? Need a New Motherboard

Synetech · Feb 7, 2006, 08:40 PM

Hi,

My motherboard is failing so I need a new one. Obviously I will not be able to use my memory (SDRAM) so I will also need new RAM. I have been advised that I should get a new PSU as well to ensure stability (one guy said that the +12V rail must have be >=20A).

I have not made a major computer purchase in a few years so I am no longer current on who makes what. I need some advice on what to get. I need to know which manufacturer to go with and what model if possible. And what's with all this "chipset" stuff?

I would like to use my current CPU until I can afford to get a new one, this means that I am looking for a socket 478 motherboard. Is the 478 limiting? Is it obsolete? Can I get away with it for a few more years? Of course price is an object, especially since I need to get RAM (not many options here right?) and a PSU, but mobos aren't too bad—right?

I'll list the features I need, the ones I'd prefer and like, and the ones I'm guessing I'll have to take (unless there's a better soln).

MUST:
AGP 8.0x
IDE 133 (as many connectors as possible)
USB 2.0 (as many ports as possible)

ASSUMED:
DDR 400 (PC3200)
Socket 478

REALLY PREFERRED:
RAID (as many connectors as possible)
Onboard POST LED
BIOS PwrOn pwd (must type password on keyboard to power system on)
4+ PCI slots
4+ RAM slots (4GB+ supported)

WOULD LIKE:
Onboard sound 5.1/7.1 (any particular kind is better?)
Onboard NIC (any particular kind is better?)
SATA (as many connectors as possible)
Dual BIOS
FireWire (as many ports as possible)
PCI-Express

Does anyone know what motherboard would fit these best? What manufacturer should I go with? There are so bloody many these days, each with numerous models. I've heard good and bad things about some of them which certainly helps.

I need to order it ASAP so I would really appreciate ANY advice you can give me.

Thanks a lot.

Necrosis · Feb 7, 2006, 11:53 PM

There is still many 478 boards around, the latest though is 775 /w DDR2.

Here is some stuff speced off of the 478 /w AGP.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131492

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227031

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116171

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194003

I don't see how you're going to use you current processor. You also might have an issue /w your current video card.

List the entire specs of your computer.

Synetech · Feb 9, 2006, 05:38 PM

So, 478 is being phased out but, it's still good enough to last a few more years right?

I don't understand why I would have an conflict with my CPU, it's a 478 P4 (Willamette though). I've got an 8x AGP video card so it should just be plug and play.

Necrosis · Feb 14, 2006, 12:27 PM

Hmm...sorry been busy. Also don't know why no one else has replied to this.

Could you list all of your current system specs? I can think of the best path for your upgrade.

Chaos · Feb 14, 2006, 08:56 PM

hummm my last Intel chip was a 486DX 266 so I am sorry for not really having much input in this case

Synetech · Mar 15, 2006, 12:40 AM

Well it turns out I was way off on my picks. The EPoX boards were very lacking. I decided to go with the GA-8I875 Ultra. It's probably the best 478 board there is. Unfortunately nobody has it. I managed to find one website that says they have it but they are asking for $200 for it which is ridiculous since 478 is begin phased out. Worse still, there's no way I'm going to send that much money to some site I have never heard of.

It looks like my only choice if I'm going to get a 478 is to get the ASUS P4P4800-E Deluxe. That's the best 478 board that is still available. It's not horrible but does relatively suck. What's worse about that is that it's still $150. Bah!

I've managed to fix my current board for now. I've stuck in some stuff behind the board and secured it to the case with thicker screws. This results in the board being outwardly flexed. Bending the board in this manner fixes the problem. Rudimentary testing showed that there is a bad connection in one or more of the RAM slots or a pathway from the RAM slots and bending the board allows the circuit to be closed. Eventually this won't work because I will likely have to increase the tension every now and then, and in time it will get to the point that bending it any more will crack the board.

Hopefully however, this will buy me enough time to be able to afford a new board, RAM, and CPU. I wanted to get a new board now to get free upgrades (8x AGP, USB 2.0, DDR RAM), but what are you gonna' do right?