Need Mobo and CPU suggestions please

[golfmore]

Presently running an Intel PERL with a 2.4 Northwood, XP Pro, 1 gig and other stuff. What Intel Mobo would run a duo core, and would this be an upgrade? May do that if viable, or get a laptop. Thanks.

[mylanta]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121035&ATT=13-121-035&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r
That's where I would go...

[dbarrow]

1. What do you want the machine to do?
Heavy multi-tasking, gaming, video, audio, etc.
2. Are you planning to reuse any parts from present machine or scratch build?

Dual core/Core Duo are proving to be fantastic CPUs with much more potential than Intel is letting on.

Of course, "upgrading" vs. scratch build requires a whole lot of planning
http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2653&highlight=805D

If you have a lot of good parts, maybe an expensive vid card, expensive ram or other items that you want to migrate to an upgraded box, you may still be able to make use of them but gain the advantages of Dual Core as well.

Son wanted to do an upgrade based around an X850XT PE vid card (AGP) that we couldn't afford to let go to waste.
After much research, we settled on an Asus P5P800 mobo, which is an older 865 chipset P4P800 (which is still a screamer in daughter's machine) with a socket 775 upgrade that will eat Dual Core.

Following the article
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/10/dual_41_ghz_cores/

We loaded it with 2g of Corsair low latency ram and a Dual Core 805D (el-cheapo... really) CPU.
An easy overclock from 2.66 up to 3.6 puts it up there with my (year old) 3.4 bumped to 3.6 machine.
Despite the fact that it is AGP and not PCIe, as mine is, performance is at least equal and maybe better!
As far as I can see (without comparing bench marks) it is instantly responsive and quicker than lightning. It handles Oblivion (most demanding game out there) with all settings maxed out with no lags and unbelievable graphics.
He was not quite satisfied with the onboard sound chip and opted to add an Audigy 4 for another $42 that is impressive and boosted performance a bit more.
All in all, we are quite pleased with it and it was a very reasonable upgrade for under $1000 including PSU, Case, water cooling, ram, CPU, sound card, 2 250g drives, dvd/rw, wireless keyboard and laser mouse set.

A comparable "scratch" machine would have run closer to $2000.

[Dan18960]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121288

This is the one I have been using as a stable board. Basically plug and play and I have not had any of the cd problems listed in the con's on Rich's board.

One thing is that after installing the components and hardware drivers - go to Intel's web site and do the BIOS express update. It is actually seamless.

I use the Pentium D 930 cpu also.

[Dan18960]

Golf,

You might want to keep that 865PERL around for awhile - it is nice to connect ide drives to and not have to worry about booting to the IDE vs SATA drives. Also, can attach SATA drives and work on them too.

I have one on my bench for attaching other drives to for cleaning. Wouldn't give up that ole beast for anything right now.

[golfmore]

Thanks for the input.

[mylanta]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121288

This is the one I have been using as a stable board. Basically plug and play and I have not had any of the cd problems listed in the con's on Rich's board.

One thing is that after installing the components and hardware drivers - go to Intel's web site and do the BIOS express update. It is actually seamless.

I use the Pentium D 930 cpu also.

Dan the question was board to accomodate new core duo which is the much heralded Conroe cpu and this board will not work with it.

[golfmore]

Gonna keep the PERL and get an HP Laptop Thanks for the patience and help.

[golfmore]

Still haven't made up my mind on laptop, desktop or? Any opinions on the Dell 3100 deal for $449 + shipping. Comes to less than $500 in the door with a 19" flatpanel. Hmmmmmm........

[mylanta]

Onboard video without video slot...forgetaboutit!