ASRock

Because if it does, I might consider switching over from DDR1 into DDR2.

[board123]

No.

DDR1 and DDR2 are different and are not interchangeable.

[Big Brother]

Oh oops, didn't see that.

I was thinking that since DDR2 ram doesn't cost TOO much and I heard that DDR2 is more popular, I make the change from DDR1 into DDR2.

[Amourek]

I was thinking that since DDR2 ram doesn't cost TOO much and I heard that DDR2 is more popular, I make the change from DDR1 into DDR2.

If you sell your DDR1, you'll actually make money. DDR2 is like $18 a GB these days.

[Big Brother]

I wouldn't know where I could sell my DDR1 though :lol:

Does my current hardware (videocard, harddrive, etc) fit on this motherboard? http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...facture=ASRock

[ASharp]

If you sell your DDR1, you'll actually make money. DDR2 is like $18 a GB these days.

Yeah...someone made a post in the hot deals forum about 2x1GB of OCZ Gold XTC (http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011680&cid=RAM.346.307) at Canada Computers for only $30 (today only...otherwise it's $5 more after MIR).

I wouldn't know where I could sell my DDR1 though :lol:

I hope that's sarcasm. Just in case it's not though, there's always the BST forums (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11) right here on RFD.

[Big Brother]

Thanks. I think i've decided between these two:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25103&vpn=4COREDX90-VSTA&manufacture=ASRock

vs

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25182&vpn=GA-VM900M&manufacture=Gigabyte

which one do you guys think is better?

[apvm]

Thanks. I think i've decided between these two:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25103&vpn=4COREDX90-VSTA&manufacture=ASRock

vs

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25182&vpn=GA-VM900M&manufacture=Gigabyte

which one do you guys think is better?

Get the Gigabyte open box if it is still available...btw imo Gigabyte is a much better brand than Asrock.

[Big Brother]

Thanks. Do you know of the Gigabyte motherboard supports pentium 4 and dual core as well?

[ASharp]

Thanks. Do you know of the Gigabyte motherboard supports pentium 4 and dual core as well?

A quick look at the Gigabyte page for the board listing supported CPUs (http://www.giga-byte.ca/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2490) is a good place to find that information.

[Big Brother]

I have a question about the memory for the gigabyte motherboard.

It says:
Supports DDR2 667/533 up to 4GB Memory
Available with 2 DIMM slots supporting up to 4GB of DDR2 667 memory, GA-VM900M provides the highest performance platform with the high-bandwidth (4.2GB/s) DDR2 memory solution.


but my ram is DDR1.

In the Memory section further down:

1. 2 DIMM memory slots (supports up to 4GB memory) (Note 1)
2. Supports 1.8V DDR DIMM
3. Supports DDR2 667/533/400 DIMM (Note 2)

(Note 1) Use of a 1066/ 800 MHz FSB CPU is required if you wish to install DDR2 667 MHz memory.
(Note 2) Due to standard PC architecture, a certain amount of memory is reserved for system usage and therefore the actual memory size is less than the stated amount.

What does this mean? Would I have to buy new RAM?

[hagbard]

I think that's already been established. Is your cpu socket 775? If not, you'll need a cpu as well.

[teleguitar]

OP, if you're short on cash and want to keep the DDR ram a little longer, the best option for you, imho, is the Asrock board. I have read about this board in the past and it's a decent board. Don't worry about the Gigabyte boards for now. The higher end Gigabyte Core 2 Duo boards are the DS3R, DS3P and DS4 but that costs around $90 and up.

I think the cheapest option is to buy the best Cpu (Core 2 Duo or Quad) you can afford and the Asrock board. Then invest in upgrading the motherboard and ram to DDR2. You can then just switch the processor over to the new motherboard. You might be satisfied with the Asrock board for a while. Also, you can easily keep the IDE drives a little longer with the Asrock board. Most other Core 2 Duo motherboards don't have as much IDE support as Intel tried to phase them out and many of the manufacturers complied.

[Big Brother]

My CPU is a Pent 4 socket 775. Does the Gigabyte motherboard use DDR1 or DDR2? On the Memory section of the Gigabyte board, it says:

2. Supports 1.8V DDR DIMM
3. Supports DDR2 667/533/400 DIMM (Note 2)

If I don't have to replace my RAM, I think I'll go with the Gigabyte motherboard because it has everything I'm looking for and is cheaper. Someday in the near future, I will be upgrading my CPU to a Core2Duo.

[teleguitar]

Therefore, you could even keep the current cpu for as long as you want and move it to the Asrock board. You could then decide which processor upgrade you want and upgrade that first or upgrade to the newer cpu and new DDR2 RAM when you're ready. RAM is a peculiar thing. DDR RAM went cheap and then expensive when supplies dwindled. It's older hardware and goes in obsolete system but stills holds value in comparison to the DDR2 RAM. So, what will happen when DDR3 Ram finally becomes more available and reduces in price?

The Gigabyte board you speak of uses DDR2 Ram, I believe.

[hagbard]

My CPU is a Pent 4 socket 775. Does the Gigabyte motherboard use DDR1 or DDR2? On the Memory section of the Gigabyte board, it says:

2. Supports 1.8V DDR DIMM
3. Supports DDR2 667/533/400 DIMM (Note 2)

If I don't have to replace my RAM, I think I'll go with the Gigabyte motherboard because it has everything I'm looking for and is cheaper. Someday in the near future, I will be upgrading my CPU to a Core2Duo.

Lord. You cannot use your DDR1 in a DDR2 motherboard...the Gigabyte is a DDR2 board.

[Smoked]

sell your ram and get ddr2, make some money, ddr ram is wanted in the BST market right now...

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25784&vpn=4COREDUAL-SATA2&manufacture=ASRock

if you have to keep your ram, which is stupid.

[Big Brother]

I wouldn't mind selling my DDR ram but I don't know where to sell it.

[hot_potato]

I wouldn't mind selling my DDR ram but I don't know where to sell it.

I believe someone already mentioned the BST (Buy, Sell, Trade) forums on RFD itself.. I'm sure you can find someone locally in Vancouver who might be interested.

[woof]

Quite frankly I think you should go with your original idea of just getting another mboard only which would be compatible with the components you already have. Once you start in replacing something else like memory or CPU, one change leads to another and you might as well throw the whole system away and build a completely new one right now. Investing too much money in an old system is a waste of money and you're just not going to see much performance improvement by only replacing some of the parts.