Help Me Pick A Motherboard!

CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Socket 478</div> Hey, I'm looking to start making small upgrades to my computer over time. Here's my current system:

Intel Pentium 4 @ 1.8 GHz 100 MHz FSB (I know, I know)
ECS M925LR motherboard
1024 MB generic DDR RAM
Sapphire Radeon 9000 128 MB
WD 40 GB HDD
WinXP Pro

Here's the system I want to upgrade to, over time:

Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.8 GHz 533 or 800 MHz FSB
1024 MB generic DDR RAM
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 128 MB
Maxtor 80 GB HDD + WD 40 GB HDD
WinXP Pro

I'm looking for a motherboard right now. I've already got my 9600 Pro, but I can't run it because of voltage problems with my motherboard's AGP slot. (Cheap manufacturer has 4x AGP running on 2x voltage) My spending limit for a motherboard is around $135-140 <b>CANADIAN</b>.

I'm looking to buy one from an online store that ships to Canada and accepts PayPal or a money order. (That means no NewEgg.)

The stores I'm comfortable with are:
<a href='http://www.tigerdirect.ca' target='_blank'>TigerDirect Canada</a> and
<a href='http://www.microbytes.com' target='_blank'>MicroBytes</a> (Local store, I can go there and pick it up personally.)

Two more notes: I am NOT willing to switch which processor I'm using. I'm sticking with Intel. Partly because I'm upgrading over time, so I can't do anything if I buy a motherboard meant for AMDs until I can afford a processor, and partly because I prefer Intel. I would also prefer an 8x AGP slot, if possible. (I won't be able to upgrade for a while, I want to be able to handle increased bandwidth use for new games when they come out.)

I'd appreciate any help a lot! Thanks!
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Comments

  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    edited July 2004
    What region of Ca are you from? I can probably find you a couple other good shops close by if I know...

    [edit] from your sourses, <a href='http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=866224&Sku=A455-1028E' target='_blank'>Asus P4P800 Deluxe</a>. Its a little over your price range, but it's a great board with everything you're looking for and more.
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  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    edited July 2004
    I'm in Lasalle, Quebec. (Near Montreal)

    Also, I've been considering the ASUS P4P800S motherboard. It's $110 at MicroBytes. A review is <a href='http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/asus-p4p800s.html' target='_blank'>here</a>.
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  • MulletMullet Join Date: 2003-04-28 Member: 15910Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Swiftspear+Jul 31 2004, 04:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Swiftspear @ Jul 31 2004, 04:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> What region of Ca are you from? I can probably find you a couple other good shops close by if I know...

    [edit] from your sourses, <a href='http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=866224&Sku=A455-1028E' target='_blank'>Asus P4P800 Deluxe</a>. Its a little over your price range, but it's a great board with everything you're looking for and more. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I agree, go with the P4P800 deluxe. Thats what I'm currently using and it works like wonders <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    edited July 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin-CForrester+Jul 31 2004, 06:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CForrester @ Jul 31 2004, 06:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm in Lasalle, Quebec. (Near Montreal)

    Also, I've been considering the ASUS P4P800S motherboard. It's $110 at MicroBytes. A review is <a href='http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/asus-p4p800s.html' target='_blank'>here</a>. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I think I just got Pwned, your price is way better than the one on that site...

    One sec, I'm gonna cross check with my local computer shop (who has absolutly awesome prices on everything) to see what you should be paying for a P4P800.

    [edit] <a href='http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=1110' target='_blank'>Asus P4P800S 848P 800FSB Audio, Lan, SATA, DDR400 motherboard</a> 115$

    <a href='http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=636' target='_blank'>Asus P4P800-E Deluxe Motherboard</a> 159$

    Hmmm, your gonna need someone with more expertice then I have...
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  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    edited July 2004
    The difference between the Deluxe and the S is that the S uses an i848P chipset. The Deluxe uses an i865PE chipset. The S is just a stripped-down version of the i865PE, but it seems to fit my needs so far.

    [EDIT:] And the P4P800S is probably an OEM. MicroBytes deals mostly in OEM stuff.
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  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-CForrester+Jul 31 2004, 06:41 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CForrester @ Jul 31 2004, 06:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The difference between the Deluxe and the S is that the S uses an i848P chipset. The Deluxe uses an i865PE chipset. The S is just a stripped-down version of the i865PE, but it seems to fit my needs so far.

    [EDIT:] And the P4P800S is probably an OEM. MicroBytes deals mostly in OEM stuff. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Sure.
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  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    So I should buy the P4P800S, then?

    Thanks a bunch for your help, I appreciate it. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    Since your not exactly going to be beating your mobo over the head on the preformance side, I'm sure the P4P800S should do just fine <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    Although, don't be taking my word as a guarentee, I have personally never run either board. Where is talesin when you need him <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Swiftspear+Jul 31 2004, 07:56 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Swiftspear @ Jul 31 2004, 07:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Although, don't be taking my word as a guarentee, I have personally never run either board. Where is talesin when you need him <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Sneaking up behind me to beat me over the head with my motherboard and tell me to get an AMD. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
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