Can anyone recommend a good Mobo?

[MPTech]

I've built a couple dozen PCs over the years for friends & Family, but I'm finally going to build myself a Quad-Core!! (my first Quad build)

When my friend upgraded his system, I bought his old
Phenom X4 9950 Black AM2+ 2.6ghz

I'd like to run W7, 64-bit. Is that possible?

I currently have 2gig RAm and plan to go to 4gig. Is it really beneficial to go any higher?

I currently have a Saphire Radeon x800 Pro, PCI-E. I'll probably update later, but don't see going to SLI.

Can anyone recommend a good mobo for under $100?

[Steve R Jones]

Of all the systems you've built - which ones haven't come back with mobo issues

ASUS is considered above average by most....So instead of asking you 150 questions about other things like how many mem slots do you perfere...Do you still need to run IDE etc....It might be easier if you just looked at ASUS.

[MPTech]

That's a good point, but I didn't want to limit myself to just what I've experienced.
Yes, I'd have to say I had good luck with ASUS, but there may be something better (or worse to avoid).
4 mem slots would be preferred.
I have an IDE controller for the 2nd & 3rd HDD

[jdc2000]

Gigabyte is another good motherboard manufacturer.

I suggest you go to NewEgg.com and check out the motherboards from Gigabyte and Asus in your price range, then look at the specs and reviews.

[SuperSparks]

I agree, I've never found the need to look beyond Gigabyte or Asus (of the two I tend to prefer Gigbyte).

Windows 7 x64 will run fine, and indeed is essential to get the full benefit of your 4 gigs of memory, let lone adding more. As to how much you need, it really depends on what you do - if you like running virtual machines, get lots more, for example (I've gone for 12gigs in my latest one, and I can use it all by running 3 VMs at the same time). But consider 4 gigs a minimum for Windows x64.

[MPTech]

I haven't tried Gigabyte before, but heard good things.

How's this one?
Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H Motherboard - AMD 785G, ATI Hybrid CrossFireX, PCIe 2.0, USB 2.0, RAID, HDMI, DVI, VGA
Looks pretty good and most of the reports sound positive.

I don't plan on doing VM, but I would like to upgrade the 2g of Ram. Can I buy 2 more sticks of 2gig and mix 2 sticks of 1g, with 2 sticks of 2g?

[MPTech]

Hmmmmm, this sounds even better!

Asus M3A78-CM Motherboard - AMD780V, Socket AM2/AM2+, MicroATX, Audio, Video, Hybrix CrossFire, DVI, DP, VGA, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, Serial ATA, RAID


Reading the reviews, ARE THEY SERIOUS? 10 & 13 year olds are building PCs? man, I feel old!!

[photolady]

Like SuperSparks I prefer Gigabyte. I've never had a problem with them, but I cannot say the same about Asus. Though my present board is an Asus and so far it has not give me any problems.....Aftermath, I would have preferred a Gigabyte board.

[Shinma]

... How's this one?
Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H Motherboard - AMD 785G, ATI Hybrid CrossFireX, PCIe 2.0, USB 2.0, RAID, HDMI, DVI, VGA ...

Note that GIGABYTE has listed BIOS version F4 for official Phenom X4 9950 processor support.
Did not encounter any issues with that mobo.
With that said,
Personal preference, GIGABYTE mobos with passive cooling for MOSFETs if/when dealing with 125W processors.