Weekly Subject - 06- Mobos and CPUs

[greengoose1]

As we have just covered cases and power supplies, the next pieces of hardware or compoments to be covered is the Motherboard and Central Processing Unit. The mobo (motherboard) and case go hand in hand as you will see and if you bought the CPU (central Processing Unit) separate it would be best to install it on the mobo before the mobo is mounted in the case.

The mobo you see is a good example and is clear enough to discuss the pros and cons, where everything is, etc.




I got this from the Abit site. You can see where the CPU is and the slots for cards of various types.

Let us start. This is an ATX board and we have seen in the last thread that there are ATX cases. Why is this type of designation needed? Then can someone breakdown the acronyms in the name of the board? What do we have to be careful of in handling this board.

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[Shinma]

I generally get the people to decide on the processor brand first,
Since mobos for current AMD processors are not compatible with those intended for Intel.
There is also the matter of Intel's P4 requiring its own specifications as well.



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[T-bolt]

So then, I need to make a decision on which to use, AMD or Intel, prior to purchasing the mobo? Or are there some boards that will accomadate both?

[ceh383]

The Webopedia definition of ATXSeems reasonsble to me. As for a MOBO that will accept both AMD and INTEL processors I don't think one exists, if one does I've never seen one.
I would want to know what the computer is going to be used for before making any decisions, there is no point in going with a 1.3ghz P3 or T-Bird if the machine is going to be used for E-mail & word processing. For these you could save money and use a K6-2 or a Celeron.
No matter what, I would read as many reviews as possible on several boards that might fit the bill. The key things to look for....1-Stability....2-Possible hardware conflicts....3-Performance.

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[Train]

For questions on definitions/meanings I use http://www.webopedia.com/

Cost of cpu's can be a driving factor in building/upgrading a computer, so take a good look at that aspect. Example here

Or you can go to www.pricewatch.com and under cpu select processor-pc and take a look.

It has been a while since a motherboard has been able to take both AMD and Intel cpu's been made. So, you will need to get one made for the cpu you chose.




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[greengoose1]

Good Morning All, Had an Email from a member saying they couldn't post "a rather long post". Has their been problems posting in the past day. I was out of pocket quite a bit of the past 24 hours is why I'm asking.

Had another Email regarding Antec cases wanting an opinion on them. You might see a new thread on Antec popup. Regarding this same Email, on page three of Cases and Power Supplies Antec was covered somewhat. What I am concerned with here are the newer members reading long threads that have more than one page. Each page in a thread is listed at the top left under the title of the thread and all you have to do is click on 1,2,3 etc.

In the opening post I asked three questions that are not difficult. Again, we are trying to give information in an easy to understand manner to newer members. The more knowledgeable a person is that person (and I have done it)will take for granted that the person reading will understand. For you reading, do not be afraid to ask for clarification if you need to. As you can see, if you have been reading along, our "experts" love to talk and talk and talk and...... you get the idea. Seriously, they can and will help you.

This subject we are on right now is the core of your computer and needs to be looked at in depth as we go along. We see alot of questions on the forums dealing with one or another of the individual part or function that we are talking about. Have fun.

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[Train]

Greengoose1
Yes, there have been glitches in posting. I just wait a little bit and try again. Ask Dodge about what happens sometimes.
Whole thread disappears. And that was not the first time it has happened either.


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[Train]

In case you MISSED it


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[GlynBartlett]

I am currently researching MOBs to build my first PC. This has been the hardest and most important feature. I have decided on the AMD CPU. This was an easy decision considering the price and performance. Next was do I get a Duron 800Mhz @ GBP48 or a Athlon 900 (266FSB) @ GBP130. Everyone has advised me to go strait for the Athlon. I am still leaning to the Duron and upgrade when prices come down. Any thoughts and reasoning?

So to the MOB - I am looking at the GA-7ZXR Rev.3.0. If you know of a better one in the same price range please let me know. Please also let me know why you think it is better. Top of my list is future upgradeability. Also what components I can use from my current system to keep the costs down. I can then add good quality items later at my leisure and as the prices come down or I can afford them.

CPU - will it support Duron to Athlon. The chosen claims to support 500MHz Duron to 1.5Ghz 266/200 Athlon and greater. The FSB is 95~150MHz. I thought the 266/200 referred to the FSB in which case 95~150MHz does not seem enough? Also, this MOB uses the VIA KT133A chipset which I have been told does not support 266 Athlon - any comments?

Memory - Does the MOB support PC100/PC133 SDRAM as a minimum and maybe PC2100 DDR SDRAM (this MOB does not support the latter). What is the performance difference between 256Mb of PC133 SDRAM and PC2100 DDR SDRAM using the same processor. I have been told it is negligible. Again your comments please. Also, I have seen on these pages that Windows software will only support up to 512Mb of memory after this the performance ac

[GlynBartlett]

A lot of great stuff here cutted and pasted for reference over the next few weeks.

I received a reply from Gigabyte on why the MOB FSB of 95-150MHz is said to support an AMD 266(this was answered above - however this response just seemed to spell it out) - "AMD 200/266 processors double up the bus speed of the motherboard, hence 100/133."

Questions not answered so far are what do the following mean:

1) Suspend-To-RAM (STR)?;
2) Wake-On-LAN (WOL)?;
3) USB KB/MS Wake up from S3?; and
4) Poly fuse for keyboard over-current protection?

Also a new one:

5) My current mouse and keyboard do not have PS/2 plugs (they are that old!) - are there connections for them on these new MOB's with PS/2 plugs or do I have to replace them?

Note the numbering even though I have never been to Kansas.

Regards,

Glyn

[greengoose1]

We have lost several posts in the past hour. Anyone have any idea what happened?

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[bistro]

Not sure....whipped off an e-mail to SRJ about it. Solar flares?

[greengoose1]

The way I count seems like a couple of dozen. Never saw that before, but the total is right that is showing. Gee, I hope you have all the good stuff memorized so you can repost. You, me, kalliru, DrMDJ, etc - gone. We must have really ticked the gods off. I think I can remember the lead off questions.

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[bistro]

Weird. Maybe if we wait a while, sacrifice a few pidgeons, say a chant or two, the posts will come back.

Gotta take off for a while. Will be back--hopefully it''l be cleared up. Have never seen this kind of glitch before on VDr. The mystery is afoot....

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-18-2001).]

[wonderinguy34]

Dang
I though tI 'd actually made sense too.